Merz Divided Country

Big challenges loom in starkly divided country

Germany is at a crossroads and now for Friedrich Merz the hard work begins, writes Berlin correspondent Jessica Parker.

BBC News - 9h

Meta’s ‘free speech’ revamp divides oversight board

Independent body searches for ways to hold social media group to account over content moderation and hate speech changes

Financial Times - 3d

The Memo: Trump’s jabs at Ukraine divide GOP

President Trump ratcheted up his attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, deepening the first real schism of his second term within the GOP. Appearing on the "Brian Kilmeade ...

The Hill - 1d

Friedrich Merz German elections

Whether he can form a strong coalition remains to be seen, but whatever he does will be an essential part of Europe’s response to President Trump’s reshuffling of alliances.

The New York Times - 12h

This Is Our Country, and We Have No Other

How long can Ukraine stand? For as long as Ukrainian soldiers, bent over from the extreme pressure, can hold on.

The New York Times - 1d

Who is Friedrich Merz and what’s in his in-tray?

Former banker almost certain to be Germany’s next chancellor faces testing domestic political and economic landscape – and then there’s Donald Trump. German election – latest updates Friedrich ...

The Guardian - 17h

Watch: Merz thanks voters as he is greeted with cheers

Christian Democrats leader Friedrich Merz thanks those who placed their trust in the party and him.

BBC News - 11h

Cometh the hour, cometh eventually Friedrich Merz

Expectations of Germany’s next chancellor are already sky-high but coalition talks will be tough

Financial Times - 11h

Merz Appears Poised to Be Germany’s Next Chancellor

Exit polls suggest that Friedrich Merz, the candidate for the conservative Christian Democrats who has vowed to bring stronger leadership in Europe, will be Germany’s next leader. The hard-right ...

The New York Times - 1h

This country was just named the most relaxing destination on Earth

Yahoo News - 2d

Jewish leader: 'Germany is a different country as of today'

Yahoo News - 13h

Who is Friedrich Merz, the favorite to become Germany's new chancellor?

Friedrich Merz, who is poised to become Germany's chancellor in a CDU-led government, has extensive experience as a lawyer and working with major corporations.

CNBC - 3d

Germany’s Merz says Europe can no longer rely on US protection

Frontrunner for chancellor suggests possible nuclear co-operation with the UK and France

Financial Times - 2d

German election as it happened: Friedrich Merz set to become chancellor

Christian Democrats secure under 30 per cent of vote, while far-right AfD comes in historic second place

Financial Times - 18h

Merz: Sending German soldiers to Ukraine currently not up for debate

Yahoo News - 12h

Debt and defence headache for Merz after AfD and far left make gains

Election winner could struggle to reform strict borrowing rules due to opposition in next parliament

Financial Times - 4h

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 - 5h

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 - 13m

IRS layoffs underway around the country as millions prepare to file taxes

The IRS has begun laying off more than 6,000 new and newly promoted employees across the country as part of the push to slash the federal government, sources say.

ABC News - 3d

Costa Rica Receives First Flight of Trump Deportees From Faraway Countries

The flight from San Diego landed in San José, the Costa Rican capital, on Thursday evening. The group of migrants on board included dozens of children, officials said.

The New York Times - 3d

Multiple Bus Explosions in Israel Put Country on Terrorism Alert

The attempted attacks on Thursday, which injured no one but shut down buses and trains across the country, came amid Israel’s ongoing raids in the West Bank and as its cease-fire with Hamas in Gaza ...

The New York Times - 3d

Trump Plans to Use Military Sites Across the Country to Detain Undocumented Immigrants

The move would be a drastic escalation by the White House to militarize immigration enforcement.

The New York Times - 2d

This country is the No. 1 solo travel destination for 2025—it's not the United States

The Kensington report ranked the countries based on responses from "affluent" travelers on several surveys.

CNBC - 1d

More than half of countries are ignoring biodiversity pledges – analysis

Many of the nations gathering in Rome for Cop16 have offered no plans to honour their agreement to protect 30% of land and sea for nature. More than half the world’s countries have no plans to ...

The Guardian - 5h

Pakistan wants to expel all Afghan refugees from the country, says Afghan embassy

The Afghan embassy in Islamabad says Pakistan wants to remove all Afghan refugees from the country and they face expulsion in the near future

ABC News - 4d

Germany’s election will usher in new leadership — but might not turn tides for the country's struggling economy

Friedrich Merz has criticized Olaf Scholz on the economy, but experts question if a government led by the Christian Democratic Union would fare much better.