World | Deutsche Welle

Ukrainian children held in Russia: militarized, 'reeducated' A Ukrainian initiative to repatriate abducted Ukrainian children reports that at least 20,000 girls and boys are being held by Russian families and authorities. Can these children ever find their way home? Religion steers Bengal politics in Bangladesh, India — again Bengal, a region known for its secular traditions, is seeing a rise of religion in politics as Islamists grow stronger on the Bangladesh side of the border and Hindu nationalist BJP takes power in India's West Bengal. Nigeria's solar boom faces cost and policy barriers Nigeria's rising solar imports signal a search for alternatives to unreliable grid power and high fuel costs. But adoption is being held back by steep upfront prices, limited financing and policy uncertainty. What will happen to Iran's nuclear material? Iran is believed to have over 440 kilograms of enriched uranium, which could be turned into weapons-grade nuclear material. Despite Trump's pledge to get the "nuclear dust," Tehran has kept it out of US reach. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer 'not walking away' after local election mauling Keir Starmer has said he takes "responsibility" for Labour's poor election performance, but also for putting matters right again. "I know I have my doubters and I know I need to prove them wrong, and I will," he said. Somali piracy adds new strain to global shipping and trade routes As ships reroute around Africa to avoid Middle East conflict zones, piracy off Somalia is back. The resurgence is driving up insurance, transit times and security costs, putting new pressure on global supply chains. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin let out of prison early Thailand's influential former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be required to wear an electronic monitor during his four-month probation period. Syria: Court charges Bashar Assad's cousin Atef Najib with war crimes amid 2011 uprising Syria's judiciary has charged Atef Najib with acts "amounting to war crimes" as Bashar Assad's cousin is accused of orchestrating a crackdown on 2011 protests that subsequently degenerated into a decade of civil war. RSF urges Niger to ditch 'abusive' French media ban Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders has called on Niger's Russian-backed military government to lift its sudden suspension of nine French media outlets. This coincides with major instability in neighboring Mali. France turns to Africa for strategic partnerships Following a withdrawal from the Sahel region, France is seeking to expand its geostrategic influence in Africa by seeking new allies. The first Africa Summit in Kenya is intended to mark a fresh start. 'No comment' after Schröder named by Putin for Ukraine talks Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the former German chancellor serve as a mediator in Russia-Ukraine peace talks.