DEUTSCHE WELLE

Belgian diplomat faces trial over 1961 DR Congo leader killing

3/17/2026, 6:37:00 PM

Etienne Davignon, the sole surviving suspect in the 1961 assassination of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba, has been ordered to stand trial in Belgium on war crimes charges. The case marks a landmark moment in Belgium's long-delayed reckoning with its colonial past in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lumumba was killed shortly after Congolese independence, and the trial represents one of the first judicial attempts to hold Belgian officials accountable for their role in the murder.

3/17/2026, 6:16:00 PM

Eighteen days into the conflict, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continues to function despite suffering significant military setbacks. Its decentralised command structure has enabled operations to persist even under heavy pressure. Analysts, however, detect mounting signs of strain within Iran's power structures that could signal deeper instability ahead.

Vatican declares partial mistrial in cardinal's fraud case

3/17/2026, 5:47:00 PM

A Vatican appeals court has partially overturned the conviction of Cardinal Angelo Becciu in a major fraud case, in what marks a significant development in the Holy See's landmark financial trial. Becciu had been sentenced to five and a half years in prison in one of the most high-profile criminal proceedings ever held inside Vatican City. The partial mistrial ruling raises fresh questions about the case's ultimate outcome and the Vatican's ongoing efforts to clean up its finances.

Starmer urges allies to keep focus on Ukraine amid Iran war

3/17/2026, 4:45:00 PM

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London, urging Western allies not to let the Iran conflict divert attention from the war in Ukraine. The two leaders announced a new bilateral defence partnership, with the UK pledging support for an AI centre in Kyiv. Starmer's visit underscores growing concerns in European capitals that the Iran war could crowd out diplomatic and military resources dedicated to Ukraine.

Iran war overlaps with Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict

3/17/2026, 4:11:00 PM

Pakistan has launched airstrikes on Afghan territory, including the strategically significant Bagram Airfield, effectively declaring open war on the Taliban government. The escalation marks a dangerous new phase in Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, with Islamabad now engaged in an active military confrontation along its western border. This crisis is unfolding simultaneously with the broader war involving Iran, compounding regional instability across South Asia and the Middle East.

Northern Ireland's Gerry Adams tells court he wasn't in IRA

3/17/2026, 3:24:00 PM

Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams appeared before London's High Court, where he denied ever being a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Adams is accused of bearing responsibility for IRA bomb attacks carried out in England. He described IRA members as his "neighbours," insisting he had no formal role in the organisation.

3/17/2026, 7:48:00 AM

A series of suicide bombings killed at least 23 people in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria's Borno state, a region long plagued by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies. The attacks followed an assault on a military post the previous Sunday night. The violence underscores the persistent jihadist threat in Nigeria's northeast.

400 killed in Pakistani strike on Kabul hospital: Taliban

3/17/2026, 3:44:00 AM

The Taliban government in Afghanistan claimed that a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul killed at least 400 people. Pakistan rejected the accusation, insisting its forces targeted military installations, not civilian infrastructure. The incident marks a severe escalation in the already tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

3/16/2026, 5:20:00 PM

The Trump administration is pressing European allies to take on a greater role in securing the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the Gulf, but EU member states are reluctant to commit. Meanwhile, soaring energy prices triggered by regional instability are providing a windfall for Russia, undermining Ukraine and its European backers. The divergence highlights deepening transatlantic rifts over burden-sharing and energy security.

3/16/2026, 5:20:00 PM

The Trump administration is pressing European allies to take on a greater role in securing the Strait of Hormuz as tensions in the Gulf escalate. The EU, however, is reluctant to commit, wary of being drawn into a US-led military posture in the region. Meanwhile, Russia is capitalising on rising energy prices triggered by the tensions, dealing a further economic blow to Ukraine and its European supporters.

