Berliner Tageszeitung - News from Berlin, Brandenburg and the world

French and German rail operators launched the first direct high-speed rail link between Paris and Berlin on Monday, in response to growing European demand for train travel.

Britain's centuries-old Royal Mail is set to pass into foreign ownership after the UK government Monday approved the takeover of its parent company by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group.

Former Brazil and Inter Milan striker Adriano, nicknamed the 'Emperor' in his prime, bid farewell to football on Sunday in a testimonial match at the home of Flamengo, the club where his once promising career started.

Tadhg Furlong has signed a two-year contract extension with Ireland and Leinster until the end of the 2026/27 season, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced on Monday.

Rescuers raced against time Monday to reach survivors and supply urgent aid after a devastating cyclone ripped through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, destroying homes across the islands, with hundreds feared dead.

A screening of "Last Tango in Paris", which features a rape scene filmed without the consent of actress Maria Schneider, has been cancelled at the prestigious Cinematheque Francaise in the French capital following an outcry from women's rights groups, the cinema announced.

British skipper Pip Hare said Monday she was unhurt but upset after being forced out of the Vendee Globe solo non-stop round the world yacht race after dismasting south of Australia.

The EU's envoy to Syria headed to Damascus Monday to hold talks with the country's new Islamist rulers, just over a week after president Bashar al-Assad's ouster ended decades of brutal rule and civil war.

Three spinoffs from French right-wing tycoon Vincent Bollore's Vivendi media empire debuted on stock markets on Monday, with mixed results as shares in the Canal+ television and film group tanked in London.

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said Monday eurozone policymakers would keep cutting interest rates and warned that higher US tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump could hit growth in the bloc.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake vowed to bolster ties with India Monday on his first overseas visit as head of state, with a red carpet welcome by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jason Gillespie said Monday he felt no longer wanted as Pakistan's Test coach and was left out of major decisions, having quit the post last week.

The French man who has admitted to enlisting dozens of strangers to rape his heavily-sedated wife on Monday asked forgiveness from his family and hailed the courage of his now ex-spouse during his trial.

Visibly distressed England captain Ben Stokes suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury on Monday while bowling during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton.

India's chess star Gukesh Dommaraju returned to a hero's welcome in his home city on Monday after becoming the youngest world champion aged only 18.

England made a wretched start to their unrealistic chase of 658 to win the third Test on Monday after a Kane Williamson century rammed home New Zealand's advantage.

Rescuers raced against time Monday to reach survivors after a devastating cyclone ripped through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, destroying homes across the islands, with hundreds feared dead.

Most markets fell on Monday after an unexpected slowdown in retail sales reinforced worries about China's economy, with the latest batch of weak data compounding the disappointment of Beijing's latest stimulus pledges.

Brisbane's weather came to India's rescue as most of Monday's play was lost because of rain on the third day of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba.

Indian musician Zakir Hussain, a four-time Grammy award winner credited with turning tabla drums into an instrument loved globally, has died at the age of 73, officials said Monday.

A Filipina inmate sentenced to death in Indonesia was moved to capital Jakarta before she is expected to fly home on Wednesday, after the government signed an agreement to repatriate her.

England made a wretched start to their unrealistic chase of 658 to win the third Test on Monday after a Kane Williamson century rammed home New Zealand's advantage.

England face a colossal target of 658 to win the third Test after Kane Williamson's century on Monday rammed home New Zealand's advantage with more than two days remaining.

Rescuers were racing against time Monday to reach survivors after a powerful cyclone hit the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, laying to waste the territory's many shantytowns.

Taiwan has received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the United States, the defence ministry said Monday, as the island boosts its military capabilities against a potential Chinese attack.

A rattled India limped to 48-4 as rain ruined the second session on the third day of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Monday.

Fiji doctors have decided to discharge five of the seven patients -- including four Australians and an American -- who were hospitalised after drinking pina coladas at a luxury hotel bar, the government said Monday.

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after an August revolution, said Monday that general elections would be held late next year or in early 2026.

Luka Doncic reeled off a triple-double with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to spark the Dallas Mavericks over Golden State 143-133 in a record-shattering NBA matchup on Sunday.

Hasan Mahmud delivered a superb final over as Bangladesh snatched a seven-run win over the West Indies in the first T20 International of a three-match series at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent on Sunday.

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after an August revolution, said Monday that general elections would be held late next year or in early 2026.

Drug lords like Sean McGovern, a top lieutenant of the Kinahan cartel, and Faissal Taghi -- son of the infamous head of the Dutch-Moroccan Mocro Maffia -- used to hang out and party in Dubai's glitzy hotels and restaurants without a care in the world.