In Germany, center-right wins election German opposition leader Friedrich Merz is set to be the country’s next chancellor after the center-right Christian Democratic Union party secured victory in the highly consequential election on Sunday.

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at Israel ’s anger at Hamas over a botched hostage release, a Chinese maritime exercise near Australia ’s coast, and snap parliamentary elections in Germany.

Israel says it has received 3 hostages after Hamas released them to the Red Cross in Gaza MUNICH, Germany (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says time has come for the creation of ‘armed forces of Europe.

"Holding Liat," about a hostage's family, wins best documentary, while Tilda Swinton denounces "state-perpetrated and internationally enabled mass murder" from the stage.

A woman holds a poster reading: "The Israel military has murdered at least 17,492 children", during a protest against the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday about the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, the war in Ukraine, Vice President J.D. Vance's speech during the Security Conference in Munich,

Scholz says Germany won't accept people who 'intervene in our democracy,' a day after US vice president scolds Europeans.

Friedrich Merz, the winner of the election and next Chancellor of Germany has shown strong commitment to the Jewish community and Israel, and shares a warm relationship with the Rabbi of Berlin, Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal.

MTG announced in November, 2024 she would be the chair of the DOGE oversight subcommittee. After the announcement, MTG bought shares in Tesla. Does anyone think she can conduct oversight of Elon Musk and DOGE, while having a financial interest in Musk’s company? Yes, I know all Congressmen own stock. But did they buy that stock after they become aware of whom they oversee? Vice President Vance stated, “Shutting people out of the political process protects nothing.” This was in his speech in Munich. But he, his boss and his party are intent on revenge and retribution of their political enemies as to shut them out of the political process. The Trump/Putin “peace talks” to end the Ukraine war started by a Russia will exclude Ukraine. Trump wants Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as “payback” for providing military equipment to fight a communist foe. He didn't ask Israel for “payback” for weapons used to defend itself against Islamic foes intent on total destruction of Israel. By the way, Russia does not want to destroy Ukraine, just return it to communism. Trump used his influence as President to make money selling Trump coins and other Trump products. The offers, by e-mail, had the Presidential logo. Trump sold unregulated cryptocurrency, making millions, before signing an executive order to draft cryptocurrency regulations. Trump has a financial stake from LIV Golf, including tournaments at his golf courses. He used the Oval Office earlier this month to “negotiate” a merger between the PGA and Saudi Arabian LIV Golf, which will further his financial interest in LIV Golf. Jared Kushner got unrestricted billions from Saudi Arabia to invest in April, 2021. He left The White House Jan. 20, 2021. Negotiations with Saudi Arabia had to have started much earlier. Other than real estate, he has no investment management experience; Kushner has “earned” at least $80 million. The “Biden Crime Family” was investigated ad nauseum because it allegedly earned $10 million. The taxpayers paid unaccounted millions for finding nothing. Trump Jr. joined the advisory board drone maker Unusual Machines on Nov. 27, 2024. It sells drone products to the Pentagon. Trump Jr. owns 331,580 shares. The stock price immediately doubled. From 2013 to 2018, Hunter Biden served on Burisma's Board of Directors. Burisma does not sell anything to the U.S. government. It is not known if Hunter Biden owned stock in Burisma. Repeating from above, the taxpayers paid unaccounted millions for finding nothing in an ad nauseum investigation. Taking one very easy example, I've looked throughout this forum and not once have you mentioned or complained of Nancy Pelosi and/or her husband raking in the big money from her inside connections with legislation. So, if you are going to be the pot calling the kettle black and to have any credibility in your political rants.....maybe you should also be calling out the other side you love so much.

The German government has urged Israel to enhance protection for civilians in the northern West Bank as well as civilian infrastructure. They emphasize the importance of allowing 40,000 displaced individuals to return home swiftly.