Court rejects move to indict Valencia leader over flood response

3/16/2026, 4:36:00 PM

A Spanish court has rejected a bid to indict Carlos Mazón, president of the Valencia regional government, over his handling of devastating floods in late October 2024 that killed more than 200 people. Mazón had faced intense public and political scrutiny for the regional authorities' slow response to the disaster. The ruling provides him with a legal reprieve, though political pressure over the tragedy is unlikely to subside.

China: 'Ethnic unity' law sparks fears of forced integration

3/16/2026, 3:49:00 PM

China has introduced a new "ethnic unity" law that critics warn grants Beijing broader powers to label minority groups' demands for cultural autonomy as "separatism." Rights advocates and analysts fear the legislation will be used to suppress the distinct identities of Tibetans, Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. The law is seen as an extension of China's ongoing push to consolidate political and cultural control over its diverse population.

Africa: What oil producers can do to counter price shocks

3/16/2026, 2:00:00 PM

As conflict in the Middle East threatens global oil supplies, questions are being raised about whether African oil producers like Nigeria and Angola could ramp up production to ease the shortfall. Experts say that while some capacity exists, logistical and infrastructural constraints may limit how quickly these countries can respond. The situation highlights Africa's potential strategic role in stabilising global energy markets during geopolitical crises.

3/16/2026, 1:45:00 PM

Menaka Guruswamy, a renowned Indian lawyer, has become the country's first openly queer member of parliament, representing West Bengal. She has pledged to champion the values of equality, fraternity and non-discrimination. Her election marks a historic milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in Indian politics.

3/16/2026, 1:08:00 PM

The United States is reportedly redeploying Patriot and THAAD air defense batteries from South Korea to the Middle East, raising concerns in Seoul about reduced protection on the peninsula. The move comes amid ongoing provocations from North Korea, which continues to test missiles and engage in military posturing. South Korean officials and analysts worry the redeployment could create a window of vulnerability at a particularly sensitive moment.

Azerbaijan: Frenchman sentenced to 10 years for spying

3/16/2026, 10:36:00 AM

A French citizen named Martin Ryan has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Azerbaijani court after pleading guilty to some charges of collecting intelligence on behalf of France. The verdict is the latest flashpoint in the increasingly strained diplomatic relationship between Paris and Baku. France has been critical of Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, while Azerbaijan has accused France of interference in the region.

3/16/2026, 10:33:00 AM

The number of women in African parliaments has grown significantly since 2000, with some countries seeing legislative gains that better reflect women's needs. However, progress remains uneven across the continent, with gender equality still far from achieved in many nations. While representation has improved, translating political presence into meaningful policy change continues to be a challenge.

Oscars 2026: All the political moments

3/16/2026, 10:24:00 AM

The 2026 Academy Awards turned into a night of political defiance, with presenters and winners from diverse backgrounds using the stage to condemn Donald Trump's policies. Speakers denounced what they called his "wars" and restrictions on human rights, describing the current moment as "chaotic and frightening." The ceremony underscored Hollywood's growing role as a platform for political dissent against the Trump administration.

3/16/2026, 10:10:00 AM

Donald Trump has long aligned himself with sports seen as culturally coded for the right, such as MMA and professional wrestling, but his enthusiastic embrace of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — co-hosted by the US — presents a cultural paradox. Soccer has traditionally been viewed with suspicion by parts of the American right as a foreign, cosmopolitan sport, at odds with MAGA identity. Analysts question whether Trump can leverage his political brand to shift his base's attitude toward a game he now champions.

3/16/2026, 9:21:00 AM

US and Chinese officials described their trade talks as "stable" following a summit in Paris, even as the two sides traded accusations over the Strait of Hormuz and alleged forced labor practices in China. Despite the sharp disagreements, both delegations appeared to find enough common ground to keep negotiations on track. The meeting signals a cautious but continued diplomatic engagement between the world's two largest economies.

Mexico City sets world record for largest soccer class

3/16/2026, 4:50:00 AM

Mexico City has set a new world record after more than 9,000 people participated in a massive open-air soccer class. The landmark event comes ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which Mexico is set to co-host in June. The feat underscores the country's enthusiasm and preparations for the upcoming global tournament.