Berliner Tageszeitung - News from Berlin, Brandenburg and the world

Mexico's economy suffered its first contraction in three years in the fourth quarter of 2024, official figures showed Thursday, as the country braces for US President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs.

France captain Antoine Dupont said on Thursday the inclusion of Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou in the team to face Wales in this week's Six Nations opener has had no impact on the squad.

Buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners left an Israeli prison on Thursday, after chaos during the release by Gaza militants of three Israeli hostages and five Thais led to a brief delay in the process.

The BBC has apologised to members of staff after an investigation into actor and comedian Russell Brand found some employees felt "unable to raise" concerns about his behaviour, a review released Thursday said.

Nostalgia-tinged evening wear, fantasy-fuelled escapism and messages about world peace featured during a packed Paris Couture Week that also saw new changes on fashion's artistic director merry-go-round.

UK prosecutors on Thursday defended the lengthy prison sentences handed down to 16 environmental activists, telling London's Court of Appeal that their actions posed a danger to the public.

Visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani emphasised the "urgent need" to form an inclusive Syrian government during a meeting Thursday with the country's new interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Qatari royal court said.

British sailor Samantha Davies on Thursday crossed the finish line of the gruelling, round-the-world Vendee Globe yacht race in 13th position after just over 80 days at sea.

A record 92.3 million passengers travelled through Dubai's international airport last year, its operator said on Thursday, extending a post-pandemic tear that exemplifies the city's economic boom.

Hope, experience, integrity and engaging with the youth of today were some of the messages the seven candidates bidding to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee delivered to their fellow members on Thursday.

US and European stock markets rose Thursday as the European Central Bank cut interest rates again and companies posted healthy earnings.

The families of Thai farm workers held for over a year in Gaza cheered and wept with relief Thursday as they were freed in a hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.

Divers pulled bodies from the icy waters of Washington's Potomac river Thursday after a US military helicopter collided midair with a passenger plane carrying 64 people, with officials saying there were likely no survivors.

The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group vowed Thursday to "continue the march of liberation" to the DR Congo capital Kinshasa, as its fighters made further advances in the mineral-rich east of the country.

Scotland lock Jonny Gray will make his first Test appearance for nearly two years after being named in the starting team for Saturday's Six Nations opener at home to Italy.

A Russian drone attack that targeted cities across Ukraine killed three elderly couples in a Soviet-era residential block in the eastern city of Sumy, prosecutors said.

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada named Perpignan's Tommaso Allan at full-back on Friday for their Six Nations opener against Scotland, allowing Toulouse flier Ange Capuozzo to move to the wing.

The US economy expanded at a solid clip in 2024, helped by consumer and government spending, official data showed Thursday, signaling its resilience as President Donald Trump takes over the reins.

RB Leipzig have made Xavi Simons' loan from Paris Saint-Germain permanent, breaking the club's transfer record to sign the attacking midfielder until 2027.

Israel on Thursday suspended the planned release of Palestinian prisoners after Gaza militants freed three Israeli hostages and five Thais amid chaotic scenes.

Tim Merlier of Quick Step won stage three of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ula Tour on Thursday.

Frenchman Dominique Pelicot, convicted in December for organising the rape of his then wife Gisele Pelicot by dozens of strangers, was being questioned Thursday by an investigating magistrate over an attempted rape, as well as a rape and murder, in the 1990s, his lawyer said.

Scotland lock Jonny Gray will make his first Test appearance for nearly two years after being named in the starting team for Saturday's Six Nations opener at home to Italy.

Merchants in El Salvador, the first country to make bitcoin legal tender, will no longer be obliged to accept the cryptocurrency as payment, under a reform adopted to comply with conditions for an international loan.

Floods had nearly encircled and seeped into a French town on Thursday, with officials warning that one nearby river could reach historic levels in coming days.

The European Central Bank made a fresh interest rate cut Thursday as inflation eases and the eurozone economy flatlines, with a nervous eye on US President Donald Trump's protectionist agenda.

The UK government introduced legislation Thursday designed to give law enforcement officials "counter-terror style powers" to break up gangs bringing irregular migrants across the Channel in flimsy boats.

US officials said Thursday there were likely no survivors after a passenger jet carrying 64 people collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the icy waters of Washington's Potomac river.

The French army has handed over its last base in Chad in a military ceremony in the capital N'Djamena, the general staffs of both countries announced Thursday.

French police have arrested six people on suspicion of plotting to kidnap YouTube star Inoxtag or one of his relatives and demand a ransom, a source close to the case and prosecutors said on Thursday.

Wales captain Jac Morgan said on Thursday that his team would be using pre-tournament negativity surrounding their hopes in the Six Nations as motivation before the opener against France.

The close-knit world of figure skating was in mourning on Thursday after a passenger jet carrying athletes and coaches, including former Russian world pairs champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, crashed into Washington's Potomac River.