Penulis: Agus S

Many countries lack blood donors. The quest to create an artificial, lab-made blood type that could make up for supply shortages is extremely difficult. But there are some technologies that offer hope.

Blood reserves are in short supply around the world. According to theWorld Health Organization (WHO), blood donation services in many countries are simply unable to meet demands for collecting and storinghealthy blood. Germany'sRed Cross(DRK) estimates that some 112 million annual donations are required to cover the need. The DRK adds that one blood donation can be enough to help up to three injured or extremely ill patients.

Blood donations, however, vary greatly according to national wealth, with 40% of 118.5 million annual donations coming from high-income countries that make up only 16% of the world's population.

Yet, even wealthy countries constantly need to draw from and replenish their blood banks. Germany alone uses some 15,000 units of blood each day. Often, even promises of money, gifts or vouchers are not enough to encourage donor participation.

Although animal blood could theoretically be used in human transfusions if successfully altered with the use of gene-editing technology, the impediments to getting there are incredibly complex. Animal blood cells are significantly different from human blood cells, especially regarding surface structure.

The human immune system would immediately recognize non-altered animal blood cells as foreign and reject them. That is why all immune-related antigens would have to be removed or human antigens added, a highly complicated procedure. These issues have rendered the potential use of animal blood for human transfusions unrealistic in the near future.

At the moment, different approaches to finding a solution to blood shortages are being taken by scientists around the world. Researchers have, for instance, altered blood stem cells, also known as hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs, in ways that allow them to transport more oxygen. They have developed enzymes to neutralize blood type, doing away with the problem ofcompatibility. Artificial, longer-lasting red blood cells are being developed, too.

But the promise of blood substitutes also comes with considerable risk. Such blood can trigger potentially deadly anaphylactic reactions when, for example, the immune system recognizes foreign enzymes or elements contained in artificial blood. Any such blood substitute must replicate all of the functions of biological blood and be universally compatible — similar to naturally occurring Type O blood, which is considered a "universal donor" type.

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Several methods for producing lab-made blood are nearly ready for use; others need more trials, including human testing, to ensure such new blood products are safe. Here, a list of five top prospects:

1. Genetically modifying red blood cells

Researchers at Stanford University and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) haveused CRISPR gene-editing technologyto develop a new method for altering bone marrow stem cells in a way that increases their production of hemoglobin in red blood cells, allowing these to carry more oxygen.

So far, returns have been modest when compared to biological blood, with researchers only producing roughly 1% of the hemoglobin that a donor would. Still, when the team's trial was completed with no complications or side-effects to participants, it was celebrated as a medical breakthrough.

2. Neutralizing blood type with gut bacteria enzymes

In Denmark and Sweden, scientists have found an enzyme in intestinal bacteria that can remove particular elements from blood cells, namely the ABO blood type antigens that determine the different biological blood groups, among them A and B. When these determiners are removed, blood cells become Type O, meaning they can be used for almost every possible patient.

Still, until now scientists have been unable to remove the determiners in their entirety, leaving small traces behind and thus posing a risk of allergic reaction in some individuals. Another major hurdle is the removal of the so-called rhesus factor — a surface protein key in determining blood compatibility.

3. Nano RBCs: Microscopic artificial blood cells

Researchers at Penn State University in the US are currently producing tiny, artificial red blood cells (RBC) that function just like the real thing. Although nano-RBCs are only one-tenth the size of normal blood cells they can transport just as much oxygen. These little cells are extremely flexible and can even move through small blood vessels. They would also seem ideally suited for emergency situations and natural catastrophes as they can be stored at room temperature for long periods of time.

4. Military application for enhanced performance

The US military is backing research that loads up red blood cells with special nanoparticles. The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, better known as DARPA, is creating what it calls a "Red Blood Cell Factory" that will help soldiers cope with lack of oxygen at altitude, in extreme heat or cold, and when affected by pathogens or endemic illnesses such as malaria. China is reportedly conducting similar research.

5. Using blood banks to create a universal donor blood

Researchers at Japan's Nara Medical University began testing artificial hemoglobin in humans in March 2025. Scientists there are harvesting hemoglobin from unused blood bank reserves. They are efficient in transporting oxygen and can be used with any blood type. Initial data was published in the June issue of theJournal of Artificial Organs.The report said that some test persons developed a slight fever but that the results were so promising that researchers are hoping to make the method available for use by 2030.

All of these approaches are being pursued at great pace. Yet, it will still be years before safe artificial blood can be produced at scale.

