Berlin: The German Bundestag today elected Friedrich Merz as the new Chancellor of Germany following the Christian Democratic Union’s victory in the early elections held last February. According to Emirates News Agency, Bundestag President Julia Kl¶ckner announced that Merz secured 325 votes in the second round of the parliamentary vote, attaining the absolute majority required. Following the announcement, Merz met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who presented him with the official documents to assume office as Chancellor, succeeding Social Democrat Olaf Scholz. Merz’s Christian Democratic Union formed a coalition with the Social Democratic Party, enabling the formation of Germany’s next

Abu Dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called on the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace. According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the importance of heeding the voices calling for dialogue and mutual understanding to prevent military escalation, strengthen stability in South Asia, and avoid further regional tensions. He reaffirmed that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises,

Cairo: The Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Qatar have reaffirmed that their mediation efforts in the Gaza Strip remain ongoing, consistent, and grounded in a unified vision aimed at ending the unprecedented humanitarian crisis and alleviating the suffering of civilians by fostering the necessary conditions for achieving a comprehensive ceasefire. According to Emirates News Agency, in a joint statement, Egypt and Qatar asserted that attempts to sow discord among brotherly nations – whether through the casting of doubt, distortion, or media escalation – will not succeed, nor will they deter the two nations from continuing their joint

Brussels: Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium, has expressed support for French President Emmanuel Macron’s peace initiative aimed at ending the war in Gaza through mutual recognition of Israel and Palestine. According to Emirates News Agency, De Wever voiced his support during an episode of Het Rapport van de Wetstraat, a podcast by Het Laatste Nieuws. He commented, “No one can bear the images of children lying emaciated in a bed, deprived of humanitarian aid. The suffering must stop.” This marks the first time De Wever has taken a clear stance on the conflict since assuming office, a conflict

GAZA CITY: The death toll from Israeli warplanes targeting two schools in Al-Bureij refugee camp and Gaza City has climbed to 49, with the majority being children, women, and the elderly. The attacks occurred between last night and early Wednesday morning. According to Emirates News Agency, citing medical sources, the fatalities resulted from bombings at Abu Hamisa School, which was housing displaced persons in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. These strikes are part of a broader conflict that has seen relentless aggression in the region. The Israeli offensive, particularly focused on Tulkarm city and its surrounding