Great Britain: Queen’s Mourning
This is the last leg of the royal farewell journey. On September 11, the coffin carrying the body of Elizabeth II was sent en route. Back to London from Balmoral Castle, Scotland. Even though the queen had little political influence during her lifetime, her symbolic importance to the country was always enormous. She left her mark on the nation during her 70-year stint as queen. Now thousands of people want to say goodbye. People around the world mourn the passing of the Queen. In some Commonwealth states, however, the glory of the British crown is crumbling. For example, in Caribbean countries, many people no longer want a head of state who lives in distant London. They want to leave the federation.
Author: Sven Lohmann
Ukraine: Hope and Loss in the South
It seems that the tide of the war in Ukraine has turned. Apparently, Ukrainian units have gained heavy ground in the east over the past few days and apparently panicked some Russian soldiers. For a little over half a year, Ukraine has been fighting Russian troops who have invaded the country. In late August, a counter-offensive began in the Chersonese province of southern Ukraine. The army wants to recapture the areas west and north of the Dnipro (Dinepr) river. The Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv is in the immediate vicinity. Russian forces have been shelling the area for weeks. How are the people there, how do they keep up with the war? Tobias Damers was there.
Writers: Tobias Damers, Katya Rusetska
Italy: Meloni, Salvini, Berlusconi – is Italy in danger of shifting to the right?
Elections are due in Italy on 25 September. The Italians have actually managed to bid farewell to a successful prime minister, Mario Draghi, within a short period of time. Now they decide the new government. And it can take the country in the right direction. One mini-party made it to the top by more than 20 percent. With his fascist legacy, with racist hate speech on the internet, with sympathy for Putin. Now shortly before the election, Speaker Giorgia Meloni is pro-state. who is this woman?
Author Rudiger Kronthaler
Nuclear country: why Finland relies on nuclear power
nuclear power? No, thank you! In Germany, there was a lengthy discussion about whether individual nuclear power plants should be connected to the grid longer or at least run in reserve. Now that winter is approaching and gas and electricity are scarce and expensive. Finland is completely dependent on nuclear power for its energy supply. Even the Finnish Greens say yes to nuclear power. They are even ahead of Germany when it comes to reserves. It is being built near the city of Yurajoki and should be operational soon.
Author: Christian Blenker
Japan: Yonaguni and the Fear of War
Yonaguni Island, far out in the ocean, isn’t something you come across every day. Yonaguni is the westernmost point of Japan, not far from Taiwan. Again, so close to Taiwan that residents are worried. What if Communist China actually invades Taiwan? During the Chinese’s final maneuvers, Yonaguni fishermen could hear the missile’s effects with their ears. Will someone come to their rescue if it really explodes? Looks like no one really has the island on their radar: There are no mass tourism on Yonaguni. It is best known to experienced divers because of a famous rock formation in the ocean, the Yonaguni Monument. The mayor worries too much to forget: how will he evacuate 1,500 people from the island if a disaster strikes?
Author: Katharina von Tschartschenthaler
Moderation: Julia-Niharika Sen