Until then, human blood donations remain essential for transfusions to continue.

This article was originally written in German and translated by Jon Shelton.

After Israel's June 13 strike on Iran, many viral videos and images on social media claim to show the latest escalation between the two countries. But not everything is authentic — DW Fact Check takes a closer look.

In the early hours ofJune 13, Israel launched amassive strike on different targets in Iran— primarily military and nuclear facilities as well as high-ranking officers and scientists.

Following these strikes, many images purporting to show Israel's attack or Iran's counterattack have been shared on social media.

DW Fact Checktook a closer look.

Claim: A viralvideo on TikTokwith over 660,000 views at the time of publication claims to showtheIraniansites hit and destroyed by Israeli attackson June 13.

All scenes in the video areAI-generated. If you look closely, you can spotseveralodd things.

For example, in the first frame of the scene with the burned-out cars (00:08), the teddy bear has a distorted face and appears unnaturally clean compared to its surroundings.These inconsistencies strongly suggest the use of AI in the video's creation.

In the scene at the burning airfield(00:24), the firefighters on one side of the pit remain completely still, while those on the other seem to vanish into thin air.Additionally, the rocket debris in the pit features two arrowheads.

A closer look at the account behind the video, Malka.415, reveals the owner is heavily involved in creating AI-generated videos based on current news events for their channel.

Claim:Several widely shared posts on X,including this one, claim the video shows incoming Israeli missiles targeting Iran.Others assert it depictsIran's response to Israel.

The videodoes not depict the current escalation between Israel and Iran. Areverse image searchof a still frame confirms that the footage was first shared eight months ago.

It most likely shows an Iranian missile attack on Israel in October 2024, which was in retaliation to a prior Israeli strike. This is also indicated in the community notes attached to some of the posts, such asthis one.

This case highlights how old footage is repeatedly recycled to garner attention and spread misinformation. The same video, for example, was previously posted — and debunkedhere— in the context of the recent Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan.

Claim:Animage on X, viewed 3.6million times at the time of writing,allegedly showsthat "Iran has launched missiles at Israel,"as stated in thecaption.

While Iranresponded to Friday's attacks by launching drones, there have been no official statements confirming missile launches. If missiles had been launched, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would likely have issued a statement.Areverse image searchreveals the photo in the post is from a military exercise in Iran several years ago. The image first appeared online in 2021.

Thephotographappears to have been taken in southern Iran during the 17th Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) jointGreat Prophet 17exercise in December 2021, which included the launch of rockets and missiles as part of a five-day military drill.

Given thesimilar imagesfrom this exercise circulating online, taken by different photographers at slightly different times, it is clear the photo is real but unrelated to the current conflict.

Israel's attacks on Iran are also putting pressure on the Gulf states, who worry they too could be drawn into the escalating conflict.

The reactions came quickly. Only a few hours after Israel's early morning attack on Iran, the Saudi Foreign Ministry voiced its opinion. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran," it said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia was not among those countries. Although there has been behind-the-scenes cooperation of many kinds for years, Saudi Arabia — seen as a leader in Sunni Islam because it is the custodian of some of the religion's holiest sites — has always wanted to avoid looking as though it was abandoning solidarity with the Palestinian cause to get closer to Israel.

That impression has been all the more important since October 7, 2023, after the militant group Hamas — classified as a terrorist organization by Germany, the EU, the US and several other countries  attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping around a further 250. The ongoing, retaliatory Israeli offensive in Gaza has since killed over 55,000 people. In November 2024, after just over a year of the Israeli offensive, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmanaccused Israel of committing genocideat a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders in Riyadh.

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That has not preventedSaudi Arabiafrom granting Israel permission to use its airspace for flights headed to the UAE though. And that is even as the Saudis have grown closer to their traditional foes, the Iranians. Iran and Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic relations in 2016 but resumed them in 2023after talks held in China.

In any rapprochement with Iran, the Gulf states are quite likely to have had exactly this current scenario in mind, says Marcus Schneider, who heads the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's project for peace and security in the Middle East and is based in Lebanon.

"In the capitals of the Arabian Peninsula, they're well aware they're sitting ducks if a war breaks out betweenIsrael and Iran," Schneider explained. "Unlike Israel, they're not protected by any effective defense system. They've been afraid of this happening for a long time which is why they've always tried to stop Israel from escalating, via their US ties."

Since October 7, 2023, Saudi Arabia has been engaged in something of a balancing act, says Sebastian Sons, a senior researcher and expert on the Gulf states at the Bonn-based think tank, CARPO.

