German election 2025: Sahra Wagenknecht's big test with BSW

The former parliamentary leader of the Left party is seeking to enter the Bundestag with her BSW. But recent polls suggest the new party could fail to clear the 5% …

Source: Deutsche Welle

Israel, Hamas complete their latest exchange as ceasefire's first phase has just 2 weeks left

Israel and Hamas completed the sixth exchange of hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners on February 15 with just over two weeks remaining in the initial phase of their fragile …

Source: France 24

Davos: Trump backs $500-billion AI deal, adding to WEF buzz

The investment decision by some of the world's most prominent tech firms coincides with Donald Trump's move to rescind an order addressing AI's potential risks. Some have cheered the decision, …

Source: Deutsche Welle

In Scotland, ‘green lairds’ are buying vast estates for carbon credits

Locals fear the “green rush” will result in even more extreme concentration of land ownership in a warming world.

Source: Washington Post

German election: Conservative CDU/CSU leads polls

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) believes that he can return to office following the election on February 23. But the conservative CDU/CSU alliance is ahead in the latest ARD Deutschlandtrend poll.

Source: Deutsche Welle

Austria’s far right eyes chancellor’s office despite failed coalition talks

The Freedom Party leader wants to be Austria’s “Volkskanzler,” or Chancellor of the People, a title once embraced by Adolf Hitler.

Source: Washington Post

Why Russia is seeing a rise in demand for secondhand goods

Russia is seeing a huge interest in used goods and appliance repairs. This has more to do with high inflation, an economic crisis and Western sanctions than growing environmental awareness.

Source: Deutsche Welle

US science funding freeze a 'threat to academic freedom'

The administration under US President Donald Trump has paused government funding essential for US research. Scientists are fearful of what this will mean for the future of academic freedom.

Source: Deutsche Welle

UK-based lawyers for Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai targeted by Chinese state

Exclusive: Barristers at Doughty Street Chambers say they have been subject to surveillance, hacking and rape threats

UK-based lawyers have spoken out about being targeted by the Chinese state and …

Source: The Guardian

'My wife fears sex, I fear death' - impacts of the USAID freeze

Despite a US waiver allowing the resumption of humanitarian help, life-saving services have shut.

Source: BBC

JD Vance decried as extremist over attack on UK abortion clinic safe zones

US vice-president’s comments, part of a wide-ranging tirade against Europe, called inaccurate and misogynistic

JD Vance has been labelled an “extremist” after he launched a broadside against the UK’s efforts …

Source: The Guardian

Chess and the dispute over 'freestyle'

A row is brewing in the world of chess – at the center of it are a disgruntled world federation and a chess variant – with millions on the line.

Source: Deutsche Welle