Typhoon Gaemi: Freighter sinks off Taiwan's coast
Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Center said Thursday a cargo ship had sunk after Typhoon Gaemi passed over the island overnight. Freighter Fu-Shun with a Tanzanian flag sank off the Kaohsiung Harbor coast, with nine crew members from Myanmar missing. The search operation will be carried out after conditions improve. Typhoon Gaemi made landfall in Taiwan late on Wednesday, hitting the eastern Yilan County at around 12 a.m. local time (1600 GMT Wednesday). It then moved to the Taiwan Strait early on Thursday, the Central Weather Administration said. While the intensity of the typhoon has reduced, authorities have warned residents of southern and central Taiwan that there may be flooding in the following days. About 87,000 households were without electricity as of Thursday morning, while schools, workplaces and financial markets remained closed for a second day. The superstorm brought strong winds and heavy rains to the island before its arrival, killing at least two people, according to the disaster management center — one by a falling tree and the other after part of a building fell on a car — and at least 279 more people were injured.
Typhoon Gaemi expected to be the strongest storm in 8 years
With around 29,000 soldiers on standby for disaster relief, President Lai Ching-te had urged people to "put safety first" during a morning emergency briefing on Wednesday. Lai added the next 24 hours would be crucial for the island, as there was "a very severe challenge" for emergency services and personnel to tackle. Before making landfall, Gaemi, the first typhoon of the season to affect the island, was packing maximum sustained winds of 190 kilometers (118 miles) per hour. It is estimated to bring about 1,800 millimeters or 70 inches of rain to southern and central Taiwan. The storm has already affected Japan and the Philippines, enhancing the seasonal monsoon rains in Manila. The rains set off a dozen landslides and floods over five days, killing at least eight people, according to Philippine authorities. After crossing the Taiwan Strait, Gaemi is likely to hit the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian late on Thursday afternoon. "This could be the biggest typhoon in recent years. It's charging directly towards the east coast and if it makes landfall here the damage would be enormous," fishing boat captain Hung Chun told Reuters news agency.
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Flights suspended at Germany's largest airport due to climate protests | DW News
Last Generation climate group staged a protest at Frankfurt airport early on Thursday, causing the suspension of flights. "The continued extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal is a threat to our existence," the group wrote. Airport officials issued a statement on social media site X saying: "Due to an ongoing demonstration at the airport flights are currently suspended. Passengers are asked not to go to the airport for the time being. Instead, it is recommended to check the status of your flight before traveling to the airport and allow extra time for your journey."
Later on Thursday morning, the airport said that flights were "gradually resuming," but urged travelers to check with their airline before arriving, as at least 140 flights were being canceled. DW's Daniel Koop reported "massive" lines and delays at the busy hub as traffic got back underway.
Activists promise a wave of protests
The protest came a day after Last Generation members blocked Cologne/Bonn airport. A Cologne/Bonn spokesperson said that the activists were arrested for trespassing after gluing themselves to the runway.
The group had promised multiple demonstrations throughout the week, also breaching a fence at Norway's Oslo airport on Wednesday before being apprehended. They declined to comment on whether they would target the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Last Generation was formed in 2021, the name a nod to the fact that activists consider themselves the last generation before the Earth reaches the tipping point of climate breakdown. In Germany, their protests have mainly focused on blocking roads and runways to affect transport policy.
Last month, experts warned that Germany is almost certain to miss its 2030 climate goal to cut 65% of emissions.
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US President Biden's Address to the Nation and key takeaways | DW News
President Biden's short address from the Oval Office focused on his achievements and the plans for the rest of his term. It was his first speech since dropping his reelection bid.
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Netanyahu defends Israel's conduct in war against Hamas to Congress | DW Analysis
Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to continue the war in Gaza and called on the United States to stand united with Israel.
Addressing a joint session of Congress, the Israeli prime minister defended his country's conduct of the war - as protesters gathered outside to demand an end to the conflict. Mr Netanyahu was met with standing ovations from most of the chamber, despite boycotts from many Democratic lawmakers.
Netanyahu blamed Iran and its proxies of fomenting instability across the Middle East - and said he would do whatever it takes to protect Israel.
Chapters:
0:00 Netanyahu in US Congress
1:39 Gerald Feierstein, Middle East Institute
5:54 Aron David Miller, US Foreign Policy and Middle East Analyst
15:02 Shani Rezones, DW Middle East analyst, and Stefan Simons, DW Reporter
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A plane crashes at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport killing 18 people | DW News
Eighteen people have been killed after a plane crashed during take-off in Nepal. The pilot of the plane is the sole survivor and is currently receiving treatment.
The domestic flight was travelling from the capital Kathmandu when it's reported to have slipped off the runway and caught fire. The Himalayan country has a poor aviation safety record, and airlines operating there face challenging flying conditions.
0:00 Plane crashes at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport
0:26 DW talks to journalist Dhruba Adhikary in Kathmandu
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Why Europe still pays billions for Russian fossil fuels | DW Business
Despite a raft of sanctions against Russia, especially its lucrative fossil fuel sector, the European Union is still paying billions to that country for energy. Legal loopholes are allowing barrel after barrel of oil into the bloc, even as Brussels sends aid money to Ukraine. Are more sanctions necessary?
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he’ll run for office again | DW News
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said it's very possible that US Vice President Kamala Harris will win the American presidential election.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin he said he has met Harris several times and believes her to be a competent and experienced politician. He made the comments in his annual summer press conference. He also said that he intends to run for office as the chancellor again in the next German elections coming up in 2025.
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Why does North Korea keep sending waves of balloons full of trash towards South Korea? | DW News
"The chemical, biological and radiological (warfare) response team has safely collected the trash balloons," the South Korean presidential security service told the AFP news agency. "After investigation, results have confirmed that there was no danger nor contamination of the object," the South Korean security authorities continued. South Korean authorities did not say if President Yoon Suk Yeol was present at the compound when the trash balloons landed. Earlier South Korean presidents had their office at the Blue House in the historic Jongno district, but Yoon instead has moved to work on official duties at the Yongsan complex. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier on Wednesday reported that the balloons from North Korea were north of Seoul and warned citizens to be vigilant.
Tenth round of North Korean trash balloons enter South since late May
The latest trash balloons come after South Korea ramped up its broadcasts of propaganda and pop music at the DMZ, targeting the North. The North Korean government was also angered by recent firing drills conducted by South Korea near their shared border area. It's the tenth round of North Korean balloons drifting towards the South since late May. The balloons from North Korea were initially a response to leaflets coming from South Korea, which carried material criticizing the North Korean government and the ruling Kim family. The North and South are still technically in a state of war, as the Korean War ended in 1953 ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
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Typhoon Gaemi strongest to hit Taiwan in 8 years | DW News
All flights were grounded and schools and offices were closed in Taiwan, as the island braced for one of the strongest storms in years that is expected to unload damaging winds and torrential rainfall.
Typhoon Gaemi is expected to make landfall on Taiwan's northeastern coast by 10 p.m. (1400 GMT), authorities said, with the storm estimated to bring about 1,800 mm or 70 inches of rain to southern and central Taiwan. The first typhoon of the season to affect the island, Gaemi was packing maximum sustained winds of 190 kilometers (118 miles) per hour. The storm has already affected Japan and the Philippines, enhancing the seasonal monsoon rains in Manila. The rains set off a dozen landslides and floods over five days, killing at least eight people, according to Philippine authorities. After crossing the Taiwan Strait, Gaemi is likely to hit the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian late on Thursday afternoon.
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Where are the US electoral campaigns headed after Biden dropout? | DW News
US Vice President Kamala Harris addresses a cheering Wisconsin crowd, leveraging her criminal prosecutor background to jab at Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers accuse Harris of being responsible for disputed policies of the Biden administration.
