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Merz faces mounting pressure as CDU risks state election losses
Friedrich Merz has vowed to remain German chancellor and pursue economic, tax and welfare reforms after projected state-election defeats intensified pressure on his leadership. The CDU fell below the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and was expected to lose to Die Linke in Berlin, fuelling speculation about a possible mid-term replacement. The AfD was projected to…
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Sanders’s shorter workweek plan could drive firms towards automation
Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed legislation to lower the federal overtime threshold from 40 hours to 32 hours per week, requiring employers to pay 1.5 times the standard rate for additional hours. Whilst the goal of reducing working hours is sound, the author argues the mandatory approach will likely backfire by creating strong financial incentives…
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Moscow ablaze after Ukraine’s drone strike; Merz faces defeat; Burnham meets Trump
Fires sweep Moscow after Ukraine’s biggest reported drone strike on the Russian capital. German voters head to the polls on Sunday with surveys showing heavy losses for Merz, whilst PM Burnham prepares to meet Trump.
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US strike on suspected Caribbean trafficking vessel kills four
The US military conducted a lethal strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean on Saturday, killing at least four people aboard. The operation, carried out by US Southern Command and Joint Task Force Southern Spear, forms part of a broader campaign against narco-trafficking that has become controversial due to questions about evidence…
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Australian fuel surge pushes independent truckers towards collapse
Fuel prices across Australia have surged despite adequate supply, putting severe financial pressure on independent truck drivers and threatening the viability of the freight industry. Diesel reached an average of A$2.76 per litre and petrol A$2.34, prompting some operators to stop driving because current freight rates no longer cover their costs. Drivers say fuel prices…
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Trump expands proposed Washington arch to include military operations hub
President Donald Trump has proposed expanding his planned 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, DC, into a military complex containing drones, ammunition and sniper teams for rapid deployment. The announcement links the monument to national-security concerns and adds a significant operational role to a project already criticised for its scale and symbolism. The arch is intended…
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El-Sayed’s Senate bid raises new concerns over a powerful privilege that comes with the job
Conservatives have raised concerns about Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed potentially winning office, citing a procedural advantage whereby senators automatically become eligible to access classified information without undergoing formal executive-branch security clearance, unlike congressional staff and many other officials. Critics argue this privilege could be problematic given El-Sayed’s political associations and relationships. The article…
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Trump faces UN tensions as Iran conflict strains allied ties
President Trump is preparing to address the United Nations General Assembly next week amid escalating tensions with Iran and strained relationships with allied nations. Diplomats expect him to voice criticism of the UN’s effectiveness and defend his global policies, particularly regarding the seven-month-old conflict with Iran, which he claims is ending. The gathering is anticipated…
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Watchdog reviews spending limits after Reform UK receives £72m
Britain’s Electoral Commission is conducting a Government-commissioned review of political spending limits following Reform UK’s receipt of a record £72 million in donations from crypto-billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. The Electoral Commission chief executive stated the review will examine whether current spending rules are fit for purpose, with particular focus on ensuring elections are…
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Republicans tone down Trump ties as midterm races tighten
Republican candidates across the country have quietly removed President Trump from their campaign materials as they grapple with uncertainty over whether his campaigning will help or hinder them in the coming elections. With fewer than six weeks until polling day, candidates face a strategic dilemma: Trump remains enormously popular with the Republican base but his…