Politics

China’s role in Iran crisis tested as U.S. blockade of Strait of Hormuz takes effect U.S. blockade of Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, effective April 13, 2026, puts …

Europe debates a Hormuz mission without the US as Merz heads to Paris Europe considers a Hormuz mission without the US as Merz travels to Paris; Israel reacts, Lebanon-Israel talks …

German politics: Left MP Jan van Aken cites health reasons as tensions rise over energy, health cuts and fuel rebate Jan van Aken’s health-related exit strains German politics as SPD …

EU age-verification app pitched as Europe’s “gold standard” for protecting minors online EU Commission releases source code for EU age-verification app to enable anonymous checks and urges member states to …

Germany Reveals Widespread Use of Verfassungsschutz Bookstore Checks After Süddeutsche Zeitung Report Government figures prompt fresh scrutiny after disclosure that Verfassungsschutz bookstore checks were applied in thousands of cases following …

Germany’s Paragraph 188 Faces Renewed Scrutiny After Political Push and High‑profile Cases Debate over Paragraph 188 of the German Criminal Code has intensified after senior politicians called for its repeal, …

Union and AfD neck-and-neck in Bundestag polls as SPD and FDP lag Bundestag polls show the Union and AfD tied near 25% while SPD, FDP and several smaller parties remain …

Greenpeace: Ukrainian Strikes Temporarily Disrupt Russian Shadow Fleet in Baltic Sea Greenpeace says Ukrainian drone attacks temporarily halted movements of the Russian shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, raising environmental …

Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington mark first direct political contact in decades Diplomatic talks in Washington seek ceasefire, return of displaced and practical relief amid weeks of cross-border fighting between Israel …