Friedrich Merz will try to form a coalition after his Christian Democrats won less than 30% of the vote.
06:15
THE
HEAR
This page is an archive of main headlines from the UK for 24.02.2025.
It displays 130 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.
24.02.2025 ⇢ Day Europe Lost Another Shield
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The German federal election results confirmed CDU's victory while delivering unprecedented gains for the far-right AfD, leading both to Friedrich Merz's calls for European "independence" from US influence and Elon Musk's controversial congratulations to AfD leadership.
By midday, attention shifted to Labour MP Mike Amesbury's jailing for assault, creating potential electoral opportunities for Reform UK. Meanwhile, Trump initiated direct peace discussions with Putin, sidestepping European intermediaries and proposing European peacekeepers for Ukraine.
Evening developments centered on the US joining Russia and North Korea in opposing a UN Ukraine resolution, while Trump and Macron's White House meeting exposed deepening transatlantic rifts. Macron's pushback against Trump's claims about Putin's peace terms highlighted growing European concerns about US reliability in NATO, echoing Germany's morning calls for strategic autonomy.
24.02.2025
06:15
06:15
06:15
The Guardian
Conservatives win German election but far-right AfD doubles support
06:15
06:15
06:15
06:15
Politics | Craig Munro
06:15
06:15
06:15
CAUGHT ON CAMERA | Sun Club
06:15
06:23⇢Merz Wins As AfD Doubles
⌨The newspapers extensively report on Germany's federal election results, with the Christian Democrats winning 29% under Friedrich Merz, while the far-right AfD secured a historic second place (BBC, Guardian, Channel 4, Sky News, Times, Breitbart). Coverage shifts to marking Ukraine war's third anniversary with new UK sanctions on Putin's allies (Metro, Independent). Secondary coverage includes SAG Awards fashion (Daily Mail) and illegal weight-loss drug trade (Sun).
06:34
06:34
The Spectator
06:34
06:59
BBC
Germany’s Merz calls for ‘independence’ from US after election win
Friedrich Merz said his priority is to "strengthen Europe" to achieve independence from the US "step by step".
06:59
07:08
07:08
07:08
07:26
The Guardian
Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to begin
07:26
07:35
07:43
07:43
07:53
07:53
08:10
08:10
08:37
STABBING HORROR | UK News
08:37
09:04
09:23
Breaking | Live
09:23
09:32
The Guardian
Germany elections: AfD’s Weidel says she received congratulations from Elon Musk after significant far-right gains
09:32
09:32
10:05
10:15⇢Merz Seeks Distance From Washington
⌨The newspapers extensively report on Germany's post-election developments, with CDU winner Friedrich Merz calling for European independence from US influence (BBC, Guardian), while AfD's Weidel claims congratulations from Elon Musk (Guardian). Coverage continues of Ukraine war's third anniversary (Independent, Sky News), with EU chief issuing warnings during Kyiv visit. Royal coverage shifts to former aide addressing Meghan Markle allegations (Daily Mail).
10:39
10:47
10:47
11:03
GIVE ‘EM ZEL | World News
11:03
11:20
Sky News
Breaking | Live
11:20
11:20
GIVE 'EM ZEL | World News
11:20
11:37
UK | Sarah Hooper
11:37
11:45
11:53
BBC
Germany's Merz questions Nato's future after election win as Musk congratulates far-right AfD
The Christian Democrats won with 28.6% of the vote while the far-right Alternative for Germany came second with 20.8%.
11:53
12:25
The Guardian
Olaf Scholz says result is ‘bitter’ after Conservatives win and Musk congratulates far-right’s dramatic surge
12:25
12:34
12:34
The Sun
BUST-UP | UK News
12:34
12:34
Mike Amesbury sentenced for assault on Paul Fellows
12:34
12:41
BBC
Germany's Merz to speak after election win as Musk congratulates far-right AfD
The Christian Democrats won with 28.6% of the vote while the far-right Alternative for Germany came second with 20.8%.
12:41
12:41
The Guardian
Olaf Scholz says result is ‘bitter’ after Conservatives win and Musk congratulates far-right for surge
12:41
12:41
Politics | Craig Munro
12:41
12:49
Sovereigntist AfD soar to new heights, but milquetoast conservatives may still prefer to enter into an Merkel-style coalition with the left.
