UK pop stars fail to reach global Top 10 albums and singles chart for first time since 2003

Global chart dominated by US acts including Benson Boone, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter, with K-pop bands also strong

British pop stars have failed to reach the worldwide …

Source: The Guardian

German election: Merz's CDU wins election, AfD second

Germany's electoral authority declared the CDU/CSU conservative bloc as the winner in preliminary results. Conservative leader Friedrich Merz urged Europe to distance itself from the US.

Source: Deutsche Welle

Monday briefing: Merz will be Germany’s chancellor – but extremists are waiting in the wings

In today’s newsletter: The far-right AfD may have come second, but at 20% they have been held off by the performance of mainstream parties, with the CDU leader Friedrich Merz …

Source: The Guardian

Hims & Hers shares tumble after company misses on margin, says may stop selling some weight loss drugs

Hims & Hers Health reported fourth-quarter results on Monday that beat analysts' expectations, but the stock sank in extended trading.

Source: CNBC

Big challenges loom for Germany's Merz in divided country

Germany is at a crossroads and now for Friedrich Merz the hard work begins, writes Berlin correspondent Jessica Parker.

Source: BBC

Macron to warn Trump against looking weak to Putin

The French president is at the White House to appeal to Trump against rushing into a deal with Russia.

Source: BBC

French surgeon on trial accused of raping or abusing 299 child patients

A former surgeon is set to stand trial in France for the alleged rape or sexual abuse of 299 victims, most of them children who were his patients, in what …

Source: France 24

COVID shots protect kids from long COVID—and don’t cause sudden death

Researchers recommend kids stay up to date on the COVID vaccines.

Source: Ars Technica

Europe's luxury sector is showing signs of revival — but China weakness and tariff threats loom

The sector had an upbeat earnings season. But continued weakness in China and U.S. tariffs could leave even the most exclusive brands vying for share of pocket.

Source: CNBC

Why is Pakistan expelling Afghan refugees?

With Pakistan reviving its effort to deport Afghans, many opponents of the Taliban are in danger of returning to a country ruled by their Islamist regime.

Source: Deutsche Welle

M23 militia’s advance in eastern DRC has killed 7,000 since January, UN told

DRC prime minister tells human rights council fighting has left about 450,000 without shelter after camps destroyed

About 7,000 people have died in fighting in the east of the Democratic …

Source: The Guardian

Apple announces $500bn in US investments over next four years

Spending ranges from new AI server factory in Texas to film and TV content and may add 20,000 jobs

Apple announced Monday it would invest $500bn in the US in …

Source: The Guardian