GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1953
Ownership
Deutsche Welle is Germany's international public broadcaster, established under the federal Deutsche Welle Act (Deutsche-Welle-Gesetz). It is a public-law corporation of the German federation (the only broadcaster governed by federal rather than state law), overseen by its own Broadcasting Board and Administrative Board; it has no private owners. The English service is one of DW's language offerings, not a separate company.
Funding
Unlike ARD/ZDF, DW is not financed by the household licence fee but from federal tax revenue via annual grants in the federal budget, administered through the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. Funding has recently been cut (a roughly 10-million-euro reduction for 2026), prompting cost savings.
Affiliation & stance
DW is state-funded and federally owned, with its remit and independence laid down in the DW Act, which mandates editorially independent journalism presenting Germany abroad; its stance is broadly centrist. Because it is a government-financed, federally constituted public broadcaster rather than a privately owned outlet, it is classified STATE (public-broadcaster sense).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 371
80/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
546
Articles
546
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Recent coverage
Sudan's RSF closes in on Al Obeid as UN warned of imminent atrocities
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, is advancing toward Al Obeid in the North Kordofan region, which is currently held by the Sudanese army. The city has experienced significant disruptions due to RSF drone strikes targeting both military and civilian infrastructure, including the main power station, leading to power outages, water shortages, and hospital operations being affected. Residents report that life remains mostly normal despite these challenges, though fuel shortages persist after attacks on gas stations. Videos circulating online show RSF fighters claiming they will capture Al Obeid within days. Al Obeid is strategically important as it houses the army's 5th Infantry Division and serves as a major commercial hub. Losing this city would be a significant setback for the army, similar to their previous loss of El Fasher in Darfur, which led to widespread atrocities by the RSF. In response, multiple countries, including Norway, Britain, France, and Germany, have raised concerns at the UN Human Rights Council, warning of potential large-scale atrocities if the RSF escalates its assault on Al Obeid.
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
Have the Swift and Kelce wedding ceremonies begun?
The article reports on the early wedding festivities of pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce, which are said to have begun at the Madison Square Garden in New York. According to U.S. media citing sources close to the couple and event organizers, the pair had dinner the night before the main celebration, set to take place later that evening. The area around the pink-lit venue was heavily secured, with police presence and photographers gathering outside. While Swift and Kelce have not publicly commented on the event, several celebrities were spotted nearby, including Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff. The article also notes that the couple has been engaged since August 2023 and has donated $26 million to charitable causes this week. It highlights their public profiles—Swift as one of music history’s most successful artists and Kelce as a three-time Super Bowl-winning NFL player.
Due to radio interference, train service resumes after a complete shutdown.
On Tuesday evening, June 24, 2026, a nationwide disruption caused by a malfunction in Germany's digital railway communication system (GSM-R) brought all train traffic across the country to a complete halt. The outage lasted approximately two hours, stranding numerous passengers and creating long queues at train stations. By around 0:30 AM, the first trains resumed operation, but delays and service disruptions were expected to continue into Wednesday morning. Deutsche Bahn (DB) attributed the stoppage to a technical failure in the GSM-R network, which is critical for modern rail operations. While some passengers received taxi vouchers and hotel coupons, others reported difficulties finding accommodations, particularly in cities like Frankfurt. Despite efforts by IT specialists to resolve the issue quickly, DB did not provide detailed information about the cause of the malfunction. The incident affected not only passenger trains but also regional services, private railways, and freight traffic.
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
World Cup: Morocco's Ismael Saibari set for Bayern Munich
Ismael Saibari, a Moroccan footballer playing for PSV Eindhoven, is expected to join Bayern Munich in a transfer valued at up to €55 million. Saibari gained international recognition during the World Cup, scoring crucial goals for Morocco in their group stage matches. He demonstrated his skills by scoring against Brazil and Haiti, becoming the first African player to score in all three of Morocco's group games. Saibari, born in Spain to Moroccan parents, has lived in multiple countries and speaks several languages, making him a versatile player both on and off the field. His move to Bayern Munich follows his impressive performance in the Champions League and his status as the Eredivisie's Player of the Season.
Nigeria: US pulls some troops after anti-IS operation
The U.S. has withdrawn most of its troops from Nigeria following a joint operation in May that resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 ISIS fighters in the Lake Chad region. The operation, which included disrupting broader ISIS communications and operations, was conducted with Nigerian forces. While the majority of U.S. troops have left, the U.S. continues to share intelligence with Nigerian forces to aid ongoing counterterrorism efforts. Nigerian Defense Minister Christopher Musa stated that the U.S. combat troops were deployed specifically for the operation and have since departed. Additionally, around 200 non-combat U.S. troops were present for training and technical assistance, though it remains unclear if any were among those withdrawn. The withdrawal comes amid an ongoing Islamist insurgency in northern Nigeria, which has seen increased attacks since 2023.
