Berliner Tageszeitung - News from Berlin, Brandenburg and the world

Billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man and an avid supporter of Donald Trump, was plunged into new controversy on Friday after a report that he is in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Covid-19 and Ebola outbreaks brought into stark relief the harms that can come to humans if we interfere too much with nature, placing ourselves in contact with animals carrying unknown pathogens.

England rugby coach Steve Borthwick announced Friday that 17 players had been awarded enhanced "Elite Player Squad" (EPS) contracts, giving him greater control over his top stars.

A sex scandal rocking the junior coalition partner of Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has embarrassed a government that has prioritised gender equality and the fight against sexual violence.

France must take "credible" steps to tackle its high deficit, its new finance minister said Thursday, shortly before a major credit ratings agency gives its verdict on the country's sovereign debt.

Global stock markets diverged Friday in an end to a week's trading dominated by earnings updates and bond yield worries.

Mining giants BHP and Vale on Friday signed a deal with Brazil's government to pay nearly $30 billion in compensation for a 2015 dam collapse that triggered the country's worst environmental disaster.

Max Verstappen has told AFP it is "definitely" his intention to remain at Red Bull until 2028 despite a turbulent season on and off the track.

Kylian Mbappe's start at Real Madrid has been satisfactory, his performances neither spectacular nor underwhelming, but Saturday's La Liga Clasico offers the French superstar a springboard to kick on from.

A sarcastic monument is dumped in Washington, Barack Obama shows off his rapping skills, and a bakery says cookies can predict the election outcome.

US President Joe Biden was set on Thursday to deliver a historic apology for one of the country's "darkest chapters": the abduction of Native American children from their families and placement in abusive boarding schools aimed at erasing their culture.

West Ham's Julen Lopetegui said under-fire managers should not complain about pressure as he prepared to face Manchester United's Erik ten Hag in a battle of bosses in the hot seat.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday that Israeli forces had detained hundreds of staff, patients and displaced people during a raid on the last functioning hospital in the north of the territory.

Alpine skiing legend Marcel Hirscher on Friday confirmed that he will make his return from retirement to compete in this season's opening men's World Cup race in Soelden, Austria, on the weekend.

The war in Sudan is likely to cause heavy economic damage in neighboring countries, the IMF's deputy director for Africa, Catherine Pattillo, told AFP.

South Korea urged Russia to stop its "illegal cooperation" with Pyongyang and voiced "grave concern" on Friday as Moscow moved to ratify its defence treaty with North Korea.

Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain make a risk-laden trip to the Mediterranean coast Sunday where bitter rivals Marseille and their developing English stars Mason Greenwood and Jonathan Rowe are sharpening their knives.

Erik ten Hag has blamed Manchester United's lengthy injury list for the wretched run that has left the beleaguered boss fighting to save his job.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves after a rash of injuries and William Saliba's suspension ruined their preparation for Sunday's blockbuster clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Russia's central bank hiked interest rates to 21 percent on Friday, taking borrowing costs to their highest level in more than two decades as Moscow's Ukraine offensive has triggered rapid price rises at home.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says the challenge of keeping his star players happy is a "two-way thing" as the club pursue an upward curve.

Britain’s new Labour government unveils its maiden budget Wednesday, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning of "painful" decisions over taxes and public spending.

New Zealand were in sight of a historic series win in India after spinner Mitchell Santner took 7-53 to help bowl out the hosts cheaply in the second Test on Friday.

Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden is set to emerge from his slump after the Manchester City forward admitted he has been suffering from burnout.

Spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali left England reeling at 24-3 after Saud Shakeel's fighting hundred put Pakistan ahead in the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi on Friday.

The judge next in line to lead Pakistan's Supreme Court was pushed aside by the military-backed government this week, right after it rushed through judicial reforms.

Germany promised to dramatically boost the number of skilled Indians it permits to work in the country as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New Delhi on Friday.

Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham's teenage winger Mikey Moore is in no danger of being fazed by comparisons with Brazil great Neymar after he dazzled against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

Paris Saint-Germain will refuse to comply with an order by the league to pay Kylian Mbappe 55 million euros ($59.5 million) in back pay, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.

Zheng Qinwen reached the Tokyo semi-finals on Friday despite admitting to struggling for motivation after winning Olympic gold and receiving a hero's welcome in her native China.

Saud Shakeel's fighting century propelled Pakistan to 344 on day two of the series-deciding third Test against England in Rawalpindi on Friday, gaining a first-innings lead of 77 runs.

Homeowners in the northern Philippines used spades and rakes to clear out debris left by Tropical Storm Trami on Friday while rescuers trawled through thick mud looking for the missing as the death toll rose to 76.