World | Deutsche Welle

Trump delays China trip during US-Israel war on Iran Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing was meant to stabilize a fragile ceasefire in the trade and tech conflict with China. Now the war with Iran is reshaping his agenda — and the leverage wielded by Beijing. EU weighs options as Israel threatens Lebanon offensive EU officials are warning Israel against a ground offensive in Lebanon. But can they compel Hezbollah to disarm or prevent Israeli military action? Russian Orthodox Church makes inroads in Africa The Russian Orthodox Church is slowly but surely gaining a foothold in Africa. Experts say Russia is using its expansion as a form of ideological soft power. Backlash against sex ed threatens Poland's health curriculum The government's decision to introduce voluntary health education at schools caused uproar last year. Supporters say the subject prepares young people for life, but conservatives fear that it will lead children astray. US-Israel war with Iran shows fault lines in BRICS alliance As the fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran widens, BRICS countries face mounting pressure to respond — but internal rifts and competing interests have put the bloc's limitations on full display. North Korea watches and learns as US attacks Iran Kim Jong Un has for years said nuclear weapons were critical to the survival of his regime. Experts say the war in Iran is a lesson for North Korea that nuclear deterrence works. Pete Hegseth has been loyal defense secretary for Trump Pete Hegseth calls himself a Christian patriot; critics say hes a far-right agitator. Above all, Hegseth, a former soldier and television commentator, has served US President Donald Trump loyally as defense secretary. President Sassou-Nguesso wins Congo-Brazzaville's election Provisional results announced showed Nguesso with nearly 95% of the vote; his closest rival received less than 2%. Many political analysts had predicted victory for the longtime leader in power since 1979. The internet was supposed to be free. What went wrong? Thirty years ago, countercultural thinkers declared the internet an independent space. Today, it's controlled by a handful of corporations. Were we deceived? Cuba vows 'unbreakable resistance' to any takeover attempt Cuba's leader says the US is inflicting "collective punishment" on the Cuban people amid plans to seize the country. US President Trump has said it would be a "big honor" to take the island nation. Has Europe's center-right started relying on the far right? With the center-right increasingly teaming up with the far-right in the European Parliament, EU politics may be headed for a significant shift. No more big spenders: Iran war to dent Gulf state investment Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE have invested, or promised to invest, trillions around the world, everywhere from America to Africa. The Iran war may see their money spent closer to home. Who was Ali Larijani, Iran's unofficial strongman? Veteran politician Ali Larijani came from a powerful family — but was never fully embraced by Iranian hardliners.