friedrich merz

With the passing of Albrecht Weinberg at 101, the world has lost a devoted guardian of history. A Holocaust survivor who withstood multiple Nazi camps and survived grueling death marches, he returned to Germany in his eighties to passionately recount his experiences and emphasize the need for remembrance.

US President Trump ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 US troops from Germany following a public dispute with Chancellor Merz over the war in Iran. This move, seen as punitive, signals a growing rift in the transatlantic alliance and raises questions about US commitment to NATO, despite Trump's German heritage.

The Pentagon is withdrawing approximately 5,000 US troops from Germany, a move signaling heightened tensions with European allies over the Iran conflict. This decision follows sharp criticism from German Chancellor friedrich merz regarding Iran negotiations. The drawdown aims to return US troop levels in Europe to pre-Ukraine war figures, reflecting broader US frustration with NATO allies' perceived lack of support.

President Trump is considering reducing US troop presence in Italy and Spain, citing their lack of support for the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz efforts. This move signals a widening rift with European allies over military objectives and burden-sharing within Nato.

President Trump has directed aides to prepare for a prolonged naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to choke Iran's oil exports and force concessions without triggering wider conflict. This strategy is causing global energy disruptions, with rising gasoline prices impacting American consumers and forcing other nations to scramble for alternative supplies.

In the wake of Chancellor Merz's recent trip to India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is now in Germany to strengthen bilateral defence relations. The two countries are committed to enhancing joint initiatives in military technology, building on a rich legacy of partnership.

Siemens, Europe's largest engineering firm, is threatening to shift AI investments to the US and China, citing restrictive EU regulations. CEO Roland Busch argues that the EU's AI and Data Acts unfairly burden industrial AI with consumer-level oversight. German Chancellor friedrich merz also supports revising the framework, calling current rules overly restrictive.

European leaders may be uncomfortable with Trump’s Iran war, but won’t dare criticise him. For, US remains the guarantor of Western security. But European publics are increasingly losing patience with this hypocrisy, punishing those seen as close to Trump

Ballistic missile defence calls for firing at least twice at each target, given the doctrine of shoot-shoot-look, in which crews launch two times and then check the result. That implies at least 2,400 interceptors fired over the course of the war, and perhaps many more, since sometimes additional missiles are needed to defend against incoming projectiles.

Siemens CEO Roland Busch warns Europe against delaying AI adoption to build sovereign infrastructure, stating it could harm innovation and cause the region to fall further behind. He suggests prioritizing deployment of existing tools over waiting for domestic AI factories, as current regulations may hinder progress and competitiveness.

A clearly frustrated Donald Trump has called for allies to help the US open up the Strait of Hormuz. While little support has been forthcoming from European allies so far, they're looking at playing a role once this war ends.

At an otherwise routine Oval Office meeting on Thursday, Donald Trump made a joke about Pearl Harbour directly to Japan's prime minister Sanae Takaichi, invoking the 1941 surprise attack that killed 2,400 Americans and drew the United States into the Second World War. Takaichi widened her eyes, said nothing, and moved on. For eight decades, American presidents have avoided the subject in Japanese company, understanding that the alliance depends in part on leaving certain histories alone. Trump, characteristically, did not.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is poised to win the German election, with friedrich merz set to become the new chancellor. The ruling Social Democrats are seeing a decline, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is gaining ground. Merz, known for his firm stance on asylum-seekers and business background, aims to strengthen Europe's security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated friedrich merz on becoming the new Chancellor of Germany, as both leaders committed to strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Germany. They exchanged perspectives on global and regional issues, reinforcing their united stance against terrorism. Merz's election followed a historic second-round victory, marking him as Germany's 10th chancellor since World War II.