Khamenei funeral: Is Iran's new ruler making his first public appearance?
The article discusses the delayed funeral rites of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike early in the Iran-Israel conflict. The delay is attributed to fears of further attacks by Israel and the U.S., as well as potential injuries to his son, Modschtaba Khamenei, who has not publicly appeared since taking power in March. The article highlights internal divisions within Iran’s leadership over whether the new leader should attend the funeral, with two factions claiming to represent Khamenei’s will. It also mentions the participation of high-ranking military figures like Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Revolutionary Guard, during the preparations. The piece notes concerns from the U.S. about potential Israeli actions against Iranian officials during negotiations.
Man dies after setting himself on fire outside UN headquarters in New York
A 52-year-old man named Lobga Rangzen died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, according to police reports. Activists identified him as a Tibetan exile who had previously called for Tibetan independence from China. Rangzen, who worked as an Uber driver, was reportedly angered by China's new Ethnic Unity Law, which aims to promote national unity but has drawn concerns from the U.S. and EU over potential restrictions on minority rights. Fellow community members and an Uber driver described his anger towards Chinese policies affecting Tibetans. This incident follows a history of self-immolations by Tibetans protesting Chinese rule, with the International Campaign for Tibet noting over 150 such cases between 2009 and 2022. China maintains that Tibet was peacefully integrated into the nation in 1950 and rejects allegations of repression.
Free electricity in Australia, and the week's other eco wins
This article highlights several environmental successes around the world. In Germany, the Hambach forest, one of the last remaining pieces of ancient woodland, was preserved after a long campaign against coal mining expansion. Environmental activists occupied treehouses within the forest to prevent deforestation, leading to a legal victory. In Australia, despite reliance on fossil fuels, authorities are offering free electricity during daylight hours to reduce grid strain and promote renewable energy use. Meanwhile, Utrecht, a Dutch city, has significantly reduced car dependency by transforming infrastructure to prioritize cycling, surpassing Copenhagen in bike-friendliness rankings.
Early World Cup exit for Germany: What went wrong?
Germany's football national team suffered an early exit from the World Cup by losing 3:4 to Paraguay in a penalty shootout during the round of 16. This marks the third consecutive failure to advance beyond the group stage at a World Cup, having previously been eliminated in the group phase in 2018 and 2022. The match ended 1:1 after extra time, with Germany's players failing to convert their penalties, including Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made strong saves but could not prevent the defeat. Since winning the World Cup in 2014, Germany has not won any knockout game at a World Cup. This was the first loss in a World Cup penalty shootout for the German team, which had previously won all four such encounters. Several key players underperformed, including captain Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala, who struggled due to injury and poor form. Defensive issues and lack of attacking momentum were also significant factors. Injuries to players like Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl further weakened the squad. Coach Julian Nagelsmann faced criticism for his tactical decisions, including retaining Kimmich as a right-back despite his struggles
Iran: Nuclear control - technically possible, technically difficult
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed optimism about resuming inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities under a recent framework agreement between the U.S. and Iran. However, Iran remains cautious, stating that any decisions regarding inspections would depend on a final agreement with the U.S. and progress in lifting sanctions. Experts note that while technically feasible, comprehensive oversight faces significant political challenges. The Iranian parliament has passed legislation limiting cooperation with the IAEA, and influential voices within the country oppose extensive inspections. Since U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, the IAEA has been unable to inspect key uranium enrichment facilities, relying instead on satellite imagery for monitoring.
Heat wave: European countries report 3,700 excess deaths
A severe heatwave across Europe from June 20-28 caused at least 3,700 excess deaths in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands combined, with France recording 2,025 deaths and Belgium 1,222. Temperatures exceeded 40°C (104°F), breaking records in multiple countries. Authorities warn the death toll may rise further, with elderly populations and those aged 45-64 being disproportionately affected. In France, the heat crisis has contributed to a potential no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu. Belgium reported 'unprecedented' heat conditions, with seven tropical days exceeding 30°C, leading to event cancellations. The Netherlands saw around 480 excess deaths, primarily in southern and eastern regions.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
German flag banned? Contributions to viral video missing context
EU support for agriculture: environmentalists against plans to reform farm subsidies
Balochistan activist's life sentence raises fear of unrest
Jimmy Lai receives DW Freedom of Speech Award
50 years of Soweto uprising: the beginning of the end of apartheid
Gavin Newsom accuses Donald Trump of investigating him
