World | Deutsche Welle

Major human rights wins of 2025 Though 2025 was a year of flagrant human rights abuses across the globe, there were also 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. Eurostar back on track after Channel Tunnel power fault The operator of the train service connecting Britain with continental Europe has warned that delays may persist as travelers head out in the run-up to the New Year. Taiwan remains on alert as China ends military drills China had fired rockets and deployed dozens of aircraft and naval vessels in exercises simulating a blockade of Taiwan's ports. Taipei condemned the drills as a threat to regional security. Iran on the brink? Key information about the protests Iran has been gripped by demonstrations amid the country's economic crisis, with social discontent fueling open protest against the regime. Media and authorities have pinned the blame on foreign intelligence services. Guinea's junta leader declared winner of presidential election Mamadi Doumbouya secured almost 87% of the vote, while several opposition figures were either barred from contesting or were in exile. Doumbouya seized power after staging a coup in 2021. Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of JFK, dies aged 35 Tatiana Schlossberg revealed she had been diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia in an essay in The New Yorker last month. She was highly critical of her relative Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US health secretary. Iran: Students join economic protests, president seeks talks Students demonstrated at several universities in Iran, semi-official media reported, after demonstrations by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants moved the president to announce plans for talks with protesters online. Syria imposes curfew in port city after sectarian violence Syrian authorities announced a 13-hour curfew and said the arrest of 21 members of the Alawite community in Latakia. The city is a bastion of Syria's Alawite minority, of which former President Bashar Assad was part. Indian cinema: National pride meets box office success A wave of Bollywood films reflecting the BJP government's narratives is reshaping Indian cinema and finding major commercial success. Female empowerment: Arab women rise to the mic More and more Middle Eastern women thrive as comedians. Could their success on stage, in the film industry, at comedy festivals and on social media foster empowerment for the next generation of girls?