German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz reacts after the exit poll results are announced for the 2025 general election, in Berlin, Germany, February 23, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters
CDU’s Friedrich Merz set to be next Chancellor of Germany
Germany’s conservatives won Sunday’s (February 23, 2025) elections, with their leader Friedrich Merz set to become the next chancellor, followed by the far-right AfD in second place after record gains, according to exit polls. If confirmed in the final count, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) roughly doubled its score to at least 19.5%, boosted by fears over immigration and security after a spate of deadly attacks blamed on asylum seekers.
Rescue team yet to contact workers trapped inside SLBC tunnel in Telangana
No breakthrough was reported till 8 p.m. on Sunday (February 23, 2025) in the operation launched to rescue eight persons trapped for over 30 hours in an under-construction tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district. The personnel were trapped 14 km inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal of the Alimineti Madhava Reddy Project on Saturday (February 22, 2025) morning, after a portion of its roof collapsed during excavation work with a tunnel boring machine (TBM).
Pope Francis in critical condition with early kidney failure
Pope Francis remained in critical condition Sunday (February 23, 2025) and blood tests showed early kidney failure but he remains alert, and responsive and attended Mass, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection.
12 Indians arrive in Delhi days after deported to Panama by U.S.
Twelve Indians, deported to Panama by the U.S., returned to India from the Latin American nation on Sunday (February 23, 2025), officials said. The deportees arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, marking the first batch of Indians returning from Panama following their deportation by the U.S.
Champions Trophy: King Kohli’s day out as India aces the Pakistan test
Pakistan was the nominal ‘home’ team for its must-win encounter against India. But in front of a near sell-out crowd, more than three-fourths of whom were decked in blue, the Men in Green got blown away by one of Virat Kohli’s classic ODI masterclass knocks as he belted out his best hits and reaffirmed his status as one of the greatest to have played this format.
Trump administration to fire 2,000 USAID workers
The Trump administration said on Sunday (February 23, 2025) that it is eliminating 2,000 posts at the U.S. Agency for International Development and placing all but a fraction of others worldwide on leave.
Israeli tanks move into the occupied West Bank for the first time since 2002 amid growing crackdown
Israeli tanks have moved into the occupied West Bank for the first time since 2002, shortly after the Defence Minister said troops will remain “for the coming year” in parts of the territory and indicated that Palestinians who have fled cannot return.
American Airline flight to New Delhi diverted to Rome
An American Airlines flight from New York to Delhi was forced to divert to Rome on Sunday (February 23, 2025) evening. The Italian Air Force scrambled fighter jets to escort the aircraft to the airport.
Arvey’s mother seeks justice for son, strict laws against bullying
Three years after the death of 16-year-old Arvey Malhotra, his mother on Sunday (February 23, 2025) held a protest at Jantar Mantar seeking justice for her son and stringent laws against bullying in schools.
Zelenskyy says ready to quit as President in exchange for Ukrainian NATO membership
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday (February 23, 2025) he would “immediately” quit as Ukraine’s president in exchange for the country gaining NATO membership.
Kuki National Organisation spokesperson removed from DU Lit Fest panel
Seilen Haokip, spokesperson of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), was removed from a panel at the Delhi University Literature Festival (DULF) that he had been invited to on Sunday (February 23, 2025), the third day of the festival, which is being held at SRCC in New Delhi. He said he was asked to leave 15 minutes before the panel was scheduled to begin, after being informed that his participation had been “politicised”.
My phone is being tapped and CID is following me, Kirodi Lal Meena reasserts
Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena on Sunday (February 23, 2025) once again claimed that his phone was still being tapped and he was under surveillance. “I am still saying my phone is being tapped and the CID is following me,” he said while speaking at an event in Sanchore.
Bangladesh to mark February 25 as national military martyrdom day, amid 2009 Pilkhana killings investigation
Bangladesh will mark February 25 as the “national military martyrdom day”, the interim government of Dhaka announced on Sunday (February 23, 2025). The announcement formalises months long discussion within the Prof. Muhammed Yunus-led government about the February 25-26, 2009 Pilkhana killings of military officers in the failed mutiny by a section of the BDR (Bangladesh Rifles).
Maharashtra budget to be presented on March 10
The Budget Session of the Maharashtra legislature will be held from March 3 to March 26 in Mumbai. The State Budget for the fiscal 2025-26 will be presented in both Houses of the legislature on March 10. The session-related work was discussed at a meeting of the advisory committee of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
Published – February 24, 2025 06:25 am IST
