Berliner Tageszeitung - News from Berlin, Brandenburg and the world

Tensions mounted within hours of presidential polls opening in Venezuela Sunday as the elections chief lashed out at opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and incumbent Nicolas Maduro vowed to ensure the outcome is "defended."

Sri Lanka let go a good batting start to finish on 161-9 after an attacking half-century by Kusal Perera in the second T20 international against India on Sunday.

A migrant died on Sunday trying to cross the Channel from France to Britain on an overcrowded boat but authorities said dozens on the vessel refused to be rescued and continued their journey to England.

Rafael Nadal set up a blockbuster showdown with Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics as the Spaniard battled to victory over Marton Fucsovics in the first round on Sunday.

France has opened an investigation into death threats against three Israeli athletes as well as possible anti-Semitic hate crimes during a football match, the Paris prosecutor's office said on Sunday.

George Russell claimed a memorable if unexpected victory ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in a thrilling finish to Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, having started sixth on the grid.

France has made a key gesture of remembrance for the dozens of African troops shot dead on French army orders in Senegal during World War II, as Paris seeks to ease tensions with former colonies over historical memory, the government said on Sunday.

The 100-day sprint to the US election began Sunday, the final act of a campaign transformed by an assassination attempt and the stunning exit of President Joe Biden.

Ben Stokes hit the fastest Test fifty by an England batsman as the hosts hammered the West Indies by 10 wickets to win the third Test at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Paris Olympics organisers said Sunday they were "really sorry" if any offence was caused by their daring and quirky opening ceremony while denying any intention to "disrespect" religion after complaints from French bishops.

Algerian teenager Kaylia Nemour outshone gymnastics superstar Simone Biles on the uneven bars Sunday to qualify for the apparatus and the women's all-around finals at the Paris Olympics.

France's rugby sevens side celebrated their Olympic gold in unusual style with a carefully choreographed dance routine as deft and slick as any of Antoine Dupont's match-winning tries.

Simone Biles dazzled a star-studded crowd as she returned to the Olympic stage on Sunday while Paris braced for a blockbuster swimming duel on an action-packed day two at the Games.

Ben Stokes hit the fastest Test fifty by an England batsman, breaking a record that had stood for over 40 years, as the hosts hammered the West Indies by 10 wickets to win the third Test at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Yuval Freilich's dream of Olympic glory in Paris lasted just nine minutes on Sunday, which the Israeli fencer told AFP was a "huge disappointment".

George Russell won the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa on Sunday holding off his teammate Lewis Hamilton in a stunning Mercedes 1-2.

The official Olympics broadcaster has urged camera operators to film men and women athletes in the same way to avoid "stereotypes and sexism" creeping into the coverage, its CEO said Sunday.

England were set a target of just 82 to win the third Test against the West Indies after dismissing the tourists for 175 in their second innings on Sunday's third day at Edgbaston.

Filipino great Manny Pacquiao's exhibition fight against Japan's Rukiya Anpo ended in an underwhelming draw on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal will attempt to set up an Olympic Games blockbuster against Novak Djokovic on Sunday after setting aside injury concerns as Andy Murray prepared for what could be the final match of his career.

A migrant on an overcrowded boat died on Sunday trying to cross the Channel from France to Britain but authorities said dozens on the crammed vessel refused to be rescued and carried on with the hazardous journey.

Simone Biles made a stunning return to Olympic competition on Sunday, powering through a left calf injury to get her multiple-medal bid off to a rousing start.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday vowed to "hit the enemy hard" after rocket fire from Lebanon killed 12 young people in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and again raised fears that the war in Gaza will spread.

Palestinian swimmer Yazan Al Bawwab hopes his appearance at the Paris Olympics will help boost opportunities for athletes from the war-torn territory.

England were left eyeing a whitewash of the West Indies despite a defiant fifty from Kavem Hodge in the third Test at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Organisers of the Paris Olympics said Sunday they were "really sorry" for any offence caused by their daring and quirky opening ceremony but denied "any intention to show disrespect to any religious group."

Two-metre high waves made for an ideal start to the Olympic surfing competition 16,000 kilometres away from 2024 Games city Paris in Tahiti, home of the towering Teahupo'o.

Simone Biles made a stunning return to Olympic competition on Sunday, powering through a left calf injury to get her multiple-medal bid off to a rousing start.

Rafael Nadal "is ready to play" Olympic singles on Sunday despite concerns over a thigh injury with a mouthwatering clash against old rival Novak Djokovic tantalisingly within reach.

The United States and Japan issued scathing verbal attacks on China and Russia on Sunday after high-level discussions on enhancing already close defence collaboration between Tokyo and Washington in an increasingly unstable region.

The River Seine failed its first Olympic test on Saturday as a training session for triathletes was scrapped after the water failed pollution checks.

Gymnastics icon Simone Biles dazzled in her long-awaited return to the Olympic stage on Sunday as Paris braced for a blockbuster swimming duel on an action-packed day two at the Games.