Border Closures and Tensions: The EU and Belarus Relationship

Border Closures and Tensions: The EU and Belarus Relationship

Jakarta – One by one the border gates to Belarus were closed by neighbors in the west. After Lithuania closed two of the six crossing points, Latvia and Poland prepared similar measures, an official told DW. All three EU countries are responding to the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus. “This decision is a precautionary … Read more

European Union Concerned about Australian Gas Workers’ Strike

European Union Concerned about Australian Gas Workers’ Strike

Jakarta – Plans for a strike at the second largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing center in Australia have forced the European Union to rack its brains to control supply and inflation. The activism of the workers at the Chevron installation coincided with tough negotiations regarding wage increases at another LNG installation owned by Woodside … Read more

The Challenges of Recruiting and Retaining Troops in the German Bundeswehr: An Uphill Battle

The Challenges of Recruiting and Retaining Troops in the German Bundeswehr: An Uphill Battle

Jakarta – German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius admitted he faced an uphill task recruiting new recruits and retaining existing troops to serve in the German Bundeswehr armed forces. “Everyone talks about personal shortcomings in the Bundeswehr – and no one knows this better than I do,” he told reporters during a visit to the Bundeswehr … Read more

German Government Implements New Policies to Increase Female Recruitment in the Bundeswehr Military

German Government Implements New Policies to Increase Female Recruitment in the Bundeswehr Military

Jakarta – The German government and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will this week implement a series of new provisions to open up more opportunities for women to enter the military and equal opportunities for men and women to serve in the German undeswehr military. The changes also aim to align procedures in the Bundeswehr, with … Read more

The Taliban’s Ban on Music and Restriction on Women: Updates from Afghanistan

The Taliban’s Ban on Music and Restriction on Women: Updates from Afghanistan

Jakarta – The Taliban government in Afghanistan burns musical instruments which they think can mislead the younger generation and destroy society. The militant group also banned music when it came to power in the late 1990s. The Taliban religious police reportedly set fire to musical instruments in the Afghan province of Herat, according to a … Read more

Exploring the Traditions and Reasons Behind Becoming a Monk in Thailand

Exploring the Traditions and Reasons Behind Becoming a Monk in Thailand

Jakarta – After graduating from university, Palath Dilokloethanakorn, who was 22 at the time, followed the tradition most other young Thais do before starting their career, namely joining a Buddhist monastery. “It felt like a tradition that I had to do for my parents, especially as their eldest son,” he told the DW team, adding … Read more

The Influence of Russian Propaganda and Mercenaries in Africa

The Influence of Russian Propaganda and Mercenaries in Africa

Jakarta – At the last UN General Assembly session last February, countries such as Botswana, Zambia and Tunisia supported Ukraine’s position, while Mali and Eritrea opposed it, and 15 other African countries voted to abstain. Why don’t so many African countries oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? One of the reasons is Russia’s strong influence in … Read more

Thailand’s Move Forward Party Leader Suspended by Constitutional Court: Latest Updates and Implications

Thailand’s Move Forward Party Leader Suspended by Constitutional Court: Latest Updates and Implications

Jakarta – Thailand’s Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, had her last chance on Wednesday (19/07) to establish herself as prime minister of Thailand in a second round, after parliament rejected her in the first round of voting last week. However, Pita Limjaroenrat’s attempt to advance as Prime Minister of Thailand was thwarted. Thailand’s … Read more

Record High Number of People Leaving the Catholic Church in Germany Amidst Abuse Scandals

Record High Number of People Leaving the Catholic Church in Germany Amidst Abuse Scandals

Jakarta – The number of people leaving the Catholic Church has hit a record high in 2022, the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) reported on Wednesday. A total of 522,821 people last year ended their official relationship with the church. This number exceeds the record that was broken in 2021, namely 359,338 people who left the … Read more

“Germany approves Chinese acquisition of Tollerort container terminal in Hamburg”

“Germany approves Chinese acquisition of Tollerort container terminal in Hamburg”

Jakarta – The plan to take over the minority stake of the Tollerort container terminal in the port of Hamburg by the Chinese shipping company, COSCO Shipping, had actually been announced since October 2022. However, in April 2023 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz explained that he would review the decision, because the container terminal was earlier … Read more