AfD readmits two politicians excluded over Nazi-related remarks

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After Sunday’s election the far-right party has decided to allow Maximilian Krah and Matthias Helferich to return to the parliamentary group

Two politicians for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) who were sidelined over remarks they made relating to the Nazis have been welcomed back into its parliamentary group after the party’s historic performance in the German general election.

Maximilian Krah resigned from the AfD’s federal executive board before the European elections last June after telling an Italian newspaper that not all members of Adolf Hitler’s SS had been “automatically criminals”.

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Israel ‘wants to extend first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal’ as talks stall

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Israel ready to resume fighting if there is no progress in crucial talks this week, reports say

Israel is seeking to extend the first stage of the ceasefire agreement in the war with Hamas in Gaza and is prepared to resume fighting if there is no progress in crucial talks this week, according to reports.

Israel’s Kan Radio, along with Ma’ariv, a daily newspaper, reported on Tuesday that informal talks were under way aimed at extending the first 42-day stage of the ceasefire, which expires on Saturday. Official internationally mediated negotiations on how to implement the second stage – which would involve a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territory – were supposed to begin weeks ago, but have been repeatedly postponed as the fragile truce has lurched from crisis to crisis.

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Ukraine Timeline Tells the Tale – Consortium News

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  1. Ukraine Timeline Tells the Tale  Consortium News
  2. Opinion | Three Years: Reflections on the Ukraine War  The New York Times
  3. Western leaders visit Kyiv and pledge military support against Russia on the war's third anniversary  The Associated Press
  4. Ukraine marks 3 years since start of Russia’s invasion as Trump’s stance raises concerns  PBS NewsHour
  5. Ukrainians in New York commemorate anniversary of Russia’s invasion: ‘three years of our resistance’  The Guardian US
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German parliament in race against time to sign off on new defence fund

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Friedrich Merz, expected to be next chancellor, has spoken of urgent need for ramped-up defence, but ‘blocking minority’ could form in future Bundestag

Germany’s outgoing parliament could be asked to sign off on a new defence fund in its final weeks as the conservative winners of Sunday’s election seek to balance geopolitical demands with the looming pressures of a new Bundestag hostile to military spending.

Since the victory of his CDU/CSU alliance, Friedrich Merz has spoken of the urgent need for Europe to ramp up its own defence capabilities, saying it needs “independence from the USA” amid an unpredictable Trump administration and a looming threat from Russia.

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Israel looks to extend phase one of Gaza truce as long-term deal proves elusive – Reuters

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  1. Israel looks to extend phase one of Gaza truce as long-term deal proves elusive  Reuters
  2. As the clock ticks down on the Gaza ceasefire, Israel prepares for more war  CNN
  3. Ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza expires this weekend. What comes next?  USA TODAY
  4. White House envoy may travel to Middle East Sunday in push to extend Gaza deal  Axios
  5. Witkoff: Talks have progressed over the past day  The Jerusalem Post
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‘There’s no better feeling’: TikTok star Go-Jo to represent Australia at Eurovision 2025

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Singer of viral hit Mrs Hollywood hopes his milkshakes bring everyone on board at Basel this year when he sings Milkshake Man, an ode to self-confidence

TikTok star Go-Jo will represent Australia at Eurovision in May, the 10th musical act to head represent his country since Australia joined the annual European song contest a decade ago.

Marty Zambotto, a 29-year-old Sydney-based singer-songwriter, went viral in 2023 after he uploaded a clip to TikTok of himself performing his song Mrs Hollywood while busking around Sydney. To date, the song has racked up more than 60m digital streams and 1bn views across all platforms.

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The 2025 Eurovision song contest runs 13 -17 May and will be broadcast on SBS in Australia

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Latest Search for MH370 Should Prove Telling – Newser

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  1. Latest Search for MH370 Should Prove Telling  Newser
  2. The search for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight has resumed once again  NPR
  3. Why This Search for MH370 Could Be Different  New York Magazine
  4. New hunt begins for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, over a decade after it disappeared  Yahoo
  5. MH370: search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight resumes after 11 years  The Guardian
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Venice Biennale pavilion could be empty, Creative Australia chief tells senators

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Adrian Collette admits decision to drop Khaled Sabsabi risks having nothing on show but he and chair won’t quit

Creative Australia has conceded the Australian Pavilion at next year’s Venice Biennale may remain empty following its decision to rescind the contracts of the artist and curator it chose to represent the country at the prestigious event.

“We will be doing everything we can…to think about how we use what is a public pavilion to mount something of that is worthy in terms of its representation of Australia,” Creative Australia’s chief executive, Adrian Collette, told a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday night.

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American woman traveling through Mass. group in custody after newborn thrown from Paris hotel window – Boston 25 News

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  1. American woman traveling through Mass. group in custody after newborn thrown from Paris hotel window  Boston 25 News
  2. American Teen Accused of Throwing Infant Out of Paris Hotel Window Was on ‘Gap Year’ Trip  PEOPLE
  3. American tourist accused of fatally throwing newborn out Paris hotel window is identified as student on gap year: report  New York Post
  4. US woman in custody after allegedly throwing newborn out of Paris hotel window  The Guardian US
  5. American suspected of throwing her newborn baby out of a third-floor hotel window in Paris  CBS News
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Denmark to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs

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Government accepts advice of commission that also says children under 13 should not have their own smartphone

Denmark is to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs on the recommendation of a government commission that also found that children under 13 should not have their own smartphone or tablet.

The government said it would change existing legislation to force all folkeskole – comprehensive primary and lower secondary schools – to become phone-free, meaning that almost all children aged between seven and 16-17 will be required by law not to bring their phones into school.

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