Shumita Basu

And here's Vice President Vance a few weeks ago speaking in Munich, chiding European leaders for excluding far-right parties from power.

The firewall he's referring to is an agreement between mainstream German political parties to not work with the far right for fears of allowing extreme political parties to take over, as the Nazi party did decades ago. Merz, for his part, has already said he will not work with the AFD. That means despite their electoral success, they will likely be shut out of whatever coalition government forms.

The firewall he's referring to is an agreement between mainstream German political parties to not work with the far right for fears of allowing extreme political parties to take over, as the Nazi party did decades ago. Merz, for his part, has already said he will not work with the AFD. That means despite their electoral success, they will likely be shut out of whatever coalition government forms.

The firewall he's referring to is an agreement between mainstream German political parties to not work with the far right for fears of allowing extreme political parties to take over, as the Nazi party did decades ago. Merz, for his part, has already said he will not work with the AFD. That means despite their electoral success, they will likely be shut out of whatever coalition government forms.

As for the future of Germany, there is still a lot that's not known. Merz has vowed to crack down on immigration, cut taxes, and be a voice of strong leadership in Europe, particularly on the issue of Ukraine, which is about to enter its third year of war. The same night Merz's party declared victory, Russia launched the largest drone attack against Ukraine of the conflict.

As for the future of Germany, there is still a lot that's not known. Merz has vowed to crack down on immigration, cut taxes, and be a voice of strong leadership in Europe, particularly on the issue of Ukraine, which is about to enter its third year of war. The same night Merz's party declared victory, Russia launched the largest drone attack against Ukraine of the conflict.

As for the future of Germany, there is still a lot that's not known. Merz has vowed to crack down on immigration, cut taxes, and be a voice of strong leadership in Europe, particularly on the issue of Ukraine, which is about to enter its third year of war. The same night Merz's party declared victory, Russia launched the largest drone attack against Ukraine of the conflict.

And despite his long championing of U.S.-German ties, Merz has been critical of Trump and pledged to help Europe achieve, quote, real independence from the U.S., Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. Six hostages were freed by Hamas over the weekend. But on Sunday, both sides of the ceasefire agreement accused the other of violating it.

And despite his long championing of U.S.-German ties, Merz has been critical of Trump and pledged to help Europe achieve, quote, real independence from the U.S., Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. Six hostages were freed by Hamas over the weekend. But on Sunday, both sides of the ceasefire agreement accused the other of violating it.

And despite his long championing of U.S.-German ties, Merz has been critical of Trump and pledged to help Europe achieve, quote, real independence from the U.S., Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. Six hostages were freed by Hamas over the weekend. But on Sunday, both sides of the ceasefire agreement accused the other of violating it.

And Israel delayed the expected release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the prisoners won't be freed until Hamas agrees to releasing future hostages without, quote, "'humiliating ceremonies.'" Reuters reports that's in reference to recent handovers of hostages that U.N.

And Israel delayed the expected release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the prisoners won't be freed until Hamas agrees to releasing future hostages without, quote, "'humiliating ceremonies.'" Reuters reports that's in reference to recent handovers of hostages that U.N.

And Israel delayed the expected release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the prisoners won't be freed until Hamas agrees to releasing future hostages without, quote, "'humiliating ceremonies.'" Reuters reports that's in reference to recent handovers of hostages that U.N.

officials said went against international law because they were not respectful. Hamas has made hostages appear on stages and coffins containing remains have been passed through crowds. Hamas denies humiliating hostages and says any ceasefire talks are now dependent on the release of those prisoners.

officials said went against international law because they were not respectful. Hamas has made hostages appear on stages and coffins containing remains have been passed through crowds. Hamas denies humiliating hostages and says any ceasefire talks are now dependent on the release of those prisoners.

officials said went against international law because they were not respectful. Hamas has made hostages appear on stages and coffins containing remains have been passed through crowds. Hamas denies humiliating hostages and says any ceasefire talks are now dependent on the release of those prisoners.

Meanwhile, CNN reports Israel is expanding its operations in the occupied West Bank, sending tanks in for the first time in decades. In domestic news, it's been less than a month since an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., killing everyone on board both aircraft. One of the victims, Kia Duggins, was a young lawyer traveling back to D.C.

Meanwhile, CNN reports Israel is expanding its operations in the occupied West Bank, sending tanks in for the first time in decades. In domestic news, it's been less than a month since an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., killing everyone on board both aircraft. One of the victims, Kia Duggins, was a young lawyer traveling back to D.C.

Meanwhile, CNN reports Israel is expanding its operations in the occupied West Bank, sending tanks in for the first time in decades. In domestic news, it's been less than a month since an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., killing everyone on board both aircraft. One of the victims, Kia Duggins, was a young lawyer traveling back to D.C.

after visiting family in Wichita. Her boyfriend, Adrian Ma, is a host for NPR's Planet Money. He recently returned to the air after taking a little time off and spoke in an emotional interview about the crash, his grief, and what he wants the world to know about who his girlfriend was.