World News

• Exit polls show opposition conservatives win German election
  

• Conservative chief Friedrich Merz on track to become chancellor
• Far-right AfD scores historic result
• Coalition talks could last months leaving vacuum at heart of EU

BERLIN, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Germany's opposition conservatives won the national election on Sunday, putting leader Friedrich Merz on track to be the next chancellor while the far-right Alternative for Germany came in second on its best ever result, projected results showed.

Following a campaign roiled by a series of violent attacks, and interventions by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, the conservative CDU/CSU bloc won 28.7% of the vote, followed by the AfD with 19.8%, the projection published by ZDF public broadcaster showed.

"Tonight we will celebrate, and from tomorrow we start working. ... The world out there is not waiting for us," Merz, 69, told supporters.

Merz is heading into what are likely to be lengthy coalition talks without a strong negotiating hand. While his CDU/CSU emerged as the largest bloc, it scored its second worst post-war result.

It remains unclear whether Merz will need one or two partners to form a majority. A three-way coalition would likely be much more unwieldy, hampering Germany's ability to show clear leadership.

All of the mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) tumbled to their worst result since World War Two, with 16.4% of the vote share, according to the ZDF projection, while the Greens were on 12.3% and the far left Die Linke party on 8.9% of the vote.

The pro-market Free Democrats (FDP) and newcomer Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) party hovered around the 5% threshold to enter parliament.

Summary

Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, in a CNN interview with Jake Tapper, failed to specify any Russian concessions in a potential Ukraine peace deal despite detailing demands on Ukraine.

After claiming a "friendship" with Putin, Witkoff spoke vaguely about "territorial" and "economic" concessions from both sides. He also claimed a U.S.-Ukraine deal on raw earth minerals would be signed soon.

When confronted with Russian state TV footage suggesting Trump’s stance aligns with Putin’s, Witkoff insisted diplomacy requires communication.

His remarks fueled concerns over Trump’s approach to Russia and Ukraine.

Summary

Russia launched a record 267 drones into Ukraine, the largest attack of the war, targeting multiple regions and injuring civilians.

Ukraine reported downing 138 drones, with others lost in flight. President Zelenskyy called for stronger air defenses and international support, rejecting peace talks that exclude Ukraine.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister criticized those avoiding labeling Russia as an aggressor.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continued its own drone strikes, with Russia claiming to have downed 40. Tensions are escalating ahead of the war's third anniversary.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25960554

JENIN, West Bank (AP) — Israel’s defense minister said Sunday troops will remain “for the coming year” in parts of the occupied West Bank where they have launched an offensive and will prevent tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians from returning, as Israel deepens its crackdown on the Palestinian territory.

Israel launched the broad offensive in the northern West Bank on Jan. 21 — two days after the current ceasefire in Gaza took hold — and expanded it to nearby areas, saying it is determined to stamp out militancy amid a rise in attacks.

Palestinians view such raids as part of an effort to cement Israeli control over the territory, where 3 million Palestinians live under military rule. The deadly raids have caused destruction in urban areas.

Summary

Germans voted in a high-stakes election on February 23, with conservative Friedrich Merz poised to replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz amid a far-right surge.

The far-right, anti-immigration AfD is set for a record result, fueled by security concerns after attacks by asylum seekers.

The vote also unfolds amid tensions over US-Europe relations, as Trump signals a shift in NATO support.

If mainstream parties fail to counter far-right momentum now, analysts warn, the AfD may entirely dominate next time.

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Summary

Donald Trump has demanded a $500bn claim on Ukraine's mineral wealth, including lithium, as compensation for the U.S. military support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused, insisting on security guarantees and fair investment terms.

Commentators labeled Trump’s demand “mafia imperialism,” stirring major fears of colonial exploitation.

Locals near a potential lithium mine in Kirovohrad region want new jobs but reject Trump’s ultimatum, calling it “blackmail.”

Summary

Marking the 3rd anniversary of Russia's invasion, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the largest sanctions package since the war began, aiming to cripple Vladimir Putin's 'military machine.'

This move arrives as Donald Trump sidesteps Ukraine and Europe, asserting the US lead in ending the conflict.

Lammy reaffirmed Europe's commitment, stating there can be 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.'

Additionally, the UK pledged £3 billion annually in support of Kyiv and stands ready to contribute troops if necessary.

Summary

Hundreds of thousands attended Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral in Beirut, five months after his death in an Israeli airstrike.