"[Saudi Arabia] is committed to de-escalation with all its neighbors," Sons told DW. "In this sense, it has attempted to act as a platform for dialogue in various conflicts and has hosted several major summits — including one on the war in Gaza — which Iranians regularly participated in. In a sense, these diplomatic activities are all part of the Saudi model, which focuses on rapprochement rather than conflict," Sons explained.

That is why an escalation in conflict between Iran and Israel is something of a worst-case scenario. "Saudi Arabia finds itself in the eye of the storm and fears there might be attacks on its own territory because US troops are stationed there," the expert noted.

There are also concerns that theHouthi rebel groupfrom neighboring Yemen, which is allied with Iran, might resume their attacks on Saudi Arabia. The memory ofHouthi attackson Saudi oil facilities in 2019 is still vivid.

Those concerns have seen the Saudis even more determined to seek diplomatic autonomy and improve their relationship with Iran, Sons told DW. "They'd like to move from a tactical to more strategic engagement and to expand cooperation in other areas, like security. At the same time, Saudi Arabia also hasn't stopped distrusting Iran. It still has serious reservations about its neighbor. This makes Saudi calculations about the current situation even more difficult."

The wording that the Saudi Foreign Ministry chose is also indicative of how dramatic this situation is for them, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Schneider said. In their statement, the Saudis calledPersian-majority Iran a "brotherly" country, a term usually reserved for Arab-majority countries. "This choice of words shows they don't want to be perceived as Israel's accomplice under any circumstances," he explains.

The smaller Gulf state ofOman, which previouslymediated talks between Iran and the USon Iran's nuclear program, also apparently believes a diplomatic solution is at risk. The sixth round of nuclear talks was meant to begin there on Sunday but has been cancelled.

In a statement, Oman said it condemned Israel's attack on Iran and that it holds Israel responsible for any escalation in the region.

Tensions are also running high inIraq. In Iraq there are well-established paramilitaries, known as thePopular Mobilization Forces, or PMF. Many of their fighters' pledge loyalty to Iranian religious and military leadership because the neighboring country has provided them with financial, logistical and even spiritual support, as well as arms.

"If the government in Tehran now tells them that everything is at stake, they could well take up arms," ​​Schneider said. "They could, for example, be directed against US troops stationed in Iraq or other US targets. That's why the US withdrew some embassy staff [from Iraq] a few days ago."

This story was originally published in German.

US President Donald Trump claims his country was not involved with Israel's attacks on Iran. At the same time, he threatens that if Tehran doesn't reach a nuclear deal with the US, attacks on Iran "will only get worse."

The US government's political lineafter Israel's attack on Iranis clear: Washington had no part in it.

"Israel took unilateral action against Iran," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement shared by the White House. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense … Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."

The White House social media team posted the statement on social media platform X roughly an hour after the start of Israel's attacks on Iran early Friday morning. Later, on Friday evening,Iran launched retaliatory attacks on Israel.

Before that, on Thursday, the US State Department posted a warning on X about the complex securitysituation in the Middle East: "We remind U.S. citizens in Israel and the broader region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments."

The US was informed about the attack in advance. But were they really not actively involved in any way?

"Everything we know so far about the logistics, for example about the hidden drones in Iran, suggests that Israel carried out the attack alone," Sascha Lohmann, senior associate and part of the America regional research group at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said in an interview with DW. "But we cannot completely rule out the possibility that the US helped."

The deployment of 200 military jets that flew to Iran and back for example raises the question of whether the US military provided support with air-to-air refueling, according to Lohmann.

Israel's attacks early Friday morning were mainly directed against military facilities andsites involved in Iran's nuclear program, such as theNatanz nuclear facility, where uranium is enriched, among other things. In addition to several leading figures in the Iranian military, at least six scientists and researchers working on Iran's nuclear program were killed.

Since April 2025, Tehran and Washington had been holding talks to reach an agreement to replace the old nuclear deal with Iran, from which the US withdrew during Trump's first term in 2018.

After Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure,Trumpwas quoted by Fox News reporter Bret Baier as saying that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb."

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"We hope to get back to the negotiating table," Trump said according to the right-leaning TV channel. "We'll see."

Trump used much harsher language on his social media platform Truth Social. He wrote in a post that he had given Iran many chances to reach a nuclear deal with him. If that doesn't happen, Trump says he warned Iranian leadership that they're facing an attack that's much worse than anything they could imagine.

