Who is Friedrich Merz, the favorite to become Germany's new chancellor?

Iran rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that it interfered in ceasefire and prisoner swap negotiations between Hamas and Israel, labeling the allegations as "completely baseless." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei emphasized that Hamas is capable of negotiating independently and criticized the US for supplying weapons to Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Want More Context? 🔎

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula at approximately 11:25 local time on Wednesday, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuation orders in various regions, including Japan, Ecuador, Hawaii, and the west coast of North America. The seismic event raised global concerns about potential tsunamis and safety measures in vulnerable areas. Want More Context? 🔎

A 23-year-old British tourist is in critical condition in an Ibiza hospital after suffering skull and spinal injuries from a head-first dive into a hotel pool. This incident follows the recent death of another British tourist, Gary Kelly, highlighting a troubling series of events involving tourists in Ibiza this summer. Want More Context? 🔎

A recent Leger poll revealed that 39% of Canadians aged 18-24 heard antisemitic remarks and 46% heard Islamophobic comments since Hamas's invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, indicating a significant rise in exposure to prejudice among young people. Jack Jedwab, CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies, emphasized the risk of social media normalizing such views and called for stronger condemnation of discrimination. Want More Context? 🔎

A British-Israeli woman, Emily Damari, held hostage by Hamas for over a year, criticized Sir Keir Starmer for his conditional pledge to recognize Palestine, equating it to a moral failure reminiscent of WWII. Starmer stated the UK would recognize a Palestinian state by September unless Israel takes significant steps to resolve the Gaza situation, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to denounce the move as rewarding terrorism. Want More Context? 🔎

On July 30, 2025, Palestinian man Abdulhadi Subh and his family scavenged for food scraps among waste materials in Yarmouk camp, Gaza City, due to severe starvation caused by the ongoing Israeli blockade that restricts food entry. They had previously migrated to the camp from Beit Lahia amidst intense Israeli attacks, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians. Want More Context? 🔎