Nasrallah, a key figure in the Iran-backed "axis of resistance," was mourned by regional and international attendees.

The event sought to demonstrate Hezbollah's continued strength despite losses in a war with Israel and the fall of Assad's regime in Syria. "This massive crowd confirms that Hezbollah is still the most popular party," said lawmaker Ali Fayyad.

His successor, Naim Kassem, vowed continued resistance, stating, "the resistance is still present and strong." Israel responded with airstrikes and a flyover.

Summary

The Colonial Frontier Massacres Digital Map Project has documented over 10,000 Indigenous deaths in at least 438 massacres during Australia’s colonial era.

Led by historian Dr. Lyndall Ryan, the eight-year study found that police and settlers, often with state approval, were responsible for most killings.

The Myall Creek massacre in 1838 marked the first convictions for such crimes.

Researchers say the project dispels past denial of frontier violence, making historical truth undeniable. The findings are now archived for future study.

Summary

Completed in October 2024 with $240 million in Chinese funding, New Gwadar International Airport remains closed.

Located in impoverished Balochistan, the project has generated little benefit for locals, who face meager infrastructure, scarce water, and minimal job opportunities.

Increased security measures to protect Chinese investments have added to tensions, compounding fears amid a longstanding insurgency.

Government pledges to improve local services remain unfulfilled, fueling discontent. Critics say the project primarily serves Chinese interests, while demands for local hiring and utilities remain unmet, deepening mistrust.

• Long COVID may affect millions of Mexicans, but a lack of information prohibits adequate medical care and innovative research.
   
• Some Mexican doctors are calling on the government to establish a national clinical guideline, which could direct local clinics and medical experts on how best to diagnose and treat the disease.
   
• Similar to other countries, the government places higher-priority on surveilling and addressing other easier-to-diagnose diseases, like dengue.
   
• Despite attempts to approve a clinical guideline, the government agency in charge of approvals has yet to review the proposal.

Summary

European leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine as concerns grow over Donald Trump's stance on the war.

Greek, Spanish, and UK leaders insisted peace talks must include Kyiv, rejecting Trump’s claim that Ukraine started the conflict.

Meanwhile, the U.S. proposed a UN resolution urging peace but avoided co-sponsoring Ukraine’s draft. Ukraine also hesitated to sign a U.S. minerals deal due to vague security guarantees.

In London, thousands protested against a Trump-imposed settlement. Hungary's Viktor Orban declared he could block Ukraine’s EU membership.

Perpetrators of “revenge porn” offences are being allowed to keep explicit images of their victims on their devices, after a failure by prosecutors to obtain orders requiring their deletion.

An Observer analysis of court records in intimate image abuse cases has found that orders for the offenders to give up their devices and delete photos and videos are rarely being made. Of 98 cases concluded in the magistrates courts in England and Wales in the past six months, just three resulted in a deprivation order.

In other cases involving digital devices, such as offences regarding indecent images of children, these orders were made consistently.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) this weekend said more must be done to “stop ­perpetrators retaining these images and continuing to take gratification from their crimes”.

Summary

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not ready to sign a minerals deal with the US, citing "problematic issues" and a lack of partnership in the draft agreement.

The deal, pushed by Trump, seeks US access to Ukraine’s natural resources in exchange for weapons. Trump allies claim Zelenskyy will sign soon, but Ukraine resists.

US negotiators allegedly suggested cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink if a deal isn’t reached.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to criticize Zelenskyy and downplays Ukraine’s leverage in negotiations with Russia.

We pay and will continue to pay a subscription fee for satellite internet for Ukraine," Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said in a post on Musk-owned social media platform X.

Summary

Clashes broke out in Sofia as thousands of Bulgarian nationalists protested the government’s plan to adopt the euro.

Demonstrators, led by the ultranationalist Revival party, burned effigies, threw Molotov cocktails, and set fire to the European Commission building’s door. Police reported minor injuries and multiple arrests.

Protesters accuse officials of manipulating data and demand a referendum. While economists argue the euro could boost investment, many fear rising prices.

The government remains committed to euro adoption by 2026 as part of its European integration strategy.

Pope Francis was in critical condition on Saturday after he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection, the Vatican said.

The 88-year-old pope, who remains conscious, received “high flows” of oxygen to help him breathe. He also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, which are needed for clotting, the Vatican said in a late update.