On the Ropes, Olaf Scholz Keeps Punching
staff The German chancellor, who defied calls to step aside after his government fell apart, is down in the polls but insisting he can still win.
February 22, 2025
Shocked by Trump, Europe Turns Its Hopes to Germany’s Election
Germany’s economy is stalled and its politics fractured. But it sees an opening for a new chancellor to lead Europe’s response to a changing America.
New Proposal for Ukraine’s Minerals Is Nearly Identical to Rejected Version
The Trump administration appears to be insisting that Ukraine relinquish half of its revenues from natural resource extraction, with no security guarantee in exchange.
The Unabashedly Provocative Youth Driving Germany’s Far Right
A new band of influencers unafraid of confrontation has helped elevate the Alternative for Germany party to second in pre-election polls.
As Conflict Rages in Congo, President Offers U.S. Minerals Deal
As vast swaths of Congolese territory are seized by a Rwandan-backed armed group, Congo’s president looks to make a minerals deal with the United States.
In Syria, Joy at al-Assad’s Demise Turns to Fear of Israeli Raids
Villagers say they worry that incursions into border areas of Syria by Israel’s military could turn into a prolonged occupation. Israel says the raids are needed to protect the border.
Live Updates: Hamas Is Set to Release 6 More Hostages
The exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel appeared likely to go ahead, despite Israeli anger over Hamas’s handover of a misidentified body.
Israel Confirms Body Returned by Hamas Is Shiri Bibas
DNA testing had found that remains returned a day earlier purportedly of Ms. Bibas, a dead Israeli hostage, were in fact not hers, stirring outrage in Israel.
India’s Outrage Machine Devours a Star YouTuber Over a Crude One-Liner
A joke made by Ranveer Allahbadia, a Joe Rogan for online Indians, has brought him death threats and criminal charges.
Emboldened Kremlin Steps Up Efforts to Seize Businesses in Russia
The legal onslaught on Moscow’s second-largest airport has been seen as part of the Kremlin’s wartime drive to seize control of key assets still in private hands.