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Germany’s Opposition Leader Friedrich Merz Criticized for Accepting AfD Support

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Germany’s opposition leader and frontrunner for the next chancellorship, Friedrich Merz, is facing widespread criticism after accepting support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to push through a controversial migration proposal.

The move has drawn backlash from across the political spectrum, including a rare public rebuke from former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who condemned Merz for breaking a long-standing commitment to not cooperate with the AfD.

Breaking a Political Taboo

On Wednesday, Merz’s centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) pushed a non-binding motion calling for stricter border and asylum policies through parliament. The measure passed by a narrow margin, with AfD votes playing a decisive role. This marks the first time an AfD-backed motion has been approved in the German Bundestag, with the far-right party hailing it as a “historic day for Germany.”

Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years, called Merz’s decision “wrong”, reinforcing her long-held position that mainstream parties should not collaborate with the AfD.

Merz defended his actions in a heated debate before the vote, arguing that tougher migration policies were necessary to stem rising violence in Germany.

“I am not looking for any other majorities in this Bundestag than those in the democratic centre,” he said. “If there was such a majority here today, then I regret it.”

Migration and Security Concerns Take Center Stage

Merz’s hardline stance on migration follows a series of violent incidents involving asylum seekers.

The most recent attack, in Aschaffenburg, saw a rejected Afghan asylum-seeker arrested for a knife attack that killed a man and a two-year-old boy. Similar knife attacks in Mannheim and Solingen last year, involving suspects from Afghanistan and Syria, have fueled growing public concern over immigration.

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Another Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, allegedly carried out by a Saudi doctor, has further intensified the debate as Germany heads toward elections on February 23.

Merz has repeatedly argued that Germany’s asylum and immigration policies have been flawed for nearly a decade, dating back to Merkel’s decision to welcome a large influx of migrants in 2015.

With the CDU leading in opinion polls, Merz’s party is pushing for a radical overhaul of Germany’s immigration system, calling for stricter border controls, faster deportations, and tougher asylum policies.

Government Backlash and European Concerns

The outgoing coalition government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), has sharply criticized Merz’s motion.

Scholz dismissed the proposal, arguing that it violates German and EU asylum laws. He also warned that Merz’s actions risk damaging Germany’s reputation as a reliable European partner.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser echoed these concerns, warning that the motion jeopardized joint European action on migration in favor of “dangerous national solo efforts.”

“The debates in Germany are causing irritation among our European neighbors,” Faeser added.

While the European Commission declined to comment on the political debate, EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner acknowledged that stronger measures were needed to improve deportation policies across the bloc.

Public Protests Erupt in Berlin

Following the Bundestag vote, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside CDU headquarters in Berlin, protesting the party’s decision to align with the AfD on migration. Among the groups present was Amnesty International, which has warned against strict migration policies undermining human rights protections.

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With less than a month until the election, Merz’s controversial decision could shape the political landscape—either solidifying his lead among conservative voters or triggering a backlash that could weaken his chances of becoming Germany’s next chancellor.

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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25

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Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.

Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.

Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.

Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.

Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.

The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.

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White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify

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The White House has launched an online “Media Hall of Shame,” a federally hosted portal that lists news outlets and individual journalists it accuses of publishing false or misleading information. The move marks a sharp escalation in President Donald Trump’s long-running campaign against what he frequently labels “fake news,” and comes amid rising condemnation over his public attacks on reporters.

The new portal, published on an official government website, claims to offer a fully sortable and regularly updated record of what the administration describes as inaccurate reporting. “It ensures no hoax, no anonymously ‘sourced’ fan fiction, and no partisan smear gets memory-holed again,” the White House said in its announcement.

Among its features, the site names The Washington Post as “Offender of the Week,” while also spotlighting The New York Times, CNN, CBS News and The Independent. Accredited international wire services including the Associated Press and Reuters are also listed, with the administration accusing the AP of “bias” and “omission of context” and labeling a Reuters report as a “lie.”

