Deutsche Welle

In cities around the world, rats aren't just surviving; they're thriving. Despite decades of poison, traps and control, they keep coming back. So, what is it about modern city life that suits them so well? From Berlin to New York, this is a story about what happens when urban systems start feeding "the rat problem".

US Vice President JD Vance backs Viktor Orban in Hungary just days before elections that could have far-reaching ramifications — also across Central Europe. What’s next for NATO, and could the Iran war help resolve a long-standing conflict in the Caucasus? Plus: a high-protein environmental special.

Leaders in Nigeria and South Africa say the title "Igbo king" and related coronations outside Nigeria have no authority. Is this cultural confusion — or does it point to a deeper clash over identity and power?

Deadly attacks in Jos have once again triggered a heavy security response. Why does Nigeria's Plateau State repeatedly fall back into violence, and what could finally break the cycle?

On April 7 each year, the world honors more than 1 million people murdered during the 100‑day genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994. The day calls for remembrance, support for survivors, and renewed resolve to prevent atrocities.

Zambia is emerging as one of southern Africa's fastest‑growing economies. As mining booms and farms recover, can years of reform finally deliver lasting stability?

Climate change is reshaping the world - but inside many churches, it’s barely spoken about. So what’s behind the silence? One believer whose passion for God’s creation started as a kid surrounded by manatees and mangroves, is urging US churches to reconnect faith with stewardship of the land.

Ukraine's Bucha massacre anniversary fuels push for justice, the Dutch organization with a voting hack to boost women's representation in politics, and the EU-Slovakia dispute over fuel. Then: a special investigation into chemical recycling and its limits.

Nigeria is marking World Autism Day with its biggest-ever screening drive. The nationwide initiative, "Spark a Spectrum of Possibilities 2026," offers free screenings and consultations aiming to improve early diagnosis and support for thousands of children. Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks to autism campaigner Maria Okafor, founder of the RBM Autism Foundation, and DW's Kunle Babs in Abuja.

Zimbabwe's constitutional reform push is sparking intense debate. Critics warn it could extend President Mnangagwa's term and significantly impact how leaders are chosen, but supporters say it will stabilize the country. As public hearings continue, Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with activist Namatai Kwekweza and DW correspondent Columbus Mavhunga to unpack what it means for ordinary Zimbabweans.

Uganda has granted visa‑free entry to 40. The move deepens ties with East African neighbours and 21 African nations, while extending perks to select Caribbean, Gulf and Asian states — yet notably excludes the US, EU and the UK. What does this shift say about Uganda’s strategy? Eddy Micah Jnr. speaks to Dr Sarah Bimbona a lecturer at Makerere University and DW correspondent in Kampala, Frank Yiga.

In some Nigerian communities, a harmful practice known as 'money marriage,' where young girls are given away to settle family debts, persists. Though outlawed, the tradition is driven by poverty, social pressure, and weak enforcement. What can be done to stop it? Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with lawyer and gender consultant Hassana Maina, alongside DW correspondent Abiodun Jamiu in Abuja.

Brock Yordy once helped extract fossil fuels. Now he’s using the same expertise to tap the Earth’s heat. His journey from oilfields to geothermal highlights a bigger question: can the industry that drove emissions now help reduce them?

Italy's failed referendum, trial by jury at risk in the UK, and elections in Denmark and France. Then: what a mutiny at high sea tells us about (un)freedom, North Korea's forced labor program, Central Asian migrants' exodus from Russia, and FC Barcelona's labor violations. + https://shorturl.at/iUMhD +?maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-mrss

Lust? Humiliation? Control? If you think you know why men and boys make fake AI nudes of women and girls... first-of-its-kind research suggests a motivation that's almost more troubling. (Note: If you or anyone you know is the victim of non-consensual intimate imagery, the global non-profit StopNCII.org provides step-by-step support in 38 languages.)

Fuel hikes in Zimbabwe have pushed petrol above $2 a liter and forced transport fares to double, deepening the cost-of-living crisis and leaving many struggling to keep up with rising daily expenses.

Despite being curable, tuberculosis (TB) is spreading fast in South Africa and Mozambique. What's driving the rise, and what solutions lie in communities themselves?

From Cold War power games to the cultural aspirations of the Pahlavi era, this extended conversation pulls back the curtain on the global forces that continue to shape - and be shaped by - Iran today. Dr Roham Alvandi is Director of the Iranian History Initiative at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Chemical recycling promises to transform plastic waste, and Houston is at the center of this big experiment in the US. While industry touts it as a breakthrough, activists are finding that much of the plastic doesn't get recycled after all. Is Houston leading the way to real change - or revealing the limits of the latest recycling fad?

How European intersections with Iran's past might help us understand our collective present and how Turkey might hold the key to an exit strategy from the Iran conflict. Then: European elections from Denmark and Slovenia to rural France. Plus: the intriguing story of one of the most controversial deaths in Czech political history. + https://shorturl.at/h7PDP + ?maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-mrss

A shockingly high number of people believe a global calamity will happen in their lifetime. Are you one of them?

Ghana's revived anti-LGBTQ+ bill could see offenders jailed for up to three years, while Senegal now imposes sentences of up to ten years for same‑sex relations. What's driving this regional crackdown? Lucy Riley speaks with Angel Maxine—Ghana's first openly transgender musician—and her mother about what it means to raise a transgender child in a deeply conservative society.