"The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the world by far," Trump wrote. "Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come ― and they know how to use it."

The Iranian hardliners who spoke out against a nuclear deal are "all DEAD now," Trump continued in his post, "and it will only get worse!"

Meanwhile, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff warned that Iran is also capable of causing considerable damage in Israel.

The next meeting between the US and Iranian delegations on a possible new nuclear agreement was supposed to take place this Sunday inOman, but Iran canceled it.

It is also unclear how the talks will proceed in the long term. Ali Shamkhani, a close confidant and advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is said to be among those killed in Iran. According to German news magazineSpiegel, Shamkhani played an important role in the nuclear talks between the US and Iran. He is said to have been open to an agreement, but also warned that the government in Tehran could end its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and expel UN nuclear inspectors if Iran felt threatened.

"As long as the conflict continues with its current intensity, it is difficult to imagine that the talks will continue," Lohmann said.

This article was originally published in German

As the hostilities between Israel and Iran itensify, European leaders have called for calm, warning of the growing risk of a broader regional war. But Europe's role as a key mediator may be over amid stalled diplomacy.

The latest flareup intensified Friday whenIsrael launched a targeted strike on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility,killing several senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Tehran then retaliated to Israel's large-scale attacks with waves of missile strikes on Friday evening and early on Saturday.

The attacks in an already unstable region have caused widespread concern across Europe.

NATOSecretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the urgency of avoiding further escalation, calling "for many allies — including the United States — to work … to de-escalate.” Adding, "this was a unilateral action by Israel.”

European CommissionPresident Ursula von der Leyen echoed the sentiment in a post on X, urging "all parties to act with maximum restraint and work to de-escalate the situation.” Adding that in a call to Israel's President Isaac Herzog late on Friday she "reiterated Israel's right to defend itself and protect its people." Before writing that "at the same time, perserving regional stability is vital."

Key European powers also appeared to rally behind Israel following its attack and Iran's counterstrikes.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merzexpressed strong support for Israel's "right to protect its existence and the security of its citizens.” Adding in a post on X that Iran's nuclear program presents "a serious threat to the entire region, and particularly to the state of Israel."

A sentiment echoed byFrench President Emmanuel Macron, who similarly urged restraint while reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. The French leader has previously described Iran's nuclear capabilities as a significant strategic and security challenge for both France and Europe.

This alignment has drawn criticism from some analysts, who argue that Europe's support for Israel may undermine its credibility as a neutral mediator.

"European capitals such as Berlin and Paris have come out in support of Israel, ignoring this was an unjustified action," Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow with the Middle East and North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), told DW.

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Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East program at the ECFR, further warned that Germany and France's alignment with Israel runs the risk of isolating Iran.

"If you are an Iranian, you would see this as Europeans siding with Israel in support of military action,” he told DW.

Iran, meanwhile, demanded a firmer stance from Europe. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in a phone call with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, called on the EU and the broader international community to condemn what Tehran called a "criminal attack.”

European powers — particularly the so-called E3 of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom — position has been influenced in part by a recent resolution from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which found Iran in violation of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

The resolution, introduced by the E3, has provided political backing for a toucher stance on Iran, reinforcing accusations of non-compliance.

As diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — continue between the United States and Iran, European powers have found themselves on the sidelines.

Talks between the US and Iranian officials have taken place over recent months in Oman and Rome. The sixth round, reportedly scheduled for this weekend, was cancelled on Friday following the latest strikes.

"Europe missed an opportunity to use diplomacy before military escalation took over,” Lovatt said. Both he and Barnes-Dacey believe Israel's strike was designed in part to disrupt efforts to revive the US-Iran nuclear talks.

Hans Jacob Schindler, senior director at the Counter Extremism Project, told DW that the region is now "in a very dangerous escalation spiral,” with risks of further escalation increasing by the day.

"The current assessment is that Israel can only delay Iran's nuclear program,” Lovatt added.

With nuclear diplomacy faltering and military confrontation looming, Europe's role as a mediator — once central to the Iran nuclear deal — appears increasingly sidelined.

Iran has targeted Israel with several waves of long-range missiles in retaliation for Israel's strikes on its nuclear sites. Israel also launched new strikes on Tehran early Saturday. Follow DW for more.

Below is a roundup of the latest developments on theIsrael-Iranconflict and the widerMiddle East crisison Saturday, June 14, 2025:

The Israeli military said on Saturday it was carrying out attacks against missile launchers on Iranian soil.

"The Air Force continues to attack dozens of surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran," it said on its X account, sharing a video of some of the attacks.

