Germany Skeptical about Joining U.S. Hormuz Mission
Germany's Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday he was very skeptical about a request by the United States to join a military mission for the Strait of Hormuz.Scholz told ZDF television that it was important to avoid a military escalation in the region and that such a mission carried the risk of being dragged into an even bigger conflict, adding: "That's why I think this is not a good idea."The U.S.
Merkel Visit aims to Soothe EU Migrant Tensions
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will use a visit to Turkey this weekend to try to soothe tensions over a deal meant to stem the flow of migrants to Europe as questions about its effectiveness and long-term viability mount. The pact, which came into force almost three weeks ago, aims to help end the chaotic arrival of migrants and refugees on the Greek islands, many fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa. More than one million reached Europe last year. The deal initially slowed the numbers of new arrivals to Greece sharply, but boats have been coming again with about 150 people a day, indicating the "hermetic sealing" of the route appears to be over, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.
Documentary Examines Shipbreaking Practices in Bangladesh
A new documentary titled "Giftiger Tankerschrott für Bangladesch - Toxic ships for Bangladesh" will be shown this Sunday, October 26 on German state TV channel ZDF. The documentary, filmed by a team of the national German TV channel last month in Chittagong, one of the world's largest shipbreaking sites, follows Patrizia Heidegger, Executive Director of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, and Muhammed Ali Shahin, the Platform's Bangladesh project coordinator, as they meet with the workers, some of them children, and their families.
