How Germany Is Responding to the Far-right | DW News

Feb 11, 2024 | Hundreds of thousands have come out across Germany in recent days to protest the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The far-right populist party with a strong anti-immigration focus is enjoying record highs in opinion polls. Nationwide surveys show that about one in five Germans would vote for it, and the AfD is projected to come first in elections in three eastern states later this year. So how did Germany get here? And how is society responding?

Key Takeaways from Tucker Carlson's Interview with Russia's Putin | DW News

Feb 9, 2024 | Russia's President Vladimir Putin has given his first one-on-one interview to Western media since 2019 – to a controversial right-wing US talk show host.

Tucker Carlson is a former Fox News host, a key ally of 2024 election candidate Donald Trump – and a vocal opponent to US military aid for Ukraine. He travelled to Moscow to conduct the interview, which was broadcast on the 'Tucker Carlson Network'. The Russian president used the occasion to push for recognition of Moscow's interests – depicting Russia as a victim of Western betrayal and fearmongering.

Carlson left Putin largely unchallenged. In video from Tucker Carlson Network, some questions led to jokes rather than real answers.

What a New Power-sharing Deal Means for Northern Ireland | DW News

Feb 5, 2024 | UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is visiting Northern Ireland to mark the return of power sharing between the province's pro-Irish and pro-British political parties. He's met with First Minister Michelle O'Neill from the nationalist Sinn Fein party and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the pro-British Democratic Unionists, the DUP. The DUP ended a two-year boycott of the province's power sharing assembly last week after accepting a deal involving changes to post-Brexit rules affecting Northern Ireland's agreement with the European Union.

The Biggest Electoral Year in History: Will Democracy Survive 2024? | DW News

Feb 3, 2024 | 2024 is the biggest electoral year in history, with people heading to the polls in dozens of countries. This is DW’s preview to the most consequential elections of 2024 across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas – and what they mean for the health and future of democracy. Correspondent Rosie Birchard speaks to DW experts on Taiwan, India, South Africa, Mexico, the EU and the US.

EU Agrees on €50 Billion Ukraine Aid Package | DW News

Feb 1, 2024 | Just one hour into the EU's special summit, EU leaders managed to reach a deal that will allow the bloc to send €50 billion ($54 billion) in funding to Ukraine over the next four years, according to European Council President Charles Michel.

The deal had been blocked by Hungary since the previous leaders' summit in Brussels in mid-December. "We have a deal," Michel wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine."

German Mainstream Scramble to Thwart Rising Popularity of the Far Right | DW News

Jan 27, 2024 | The Alternative for Germany (AfD), which the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has partially classified as right-wing extremist, is enjoying record highs in opinion polls. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of people have been taking to the streets to demonstrate against the anti-immigration party.

The German Bundestag is also debating how to deal with the AfD, with the three governing parliamentary factions — the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP)— submitting a motion on the issue. The topic: "Resilient democracy in a diverse country — a clear stand against the enemies of democracy and their plans of forced displacement."

The move was prompted by a media report about a meeting last fall of right-wing extremists, attended by AfD officials as well as members of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The gathering is said to have been about plans for the so-called remigration, or expulsion, of millions of people who have immigrated to Germany.

In the parliamentary debate, Bernd Baumann, the AfD's parliamentary secretary and chief whip in the German parliament, told lawmakers the meeting was no more than a "small, private debate club," but not a "secret meeting dangerous to the public."

But Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) called it "an active effort to shift borders and to spread contempt for democracy and misanthropy into the heart of society." Faeser said she could also imagine banning the party — but only as a last resort.

Germany Logs Uptick in Antisemitic Crimes amid Gaza Conflict | DW News

Jan 26, 2024 | Authorities in Germany have noted a sharp increase in crimes with antisemitic motives amid the conflict in Gaza. The government's commissioner tasked with combating antisemitism called the figure "shameful."

Oldest Holocaust survivor turns 112 amid rise in antisemitism: Rose Girone is the oldest member of a group that numbers 245,000, according to a new survey. »

Why Trump Seems to Be Unbeatable in the US Presidential Primaries | DW News

Jan 24, 2024 | Former US President Donald Trump won the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, strengthening his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, according to projections by the Associated Press and Fox News. After a landslide victory in the Iowa caucuses, Trump was down to one serious rival, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. According to the projections, Haley outperformed expectations but was unable to clinch an important victory. At his victory party, Trump mocked his last remaining rival, calling her an "imposter" and saying, "She's doing a speech like she won. She didn't win. She lost ... She had a very bad night." …

Chainsaw Politics: Cutting Down the Democratic Establishment? | To The Point

Dec 14, 2023

Die deutsche Version dieser Sendung kann man auch ansehen. Klicken Sie bitte hier. Der Name der Sendung heißt „Politik mit der Kettensäge: Wird das demokratische Establishment zerlegt?“

US Senate Republicans Block Military Aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan | DW News

Dec 7, 2023 | US Republican senators have blocked a bill aimed at providing billions of dollars of military aid to Ukraine and Israel. They insist that any aid to Ukraine must be tied to stronger policies to control immigration across the border with Mexico. The result of the vote will send the lawmakers back to the negotiating table. President Joe Biden has signaled he's prepared to make compromises to get the aid approved.