What the targets were or whether they were hit could not be immediately verified.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said a hangar used for fighter jets at Mehrabad airport inTehranhas been hit by explosions but refuted earlier reports that runways at the facility had been damaged.

It said air traffic at the airport, located in the center of the Iranian capital, remained suspended.

Mehrabad airport is mostly used for domestic flights, although it also includes a military facility.

Reports earlier on Friday had spoken of flames and smoke coming from buildings at the airport, while the state-run Fars news agency posted a video on X, purportedly showing the aftermath of strikes at the facility.

Iranians are protesting against America and against Israeli strikes on their country.

While some say the conflict will destabilize the region, others hope it could be a chance for Iranians to rise up against a repressive government.

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Two Iranian drones have been intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military said in a post on X.

One of the interceptions appears to have been captured on camera, as reported by Israeli public broadcaster Kan.

Please note: the video includes sirens.

Israel's attack on Iran has jolted financial markets, as fears grow of a regional conflict that could disrupt oil supplies.

The tensions come at a time of heightened uncertainty, driven by Trump's tariff policies.

Read thefull story on the economic impacts of the increased hostilities between Israel and Iran.

As the hostilities between Israel and Iran itensify, European leaders have called for calm, warning of the growing risk of a broader regional war.

But Europe's role as a key mediator may be over amid stalled diplomacy.

Read thefull story on Europe's reaction to the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Iran has said theongoing talks with the US on Tehran's nuclear programare "meaningless" after Israel's military strikes, accusing Washington of supporting the action.

The US "acted in a way that makes dialogue meaningless. You cannot claim to negotiate and at the same time divide work by allowing the Zionist regime [Israel] to target Iran's territory," the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.

He said the Israeli attack would not have occurred unless Washington had given the go-ahead.

However, Baghaei stopped short of saying that the next round of talks, set to be held on Sunday in Oman, was canceled, according to the Mizan news agency, which is run by Iran's judiciary.

"It is still not clear what we decide about Sunday's talks," he was quoted as saying.

Washingtonhas denied it was complicit in the attacks, though US President Donald Trump said on Friday he had been informed of Israel's plans in advance and described the Israeli attacks as "excellent."

Trump has himself threatened military action against Iranif negotiations fail to bring a result.

The ongoing exchange of aerial attacks between Israel and Iran was unleashed by Israel's strikes early on Friday on a number of sensitive sites in the Islamic Republic.

Israel has said its strikes were to prevent Iran from constructing nuclear bombs in the near future.

Here is a map of the Iranian sites, including military and nuclear facilities as well as residential areas and airports, targeted by the strikes:

Jordanhas reopened its airspace on Saturday after suspending flights due to the crossfire between Israel and Iran.

The state-run Petra news agency said flights would resume at 7.30 a.m. local time (0430 GMT).

Jordan's airspace had seen Iranian drones and missiles cross through it, with Israeli fighter jets likely engaging targets there.

Two people have been killed in a direct missile impact on a building in the center of Israel on Saturday morning.

That's according to Eli Bin, the director general of Magen David Adom, Israel's paramedic service, who spoke with Israel's Channel 12 news.

At least 27 people were reportedly injured in the strike. The number of injured is increasing rapidly as rescue services search for people trapped under rubble.

The missile struck near homes in the central Israeli city of Rishon Lezion.

Times of Israelmilitary correspondent Emanuel Fabian shared footage on X he said was of the impact site in central Israel.

Sirens are warning of incoming rockets in dozens of communities in Israel's north.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the rockets were coming from Iran.

In a statement, the IDF warned people in the affected communities to "enter protected spaces and remain there until further notice."

A woman has died in Iran's missile strikes on Israel, according to Israeli media.

Ynet and theTimes of Israelare among the media reporting that a women who was critically injured when a missile hit a residential building in Tel Aviv's Gush Dan area has since died from her wounds.

The woman had been taken on Friday to Beilinson Hospital, which has now confirmed her death, media report.

More than 60 others were injured in Friday's missile strikes on Gush Dan, according to Israel's emergency responders, Magen David Adom.

Iran has since launched a third barrage of missiles at Israel early on Saturday morning.

The impact and possible injuries as a result of this third wave is still unclear.

Magen David Adom have so far only reported that one of their own teams sustained light shrapnel injuries in the latest missile strikes.

Iranian media are reporting explosions and a fire at Mehrabad airport located in the capital, Tehran.