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Renewed flare-ups on the Israel-Lebanon border: Will the conflict escalate? | DW News
On the Israeli-Lebanese border, missile strikes in both directions have been ongoing since October. The destruction, insecurity and fear of an all-out war have pushed many to leave their homes on both sides of the border. Hezbollah leaders say they are ready for a full-scale war. What's Hezbollah trying to achieve with its continuous attacks on Israel? And is there any reason to believe Israel will invade Lebanon?
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Will Sheikh Hasina take responsibility for the Bangladesh protests' high death toll? | DW News
In Bangladesh, authorities have begun easing internet restrictions and a curfew imposed after student-led protests over state job quotas led to mass unrest. Soldiers are still deployed in large numbers on the country's streets including in the capital Dhaka, the scene of some of the worst violence. The government has accepted a court ruling largely scrapping the hated quota system, as demanded by protesters. But students have threatened to resume demonstrations if the government doesn't quickly ease restrictions.
Despite the crackdown and the Supreme Court recommendation, some student protesters have vowed to continue. Sarjis Alam, one of the quota reform protest coordinators, told DW that the court decision doesn't fully address their demands, as it essentially leaves it up to the government to decide on how to implement to quota system. "The court said the quota issue is a policy decision of the government and the authorities can change the ratio of the quotas if they want," said Alam. He added that the court has asked the government to quickly issue information on how it intends to reform the quota system.
Meanwhile, the student protesters are also demanding justice for those killed during the demonstrations. Alam has accused political wings of the ruling party of being involved in the protesters' deaths, a charge the government has denied. Protesters have also said they were beaten by police. Human rights group Amnesty International said video evidence from clashes last week showed that Bangladesh's security forces had used unlawful force.
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What is China's role in the 'Beijing Declaration' of rival Palestinian factions? | DW News
China says the nearly two-decade rivals Hamas and Fatah, along with a dozen other Palestinian factions, have signed a reconciliation pact in Beijing. Unlike many Western nations, China does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization and aims to assert its role as a key player in Gaza peacemaking and on the international stage.
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Gaza: WHO warns of potential polio outbreak | DW News
The World Health Organization says it's 'extremely worried' about a potential polio outbreak in Gaza. It warned that traces of the virus have been detected in wastewater, and that the dire sanitation situation could allow it to spread quickly. Polio attacks the central nervous system, causing paralysis and death in extreme cases. The WHO says a mass vaccination campaign may be needed.
Chapters:
0:00 The polio potential
0:29 Joe English, UNICEF Emergency Communication Specialist
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US: Anger increases as bodycam footage shows police shooting unarmed black woman | DW News
There is growing anger in the US following a police shooting of an unarmed Black woman in the state of Illinois.
Authorities released this bodycam footage showing the moments leading to the fatal shooting. The woman, 36-year-old Sonya Massey, had called 911 to report a suspected intruder. Two deputies reponded. One of them told Massey to check on a pot of boiling water. He then told her to drop the pot of hot water, and shot her. He has been charged with murder.
Chapters:
0:00 The events leading up to the murder + family reactions
0:58 Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, Constitutional law professor and author
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How could Arab and Muslim voters' disaffection with Democrats impact the US election? | DW News
The president's support for Israel during the Gaza war has provoked a backlash from some Democrat supporters. This was reflected in the large numbers of Democrats who voted 'uncommitted' in primaries earlier this year. That includes one-in-five voters in Minnesota and more than ten percent in Michigan and North Carolina. As Kamala Harris prepares to sit down with Benjamin Netanyahu this week, DW takes a look at Washington's shifting stance on the war in Gaza.
Chapters:
0:00 The policy changes
3:22 Reem Abiu-Samra, Political scientist, University of Michigan-Dearborn
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Poll says Harris has enough delegates to be Democratic nominee | DW News
Democratic leaders in Congress have been endorsing Kamala Harris as the party's candidate for November's election. Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have joined a growing list of prominent Democrats to back the her after Joe Biden withdrew from the race. A poll by the Associated Press News Agency says the vice president now has the backing of enough delegates at next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago to secure the nomination.
