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Auf DW Deutsch liefern wir in exklusiven Beiträgen und spannenden Gesprächen die Hintergründe zu den großen Themen aus Deutschland und der Welt, setzen sie in Kontext und analysieren sie.

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What's behind Israel's recognition of Somaliland?

Somaliland declared its independence in the early nineties, but the international community never recognized it as a state. Why is Israel breaking ranks now?

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How South Korea's cosmetic industry drives career success

In South Korea, beauty can be as decisive as talent. From plastic surgery to photo-edited CVs, appearance often determines career prospects.

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Mourners gather for vigil after Swiss ski resort fire

Mourners in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana held a vigil for the victims of fire in a bar on New Year's Eve. Hundreds gathered in silence in the freezing night. Authorities say around 40 people died in the blaze.

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Protesters in Iran clash with security forces

Clashes between protesters and security forces in Iran have turned deadly. Rising living costs have sparked outrage among citizens. The protests have also turned against the country's authoritarian government.

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Mourners gather for vigil after Swiss ski resort fire

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Mines threaten ships and civilians off Ukraine's coast

After almost four years of war, the waters of the Black Sea off Ukraine are believed to be the world's most heavily mined. DW's Nick Connolly went out with a Ukrainian naval crew trawling for an explosive catch.

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Bulgaria becomes eurozone's 21st member

Bulgaria has officially adopted the euro as its national currency, leaving the lev behind. But the switch comes at a difficult moment, with deep political divisions at home and widespread fears over rising prices.

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World rings in 2026 with fireworks and fanfare

The world has said goodbye to 2025. Some cities opted for light shows or drones to welcome 2026, but from the Pacific to the Middle East to the Americas, there were plenty of lavish firework displays to welcome 2026.

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Kenya's aspiring lawyers grapple with harassment and exploitation

On-the-job training for aspiring lawyers in Kenya is often marred by more than academic pressure. For many young women, it means quietly enduring harassment, bullying, and exploitation.

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U.S.-led talks on Russia's war in Ukraine continue into 2026

The United States is expected to host a meeting with Ukraine and EU leaders early in 2026. A coalition of Ukraine's allies will gather in Paris. But with no sign of the fighting slowing down, is peace anywhere near?

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Chancellor Merz hits optimistic note in New Year's Address

German Chancellor Merz used his New Year's address to call on society to come together to ensure prosperity. He reflected on the many challenges facing the country and the difficult decisions that lie ahead in 2026.

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Protests grow in Iran over rising living costs, inflation

Protests are spreading across Iran, as living costs rise and inflation spirals out of control. Videos published online show protesters taking to the streets, with the image of one protester defying police going viral.

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Saudi Arabia bombs port in Yemen

The United Arab Emirates says it's withdrawing its remaining forces from Yemen. The move comes after Saudi Arabia bombed a port in Yemen, saying it targeted an arms shipment intended for a UAE-backed separatist force.

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Gen Z movements made headway around the world in 2025

A wave of youth-led protests emerged as a powerful movement in 2025. The so-called YouthQuake saw Gen Z demonstrators take to the streets around the world, sometimes at great personal cost to the young demonstrators.

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Africa 2025: A year of contrasts

Geopolitical milestones, fragile democracies, resilient economies and devastating conflicts — it was a year of contrasts for Africa. Here's what shaped the continent in 2025.

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MH370: Will aviation's biggest mystery finally be solved?

More than a decade after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished with 239 people on board, the search to locate the main wreckage is being resumed. DW speaks to an expert and a relative of an MH370 passenger.

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Copenhagen tours highlight diversity

In Copenhagen, recent immigrants are offering visitors guided tours of their neighborhoods, providing an insight into their lives and a new perspective on Danish society.

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China drills around Taiwan to 'send deterring signal'

China has launched its most extensive military exercises around Taiwan in more than a year, mobilizing naval, air and ground forces.

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Gold rush tourism revives China's mines

A surge in gold prices has drawn tourists to China's old mining towns, where they can experience prospecting for themselves. Such experiential attractions could provide a lifeline for these regions.

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China stages new military exercises around Taiwan

In a new show of force, China has mobilized its navy, air force, and ground troops to simulate a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports. The military drill comes on the heels of an $11bn US arms sale to Taipei.

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Iranian women unveiled: A shift in hijab enforcement?

Across Tehran, women of all ages openly defy Iran's compulsory hijab rules. Many see this as a sign that the Islamic Republic was weakened by the 12-day war with Israel. In an exclusive interview from inside Iran, DW spoke with two young...

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Netanyahu, Trump meet as Israel-U.S. ties strain over Gaza truce

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the U.S. for talks with Donald Trump as a stalling Gaza ceasefire and Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Syria challenge Trump's claim of being a Middle East peace broker.

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India's girl cricketers dream of stepping into the spotlight

In India, cricket is almost a religion. But women's cricket has so far been on the margins. Now, female stars, who've gained international recognition, inspire a new generation of girls to become professional cricketers.

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Panic attacks — what are the causes and therapies?

Panic attacks are more than anxiety. How do they start? What are the typical symptoms? And how does behavioral therapy like CBT work?

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Central African Republic voters head to polls

Central Africans are heading to the polls on December 28 to choose national, regional, and municipal lawmakers. Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadera, whose campaign focused on stability and security, is also seeking reelection f...

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Zelenskyy meets Canadian PM ahead of Trump talks

En route to Florida for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on ending the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stopped to meet Canada's Prime Minister. Mark Carney pledged $1.8 billion in economic aid.

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Myanmar votes in low-opposition election under junta control

Myanmar has started voting in its first election since the military ousted the civilian government in 2021. Turnout has been low in the first of three phases of the general election, held under tight restrictions.

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Kyiv residents forced to shelters by Russian holiday strikes

Russian drone and missile attacks have forced many Ukrainians into air raid shelters during holiday season. Kyiv accused Moscow of sowing "chaos" ahead of key talks between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.

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Britain: How climate change affects fishers

As the oceans heat up, octopuses are migrating to the English coast. The newcomers are depleting local fish stocks, though fishers can profit from the new species, too.

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Expert: Ukraine's peace plan more of 'a general sketch'

Anna Matveeva, a visiting research fellow at King's College London’s Russia Institute, explains why the new Ukrainian 20-point plan is more of a proposal than anything concrete the Russians might accept at face value.

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