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Noosha Aubel: Scandal in Potsdam over severely disabled child

As little Heidrun celebrates her second birthday today, she is still waiting for something that should be a matter of course in a constitutional state: a place in an inclusive daycare centre with individual assistance. Her parents have been fighting for this right for over a year and have now filed disciplinary complaints, criminal charges and petitions. What they are experiencing in Potsdam (Federal state of Brandenburg) is, according to citizens, ‘the pitiful face of an administration that ignores laws and cold-heartedly abandons the weakest members of society, children with severe disabilities’.Back in January 2025, representatives of the Children, Youth and Family Department of the state capital Potsdam (Germany) acknowledged in writing that Heidrun needs special support due to her severe disability – since birth, the toddler has suffered from a KBG gene defect (100 per cent severe disability with care level 4 and, among other things, the designation ‘H’ = ‘helpless’ and ‘aG’ = ‘exceptionally mobility impaired’).

Chaos as jihadist relatives left Syrian camp, witnesses say

There were scenes of "utter chaos" when thousands of women and children related to suspected Islamic State jihadists escaped a camp in Syria last month following the sudden withdrawal of Kurdish forces, witnesses have told AFP.

Mother of Greek train tragedy victim takes on politicians in bid for 'justice'

Three years after Greece's deadliest-ever train crash, the mother of one of the tragedy's 57 victims told AFP she hopes her new political party will force the country's governing elite to accept responsibility.

No proven link between Duterte speeches and drug deaths, defence tells ICC

There is no proven link between the "uniquely colourful and crusty" speeches of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte and the murders he is accused of, his defence lawyer told the International Criminal Court on Thursday.

Athens court convicts four over Greece spyware saga

A Greek court convicted four people Thursday over a long-running wiretapping scandal that rocked the government in 2022, prompting resignations and a vote of no confidence in parliament.

Iranian in possible France prisoner swap jailed for a year

A French court on Thursday sentenced Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari to one year in prison for justifying terrorism in a case linked to a possible prisoner swap with two French citizens held in Iran.

US, Ukraine hold talks in Geneva as Russia says 'no deadlines' to end war

US and Ukrainian officials were meeting in Geneva on Thursday to discuss advancing efforts to end Russia's four-year invasion of Ukraine, just as Moscow signalled it was in no hurry to sign a deal.

English giants dominate line-up for Champions League last-16 draw

The draw for the latter stages of this season's Champions League takes place on Friday with Newcastle United's midweek victory against Qarabag meaning an unprecedented six English sides will feature in the last 16.

Iran, US hold talks in push to avert war

Iran and the United States held talks in Switzerland on Thursday, in a last-ditch bid to avert war under the shadow of the biggest American military build-up in the Middle East in decades.

South Africa thrash West Indies in T20 World Cup statement win

South Africa captain Aiden Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 82 as South Africa all but secured a T20 World Cup semi-final berth with a brutal nine-wicket thrashing of the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Thursday.