Harris has been holding her first campaign event since Biden withdrew - and she's been speaking in the key swing state of Wisconsin.
Chapters:
0:00 Harr's backers
1:08 Ines Pohl, DW Washington Bureau Chief
4:37 John Mark Hansen, Political scientist
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Hungary, Slovakia call for EU action after Ukraine bans Russia’s Lukoil | DW News
Hungary and Slovakia are calling for the EU to mediate over Ukraine's Lukoil ban. Both countries, which are considered to have pro-Moscow ties, said they were no longer receiving oil from Russia as a result. The European Commision has three days to respond to the consultation initiated by the two countries. But as the temperatures rise in Europe this summer, so are the tensions.
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Palestinian factions meet in Beijing to sign a unity declaration | DW News
Chinese state media say rival Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah have signed a declaration in Beijing to unite the two groups. The two groups have competed for power in Gaza and the West Bank for years. The so-called Beijing Declaration is aimed at strengthening Palestinian unity and involves more than a dozen Palestinian factions. Hamas is considered a terrorist group by the US, EU and other states, but not so by China. Israel swiftly rejected the agreement adding that Hamas's rule "will be crushed."
0:00 Rival Palestinian factions meet in Beijing to sign a unity declaration
2:36 Ahmed Aboudouh, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Program, Chatham House
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Bangladesh deploys vehicles marked UN to quell student protests | DW News
Bangladesh has seen days of violent clashes between police and students protesting a government job quota system. More than 100 people have been killed, and the government has ordered a curfew and deployed military forces. Now a Deutsche Welle investigation has revealed that vehicles with UN markings have been deployed in the crackdown.
The United Nations has called the violence against student protesters 'shocking and unacceptable'. Footage monitored by DW's investigations Unit clearly shows UN markings on armored personnel vehicles being used against the demonstrations.
Pictures show similar vehicles with regular Bangladesh army markings. The investigation comes after rights groups questioned Bangladesh's involvement in several peace missions. A DW probe in May showed that Bangladesh had deployed officers implicated in cases of torture and killings as UN peacekeepers.
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Why are Mallorca residents protesting against tourists? | DW News
Spain is projected to become the most visited country in the world. But locals aren't happy about that, and they are protesting against mass tourism.
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Ukrainian children living with cancer transferred abroad | DW News
Children diagnosed with cancer are among the most vulnerable paediatric patients. But what if your child is diagnosed in a warzone? For many children in Ukraine, that means battling brutal circumstances to have a chance at life.
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Harris reportedly secures backing from enough delegates to become Democratic Party nominee | DW News
On the first full day of her campaign, US Vice President Kamala Harris has become the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee to replace President Joe Biden. She received pledges from enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination. The delegates, however, have not formally nominated Harris yet. Delegates will either take part in a virtual roll call to nominate Harris in the next few weeks, or they would formally vote for Harris during the Democratic National Convention from August 19 to 22 in Chicago.
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The new Republican attack lines against Kamala Harris candidacy explained | DW News
Democratic heavyweight Nancy Pellosi has finally jumped aboard the rolling Kamala Harris bandwagon and endorsed the vice president's bid to become the party's presidential nominee. This turn of events came about, of course, after Joe Biden announced that he would not run again - despite everything he's said in the past - as questions about his age and mental acuity mounted.
Kamala Harris now appears to be the Chosen One, with even potential rivals like Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer backing her. So, is she the person to beat Donald Trump?
Chapters:
0:00 Pelosi jumps in behind Harris
3:05 The Democrats supporting Harris
3:14 Report on Biden ending bid
5:42 Chris Devine, University of Dayton Associate Professor
11:14 Meghan Milloy, Republican Women for Progress
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Ukraine: Music festival goes ahead as largest gathering since war began takes place | DW News
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 brought much of the country's cultural life to a standstill, with major events like big music concerts cancelled -- until now. DW correspondent Max Zander reports from a three-day rock festival that took place in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
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