World | Deutsche Welle

France: Far-right strength put to test in local elections Voters in France are heading to the polls in local elections seen as a litmus test for next year's presidential vote. A main focus will be the mayoral contest in Paris. Cuba: Protesters attack ruling party's office amid blackouts Long, daily blackouts ignited by a US oil blockade have pushed Cuban residents to the edge. On Friday, Havana acknowledged talks with the US to diffuse the situation. Belarus' Kolesnikova receives Charlemagne Prize in Germany Belarusian opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova was awarded the Aachen-based prize in 2022 in absentia. She has now collected it after having been released from prison in December. Pakistan shoots down Taliban drones after strikes on Kabul Pakistan's military said it intercepted "rudimentary drones" from Afghanistan. It comes a day after Pakistan launched deadly strikes on Kabul as well as strikes in Kandahar Province. US vs. Iran: Three generations of conflict Three key moments that shaped Iranian and American attitudes toward each other — and show why mistrust endures. Amsterdam Jewish school targeted in attack No injuries were reported in what Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema described as a "deliberate attack." It follows an arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam a day earlier. Russia working to 'tip scale' for Orban in Hungary election Viktor Orban has long been pro-Russia. Now, there are signs that the Kremlin is working to secure his reelection and turning Hungary’s election into a referendum on whether voters want to be closer to the EU or Russia. 'Whoever wins the drone war in Ukraine dominates.' Inside the high-tech battle on the Kupiansk front, where every move is watched From reconnaissance drones to ground robots, high-tech systems play a key role in Ukraine’s defense. In the Kharkiv region, DW witnessed how they operate firsthand. As Iran war rages, Gulf neighbors worry about security As Israel and the United States continue to pummel Iran and Iran retaliates with rockets throughout the region, experts say a return to diplomacy is needed to end the war. Republic of the Congo elections: A foregone conclusion? Voters in the Republic of the Congo (Brazaville) go to the polls this Sunday to elect their next leader. Many political analysts predict victory for the longtime President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Ethnic Serbs fear impact of Kosovo's Law on Foreigners Many Kosovo Serbs retain Serbian citizenship. They fear that the enforcement from Sunday of Kosovo's Law on Foreigners will mean that they will be treated as foreign nationals and face considerable restrictions. Zelenskyy meets Macron as Iran war overshadows Ukraine The Ukrainian president is in Paris for talks with one of Kyiv's staunchest allies. The meeting comes as the US-Israeli war on Iran has removed pressure on Moscow, and derailed Ukraine peace talks.