German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would press for more investments in eastern Germany and spoke of the government's plans to build new gas power plants by 2030, in comments to a broadcaster on Friday. "I want the East to be given special consideration here, and I will personally keep an eye on it," he told programme "MDR Aktuell" of the plans for plants to generate up to 20 gigawatts. He said he was optimistic about attracting investors to Germany, pointing to the situation in the US. He said he saw a noticeable shift towards Europe, and within Europe a shift towards Germany. He also sp...

US rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was sentenced to 4 years and two months in prison for prostitution-related offences, according to judge Arun Subramanian, according to several US media reports on Friday. The prosecution had sought a prison sentence of 11 years and three months. Combs' defence requested a maximum sentence of 14 months. As he has already served about a year in jail before and after his trial, that would have meant Combs would have already served most of that time. The federal prosecutors had had accused the hip-hop artist of abusing, threatening and coercing women and men into sa...

The Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas has agreed to parts of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, including releasing all hostages, but said some points need further negotiation in a statement on Telegram on Friday. Hamas said it agreed to halt aggression, and release all living and dead hostages as part of Trump's ceasefire and hostage deal plans in Gaza. It also "reiterates its approval to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats), based on national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support." Of other issues ra...

The Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas has agreed to most of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, including releasing all hostages, but said some points need further negotiation, in a statement released on Telegram on Friday. Hamas said it would "release all Israeli captives — both the living and the remains of the dead — according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal." "Hamas affirms its readiness to enter immediately, through mediators, into negotiations to discuss the details," it said. The group also "reiterates its approval to hand over the ...

Promoted Cologne climbed into the Bundesliga top four after a tight 1-0 win at Hoffenheim on Friday evening. Said El Mala scored the winner in the 16th minute. He collected the ball on the left and sprinted forward to get into the box, skip past three defenders and drill a low shot between the legs of Germany goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. There was a moment of tension for the guests as the referee awarded Hoffenheim a penalty in the 41st minute after Eric Martel blocked a shot with his arm. But after video review, the referee overturned his decision as Martel's arm was tucked in close to his body...