Fars News Agency posted a video on X showing a column of smoke rising. "2 missiles hit the Mehrabad Airport area," it said in its post.

Fire and heavy smoke billowed from Mehrabad airport in the Iranian capital early Saturday, an AFP journalist said.

Mehr news agency reported a "blast" there.

Iran's semi-official Tamsin news agency posted footage it said was of the fire at Mehrabad but made no other comment.

Tehran's largest domestic airport, Mehrabad also hosts an air force base with fighter jets and transport aircraft.

We'll bring you more information on this as it comes in.

Here's an overview of what has happened so far in the latest crisis between Israel and Iran.

Israel launched attacks on several Iranian nuclear facilitiesand military sites early Friday. It also carried out targeted assassinations, killing at least six senior nuclear scientists and a number of top officials.

Iran says 78 were killed and more than 320 were injured in Israel's attacks, although there is no independent verification of these figures.

Israel hit the Natanz nuclear site, where Iran produces most of its nuclear fuel. Natanz also has facilities deep underground and its unclear how much damage Israel's strike actually did.

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Meanwhile, over the course of Friday and early Saturday,Iran launched three waves of long-range missiles at Israel in retaliation.

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Welcome to DW's coverage of the escalating conflict between Israel andIran.

In addition to the latest news, this blog will bring you the latest multimedia content, analysis and on-the-ground reporting from DW correspondents.

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Unexploded WWII bombs are still regularly found across Germany. But hundreds of thousands of tons of wartime munitions also lurk off its shores. Now Berlin is stepping up moves to clean up this perilous toxic waste.

An estimated 1.6 million metric tons of conventional munitions lie in Germany's coastal waters alone. The vast majority is located in theNorth Sea; the rest in theBaltic. There are also thought to be several thousand tons ofchemical weapons.

Most have lain largely forgotten for 80 years or more. While headline-grabbing bomb discoveries on dry land close down entire neighborhoods and transport networks,as in the western German city of Cologne in early June, the threat is much more insidious at sea.

Growing fears over contamination have prompted action. Now, a large mobile platform is planned that will autonomously retrieve old weapons from the seabed and dispose of them. The trailblazing project was presented to the international community at the UN Ocean Conference in the French city of Nice in June.

"Up to now, recovery operations were only carried out in the event of imminent danger, if, for example, an undetonated bomb was at risk of exploding," said Sebastian Unger, marine conservation director at Germany's Environment Ministry (BMUKN).

"Now, it is about finally tackling this problem for reasons of environmental and marine conservation, but also to ultimately reduce human health risks," added the ministery expert, talking to DW from the event.

German mines and explosives discarded by Allied bombers on their way back to Britain are among theWWIIcombat weapons strewn across the ocean floor. But most of the explosives in Germany's North Sea and Baltic waters ended up there after the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

British troops tipped the armaments that they found in weapons factories and warehouses into the sea. It was seen as a quick fix in the process to denazify and demilitarize Germany.

In recent years, it has become apparent that they are decomposing. One visible sign of their decay is lumps of white phosphorus or an explosive mixture containing TNT occasionally washing ashore. The substances look frighteningly similar to prize amber or minerals and visitors and beachcombers have been injured.

Toxicological tests carried out on mussels in the dumping site over the last decade have revealed traces ofcarcinogenicchemicals contained in the munitions. Examination of samples gathered since the 1980s also show a steady rise from 2002 onwards.

"The concentrations are very, very low. As humans we don't have to be concerned about eating these mussels. But if we go further down the line — maybe in 30, 40 years — we might have to think twice," said Edmund Maser, a toxicologist from the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), who has been involved in the research.

The marine ecosystem is, however, already at risk, according to Maser. TNT traces have been found infishand in seawater, too. And as the metal casings surrounding the munitions continue to rust, ever more will be released.

GEOMAR, the Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Kiel, was asked by the Schleswig-Holstein state government in 2016 to help find out what weapons were down there and their possible environmental impact.

They have been using a variety of acoustic and visual technologies, which they have continued to develop during the ongoing pilot phase. The results have been mind-boggling.

"There is munition there, crates of it. One area is 20 by 40 meters in size where munition boxes are stacked up on the seabed, as if they've just been unloaded from a truck. In another spot there were a lot of bombs, 50 to 250 kilogram bombs, piled up like Mikado sticks," Jens Greinert, GEOMAR marine geologist, told DW. Small caliber ammunition, pistols and rocket launchers were also discovered.

