Summary
Highlights
The CDU party congress concluded in Stuttgart, with party leader März receiving strong support (91.17%). Markus Söder, representing the CSU, presented his party as the 'small, modest sister' and emphasized harmonious cooperation within the Union. Söder also criticized other parties and firmly rejected any tax increases proposed by the coalition partner SPD, asserting the Union's leadership claim.
The US Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed by Donald Trump under an emergency law. In response, Trump announced new worldwide tariffs of 15%. This move is not a direct defiance of the court's ruling, as the court only prohibited tariffs based on the emergency law. Trump is now using other legal avenues, such as a 1974 trade law, to impose tariffs for up to 150 days, giving him time to seek a long-term solution. Tariffs remain a central element of his economic and foreign policy.
Concerns are growing over a potential US military strike against Iran amidst escalating tensions. The US has increased its military presence in the Middle East, while Iran-allied militias like the Houthis in Yemen threaten retaliation. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen and frequently threaten international shipping lanes, are portrayed as Iranian proxies. Yemeni coastal guards observe Houthi preparations for escalation, with Iran continuing to supply them with weapons, including missiles and drones.
The energy supply dispute between Ukraine, Hungary, and Slovakia is worsening. Hungary has threatened to veto an EU loan to Ukraine, and the Slovakian Prime Minister Fico threatens to halt emergency power supplies if oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline isn't resumed. Both Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of intentionally obstructing the resumption of deliveries through the Russian oil pipeline.
High avalanche danger persists in the Alps, with more snowfall expected. A man died in Serfaus, Tyrol, and five people died in Austria from avalanches the previous day. Authorities are warning people not to leave designated ski slopes, as rescue teams in Tyrol responded to 30 avalanche-related calls yesterday alone.
Germany achieved gold and silver in the two-woman bobsleigh at the Olympic Games, with Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi taking first place, followed by Lisa Buckwitz and Nele Schouten. Biathlete Franziska Preuß competed in her final race, a 12.5 km mass start. Despite seven shooting errors, she finished 28th. The race was won by Ocean Michelan of France. Vanessa Voigt was the best German in 7th place. Preuß, Germany's Sportswoman of the Year, retires without an individual Olympic medal but with one bronze for the German biathlon team.
The Berlinale saw significant German success, with a German film winning the Golden Bear for the first time in over 20 years. Ilker Çatak's "Yellow Letters" (Gelbe Briefe), a ZDF/Arte co-production set in Turkey, focuses on critical voices suppressed by an authoritarian regime. Sandra Hüller won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance for her role in "Rose," another ZDF/Arte co-production set in the Thirty Years' War. The festival also saw prize winners demonstrating solidarity for Gaza, reflecting the Berlinale's role as a platform for political expression. The weather forecast indicates widespread rain tomorrow, but warmer temperatures later in the week.