Vegan leather. Faux leather. Synthetic leather. Call it what you want - it’s everywhere, especially in the shoes on our feet. For some shoppers, it’s about saving money. For others, it’s about protecting animals or reducing their environmental footprint. But what's the real story behind this fast-growing alternative? And is vegan leather actually better for the planet?

What happened off the Greek island of Chios, the war crime trial of former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci, and new Danish conscription rules. Then: the downfall of France's Jack Lang, Norway's ambitious Agritech sector, Slovakia's embattled LGBTQ+ community, an inclusive swimming club in Madrid, and why British pubs are struggling — even after Dry January is over.

Artificial Intelligence is entering the radio studio — but what does that mean for trust, authenticity, and the future of broadcasting? With synthetic voices becoming harder to distinguish from real presenters, many listeners are asking how they can trust what they hear. Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks with DW's Editorial AI Manager Jasper Steinlein in Berlin and DW reporter Eric Mawuena in Accra.

The loss of a pet can affect you more than losing a loved one, a new study shows. With one exception.

South Africa recently signed a framework economic partnership agreement with Beijing. It comes as the US renewed AGOA for just one more year. Will South Africa stick with Washington or move toward China's expanding market? Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks with Dr Emmanuel Matambo, Research Director at the Centre for Africa-China Studies an DW's Thuso Khumalo in Johannesburg.

Nigeria faces one of its most turbulent security periods in recent years. From extremist violence to mass abductions and the killing of nearly 170 people in Kwara state, the country is struggling to contain a crisis that keeps worsening. Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks with security expert Fola Aina and DW's Ben Adam Shemang to unpack what it will take for Nigeria to restore security.

Zimbabwe has recorded single-digit inflation for the first time since the late 1980s, with official figures showing a drop to 4.1% in January 2026. Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks with economist Happiness Zengeni and DW's correspondent Privilege Musvanhiri in Harare to examine how this turnaround happened in a country known for its hyperinflation, and whether the gains would be short-lived.

This week, we're featuring Episode 2 of Boy Wasted, a three-part environmental true crime series by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor, co-produced by Adnan Khan. The investigation into a boy found dead in a bale of recycled plastic in Turkey takes a shocking turn, as new witnesses come forward and the wider dangers of the global recycling trade start to come to light.

The verdict against German anti-fascist Maja T, Epstein's connections across Europe, and repression of Islam in Russia. Then: high tensions in the High North, the human rights music project Daughters of Donbas – Songs of Stolen Children, and Slovenian ski jumpers in the Winter Olympics.

A surge in paternity testing is catching Malawians off guard and raising fears of family rifts. Why are clinics urging more tests, and what does this trend mean for trust and modern relationships?