12:49
12:49
BBC
Germany's Merz speaking after election win as Musk congratulates far-right AfD
The Christian Democrats won with 28.6% of the vote while the far-right Alternative for Germany came second with 20.8%.
12:49
12:49
EX-LABOUR MP JAILED FOR ASSAULT
12:49
12:52⇢Merz Wins As Labour MP Jailed
⌨The newspapers report extensively on two main stories: Germany's election results, with CDU's victory and AfD's unprecedented second place sparking debates about coalition possibilities (BBC, Guardian, Breitbart, Spectator), with Elon Musk's congratulations to AfD drawing attention. In UK politics, Labour MP Mike Amesbury's 10-week jail sentence for assaulting a constituent dominates domestic coverage (Times, Sun, Independent, Metro, HuffPost).
12:57
BBC
Far-right AfD surge is warning for Germany's other parties, says winner Merz
The Christian Democrats won with 28.6% of the vote while the far-right Alternative for Germany came second with 20.8%.
12:57
12:57
12:57
The Spectator
12:57
12:57
Mike Amesbury sentenced for assault on Paul Fellows
12:57
13:06
The Guardian
Merz says migration, foreign relations and security key but warns of rise of far right after CDU/CSU election success
13:06
13:15
15:37
BBC
Ukraine and US close to agreeing minerals deal, says Ukrainian official
The US wants access to Ukraine's minerals - but Ukraine wants security guarantees in return.
15:37
15:37
As the war between Russia and Ukraine hits its 3 year mark, Germany elects a new government to join its beleaguered neighbours in trying to get Europe – and President Zelenskyy – out of the mess caused by an aggressive President Putin on its East flank, and an antagonistic President Trump on its West.
15:37
15:37
The Guardian
Far right surge is ‘last warning’, says Friedrich Merz
15:37
15:37
New Statesman
High turnout elections used to neutralise the far right. This weekend challenged that assumption.
15:37
15:37
15:37
15:37
Sky News
Breaking | Live
15:37
15:37
The Spectator
15:37
15:37
Plus: the betrayal of Ukraine and the depravity of Hamas.
15:37
15:37
'OUR WHOLE WORLD' | UK News
15:37
15:53
BBC
Ukraine hopes to 'finish war this year', not in another three, Zelensky says
The Ukrainian president tells European leaders his country needs security guarantees to prevent Russia invading again in years to come.
15:53
15:53
The Guardian
Zelenskyy says Kyiv and US working ‘productively’ on economic deal as UN holds meeting on Ukraine
15:53
15:53
15:53
Ash Sarkar is criticising identity politics. Sorry, Ash – it’s too little and far too late.
15:53
15:55⇢Zelensky Wants War's End This Year
⌨The newspapers report extensively on Ukraine's third anniversary, with Zelensky stating hopes to end the war this year while seeking security guarantees (BBC, Channel 4, Guardian, Sky News). German election aftermath continues to reverberate, with focus on far-right implications for Europe (New Statesman, Breitbart). Two tragic UK incidents gain coverage: a teen's family murder and planned school shooting (Daily Mail, Mirror), and a fatal tram-van collision killing a three-year-old (Metro, Sun).
16:01
HUGE LOSS | Showbiz
16:01
16:09
16:09
UK | Tom Sanders
16:09
16:24
MASSACRE FEARS | UK News
16:24
16:31
The Guardian
‘We hope we can finish war this year’, says Zelenskyy and UN holds meeting on Ukraine
16:31
16:38
The Guardian
‘We hope we can finish war this year’, says Zelenskyy as UN holds meeting on Ukraine
16:38
16:45
The south London nightclub that planned to host the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship’s afterparty is owned by the folk band’s keyboard player, Novara Media can reveal.
16:45
16:52
The Jewish Chronicle
16:52
17:16
Voting has now finished with exit polls predicting that Centre right Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz will become the new German Chancellor – and orchestrator of a coalition Government – after his party picked up 29 per cent of the votes.
17:16
17:31
Following his party’s victory in federal elections on Sunday, the likely next Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, rejected overtures from President Donald Trump while calling for “independence” from the United States and accusing Washington of election interference.
17:31
17:31
The Guardian
Ukraine hopes to ‘finish war this year’, says Zelenskyy as US abstains from UN resolution
17:31
17:31
Breaking | Live
17:31
17:38
17:39
The Spectator
17:39
17:46
BBC
Macron meets Trump at White House for talks on Ukraine
It comes after Zelensky tells European leaders his country needs security guarantees to prevent Russia invading again in years to come.