Stories are placed into categories such as “false claim,” “misrepresentation,” “failure to report,” “malpractice,” “mischaracterisation,” and “circular reporting.” Another section titled “left-wing lunacy” aims at content the White House asserts reflects ideological slant. Notably, no conservative-leaning outlets appear anywhere on the site.

The move has drawn significant backlash from journalism advocates and major newsrooms. Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, condemned the website as an attack on constitutionally protected reporting. “Let’s be clear what’s happening here: the wrongful and intentional targeting of journalists by government officials for exercising a constitutionally protected right,” Murray said. “The Washington Post will not be dissuaded and will continue to report rigorously and accurately in service to all of America.”

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While conservative media watchdogs have welcomed the launch, critics warn that the portal represents an unprecedented government effort to single out journalists. The Media Research Centre, which often accuses national news networks of liberal bias, praised the initiative. “It’s a stronger effort than Republican presidents have done before,” said MRC director of media analysis Tim Graham. “I think all Republicans realize today that the media is on the other side and need to be identified as on the other side.”

Press freedom experts interviewed by German broadcaster DW said the White House’s new approach poses a direct risk to journalists and undermines democratic norms by framing independent reporting as an adversarial act. They warned that such rhetoric fuels hostility toward the press and contributes to a climate in which reporters may face harassment or threats.

The launch of the portal comes at a time when Trump has intensified his criticism of the media, frequently singling out reporters—often women—with personal insults, calling them “stupid,” “piggy,” and “ugly inside and out.” The growing pressure on journalists has raised alarms among advocates who argue that a free and independent press is vital to the country’s democratic institutions.

The White House has not responded to questions about how the portal will be maintained or which officials will determine what qualifies as an “offense.”

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Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue

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Ukraine was hit by one of the largest overnight assaults of the war as Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles across the country early Saturday, triggering nationwide air raid alerts and striking multiple regions. At least eight people were wounded, including three in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukraine’s air force reported that its defenses intercepted 585 of the drones and 30 of the missiles, but 29 locations were still hit during the hours-long attack. Strikes were recorded in the Kyiv region, where industrial facilities and residential buildings sustained damage.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that energy sites were the primary targets, adding that the attack also hit the main railway station building in Fastiv. He described the strike as “meaningless from a military point of view,” arguing that Moscow “could not have been unaware” that it was a civilian facility.

Several other regions felt the impact, including Dnipro, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Lviv, Volyn, and Mykolaiv. Emergency services worked through the morning to contain fires, restore power and assess damage at multiple sites.

The latest assault came as Ukraine continues to brace for Russia’s winter strategy of targeting infrastructure, aimed at cutting off heat, electricity and water during the coldest months. Ukrainian officials have warned repeatedly that Moscow is renewing efforts to cripple the country’s energy grid.

In Russia, the Ministry of Defence reported that its air defenses intercepted 116 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions. A Russian Telegram news channel, Astra, reported that Ukraine hit the Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of the country’s key energy facilities. Regional governor Pavel Malkov confirmed that drone debris fell at an industrial site and damaged a nearby residential building, but did not mention the refinery.

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Ukraine has increasingly focused its own attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, arguing that oil revenues remain central to financing Moscow’s full-scale invasion. Kyiv says these strikes are aimed at pressuring the Kremlin to scale back its military campaign and engage seriously in diplomatic efforts.

The escalation on both sides came as Ukrainian and U.S. officials prepared for a third day of meetings aimed at advancing discussions over a potential path to peace. Washington has been acting as an intermediary between Kyiv and Moscow, though progress has been limited.

Ukrainian officials and several European governments have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of showing interest in negotiations only for political advantage. Recent exchanges between U.S. and Russian representatives have produced no major breakthroughs, and Kyiv remains skeptical of Moscow’s intentions.

Saturday’s bombardment underscored the deep instability surrounding the talks, as both countries continue to push for leverage on the battlefield while diplomats seek even the smallest opening to halt the conflict.

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