Six Minors on Trial in Paris over Murder of History Teacher Samuel Paty | DW News | November 27, 2023

Nov 27, 2023 | A juvenile court in France is begining the trial of six minors today, for their alleged connections to the murder of a French teacher three years ago. Samuel Paty taught history and geography at a school in a Parisian suburb. He'd used the controversial cartoons of the Islamic prophet Mohammed that apperaed in the Charlie Hebdo magazine to discuss free-speech laws in France. He was killed and then beheaded by a radical Islamist outside his school in October 2020, causing an outpouring of grief in France. The perpetrator, an 18 year-old man of Chechen origin, was shot dead by police. The Paris court is now examining the role of six others.

With tragic stories like this appearing in the news with alarming frequency, is there really any wonder that many people fear Islam and its growth in the West?

Many organizations chide people for being Islamophobic. But we should remember that a phobia is an irrational fear or aversion to something. But what is irrational about fearing, or having an aversion to, a religion whose adherents are sometimes, through fanatical beliefs, given to beheading innocent people? Indeed, it would be irrational NOT to fear such a religion.

If ‘Islamophobia’ is to be successfully combatted, it is up to Muslims living in the West to ensure that their co-religionists refrain from such barbaric behaviour. When Muslims stop beheading innocent people and start behaving in a civilized manner, people will have no reason to be Islamophobic. In short, the solution to this problem lies with Muslims themselves. Furthermore, if Muslims dislike our Western ways and our Western modes of living, it might be better if they returned to their countries of origin. Preferably voluntarily. – © Mark Alexander

Populist Geert Wilders Emerges as Winner in the Dutch Elections, Might Fall Short of Governing

Nov 23, 2023 | The party of far-right populist Geert Wilders is set to emerge as the largest force after elections in the Netherlands. Early results point to the Freedom Party winning 35 of the 150 seats in parliament. Many other parties have ruled out working with Wilders and his party.

UK: An Unelected Foreign Secretary Appointed by an Unelected Prime Minister? | DW News

Nov 13, 2023 | David Cameron has spent the past seven years in the political wilderness – the man who gambled on a referendum that ended with Britain's seismic Brexit bust-up with Europe. Today, another gamble by another British leader brought David Cameron back to the frontline of government as British foreign secretary.

Few expected David Cameron to arrive at 10 Downing Street today for his appointment – his comeback made even more unlikely by the fact that he's currently not an elected lawmaker. The rare move by prime minister Rishi Sunak is part of a major cabinet shake-up which also saw the replacement of his divisive interior minister – Suella Braverman was sacked after writing an article accusing London's police of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters.

What World Leaders Are Doing to Help End the War in Gaza | DW News

Nov 11, 2023 | Arab leaders were joined in Saudi Arabia by the presidents of Turkey and Iran for an emergency summit on Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said his people face a 'genocidal war' and want international protection. Arab nations are expected to issue a joint call for an end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

Germany's foreign minister is in Ramallah to meet with Palestinian leaders. Annalena Baerbock will also hold talks with her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen in Tel Aviv later this evening. The trip comes on the heels of a meeting with Gulf State leaders, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Baerbock discussed efforts to free German hostages being held by Hamas, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This is her third visit to the region since the October 7 terror attacks.

Is Erdogan Killing Turkey's Storied Winemaking Tradition | Focus on Europe | DW News

Nov 5, 2023 | Turkey's President Erdogan is making things hard for winemakers and brewers by imposing alcohol taxes that have risen by 1,550 percent since 2011. For Seniz Saç winemaking is a millennia-old cultural tradition.

Why the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Is So Hard to Resolve | DW News

Nov 4, 2023 | The attack by the Islamist terrorist group Hamas on Israel on October 7 led to a declaration of war by Israel in response. Any chance of a lasting peace is currently some way off. We take a look at the possible routes to peace that have been proposed by experts and the international community.

Germany: Atmosphere of Fear and Division Prevails due to Israel-Hamas War | DW News

Nov 3, 2023 | According to the latest Infratest dimap poll, almost three quarters of Germans say they are concerned about the flare-up in hostilities since the terror attacks on October 7. Israel's war on Hamas is having repercussions outside the region, with both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations being held in many countries. In Germany, public opinion is also shaped by the country's historic responsibility for the Holocaust.

Rising Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment in Latin America | DW News

Nov 3, 2023 | Anger over the Israeli offensive in Gaza has led to a spike in antisemitic attacks around the world. In the wake of the Hamas terror attack, already traumatized Jewish communities have had to grapple with hate speech, and verbal and physical abuse. Jews in many countries say they feel unsafe and like they are being held responsible for decisions and actions of the Israeli government. That's the case too in Argentina, which has the largest Jewish community in South America.

Combatting Sweden's Surging Gang Violence | DW News

Nov 1, 2023 | The Swedish government has announced new plans for tougher law enforcement to try to break the cycle of gang violence that's risen to levels never before imagined. The government will also set up youth councils around the country. Teri Schultz visited the southern city of Helsingborg where local activists already have the model but need more money.

This is an appalling state of affairs! Social workers will not be able to put a stop to this despicabale behaviour. Full national service is the answer. (I believe that Sweden has only partial conscription.) A stint in the military. These young people need to be taught discipline, self-respect and how to respect others. – © Mark Alexander

Recent Developments in the Israel-Hamas War | DW News

Oct 30, 2023 | Today on the programme, the following three stories about the Israel-Hamas war: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says the situation in Gaza is growing desperate and that the number of civilians killed and injured is totally unacceptable. We look at how the war is stoking tensions in France and the United States between Jewish and Palestinian communities. And a detailed look at the military role the United States is playing in the conflict.