World | Deutsche Welle

UK asks Germany to extradite suspected Russian spy A British employee of the UK Embassy in Berlin has been accused of passing official documents to Moscow agents. His arrest marks the third Russian espionage case in Germany in under a year. Michigan school shooting: Suspect's parents charged with involuntary manslaughter James and Jennifer Crumbley's 15-year-old son has been accused of shooting dead four students. The parents have been charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter. Ukraine warns of possible Russian 'escalation' in January Officials in Kyiv said they are concerned about the chance of a Russian attack near the end of January. Videolink talks between US and Russian presidents Biden and Putin aimed at diffusing tension could take place soon. One Free Press Coalition spotlights rising torture in the imprisonment of journalists As the year 2021 comes to an end, the One Free Press Coalition’s December list spotlights the ten most urgent cases of journalists’ imprisonments and killings around the globe. Iran nuclear talk break amid European 'concern' High-ranking European diplomats say Tehran has demanded changes to compromises agreed during "many months of hard work" on its nuclear program. Talks will resume next week in Vienna. South Africa: Omicron causes concern The new variant has come with a spike in cases, but it remains to be seen how much it will affect South African hospitals. New COVID infections have jumped from about 200 a day last month to more than 11,500 on Thursday. Many more Afghans seek EU asylum after Taliban takeover Citizens of Afghanistan were by far the biggest group of people applying for asylum in the EU, Switzerland and Norway in September 2021. Pope Francis meets migrants in Cyprus, offers refuge in Italy After delivering an open-air mass in Nicosia, the 84-year-old pontiff held a prayer ceremony with dozens of migrants stuck in Cyprus, offering them a chance for a new life in Italy. Hong Kong: How is China's crackdown changing the city's identity? Residents fear their city's unique identity has been lost as Beijing cracks down on critical discourse. In the face of possible legal trouble, many are self-censoring or turning to alternative forms of expression. Pakistan: Mob lynches Sri Lankan over alleged blasphemy A Sri Lankan factory employee was beaten to death and set on fire by an angry mob in Pakistan's Sialkot. Police say the violence was triggered by allegations of blasphemy. Japan seeks a new generation of astronauts for moon mission Japan's space agency is looking to recruit people from a wide variety of backgrounds as part of an ambitious international mission to the moon that aims to build a lunar base camp. UAE signs record deal for French Rafale fighter jets The deal for 80 aircraft represents France's largest-ever weapons contract for export. The UAE is following the lead of two other Arab states in snapping up the Rafale jets. Austria: Karl Nehammer set to become new chancellor The ruling People's Party has picked the current interior minister to replace Sebastian Kurz as party leader. Karl Nehammer is widely expected to become the next chancellor of Austria.