This Month
EV targets watered down to help UK’s tariff-hit car industry
New rules in Britain will allow manufacturers to sell full hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles until 2035.
February
German election winner Merz vows ‘independence from US’
In blunt remarks after his victory, the chancellor-in-waiting criticised the “ultimately outrageous” comments flowing from Washington during the campaign.
Germany’s new leader may face Trump with one hand tied behind his back
Friedrich Merz faces urgent economic and geopolitical crises. But to form a coalition he needs to turn foes into friends – and that will make it hard to govern.
‘Disgusting graft machine’: Musk backs Trump’s attacks on Zelensky
The rant came as Trump’s team swings behind his strategy of courting Russia, while Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer prepare to visit Washington.
Trump warns Zelensky time is running out for Ukraine
The US president said his Ukrainian counterpart must move quickly to secure peace, and suggested he was prolonging the war to “ride the gravy train”.
Europe needs to toughen up and shrug off Trump’s bullying
European leaders need to reduce their dangerous dependence on a new adversarial America.
‘Army of Europe’ needed to challenge Russia: Zelensky
The Ukraine president said the United States can no longer be counted on to support the continent under Donald Trump.
January
Musk praises ‘German values’ at far-right rally
The tech billionaire made a surprise appearance during an AfD rally, speaking in support of the far-right party for the second time in as many weeks.
Elon Musk ‘living in cottage’ on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate
The Tesla billionaire has planted himself on the president-elect’s doorstep by staying at a property several hundred feet away from the main house at the resort.
December 2024
Musk sparks uproar in Germany over far-right support
The billionaire has been accused of interfering in the country’s elections by continuing to back the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, party.
Why did Germany’s bizarre terrorist send me angry messages?
Little did I know that the sender would end up being the main suspect in Friday’s Christmas market attack in the eastern city of Magdeburg.
Saudi Arabia warned German police over market suspect’s extreme views
Saudi Arabia sent four warnings to German authorities over the extreme views of Taleb al Abdulmohsen, who posted of his plans to do “something big”.
Softbank woos Trump; Mother of all bubbles; 3 infuriating charts
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Germany in crisis as government collapses
Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote, triggering an election in a new era of unstable politics in Germany amid a series of crises across Europe.
November 2024
Ukraine’s Zelensky slams Scholz’s call with Putin
The German chancellor spoke with the Kremlin leader despite objections from the Ukrainian president that it would play into the Russian’s hands.
Germany to hold early elections after government collapses
The federal ballot will be brought forwards to February 2025 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister, triggering a collapse of the ruling coalition.
Germany’s government at risk of collapse over economic policy
The main political parties are already laying out their campaign positions, and coalition leaders are barely talking.
September 2024
Why even good politicians are unpopular these days
It’s not just Keir Starmer – political leaders are on the nose around the world, and it’s not all their fault. Decades of peace and affluence have raised expectations.
VW crisis shakes German carmaker’s home town
The city of Wolfsburg fears a loss of identity as Germany’s largest private employer moves to break its job security pledge.
Scholz alliance humbled as populists surge in regional votes
With a year to go until Germany’s national election, the results are punishing for Olaf Scholz’s federal coalition.