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Germany’s CDU-CSU and SPD Reach Coalition Deal, Paving Way for Friedrich Merz to Become Chancellor
Germany is set to usher in a new era of leadership as the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have reached a coalition agreement with the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). The landmark deal follows weeks of negotiations and will be formally presented in a joint press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Under the agreement, CDU leader Friedrich Merz is expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, succeeding Olaf Scholz and marking a significant political shift in Europe’s largest economy. The coalition ends a period of uncertainty and political drift that followed the closely watched federal elections held in February.
Merz’s CDU-CSU Union bloc emerged as the strongest force in the elections, but without a clear majority. In the aftermath, Merz initiated talks with the SPD to secure a stable parliamentary coalition capable of forming a government.
“We have reached a comprehensive agreement that reflects both our common goals and the diverse perspectives of our parties,” Merz said in a brief statement ahead of the official announcement. “Our focus now is on delivering strong, effective governance for Germany at home and abroad.”
The three parties are scheduled to unveil the full coalition deal during a press conference at 3:00 p.m. Central European Time. The agreement will outline the policy framework and key cabinet positions, and is expected to prioritize economic stability, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and Germany’s role in the European Union.
The SPD, led by outgoing Chancellor Scholz, has signaled its willingness to compromise to ensure political stability. Although the party suffered losses in the recent elections, it remains a major force in German politics and will likely retain several key ministries in the new coalition government.
“The people of Germany expect us to act responsibly and work together,” said an SPD spokesperson. “This coalition is the result of constructive dialogue and mutual respect.”
The coalition formation marks a return to a so-called “grand coalition,” reminiscent of earlier CDU-SPD partnerships that governed Germany for much of the past two decades. However, political analysts note that this iteration is taking shape under markedly different global and domestic conditions — including ongoing economic challenges, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and evolving voter expectations.
With the coalition agreement now in place, the Bundestag is expected to confirm Merz’s appointment as chancellor in the coming days. Once sworn in, he will face the immediate challenge of navigating Germany through global economic uncertainties and accelerating the country’s energy transition.
As anticipation builds for the official announcement, many observers see the coalition as a stabilizing force in an increasingly polarized European political landscape — one that could provide fresh momentum for Germany on both the domestic and international fronts.
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Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
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Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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