German court clears path for Merz's massive borrowing plans

Factbox-What is in the huge German spending plan agreed by parties?

Factbox-What is in the huge German spending plan agreed by parties?
German Greens party source says agreement reached on debt deal

German Greens party source says agreement reached on debt deal
US Senate passes bill to avert shutdown, House Democrats turn on Schumer

US Senate passes bill to avert shutdown, House Democrats turn on Schumer
Trump poised to launch new round of layoffs despite setbacks in court

Trump poised to launch new round of layoffs despite setbacks in court
Merz wins support for surge in spending, proclaiming 'Germany is back'

Merz wins support for surge in spending, proclaiming 'Germany is back'
US immigration agency is short of $2 billion for the year, Axios reports

US immigration agency is short of $2 billion for the year, Axios reports
Japan PM apologises for giving out gifts, clouding budget prospects

Japan PM apologises for giving out gifts, clouding budget prospects
Portugal's president disbands parliament, calls election on May 18

Portugal's president disbands parliament, calls election on May 18
Trump ambassador nominee: Canada is a sovereign state

Trump ambassador nominee: Canada is a sovereign state
Unions retract motion to block USAID document shredding after Trump administration assurances

Unions retract motion to block USAID document shredding after Trump administration assurances
US senators to urge USDA to reinstate canceled local food programs

US senators to urge USDA to reinstate canceled local food programs
US judge orders DOGE, Musk to produce cost-cutting records

US judge orders DOGE, Musk to produce cost-cutting records
German Greens hint delay to debt brake reform until new parliament is seated

German Greens hint delay to debt brake reform until new parliament is seated
Sweden to give more than $138 million to Ukraine for reconstruction, development

Sweden to give more than $138 million to Ukraine for reconstruction, development
US agencies face Thursday deadline to submit mass layoff plans

US agencies face Thursday deadline to submit mass layoff plans
'What more do you want?' Merz pleads with lawmakers on German debt plan

'What more do you want?' Merz pleads with lawmakers on German debt plan
French defence build-up must not push finances off course, minister says

French defence build-up must not push finances off course, minister says
As UN turns 80, it seeks to cut costs in shadow of Trump uncertainty

As UN turns 80, it seeks to cut costs in shadow of Trump uncertainty
Judge questions Trump administration claw back of $20 billion climate fund

Judge questions Trump administration claw back of $20 billion climate fund
US Senate Democrats fume over Trump-backed stopgap bill as shutdown deadline nears

US Senate Democrats fume over Trump-backed stopgap bill as shutdown deadline nears
'We'll see' on support for German borrowing bonanza, Greens party leader says

'We'll see' on support for German borrowing bonanza, Greens party leader says
Hungary's government targets dual citizens, LGBTQ+ community in proposed constitutional changes

Hungary's government targets dual citizens, LGBTQ+ community in proposed constitutional changes
US Education Department to cut half its staff as Trump eyes its elimination

US Education Department to cut half its staff as Trump eyes its elimination
USAID employees ordered to shred records, court filing says

USAID employees ordered to shred records, court filing says
IMF approves $1.2 billion for Egypt after fourth review

IMF approves $1.2 billion for Egypt after fourth review
Dutch parliament urges government not to join EU defence plan
Dutch parliament urges government not to join EU defence plan
Report says German military is ageing and shrinking as parties seek funding

Report says German military is ageing and shrinking as parties seek funding
Clock ticks for German fiscal bonanza deal but optimism drives euro up

Clock ticks for German fiscal bonanza deal but optimism drives euro up
Argentina pushes new IMF deal toward finish line with decree

Argentina pushes new IMF deal toward finish line with decree
US House Republicans pass stopgap bill to fund government

US House Republicans pass stopgap bill to fund government
Poland defiant over big tech tax plan in latest spat with US

Poland defiant over big tech tax plan in latest spat with US
US to resume security support to Ukraine as Kyiv says it is ready to accept ceasefire proposal

US to resume security support to Ukraine as Kyiv says it is ready to accept ceasefire proposal
Italy proposes EU guarantees to boost defence without raising debt

Italy proposes EU guarantees to boost defence without raising debt
Trump says arrest of pro-Palestinian Columbia student is first of many to come

Trump says arrest of pro-Palestinian Columbia student is first of many to come
Trump administration scraps over 80% of USAID programs, top diplomat Rubio says

Trump administration scraps over 80% of USAID programs, top diplomat Rubio says
House Republicans set up Tuesday vote to avert government shutdown

House Republicans set up Tuesday vote to avert government shutdown
Germany's Greens may torpedo Merz's spending bonanza but hint at deal

Germany's Greens may torpedo Merz's spending bonanza but hint at deal
India seeks parliament's nod to spend additional $5.9 billion in 2024/25

India seeks parliament's nod to spend additional $5.9 billion in 2024/25
EU explores joint defence funding as US commitment wavers

EU explores joint defence funding as US commitment wavers
Germany's Merz wants European nuclear weapons to boost US shield

Germany's Merz wants European nuclear weapons to boost US shield
Factbox-Elements of German parties' coalition paper

Factbox-Elements of German parties' coalition paper
Germany's Merz and SPD clear first hurdle to forming coalition

Germany's Merz and SPD clear first hurdle to forming coalition
Higher European defence budgets a first step, production needed, NATO's Rutte says

Higher European defence budgets a first step, production needed, NATO's Rutte says
US foreign aid orgs say they are owed more than $671 million by Monday deadline

US foreign aid orgs say they are owed more than $671 million by Monday deadline
As US restores some aid, humanitarian groups ask: where is the money?

