Deutsche Welle English Service News May 22nd 2005, 16:00 UTC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's highlight on DW-WORLD: Social Democrats Face Tough Election Fight Sunday's state election in North Rhine-Westphalia looks increasingly to be a victory ripe for the opposition CDU's picking. An SPD defeat would be bad news for the government ahead of the general election in 2006.
To read this article on the DW-WORLD website, just click on the internet address below: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1591438,00.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We'd like to introduce you to our latest newsletter: "Germany Light" give you a weekly look at Germany's cultural, peculiar and sometimes odd happenings. To sign up for regular dose of fun and entertainment, please go to our Newsletter section at http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1170241,00.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CDU look set to win key state poll Polling stations have closed in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia in what appears to be a resounding victory for the opposition Christian Democrats. According to first projections based on exit polls the opposition secured 45 percent of the vote compared to 37.5 percent for the ruling Social Democrats. The Green Party, the SPD's junior coalition partner polled 6 percent and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) both got 6 percent of the vote. That means that the Social Democrats are almost certain to relinguish power after 39 years at the helm. The defeat is a major setback for Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and could have repercussions at national level. The Social Democrats have been blamed for high unemployment in the region and unpopular labour market reforms. The vote in Germany's most populous state is the last test before scheduled federal election in 2006. If the projections hold the new State Prime minister will Christian Democrat Juergen Ruttgers, a former minister in Helmut Kohl's government, replacing incumbent Peer Steinbrueck (SPD). Sharon vows Gaza pullout in August Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has vowed that the Gaza Strip pullout would begin as planned in mid-August. The pullout was originally due to take place from late July but Sharon announced a three-week delay earlier this month so that the start date did not clash with a period of Jewish mourning. Sharon's announcement was seen by observers as an attempt to silence calls from the military for a further delay to deal with the radical Islamist group Hamas. Military officials were quoted by the Maariv daily, as saying that the disengagement had to be delayed by another four to six months. Sharon reiterated that he would not tolerate attacks by the Hamas during the pullout, adding that he expected Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas to bring militants to heel. Afghan president to raise abuse issue Afghan president Hamid Karzai has said his government wants custody of all Afghan prisoners and control over US military operations in his country. This follows new allegations in the New York Times newspaper of a secret US army report on detainee abuses by its troops. The report deals with incidents that took place in 2002, including the violent deaths of two prisoners. Karzai arrived in Boston on Saturday evening at the start of his first trip to the US since his election. He has pledged to raise the abuse issue with US officials, including President Bush. Meanwhile the United Nations has condemned the abuse allegations. Thousands join protests in Nepal Thousands of people have marched through the streets of Nepal's capital Kathmandu demanding restoration of democracy and civil liberties in the impoverished Himalayan kingdom. Demonstrators from seven political parties, including former lawmakers and ministers, protested against King Gyanendra, who sacked the government on February 1, and imposed strict sanctions under emergency rule. Gyanendra seized power saying the government had failed to quell an anti-monarchy Maoist revolt in which close to 12,000 people have died since 1996. Romanian hostages rescued in Iraq Three Romanian journalists and their translator, held in Iraq since March 28, have been rescued. Romanian officials said all the hostages were safe would be brought home as soon as possible. The captives had been shown in a video sitting on the floor barefoot, apparently handcuffed. Masked men stood by with guns. The video identified the kidnappers as the previously unknown "Squadrons of Mu'adh bin Jebel", which refers to a figure from early Islamic history. The Romanian presidency previously said the authorities were in contact with the kidnappers and were doing all they could to secure the safe return of the hostages. Cuban dissidents meet without incident For the first time in nearly forty years, opposition dissidents have held a meeting in Cuba. Fidel Castro's communist government took no action against the two-day event which took place at a private house near the capital Havana. But the government did deport a couple of European politicians and other observers from Europe who had arrived on tourist visas to attend the meeting. In their final declaration, the 150 participants called for an end to Cuba's one-party rule, demanded respect for human rights and freedom for political prisoners, among other issues. Chileans in mourning for dead soldiers More bodies have been recovered from the Chilean Andes, bringing the number of confirmed dead to 23 after conscripts were lost in a blizzard while on a military exercise. Search efforts for the twenty two recruits still missing are being hindered by new snow storms. The soldiers, most of whom were doing mandatory military service, went missing on Wednesday. The army has admitted only one regiment had protective clothing. Three officers have been discharged following the incident. President Ricardo Lagos flew into the area to personally express condolences to relatives. Raikkonen wins Monaco Grand Prix Finally an item of sports news and Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen has won his second successive Grand Prix, driving McLaren-Mercedes to victory in Monaco. In second place was Germany's Nick Hiedfeld in a Williams BMW, followed by his teammate Australian Mark Webber in third place. For Heidfeld its his first ever top three finish, the best result of his career. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Send us your favorite picks for sight-seeing, museum hopping, historical edification – whatever you’ve got to share with others heading to Germany. Restaurants, hotels, back-country hideaways – write to us with your insider tips and tell us about what you liked best about traveling in Germany. 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