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Merkel, Orban commemorate 'Pan-European Picnic'

The two leaders have met as part of the commemorations of the symbolic event that led to an exodus of East Germans to the West. Merkel thanked Hungary for its role in bringing down the Iron Curtain. Go to article

Secrets of 'Pan-European Picnic' still a mystery 14h ago

East Germans embrace on the Austrian side of the border with Hungary (picture-alliance/dpa/Votava)

A picnic in a meadow on the Hungarian-Austrian border: That was the plan. But the symbolic event, a show of support for a united Europe, enabled the first exodus from behind the Iron Curtain. Unintentionally — or not?

DW strongly rejects accusations by Russia's Duma 1h ago

In reaction to a series of protests across the country, Russia's parliament has announced a probe into "foreign meddling" by Western governments and media — including DW.

Has Merkel's government really delivered? 3h ago

German flags wave in the breeze in front of the parliament building in Berlin

The German government is working at a "record-breaking" pace according to a new study, but only 10% of voters agree. With state elections looming, time is running out for Berlin to convince the public it's doing its job.

Iran warns US over oil tanker 10h ago

Tehran has threatened "grave consequences" if the US renews efforts to detain an oil tanker at the center of a diplomatic row. The vessel was detained in Gibraltar for six weeks but left anchorage on Sunday night.

Syrian Kurds hand over IS children to Germany 4h ago

Syrien Frau und Kind eines vermeintlichen IS Kämpfers in Rakka (Getty Images/AFP/B. Kilic)

Kurdish authorities in Syria have handed over four children to Germany who had parents that were "Islamic State" fighters. Many EU countries are grappling with how to handle returning foreign fighters and their families.

Turkey removes pro-Kurdish mayors from office 3h ago

Turkish police use water canon to disperse demonstrators in Diyarbakir (Reuters/S. Kayar)

Three members of the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) have been relieved of their positions in three eastern provinces. It's the latest crackdown by Erdogan's government on the opposition.

Kashmir 'siege': A DW reporter's own account 4h ago

Bildergalerie Kaschmir Alltag in Srinagar (Reuters/D. Siddiqui)

People in India-administered Kashmir have been living with roadblocks, lockdowns and no communications for two weeks. DW reporter Rifat Fareed tells the story of life in Srinagar after it was cut off from the world.

'Open Arms' rescue ship rejects Mallorca offer 1h ago

A still image taken from a video shows migrants attempting to swim ashore after jumping off the Spanish rescue ship Open Arms.

The migrant rescue charity 'Open Arms' has rejected a Spanish government offer for its vessel to dock at a Balearic Island port. It was the second offer the group rejected, citing an "urgent" and "inhumane" situation.

EU boosts aid for Bosnia's migration influx 0m ago

Migrants and refugees wait in line to receive supplies from the Red Cross at the Vucijak camp outside Bihac, Bosnia.

The European Union promised 10 million euros in aid to Bosnia. The funds are earmarked to to build new reception centers and support the more than 7,000 migrants currently based in the Balkan state.

Swiss mountain air exporter in running for environmental shame award

A group that draws attention to environmentally unsound transport has named its nominees in the 2019 "especially absurd shipping award." Among them was one firm exporting Alpine air to Asia.

Germany's far-right: New unit to combat extremism 7h ago

Right-wing demonstration in Chemnitz (picture alliance/dpa/S. Willnow)

Germany's federal criminal police agency wants to overhaul the structures it uses to fight far-right groups and hate crimes, media reports say. The organization sees a growing threat of militant extremism in the country.

UK's Prince Andrew 'appalled' by Epstein claims 4h ago

The British royals reject allegations of the prince's involvement in the Epstein sex scandals. Buckingham Palace released a statement after a video resurfaced from 2008 where Andrew was seen at Epstein's New York home.

Thousands evacuated as Gran Canaria fire spreads 10h ago

Forest fire on the island of Gran Canaria in Spain (Reuters/B. Suarez)

A fast-moving forest fire on the Spanish holiday island of Gran Canaria has forced authorities to evacuate thousands of people. The government says it could take days before the blaze is brought under control.

US: HK crackdown may hurt US-China trade deal 10h ago

US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping

The US president has said that he'd "like to see Hong Kong worked out in a very humanitarian fashion." Trump warned that a Tiananmen Square-style crackdown would damage talks on a US-China trade deal.

Sudan: Omar al-Bashir corruption trial gets underway 7h ago

Sudan's deposed president arrived amid heavy security at the courthouse in Khartoum where he is facing charges of financial malpractice. Amnesty International say that he still has to face heavier charges in The Hague.

Tasiilaq, Greenland (Reuters/L. Jackson)

Trump confirms interest in Greenland purchase

US President Donald Trump has confirmed his interest in buying Greenland from Denmark, saying the area was "strategically" interesting. Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stressed the territory is not for sale.

UN: More aid needed for Venezuela refugees 16h ago

Venezuelans await the opening of the border crossing at Pacaraima, Brazil

The UN has warned that hostility towards Venezuelan refugees in neighboring countries will grow if aid is not increased.

100 years of independence celebrations in Afghanistan

Opinion: Afghanistan's roller-coaster history 4h ago

It should be joyous: 100 years of independence. But Afghanistan is in mourning after a wedding was attacked. The US and the Taliban are thrashing out a deal, but DW's Florian Weigand predicts an uncertain future.

Germany's Seehofer warns refugees who take Syria vacations

Iceland holds ceremony for first glacier lost to climate change

Italy: Populists declare Salvini a 'traitor' as government collapse looms

Rammstein: Just what's in those lyrics?

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A suicide attack in Kabul on Saturday killed at least 63 people

Afghanistan: Is 'Islamic State' taking advantage of US-Taliban peace talks?

"Islamic State" has claimed responsibility for the Kabul attack that killed at least 63 people. Experts say that IS is giving a show of force, as the Taliban are busy holding talks with the US.

Afghanistan independence: DW talks to exiled princess

Afghanistan marks the 100th anniversary of its independence on August 19. DW spoke with Afghan Princess India, who has been living in Italy for decades. The 90-year-old princess talked about her father, King Amanullah Khan, and shared some memories about her life in exile.

Yussuf Poulsen and Marcel Sabitzer celebrate RB Leipzig's fourth goal against Union Berlin. (Reuters/A. Hilse)

RB Leipzig throw hat into title ring

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have dominated discussion about who might win this season's Bundesliga title. But RB Leipzig's commanding start to the campaign could signal a three-horse race.

E-mobility: Germany hopes to mine lithium

A small community in the German state of Saxony may soon see the revival of its centuries-old mining tradition. But this time around, the focus is no longer on tin or tungsten but on lithium, as Hardy Graupner reports.

A girl attending the ceremony to mark the passing of Iceland's Okjokull ice sheet holds a globe-shaped placard with a picture of the earth and the slogan pull the emergency brake.

The fate of glaciers around the world

As Iceland marks the first loss of one of its glaciers to climate change, the melting of glaciers in other parts of the world continues to gain momentum.

Syrien Luftangriffe in der Provinz Idlib (Getty Images/AFP/A. Ketaz)

Syrian White Helmets risk death in Idlib

The Syrian city of Idlib is the final stronghold of forces opposed to President Bashar Assad.

View of Istanbul (picture-alliance/imagebroker/W. Korall)

Istanbul unprepared for next big quake

The question is not if — but when — a devastating earthquake will hit Istanbul.

Amazon delivers VW's 'Final Edition' Beetle

The iconic car rolled off the assembly line in July 2019 after more than two decades since its relaunch. There are only 65 "Final Edition" Beetles available, and they can be bought only in Mexico.