17:46
17:46
The Spectator
17:46
17:46
Three years ago, Russia tried to conquer an entire people. But the people had other plans.
17:46
17:47⇢Trump Bypasses Europe to Talk Peace
⌨The newspapers report extensively on Trump's diplomatic moves: meeting Macron at the White House with notable protocol breaches (Daily Mail, BBC), and claiming "serious discussions" with Putin about ending the Ukraine war (Sky News). Germany's election aftermath continues with Merz rejecting Trump while calling for independence from US influence (Breitbart, Channel 4). Zelensky maintains hope to end the war this year while seeking security guarantees (Guardian, BBC).
17:53
The political upstart, who tried to blend right-wing nationalism and left-wing socialism, failed to make a mark in Germany's election.
17:53
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18:07
Breaking | Live
18:07
18:29
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18:37
Ukraine’s resolution called for accountability for war crimes committed by Russian forces
18:37
18:58
The ‘all for one and one for all’ fundament of Nato membership gave Europe the guarantee that if Russia invaded, the US would come to their aid. Donald Trump has thrown that idea out of the window.
18:58
19:05
The Guardian
Trump says Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine and war could end ‘within weeks’
19:05
19:05
19:05
World | Tom Sanders
19:05
19:20
Breaking | Live
19:20
19:28
Breaking | Live
19:28
19:35
Voters have delivered a severe punishment beating to the failing, complacent establishment.
19:35
19:36⇢US Joins Russia Against UN Peace Plan
⌨The newspapers report extensively on a dramatic shift in US position on Ukraine: Trump's US joins Russia and North Korea in rejecting a UN peace resolution (Times, Independent, Metro, HuffPost). Trump claims Putin would accept European peacekeepers for a quick end to the war (Guardian, Sky News), while meeting with Macron at the White House amid protocol controversies (Daily Mail). European concerns about US reliability in NATO gain prominence (Channel 4).
19:56
BBC
Macron and Trump speak to reporters from White House after talks on Ukraine
It comes after Zelensky tells European leaders his country needs security guarantees to prevent Russia invading again in years to come.
19:56
19:56
Breaking | Live
19:56
20:02
BBC
Watch Trump and Macron give news conference after Ukraine talks
It comes after Zelensky tells European leaders his country needs security guarantees to prevent Russia invading again in years to come.
20:02
20:02
The Guardian
Trump and Macron speak to reporters amid Europe’s concern for US position on Ukraine
20:02
20:02
Ukraine’s resolution called for accountability for war crimes committed by Russian forces
20:02
20:16
20:23
Three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the French President is at the White House on a mission to stop Donald Trump sacrificing Ukraine to Vladimir Putin.
20:23
20:37
BBC
'Peace must not mean a surrender of Ukraine,' Macron says alongside Trump
It comes after Zelensky tells European leaders his country needs security guarantees to prevent Russia invading again in years to come.
20:37
20:37
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20:44
The Guardian
Trump says Europe must take ‘central role’ in Ukraine’s security as Macron says peace agreement ‘must not mean a surrender’
20:44
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20:58
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20:58
President Macron said Europe understood the need to share the security burden
20:58
21:05
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CRUNCH TALKS | World News
21:11
21:32
CRUNCH TALK | World News
21:32
21:38
The Guardian
Trump says Putin will accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine
21:38
21:40⇢Macron Confronts Trump's Peace Plans
⌨The newspapers report extensively on Macron's White House visit, where both leaders present conflicting views on Ukraine's future. Trump warns of WWIII without a peace deal and claims Putin would accept European peacekeepers (Sun, Sky News, Guardian), while Macron emphasizes peace must not mean Ukrainian surrender (BBC, Times, Mirror). The meeting highlights growing US-Europe tensions over Ukraine's fate three years into the war (Channel 4, Daily Mail).
21:52
21:59
22:06
The Guardian
UN security council approves US resolution on Ukraine war that doesn’t mention Russia
22:06
23:08
The two leaders exchange warm words as they hold talks on Ukraine, but differences on ending the war are clear.
23:08
23:08
23:08
President Macron said Europe understood the need to share the security burden
23:08