The challenges of the shifting marine environment and the sheer mix of munitions on the seabed make the recovery process complicated as well as hazardous. The material inside can still explode — and there is always the risk of the release of toxic chemicals, such as TNT, during the retrieval and disposal process. GEOMAR and UKSH will also be part of the team monitoring the clean-up.

German environmental organization NABU began drawing attention to the problem in 2007 and is calling for the clean-up operation to get underway as soon as possible.

"We don't really have a lot more time. The decomposition is, in part, at a more progressed stage than we were hoping. Of course, the problem exists on land, too. But toxins remain localized there, while in the sea they continue to spread and enter the food chain," Kim Detloff, NABU head of marine conservation, said in an interview with DW.

The NABU expert said there remained a problem with ongoing financing of the long-term operation of the planned platform. "It needs to be working 365 days 24/7," said Detloff. And he added that the enormous scale of the problem meant that far more than one floating platform was needed.

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The pilot and next phase of the munitions recovery project were financed with a €100 million emergency program from the federal government.

The groundbreaking salvaging and dismantling platform should be ready for deployment by late 2026 or early 2027, according to the BMUKN's Unger. He hopes such approaches will be adoptedin other parts of the world.

In German waters, operations are likely to prioritize particularly ecologically sensitive areas, fish spawning grounds or areas close to the coast that are of particular interest to the tourist industry, but that is still under consideration, according to Unger.

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Psychological research suggests far-right narratives about social breakdown could lead to more support for US President Trump and authoritarianism, not less.

"These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists," posted US PresidentDonald Trumpon his own Truth Social platform.Elon Musk, Trump's former right-hand, DOGE-man, seconded the post by screenshotting and reposting it on his platform, X.

This has been the conservative narrative since people in Los Angeles beganprotesting against the Trump Administration's immigration policyin early June. Some say Trump is manufacturing a crisis for political gain, and psychology studies suggest it may well work.

Trump has compared images of burning cars, and demonstrators waving Mexican flags, to a "foreign invasion." He has deployed theNational Guard against protestors— the first time a US President has bypassed state governments to do so since 1965.Police have hit journalists with rubber bullets — either directly or indirectly.Such drama, say psychologists,can feed a narrative of a state of emergency.

But is it true? Critics have said Trump is manufacturing a crisis around the LA immigration protests for political gain.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, for example, described a series of raids on homes and vehicles as a provocation by the White House.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump's actions a step toward authoritarianism and a "brazen abuse of power."

Rather than turning people away from Trump, leading psychology research suggests this authoritarianism may increase his popularity — at least among voters who feel threatened by the idea of social breakdown.

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Research has found that people who perceive society is unstable and chaotic are more likely to be receptive to authoritarian leaders who promise order, control, and certainty.

One study among German and US participantsfound that a sense of societal instability can create feelings of moral ambiguity, alienation and disconnection and "a sense that one cannot influence the political process," said the study's lead author Jasper Neerdaels, a social psychologist at Katholieke Universiteit in Leuven, Belgium.

"Submitting to [sic] authoritarian leadership may mean giving up freedom, but it also promises psychological relief from [the] uncertainty. Authoritarian regimes provide clear hierarchies, social rules, and the guidance of a strong leader," Neerdaels told DW.

Another study published in May 2025suggested that people were more likely to favor dominant, authoritarian leaders during times of conflict.

The researchers analyzed data from 25 countries and found that the presence of intergroup conflict increases people's preferences for dominant leaders.

"We [found] that participants who tend to see the world as more conflict-ridden also express stronger preferences for dominant leaders," said the study's lead author Lasse Laustsen from Aarhus University in Denmark.

In their analysis, they argued that humans evolved psychological systems to prioritize strong leadership when faced with external threats.

The situation around the current protests in LA appears to be in line with current psychology research: "There is evidence that the Trump administration and its supporters are exploiting these protests to create the perception that US society is falling apart," said Neerdaels.

"This makes sense because [a] perception of society breaking down can increase support for authoritarianism [and] the desire for a strong leader, who takes vigorous action," he said.

Polling data suggests that Trump's popularity among US voters is higher now than it was before the LA protests.RealClear Polling, which presents an average of 15 different pollsters, shows Trump's favorability at 47.3% on June 10, up from 45.1% at the end of April.

"The strategy of spreading narratives to increase the perception that society is breaking down is popular among far-right/authoritarian leaders across the world, also in Germany," said Neerdaels.

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Psychological research does provide clues about how to reduce support for authoritarianism — by addressing the uncertainty caused by perceived social breakdown.

