German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday called for further steps to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while warning against harbouring illusions. "We are making every effort to bring about the end of this terrible war," Merz told a regional conference of his conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in Bonn. "But all the efforts of the last few weeks have been met with an even more aggressive approach by the Moscow regime against the people of Ukraine," he added. This will not stop until Russia is prevented from continuing this war, at least for economic reasons, according to the chancell...

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday stressed the need for major reforms to social benefits, one day after figures showed the number of unemployed topping 3 million for the first time in over a decade. "The way things are now, especially with regard to the so-called citizen's income, cannot and will not stay the same," Merz told a regional conference of his conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in the western city of Bonn. He was referring to state financial support for individuals and families who cannot cover their basic living costs with their own income or assets. In 2024, the sta...

The European Union is urging the United States to reconsider revoking entry visas for Palestinian officials ahead of the United Nations' General Assembly in New York next month. "We all urge for this decision to be reconsidered," said EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas after a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers in Copenhagen. The US State Department on Friday said it is "denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA)." The State Department confirmed to dpa that PA President Mahmoud Abbas and about 80 other representativ...

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday stressed the need for major reforms to social benefits, one day after figures showed the number of unemployed topping 3 million for the first time in over a decade. "The way things are now, especially with regard to the so-called citizen's income, cannot and will not stay the same," Merz told a regional conference of his conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in the western city of Bonn. He was referring to state financial support for individuals and families who cannot cover their basic living costs with their own income or assets. In 2024, the sta...

Championship leader Oscar Piastri beat McLaren team-mate Lando Norris to take pole position for the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix on Saturday. Norris had topped all three practice sessions, but when it mattered, Piastri was the fastest driver, clocking 1 minute 08.662 seconds and claiming his fifth pole position this season. "That was the definition of peaking at the right time. I'm super happy to come out with this result, but obviously the points are tomorrow. It was looking like a little bit of a tricky weekend so far, so happy with that," Piastri said. The Australian set his fastest time in...