Yesterday
European football club takeovers halve in a year
Just 23 clubs in Europe changed hands in 2024, according to figures from governing body UEFA, a steep drop from the 44 that were sold in 2023, and 48 in 2022.
This Month
Trump-Macron bromance; Musk rattles markets; Frequent flyer changes
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Germany eyes $330b emergency defence fund to counter Russia
New chancellor Friedrich Merz is looking to free up resources to beef up Germany’s dilapidated military to counter Russian aggression.
Chalmers straps in for trip to Trump World
The treasurer’s visit to Washington this week shows the difficulties of navigating the risks and presidential whims dominating any interaction with the Trump White House.
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.
Scholz promised stability, but Germany got chaos instead
The deeper rot in German governance will require more fundamental reforms than any coalition is likely to deliver.
Vance meets German far-right leader amid election interference claims
The pair met after the US vice president controversially endorsed the AfD as a political partner ahead of Germany’s poll later this month.
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.
European carmakers braced for tough 2025 despite ‘firework’ of launches
The return of EV sales growth this year will also come with the high costs of meeting tougher emissions rules and more discounts as consumers seek affordable cars.
German populists turn heads with fake air tickets for illegal migrants
Alternative for Germany, the Elon-Musk-backed party pushing for second place at next month’s election, says ‘only deportations can save Germany’.
Elon Musk goes large in Europe
Musk has money, a pulpit, and the imprimatur of the White House. But does he actually have a plan for remaking Europe? If not, there are other Trumpians who do.
Musk hosts German far-right leader on X, stirs election meddling angst
In a wide-ranging, sometimes stilted conversation, the billionaire and chancellor candidate Alice Weidel agreed that the AfD was the answer.
Rich democracies need an acute crisis to trigger real change
It is almost impossible to sell voters on drastic reforms until their nation is in acute trouble. The chronic kind isn’t enough.
December 2024
Why the world’s leading democracies are in crisis
The majority of G7 governments are now so burdened with domestic political problems that they are incapable of steering their own countries – let alone the free world.
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.
Musk supports far-right German party ahead of election
The world’s richest man endorsed a group with ties to neo-Nazis. The party’s youth wing is classified as “confirmed extremist”.
Two dead, 60 injured after car ploughs through German Christmas market
The suspect is a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who moved to Germany in 2006. He has been practising medicine in Bernburg, about 36 kilometres south of Magdeburg.
On the brink: What’s going on in Germany, Canada and South Korea?
As Germany heads towards a caretaker government, Canada’s Trudeau faces a grave challenge and South Korea’s president is realising how much trouble a handbag can carry.
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.