World | Deutsche Welle

Venezuela releases 88 jailed after post-election protests The ‍New Year's Day announcement marks the second mass release in a week amid US pressure on President Nicolas ⁠Maduro's government. Amsterdam church destroyed by New Year's blaze The beloved 154-year-old Vondel Church in Amsterdam was devastated by a massive fire that erupted shortly after midnight on New Year's Day. Iran starts 2026 facing protests, inflation and sanctions At the end of 2025, many Iranian merchants closed their shops to protest rampant inflation. At the start of 2026, the government faces further fallout from sanctions, economic crisis and environmental threats. Yemen: Separatists to allow Saudi-backed forces into seized areas A UAE-backed group pushing for independence in southern Yemen has agreed to the deployment of Saudi-aligned forces in the oil-rich territory it seized last month. South Korea's Lee ditches hard-line path on Kim, North Korea With ties between the Koreas at rock bottom, South Korea's Lee Jae Myung is advancing several initiatives aimed to build bridges with the Kim Jong Un regime — including one focusing on the martial art of taekwondo. Bulgaria joins Eurozone despite opposition Bulgaria became the 21st member of the currency union, bringing the number of people using the single European currency to more than 350 million. Taiwan president vows to defend sovereignty after China drills President Lai Ching-te said the world is ⁠watching to see ‍whether the Taiwanese people possess the resolve to defend themselves. Meanwhile, Beijing said the eventual annexation of Taiwan is "unstoppable." France plans social media ban for children under 15: reports After Australia's world-first social-media ban for minors, France has drafted a similar law to block under-15s from major platforms, which could take effect from September. Iran's economic crisis, political discontent threaten regime Protests triggered by soaring inflation and a collapsing currency have highlighted widespread political discontent. Analysts say the deep economic woes are a major challenge to the regime's authority. In India, youths are quiet as Gen Z protests rock South Asia Gen Z protests have shaken Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal in recent years — but not India. Why? In a Delhi coffee-house chat with DW, young Indians debate power, politics and the future. Finland seizes vessel suspected of damaging undersea cable European countries are on high alert following a series of suspected sabotage attacks on underwater cables and pipelines. From education to marriage, major human rights gains of 2025 Though 2025 saw flagrant human rights abuses across the globe, the year also brought many positive developments. Fact check: Content farm videos on Merz, Starmer and Trump Fake videos of political leaders often go viral online. DW's Fact check department analyzes how content farms use algorithm-driven formats, and what narratives they reinforce.