Also known as: Chancellor Friedrich Merz · German Chancellor Friedrich Merz · Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz
German Chancellor who has called for EU budget cuts and proposed associate-member status for Ukraine rather than full membership.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
… German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who earlier had offered guarded support to Trump, said Monday that "the Americans obviously have no strategy" in Iran and that the war was "at the very least ill-considered". …
Trump warns Iran better 'get smart soon' and accept nuclear dealCitizen Digital
… The wave of attacks has allegedly been directed at MPs from several parties including the speaker of parliament, a senior member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU party, as well as civil servants, diplomats and journalists. …
Germany launches spying probe into Signal attacks targeting MPsGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the EU to reduce its proposed 2028-2034 budget by several hundred billion euros and strengthen competitiveness, arguing that the European Commission's two-trillion-euro spending plan is too high.
29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the EU to reduce its proposed 2028-2034 budget by several hundred billion euros and strengthen competitiveness, arguing that the European Commission's two-trillion-euro spending plan is too high.
29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
German authorities recovered a video from the phone of suspected attacker Abdul Ballout, 21, in which he claims responsibility for the weekend assault at Berlin's Pride festival in Tiergarten park on behalf of the Islamic State. As of Tuesday, one person had died and 29 others were injured in the attack; police shot and killed Ballout shortly after.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
A white minivan struck people near Berlin's Christopher Street Day Pride event on Saturday evening, killing one woman and injuring 29 others. Police identified the chief suspect as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, a German citizen of Lebanese origin and alleged Islamic State supporter with a May criminal conviction.
26 July 2026 · The Standard →
A growing number of countries are implementing or proposing restrictions on children's access to social media, with more than 20 countries now involved and five already enforcing measures, mostly targeting children under 15 or 16. The European Union is considering similar regulations, with an expert committee set to submit recommendations to the European Commission.
12 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
German NGOs have condemned Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition's plans to restrict Freedom of Information Act access to German or EU citizens with "legitimate interest," warning the move could hinder corruption investigations and public oversight.
8 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
G7 leaders at a three-day summit hailed newly-found unity on increasing pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, sensing a shift by President Donald Trump to take a tougher line against Moscow. The leaders agreed on a final statement involving key geopolitical issues and committed to increasing supplies of air defence equipment to Ukraine.
18 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
G7 leaders, alongside G7 partner countries Kenya and Korea, agreed Tuesday to intensify efforts against human trafficking and migrant smuggling by dismantling organised criminal networks and disrupting their business models.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto arrived in Evian, France, to represent Africa at the G7 Leaders' Summit, invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. Ruto, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto and Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, will participate in discussions on the economy, international trade, climate action, security, and artificial intelligence.
16 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto arrived in Evian, France, to participate in the G7 Leaders' Summit as an invited guest of French President Emmanuel Macron. Ruto is expected to advocate for reforms of the global financial system and stronger Africa-world partnerships on trade, infrastructure, and energy.
16 June 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto is travelling to Evian, France for the G7 Leaders' Summit, where he will champion Africa's economic agenda and push for reforms to the global financial system. He received a personal invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron and will present Africa's common position as shaped during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi last month.
15 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted Ukraine deserves full EU membership rather than the "associate member" status without voting rights proposed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelensky argued that Ukraine's presence in the EU must be complete with full rights, citing his country's defence of Europe against Russian invasion.
23 May 2026 · The Standard →
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has renewed criticism of NATO members for not supporting the US war on Iran, saying that while many agree Iran is a nuclear threat, they refuse to help despite not being asked to commit troops or fighter jets. Rubio made the remarks ahead of NATO foreign minister talks in Sweden, following a US-Israel joint attack on Iran on February 28.
22 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
German federal prosecutors arrested a married couple identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S. on suspicion of working for a Chinese intelligence agency and seeking information on high-tech with military applications by establishing contacts with German scientists at universities and research institutions.
21 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The United States has canceled the planned deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland as Washington reorganizes its forces in Europe following a decision to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany. The cancellation, ordered by the Secretary of Defense, affected the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, with some elements already deployed and equipment in transit.
16 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President Trump announced the US will pause its operation escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a peace agreement with Iran. Secretary of State Rubio said the US has completed offensive operations against Iran while reserving the right to respond to further attacks on shipping.
6 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
World leaders including Germany, France, Britain and Saudi Arabia are pressing Iran to return to diplomacy as the Middle East ceasefire deteriorates following exchanges of fire between Iran and the United States over the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian attacks reported by the United Arab Emirates for the first time since the truce was declared nearly a month ago.
5 May 2026 · The Standard →
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next six to twelve months, according to the Pentagon, amid tensions between the US and Europe over the Mideast war and trade disputes.
2 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
US President Donald Trump said Friday he was "not satisfied" with a new Iranian negotiating proposal, as peace talks remain frozen despite a weeks-long ceasefire that began in April. Trump blamed stalled negotiations on "tremendous discord" within Iran's leadership and faced pressure at home to seek congressional authorization for the conflict.
2 May 2026 · The Standard →
The United States approved a $4 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Qatar and a nearly $1 billion sale of precision weapons systems to Israel, citing support for US foreign policy and national security objectives. The Pentagon also announced the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year.
2 May 2026 · The Standard →
US President Donald Trump stated that a naval blockade against Iran could last months, causing oil prices to reach their highest level in more than four years. With US-Iran diplomacy at a standstill, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned of "damaging consequences" if the US and Israel resume military action against Iran.
30 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President Trump warned Iran to "get smart soon" and accept U.S. demands for strict nuclear controls, as a U.S. naval blockade pressures Iran's economy. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has decided to reject Iran's latest deal proposal and intends to continue the blockade until Tehran dismantles its nuclear programme.
29 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →
German prosecutors launched a spying investigation into phishing attacks targeting lawmakers on the Signal messaging app, with attacks allegedly directed at MPs from several parties, civil servants, diplomats and journalists. The attacks work by sending fake Signal support messages to trick victims into handing over account information, potentially allowing hackers to access chat groups, messages, photos and files.
25 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →