Merz Hints at Debt Brake Reform before New Parliament Meets

Friedrich Merz: Risk-taker who flirted with far right

The leader of the Christian Democratic Union is now in pole position to become Germany's next chancellor.

BBC News - 10h

FirstFT: Germany’s Friedrich Merz pledges ‘independence from US’

Also in today’s newsletter, staff revolt at FTI and Apple’s DEI and OpenAI initiatives under fire

Financial Times - 9h

Louisiana's oldest death row inmate dies month before execution date

Christopher Sepulvado was charged with the 1992 killing of his 6-year-old stepson.

CBS News - 8h

Who Is Friedrich Merz, the Man Poised to Be Germany’s Next Chancellor?

Friedrich Merz, head of the conservative Christian Democrats, has vowed to bring stronger leadership to Europe, where the new Trump administration has sowed anxiety.

The New York Times - 6h

Germany: Merz says it’s ‘five to midnight’ for Europe and calls for unity – live

Most likely next German chancellor warns against rise of far right and says he intends to form new government by Easter. German election 2025: results in full Guten Morgen aus Berlin, . In ...

The Guardian - 6h

Netanyahu: Merz extends invitation despite ICC arrest warrant

Yahoo News - 4h

Southeast Asian sailors possibly mastered seafaring before Polynesians

Yahoo News - 3h

How Friedrich Merz Will Try to Lead Europe Despite a Weakened Hand

The likely next chancellor is unpopular, and his country’s economy has stalled. But his penchant for risks could help lead to a European showdown with President Trump.

The New York Times - 1h

Who is Friedrich Merz, the man on course to lead Germany after its election?

Friedrich Merz has vowed to prioritize European unity and the continent's security as it grapples with the new Trump administration and Russia's war on Ukraine.

CBS News - 1h

The Guardian view on Germany’s election result: Merz’s task is formidable | Editorial

The victorious CDU leader is likely to be more proactive on the European stage. He will also need to forge broad alliances at home to see off the far right. Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s ...

The Guardian - 1h

The huge risks facing Starmer at Trump meeting

When Sir Keir Starmer touches down in Washington next week, he will be treading a fine diplomatic line.

BBC News - 3d

Trump to hold meetings on Ukraine with French and British leaders

One day after an angry exchange between Presidents Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy met in Kyiv with Keith Kellogg, Mr. Trump's special envoy. A planned joint news ...

CBS News - 3d

Trump: Zelensky 'has no cards,' 'shouldn't be at meetings' with Russia

President Trump on Friday lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he did not think it was important for Zelensky to attend negotiations about the war in Ukraine. Trump in an ...

The Hill - 3d

England and Scotland meet in 'do-or-die' match

England and Scotland meet in the Calcutta Cup match on Saturday, with both needing a win to keep alive their Six Nations title hopes.

BBC News - 2d

Trump and France's Emmanuel Macron meet at the White House

President Donald Trump is set to receive French President Emmanuel Macron today, the first European leader to be welcomed to the White House by Trump since the beginning of his second term.

NBC News - 8h

Trump meeting with France's Macron at the White House

French President Emmanuel Macron is at the White House for a meeting with President Trump. This comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine reaches its third year. CBS News' Natalie Brand has more.

CBS News - 4h

Meet the seven marathons on seven continents winner

Paul Holborn had never completed a marathon before signing up for the event 19 months ago.

BBC News - 3h

Why Macron's meeting with Trump is pivotal for Ukraine's future

President Trump's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron comes at a pivotal time for European nations as the U.S. presses for a deal to end the Ukraine-Russia war. This comes three years ...

CBS News - 2h

Meet the House un-American activities caucus

Four House GOP members have asked Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to sue three small civil society organizations for allegedly aiding illegal aliens, drawing comparisons to the House Un-American ...

The Hill - 1h

Bessent to Skip G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in South Africa

The Treasury secretary is the second top U.S. official not to attend the Group of 20 gatherings because of rising tension with South Africa over its land policies.

The New York Times - 4d

Zelensky Meets Kellogg, U.S. Envoy to Ukraine, Amid Public Spat With Trump

Keith Kellogg and President Volodymyr Zelensky were expected to discuss possible paths to ending the war and ways to defuse tensions between Washington and Kyiv.

The New York Times - 3d

China Defends South Africa’s G20 Ambitions as Rubio Snubs Meeting

The absence of Secretary of State Marco Rubio hung over the year’s first high-level meeting of the world’s largest economies, with diplomats fretting over turbulent times.

The New York Times - 3d

Trump Meets With Tiger Woods About Merging PGA Tour with LIV Golf

The president has been agitating recently to repair the divide between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf that has shadowed professional golf for several years.

The New York Times - 3d

David Moyes v Ruben Amorim: the pragmatist meets the ideologue

Everton’s decision to change managers midway through the season is working out a lot better than Manchester United’s. By Ben McAleer for WhoScored . They say never go back to an old love, but ...

The Guardian - 3d

Poland’s Andrzej Duda to meet Donald Trump on Saturday– Europe live

Polish president to fly to Washington, making him the first European leader to be welcomed by Trump in the White House, reports Polish media. A 51-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in ...

The Guardian - 3d

Starmer will not challenge Trump on his attack on Zelenskyy when the pair meet

UK prime minister aiming to cool escalating transatlantic row over war in Ukraine. Keir Starmer will not risk riling Donald Trump by challenging him over his attack on Ukraine’s president, ...

The Guardian - 3d

Trump to meet with Polish president, amid discussions about Ukraine war

Polish President Andrzej Duda is expected to meet with President Trump on the sidelines of the Conservative Political Action conference on Saturday.

CBS News - 2d

Police officer removed criminal's tag so they could meet up for sex

Natasha Conneely's team was responsible for managing criminals in the community to deter reoffending.

BBC News - 2d

Blind date: ‘I was hoping to meet a total babe. She was a total babe’

Gráinne, 31, a software engineer and musician, meets Alexander, 34, a civil servant. What were you hoping for? A giggle with someone I fancy! Continue reading...

The Guardian - 2d

Preparations under way for meeting between Trump and Putin, Russia says

Russian and US leaders will meet face to face in move towards normalising relations, deputy foreign minister says. Preparations for a face-to-face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ...

The Guardian - 2d

Need to attend a meeting, order groceries or book a flight? There's an 'AI agent' for that

As big tech developers race to roll out the next generation of artificial intelligence, some people are already enlisting an army of AI helpers to check off their daily to-do lists.

NBC News - 1d

Trump envoy describes 3.5-hour meeting with Putin in Moscow

Steve Witkoff described a three-and-a-half-hour meeting he held with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month, part of what he called a "trust-building" assignment.

CBS News - 1d

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff on Israel-Hamas talks, meeting with Putin

Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, described the next phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, his 3.5-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the ...

CBS News - 1d

'Dissent was not being tolerated': Woman dragged from Idaho town hall meeting

An Idaho woman was issued a citation after she was forcibly removed from an Idaho Republican legislative town hall after interrupting the speaker. KTVB's Abby Wilt reports.

NBC News - 3h

Trump says he’ll meet with Zelensky soon to sign minerals deal

President Trump on Monday signaled he could meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in the coming weeks to finalize a deal on critical minerals. Trump’s comments, which ...

The Hill - 1h

Super Micro expected to meet a key deadline, but other hurdles remain

The server maker still faces government investigations and needs to bolster its management ranks.

MarketWatch - 2h

Trump, Meeting With Macron, Says He Might Visit Russia

Meeting at the White House, President Trump declined to call President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia a dictator while President Emmanuel Macron of France stated flatly that “the aggressor is Russia.”

The New York Times - 18m