Direct democracy: Power to the people?

Ten years ago this week, Egypt's first democratically elected president was ousted in a coup d'état. Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was propelled to power by the Arab Spring. His dramatic fall was orchestrated by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a military general who promised to bring stability to Egypt. A decade later, the country's economy is in dire straits and Sisi rules with an iron fist.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is aiming to use a snap election to shore up his popular support. What can voters expect from his extended leadership?

In the current climate and energy context, the search for sustainable solutions has become a global issue. Recently, American scientists achieved a tech breakthrough: transmitting solar energy collected in orbit and beaming it back to Earth. This development could pave the way for a new era of continuous renewable energy production.

The ongoing heatwave in the northern hemisphere highlights the critical importance of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. REN21, a think tank specialising in energy policy, closely monitors the progress of renewable power on an annual basis. According to their global report for 2022, renewable energy achieved a record share of 30% in electricity generation, but still faces challenges in sectors such as heat and fuel.

Hun Sen has ruled the Southeast Asian country for almost four decades. The move comes after his party was victorious in parliamentary elections.

Nigerians, like Justice Ojah, have been converting their generators to run on gas after the West African country removed the popular fuel subsidy which saw the petrol price triple.

A fire and explosions at a substation in southern Iraq led to major power cuts in the country. It comes amid peak electricity demand in midsummer heat, with temperatures near 50 degrees Celsius in Baghdad.

For months, hundreds of thousands of Israelis from across society have protested the government's plans to overhaul the judiciary. After a key first vote passed in the parliament, the battle in the streets continues.

Sub-Saharan Africa trails the world when it comes to access to electricity. It needs to fix more than its power supply issues to get the continent electrified.

Authorities started evacuating people from several Catalan villages as the forest fire spreads near the French border. Strong winds have fanned the flames while preventing water-bombing planes from taking off.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of peace in Manipur, democracy and reforms in his address to the nation to mark the country's 77th Day of Independence from British colonial rule.

Afghanistan's Taliban rulers took over the capital Kabul on August 15, 2021. A Taliban spokesperson denied the group was anti-woman in comments to DW, while the UN has accused it of gender apartheid.