democratic alliance

South Africa's democratic alliance is challenging a new labor law in court, arguing it's unconstitutional and discriminatory. The law aims to increase Black, female, and disabled employment through numerical targets, but the DA claims it will deter foreign investment and worsen unemployment. The ANC defends the law as a necessary step towards economic justice and correcting historical imbalances.

South Africa's democratic alliance has launched a legal challenge against the Employment Equity Amendment Act, arguing it's unconstitutional and discriminatory. The DA contends the law, designed to boost hiring of Black people and other groups, could deter foreign investment and increase unemployment. The ANC defends the law as a necessary measure to correct structural imbalances and ensure equal opportunity.

Friedrich Merz is poised to become Germany's chancellor, tasked with revitalizing the economy and strengthening the nation's global influence amidst rising far-right sentiments and strained transatlantic relations. His coalition government aims to support Ukraine and address domestic concerns like migration, while navigating a complex geopolitical landscape shaped by US President Trump's policies.

Joe Biden, the former US president, has criticised Donald Trump's foreign policy. He spoke about it in his first major interview since leaving office. Biden warned of risks to international stability. He called Trump's Ukraine suggestion 'appeasement'. Biden raised concerns about Trump's stance on Nato. He also reflected on his decision to drop out of the 2024 race.

The conservatives of Germany's designated chancellor Friedrich Merz and the centre-left Social Democrats formally signed their coalition contract on Monday, on the eve of launching their new government. The AfD was Friday designated a "right-wing extremist" party by Germany's domestic intelligence service -- a move that has stoked a fresh row with the Trump administration, and against which the AfD launched legal action on Monday.

The South African finance ministry said on Thursday the government had abandoned a plan to increase value-added tax that had been rejected by the ANC's main coalition partner. The finance ministry said on Thursday its now-ditched plan to raise VAT had been "motivated by the urgent need to restore and replenish the funding of critical frontline services that had suffered reductions necessitated by the country's constrained fiscal position".

Top US officials have criticized Germany's decision to label the AfD as a right-wing extremist entity, with JD Vance likening it to rebuilding the Berlin Wall and Marco Rubio denouncing it as tyranny. Germany's Foreign Ministry defended the move as necessary to protect the constitution and counter right-wing extremism, citing historical lessons.

Friedrich Merz failed to secure an outright majority in the Bundestag, prompting the AfD to demand new elections and criticize the government's leadership. The unprecedented outcome exposed divisions within the coalition, raising doubts about Merz's ability to govern effectively. Despite the setback, analysts believe Merz may still become chancellor, but the vote has weakened his position amid global instability.