Studies suggest that reducing people's sense of fear and insecurity can helpcounteract the appetite for authoritarianism.

What also helps is better communication on the meaning and purpose of politics, said Neerdaels. For example, clarifying why political actions are taken, explaining policies, and highlighting the values that guide political decisions.

"Perhaps counterintuitively, when politicians openly express their own feelings of uncertainty, it might help people acknowledge and cope with their own uncertainty and thus decrease their desire for a strong leader," said Neerdaels.

The challenge now, he said, is how to push back against themisinformationwhich fuels social instability, and inform the public about the reality of the LA protests. This, said Neerdaels, was not an easy task: "Feelings of uncertainty are pervasive and probably unavoidable," especially when fueled by social media.

Anti-immigrant protesters attacked police with petrol bombs, fireworks as riots continued for a fifth night. Police have made several arrests in relation to the violence.

Northern Irelandsaw clashes on the fifth consecutive night asanti-immigrantprotesters attacked police officers.

Riot police were attacked with petrol bombs, fireworks, and bottles, reported DPA news agency.

"Last night in Portadown police came under sustained attack from rioters throwing masonry and other missiles," Ryan Henderson, Assistant Chief Constable with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) told AFP news agency.

The PSNI used water canons to disperse crowds twice around midnight local time.

Henderson said police presence would be increased across Northern Ireland over the weekend "to reassure our communities and protect our streets".

Some 63 officers have been injured in theviolent proteststhat first began in Ballymena, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Portadown. Authorities have arrested 15 people and charged four, most of whom are teenagers.

The city of Derry/Londonderry also saw riots and damage to public property. Unrest also spread to the towns of Larne, Belfast and Coleraine.

"What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted — this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level," First Minister Michelle O'Neill said.

The first riots came after an alleged attempted rape of a young girl by two teenagers in Ballymena.

Two teenagers were arrested and remain in custody. Police have not publicly declared their identities but asked for Romanian interpreters in court.

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Police said on Thursday that foreign nationals were forced to hide in wardrobes and attics due to the racist nature of the riots.

"Stop this violence. We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully," said Northern Ireland police chief Jon Boutcher, calling the rioters "bigots and racists."

He said the girl who was the survivor of the sexual assault had been "further traumatized" by the riots.

Housing authority Northern Ireland Housing Executive said 14 families were given emergency accommodation and help had been extended to about 50 households this week.

Northern Ireland is a part of theUnited Kingdom, but was an area of violent conflict between republicans who want to unite the island of Ireland and unionists who want to remain part of the UK.

The violence largely ended with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, but tensions have increased since Brexit.

Two men have received jail sentences for their roles in the 2019 theft of an 18-karat gold toilet from the mansion. The €5.5 million artwork, which satirized consumerism, was once offered on loan to Donald Trump.

An Oxford court on Friday handed jail sentences to two members of a gang that in 2019stole a £4.75 million ($6.4 million, €5.5 million) art work in the form of a gold toilet from Blenheim Palace,the birthplace of famous British wartime Prime MinisterWinston Churchill.

The toilet, entitled "America" and created by Italian artistMaurizio Cattelanas a commentary on ostentatious consumerism, had been on display for a just few days at the stately home when a five-strong gang smashed its way into the palace, ripping out the fully functioning appliance.

The toilet, which was split up or melted down and sold on soon after it was stolen and has never been recovered, weighed approximately 98 kilograms (216 pounds) and was made from gold worth about €3.3 million.

One of the men, James Sheen, 40, received a four-year sentence that will run consecutively to the 19 years and 4-month sentence he is currently serving for attacks on cash machines, a museum burglary and fraud.

He is believed to have wielded the sledgehammer used to remove the toilet from its fastenings.

The other, Michael Jones, 39, received a 27-month sentence, with the judge saying he could not be sure he was part of the gang that carried out the burglary, though he was found guilty of having carried out reconnaissance at the stately home preceding the crime.

That reconnaissance included trying out the facility a day before the theft, an experience he described to the court as "splendid."

Other members of the gang have already been sentenced for their roles in the theft.

The toilet had previously been on display at The Guggenheim Museum in New York, and had been offered to US President Donald Trump as a loan during his first term of office, an offer the White House declined, having rather requested a Van Gogh painting.

One of Cattelan's other works, a banana duct-taped to a wall,was sold in 2024 for $6.2 millionat auction in New York.

Blenheim Palace, which was built in the 18th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thousands of visitors come each year to visit it and the valuable art and furniture that it houses.