A wave of deadly blasts rocked Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria after years of relative calm. More than 20 people killed, over 100 injured. Is this a resurgence of jihadist violence, or a warning that the conflict never really ended? Lucy Riley speaks to Malik Samuel, senior researcher at Good Governance Africa-Nigeria and DW's Abiodun Jamiu Sulaiman to figure out what's next for Nigeria.

A new border dispute is erupting as Liberia and Sierra Leone accuse Guinean troops of crossing into their territory to seize land. Guinea denies this, stating its recent military deployments are defensive. Regional leaders are now seeking a diplomatic solution. In this AfricaLink episode, Lucy Riley speaks with Liberian activist Martin Kollie and DW's Evelyne Kpadeh in Monrovia

With hidden school costs soaring, many Ugandan families are turning to vocational training, as this is cheaper, faster and more directly linked to jobs. But can this shift meet Uganda's Labor market needs — and what will it take to make education more affordable? We speak Jane Kengeya Kayondo, founder of Rounding Up the Edges International (ROUTE), and DW correspondent Frank Yiga in Kampala.

The four-day work week was a hot new trend not all that long ago, but amid stagnating economies, some countries are pushing for more work, not less. Even in Europe, the German chancellor is calling for an end to “lifestyle” part-time jobs. Living Planet’s Jennifer Collins spoke with economists and manufacturers about the benefits of working less, both for us and the planet. Plus, could AI help?

Cyprus on alert as Middle East tensions spill into Europe; Orban turns anti‑Ukrainian rhetoric into campaign fuel; and Paris heads to the polls in a tight left‑right showdown. Plus: Turkey’s AI‑driven protest surveillance, Spain’s weather reporters under attack, Tromso’s tourism troubles, and a taste of tradition from Bologna.

A viral TikTok of a woman kicked off a plane is a good time to talk about how to (productively) confront loud people.

Nigeria's government wants a constitutional amendment allowing each state to run its own police force. Supporters say decentralizing police could reduce crime. But critics warn it could lead to political intimidation. Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks with defense and security analyst Larry Imoukhuede and DW's Ben Shemang in Abuja to unpack the potential benefits and risks of having state police.

Thousands are being flown out of the Middle East as the Iran war escalates, yet many South Africans in Dubai and other hubs remain stranded and want answers from their government.

A leaked draft of a US–Zambia health deal suggests strict targets and major data‑sharing demands. Critics call the $1B agreement exploitation, while supporters say it brings accountability. What could Zambia lose if talks fail?

Thirty years after world leaders adopted the Beijing Declaration, women across Africa are increasingly taking on leadership roles in politics, media, business, and culture. But despite these gains, gender inequality remains. Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks with DW’s Asumpta Lattus and Amaka Okoye about the progress, barriers that remain and what the next chapter of gender equality could look like.

As climate change reshapes the Arctic, Norwegian scientists are testing how far north farming can go. But is expanding Arctic agriculture a responsible answer to future food shortages, or a risky bet?

European responses to the war in the Middle East, where Spain is the outlier once again; compulsory military service in Croatia, and home concerts in Prague. Then: an International Women’s Day special connecting past feminist milestones with the present.

Some of us get chills from music, movies or art. And others... never do. Why is that?

As organized crime surges, South Africa is turning to the army for support. But can soldiers succeed where policing has struggled, or is the country risking escalation?

A new study has detected hormone‑disrupting chemicals in menstrual products sold in South Africa. With links to infertility and other health risks, experts are urging tighter regulation.

The US-Israel war with Iran is pushing up fuel costs, slowing shipping, and raising security risks across Africa. We break down how the fallout is hitting trade, energy, and stability across the continent.

Malawi has banned health workers from holding dual roles in public and private facilities, aiming to curb corruption and boost accountability. Doctors say the move could hurt care and plan to challenge it.

The rainforests in northeast Australia are some of the most protected in the world – they haven't been logged in nearly 40 years. But after decades of measuring these forests tree by tree, scientists have uncovered a troubling change. An unexpected shift that could force us to rethink how we calculate emissions pathways and the role forest sinks play in slowing climate change.

DW's investigative journalist Alican Uludag arrested in Turkey, four years of war in Ukraine, and Ukraine's freedom song. Then: what Quentin Deranque's killing might mean for the French Left, Turkey's earthquake anniversary, the Berlinale Teddy Award turns 40, and an art exhibition exposes Robert Fico's tightening grip on Slovak cultural institutions.

It's usually guys who complain about being 'friendzoned.' But new research says it definitely happens to women, too — sometimes.

After more than two decades of travel bans, asset freezes, and diplomatic strain, the EU has removed most of its targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe. The move marks a major reset in relations, but its impact remains uncertain. Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with political analyst Gibson Nyikadzino and DW correspondent Privilege Musvanhiri.

Ghana's cocoa industry is facing a major shake-up after the government slashed the producer price by 28%. It's a heavy blow for many of the country's 800,000 cocoa farmers. But officials say they were forced into the decision after global cocoa prices plunged. Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with Nana Aduna II of the Ghana National Association of Cocoa farmers and DW correspondent Eric Mawuena Egbeta.

Kenya plans to reopen key border crossings with Somalia 15 years after attacks blamed on Al-Shabab extremists forced its closure. The move that is intended to boost trade and reunite families has sparked security concerns.