Scholz cabinet

The German government faced growing questions Sunday about whether more could have been done to prevent the Christmas market car-ramming attack that killed five people and injured over 200.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz faced a confidence vote in the Bundestag on December 16, 2024, which ultimately resulted in a loss of support for his leadership. The vote, which had been initiated by Scholz himself, sets the stage for early elections. Following the expected loss of the vote, Scholz is expected to request the dissolution of the Bundestag from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

In late February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, and the conflict on Europe's eastern border has persisted since. During a recent UN meeting in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for peace for the first time, suggesting that Russia's war against Ukraine could end in the coming year.

Switzerland is hosting a two-day peace conference focusing on Ukraine at the luxurious alpine resort of Bürgenstock near Lucerne. The conference, titled the "Ukraine Peace Summit," is the first of its kind and will take place today and tomorrow.

G7 leaders meeting in Italy Friday hardened their tone against China, warning Beijing to stop sending weapons components to Russia and play by the rules on trade.

China was a key focus of the Group of Seven talks in Puglia, amid souring trade relations between Beijing and the West and concerns that its supplies of equipment to Moscow are fuelling Russia's war in Ukraine.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has arrived at the G7 summit held in Italy's Puglia region, joining global leaders as a special guest to discuss pressing international issues.

During the three-day summit, which began on June 13, Erdoğan will emphasize Türkiye's role in diplomatic and humanitarian aid efforts, focusing on the Gaza war.

G7 leaders meeting in Italy turn their attention to China on Friday, from security in the Asia-Pacific to how best to protect their industries while avoiding an outright trade war with Beijing.

G7 leaders agreed Thursday on a new $50 billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets, a move Joe Biden said showed Moscow "we're not backing down".

A general view shows the Swabian Castle of Brindisi (Castello Svevo), the venue that will host the welcome dinner of the G7 Summit, on June 12, 2024 in Brindisi.

G7 leaders gather Thursday for the first day of an Italy summit, hoping to seal a deal on providing $50 billion for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.