UN condemns Russia’s largest drone strikes on Ukraine
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Russia’s recent large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, calling them the biggest since the...
German conservative leader Friedrich Merz has struck a coalition deal with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), forming a new government aimed at lifting Europe’s largest economy out of stagnation just as U.S. tariffs risk plunging global trade into crisis.
Merz, who is set to become chancellor after February’s election win, fell short of a majority, with the far-right AfD surging into second place. His deal with the SPD ends weeks of talks and arrives at a moment of global volatility.
“The key message to Donald Trump is: Germany is back on track,” Merz said in English during a joint press conference, promising to raise defence spending and boost Germany’s economic competitiveness.
The coalition agreement includes tax cuts for low and middle-income earners, corporate tax relief, lower energy prices, support for electric vehicles, and the rollback of a controversial supply chain law. It also pledges to reform the “debt brake” fiscal limits that many economists see as restricting growth.
Merz credited European unity with influencing Trump’s sudden decision to pause new tariffs for 90 days. “This example shows you: unity helps,” he told RTL, calling for a 0% transatlantic tariff deal to end the crisis.
Defence and migration also feature prominently in the pact. The coalition will introduce voluntary military service, set up a national security council, speed up arms procurement, and support Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
On migration, the tone shifts sharply from the Merkel era, with plans to turn away asylum seekers at the border and scrap fast-track citizenship. With the AfD gaining support, Merz is under pressure to reclaim the narrative on migration and security.
The CDU will control the economy, foreign affairs, and the chancellery, while the SPD will hold finance and defence. That likely puts SPD leader Lars Klingbeil at the helm of the finance ministry and leaves Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in place.
But Merz’s challenge is growing. A new Ipsos poll shows the AfD leading nationally with 25%, ahead of Merz’s conservatives at 24%. Critics also point to his borrowing push to fund spending, saying it undermines Germany’s tradition of fiscal discipline.
Economists warn time is short. “The agreed infrastructure investments need to be launched quickly,” said Deutsche Bank’s Robin Winkler. “Germany must act now to avoid a third year of recession.”
The European Commission is set to propose allowing carbon credits from other countries to count towards the EU’s 2040 climate target, according to a leaked internal document.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
Following a deadly glacier collapse in Blatten, near the Swiss Alpine village of Kandersteg, the town is on high alert as melting permafrost and shifting rock threaten another potential disaster after it was buried a month ago.
Poland’s iconic Vistula River has dropped to historic lows, as severe drought and scorching heat grip the country.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Russia’s recent large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, calling them the biggest since the war began over three years ago.
Russian air defences intercepted four Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow on Saturday, prompting brief flight suspensions at major airports in the capital and other cities.
Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, warned on Saturday of a possible new Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region. The area in northeastern Ukraine has seen heavy fighting since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Afghanistan has asked Azerbaijan to support its export efforts to Türkiye and Europe via the Port of Baku, aiming to boost trade through the Lapis Lazuli Corridor.
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