As US restores some aid, humanitarian groups ask: where is the money?
Mexican president taps Edgar Amador as new finance chief

Mexican president taps Edgar Amador as new finance chief
Elon Musk leads 2026 US midterm election donors with $446 million

Elon Musk leads 2026 US midterm election donors with $446 million
The democracy paradox: Why we want freedom but admire unchecked power — Opinion

The democracy paradox: Why we want freedom but admire unchecked power — Opinion
Russia supplies up to 87% of diesel imports in key markets as fuel disruptions threaten trade

Russia supplies up to 87% of diesel imports in key markets as fuel disruptions threaten trade
US time zones in 1924: How railways shaped America's clocks more than a century ago

US time zones in 1924: How railways shaped America's clocks more than a century ago
‘Trump is preventing World War III’ – Lukashenko warns Ukraine conflict could turn nuclear

‘Trump is preventing World War III’ – Lukashenko warns Ukraine conflict could turn nuclear
El Salvador soldiers seek discharge over deadly Haiti mission as four remain missing

El Salvador soldiers seek discharge over deadly Haiti mission as four remain missing
Iran threatens ‘new battlefield’ if US attacks again, warns of unpredictable retaliation

Iran threatens ‘new battlefield’ if US attacks again, warns of unpredictable retaliation
Fujimori orders Peru prison overhaul after deadly gang clash kills three inmates

Fujimori orders Peru prison overhaul after deadly gang clash kills three inmates
Where can you legally change your gender?

Where can you legally change your gender?
Happiest states in America 2026: Hawaii tops rankings as West Virginia comes last

Happiest states in America 2026: Hawaii tops rankings as West Virginia comes last
More than half of the world's population lives in just seven countries

More than half of the world's population lives in just seven countries
Bangladesh dengue surge overwhelms hospitals as deaths reach 419

Bangladesh dengue surge overwhelms hospitals as deaths reach 419
Palestinians return to rubble in Hebron after 11-day Israeli operation

Palestinians return to rubble in Hebron after 11-day Israeli operation
Iran calls US ‘biggest nuclear threat’ - After Tucker Carlson warns of possible strike

Iran calls US ‘biggest nuclear threat’ - After Tucker Carlson warns of possible strike
Trump jokes about naming Strait of Hormuz after himself, renaming Atlantic ‘American Ocean’

Trump jokes about naming Strait of Hormuz after himself, renaming Atlantic ‘American Ocean’
Lula supporters take to Brazil's streets, warn far-right fight is not over

Lula supporters take to Brazil's streets, warn far-right fight is not over
Celsius vs Fahrenheit: Why the US still uses a different temperature scale from most of the world

Celsius vs Fahrenheit: Why the US still uses a different temperature scale from most of the world
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye's defence pact brings together 1.4 million troops and 3,400 aircraft

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye's defence pact brings together 1.4 million troops and 3,400 aircraft
Senegal makes history as Africa's first Youth Olympic Games open

Senegal makes history as Africa's first Youth Olympic Games open
Iran says US has softened tone in Vance letter but warns against new war

Iran says US has softened tone in Vance letter but warns against new war
FBI blames North Korean hackers for record $6.3 billion Binance theft

FBI blames North Korean hackers for record $6.3 billion Binance theft
Minecraft dominates North America while Roblox leads South America in Google searches

Minecraft dominates North America while Roblox leads South America in Google searches
GTA 6 could be the cheapest Grand Theft Auto game ever after inflation

GTA 6 could be the cheapest Grand Theft Auto game ever after inflation
Man threatens migrant with knife before boarding Channel-bound dinghy

Man threatens migrant with knife before boarding Channel-bound dinghy
Flávio Bolsonaro alleges political persecution after fleeing Brazil following election defeat

Flávio Bolsonaro alleges political persecution after fleeing Brazil following election defeat
Africa's democracy declining amid global rise of strongmen, Mo Ibrahim warns

Africa's democracy declining amid global rise of strongmen, Mo Ibrahim warns
Argentina leads Brazil 11–5 in Ballon d'Or titles as Messi dominates South American football

Argentina leads Brazil 11–5 in Ballon d'Or titles as Messi dominates South American football
Eurovision Asia 2026: 11 countries confirmed as Bangkok prepares for historic first contest

Eurovision Asia 2026: 11 countries confirmed as Bangkok prepares for historic first contest
Ben-Gvir accuses Arab parties of election fraud as Qatar denies involvement

Ben-Gvir accuses Arab parties of election fraud as Qatar denies involvement
Bolivia’s ‘Doctor Cockerel’ has waited outside a hospital for eight years

Bolivia’s ‘Doctor Cockerel’ has waited outside a hospital for eight years