Germany: Merz says 2026 can be a ‘year of new beginnings’

Chancellor Friedrich Merz touched on war in Ukraine, increased defense spending, changing ties to the US, technological upheaval, industrial stagnation, sluggish reforms, migration and more in his New Year’s address.

Friedrich Merz began his first New Year’s TV address to the nation with…[Read more]

Hundreds of thousands march in Istanbul in solidarity with Gaza

Demonstrators in Turkiye demand global pressure on Israel, calling the so-called ceasefire ‘a slow-motion genocide’ against Palestinians.

Hundreds of thousands of people are marching through Istanbul in a sweeping show of solidarity with Palestinians, condemning Israel’s genoc…[Read more]

Terror-free Türkiye and Erdoğan’s regional peace vision

Looking back to 2025 and what is left behind in terms of domestic politics and regional developments, the terror-free Türkiye initiative has, indeed, emerged as one of the most significant developments in recent decades impacting the relationship between internal security, political legi…[Read more]

Suzi Milgate defends crepe attack on former NT chief minister Natasha Fyles as ‘protest’, during assault trial

A former Darwin real estate agent has told a court her alleged daylight cream crepe attack on former Northern Territory chief minister Natasha Fyles was an act of “protest”.

Suzi Milgate is representing herself in a judge-only trial…[Read more]

Former independents launch high court challenge to electoral laws they say favour Labor and Coalition

Contentious changes to fundraising rules will keep politics a ‘cosy table’ for major parties, Zoe Daniel and Rex Patrick say

Two former independents have launched a high court challenge to new electoral laws, accusing the major parties of rig…[Read more]

Australian PM rejects Netanyahu’s linking of Palestine recognition to Bondi beach attack

Israeli PM on Sunday accused Anthony Albanese of doing ‘nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism’

Australia’s prime minister has rejected accusations from his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, that Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state ear…[Read more]

German far-right lawmaker charged with making Nazi salute

Prosecutors in Berlin have filed charges against the far-right Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) Matthias Moosdorf for allegedly greeting another party member with the banned Nazi salute during a parliamentary session, they said in a statement on Monday.
The Bundestag lower house of…[Read more]

Germany deepens commitment to Ukraine’s defence in 10-point plan

Germany will deepen its commitment to Ukraine’s defence through joint ventures, further market integration and possible federal investment guarantees under a 10-point plan unveiled on Monday during President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s Berlin visit.
European leaders have sought to send a…[Read more]

Member of far-right AfD party charged with making Nazi salute at Reichstag

MP allegedly greeted a party colleague at German parliament building ‘with a heel click and a Hitler salute’

Berlin prosecutors say they have charged a member of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party with making a Nazi salute in parliament.

The suspect alle…[Read more]

Here’s what’s in the House GOP health care bill

House Republicans are set to vote this week on their version of a health care bill as the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies looms ever closer.

The legislation does not address that key premium assistance, though lawmakers may consider an amendment to the bill that would ext…[Read more]

Zelensky holds new talks with US envoys on ending Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed on with high-stakes talks in Berlin on Monday with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys aimed at ending the war with Russia, before he was set to join a summit of European leaders.

Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said on X that “a lot…[Read more]

Gaza reconstruction sparks race among US contractors

Figures close to the Trump administration and politically connected Republican businesses in the U.S. are maneuvering to secure a lucrative role in Gaza’s humanitarian aid and reconstruction, the Guardian has reported.

The United Nations estimates that rebuilding Gaza — where thr…[Read more]

Greek Cypriot EU presidency may raise tensions with Türkiye: Analysts

The Greek Cypriot administration is preparing to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026. While the development is largely symbolic, the Greek Cypriots’ agenda in Brussels could pose emerging diplomatic challenges for Tü…[Read more]

Türkiye auto output up over 10% as commercial vehicles offset car slump

Türkiye’s automotive main industry production rose more than 10% in November, driven by a sharp increase in commercial vehicle output that offset a decline in passenger car production, industry data showed on Monday.

Total production climbed 10.6% year-over-year to 131,606 v…[Read more]

Economic strategies backbone of Turkic vision plan: Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday said economic strategies were the core of Türkiye’s new strategy that outlines plans to deepen integration among Turkic states.

The “Turkic World Vision Document,” prepared by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), comes as part of…[Read more]

Gaza administration should come before Hamas disarmament, Türkiye says

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday that Hamas is willing to relinquish control of Gaza, but only if a credible Palestinian administration and a trained, non-Hamas police force are established first, conditions he said must precede any expectation that the group…[Read more]

New Trump security strategy highlights Türkiye’s rising regional role, sources say

The United States’ newly released 2025 National Security Strategy has prompted assessments in Ankara that underscore Türkiye’s growing influence in regional and global dynamics, according to diplomatic sources.

The document, unveiled by the White House under P…[Read more]

Turkey’s Fidan: Gaza governance must precede Hamas disarmament in ceasefire deal

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters on Saturday that not advancing the U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire plan to its next stage would be a “huge failure” for the world and Washington, noting that President Donald Trump had personally led the push.
In an…[Read more]

France’s Macron: unity between Europe and U.S on Ukraine is “essential”

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that unity between Europe and the United States was key in the support of Ukraine, adding there is “no mistrust” and denying a report he had said there was a risk Washington could betray Ukraine.
“Unity between Americans and…[Read more]

France takes anti-drone measures after flight over nuclear submarine base

An anti-drone and search operation was launched after five drones were detected over a base that houses France’s nuclear deterrent submarines off its northwestern coast on Thursday evening.

The French military used anti-drone measures after five unmanned vehicles flew over…[Read more]