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Germany’s Merz quells revolt, backs Abbas peace bid; Royal Navy’s war-tinged Christmas ad; Tom Jones duet panned; Buffalo Trace alternatives
Germany's Merz Wins Passage of Pensions Bill, Ending Internal Party Rebellion
Germany's Merz wins passage of his pensions bill, ending an internal party rebellion—for now—after the Bundestag approved a reform locking the state pension at 48% of average wages through 2031 by 319 to 225, with 53 abstentions. Eighteen younger conservatives had fronted a revolt over costs dumped on their generation, but in the end only seven from Merz’s bloc voted no, letting him claim a chancellor’s majority while scrambling to avoid the optics of relying on far-left Die Linke abstentions to lower the bar. It caps a bumpy first seven months for a leader who promised fewer bumps than Scholz; and as Merz admits this is “only the beginning,” the arithmetic isn’t getting kinder: a stagnant economy, a shrinking workforce, and more than 21 million retirees mean the can is kicked to 2031, not crushed.
Merz backs peace plan with Abbas ahead of Israel visit
Merz backs peace plan with Abbas ahead of Israel visit, voicing support for the US proposal in a call with the Palestinian leader and pressing for reforms in the Palestinian leadership. He cast the goal as a negotiated solution to deliver greater security in the region—an old promise he insists is still worth pursuing before wheels-up to Israel.
Royal Navy releases Christmas advert featuring previously unseen footage of attack on British vessel
Royal Navy releases Christmas advert featuring previously unseen footage of attack on British vessel: a stark, two-and-a-half minute film that weaves devastating, never-before-seen footage of HMS Diamond coming under fire from Iran-backed rebels on Christmas Eve 2023 with a tender father–son thread straight out of the John Lewis playbook. It doubles as a tribute to serving sailors and civilian volunteers—and, in a seasonal twist of fiscal sanity, reportedly cost just £250 to make, proving you don’t need a department-store budget to land an emotional broadside.
Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews’ Christmas duet criticized as “creepy and dated”
Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews’ Christmas duet criticized as “creepy and dated” is back on the naughty list, with their 1999 take on Baby It’s Cold Outside—once a reliable radio staple from Jones’s career-reviving Reload—drawing fresh flak for lines like “say, what’s in this drink?” and the wolf-and-mouse cajoling some hear as harassment. Defenders counter with the 1940s context—women dodging social stigma with winking innuendo—and insist the back-and-forth is mutual flirtation, not menace. The modern fix is already on streaming: Netflix’s Love Hard swaps in consent-clear lyrics (“no problem, there’s the door”) and gets praise for making the classic play in 2024. Written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and an Oscar winner by 1950, the song now powers an annual December culture skirmish—proof that nothing ages faster than last century’s charm, except patience for fighting about it.
Five Expert-Recommended Bourbon Alternatives to Buffalo Trace
Five Expert-Recommended Bourbon Alternatives to Buffalo Trace, for when the hype train leaves your shelf empty and your wallet suspiciously light: - Elijah Craig Small Batch (47%, $23): Classic vanilla-caramel-oak, approachable proof, often 8–12 years in the mix—an everyday sipper that doesn’t need a velvet rope. - Rowan’s Creek (50.05%, $44): Higher proof with a rye-leaning, minty-grassy nose and honeyed oak palate—more texture, more presence, still civilized. - Redemption 10 Year Old Barrel Proof (57.4%, $113): High-rye, decade-aged muscle—violets, toffee, roasted nuts, and a spicy, drying finish. Not an “entry” pour; bring a drop of water and a chair. - Bowman Brothers Small Batch (45%, $29): Triple-distilled Virginia bourbon with vanilla, light fruit, and a whisper of tobacco—traditional, but just off the Kentucky interstate. - Willett Kentucky Vintage Small Batch (45%, $40): Under-the-radar value with caramel, citrus, honey, and a creamy feel—short-to-medium finish, big on character. Moral of the pour: look beyond the classics and you’ll find character, complexity, and smoothness without chasing unicorns or paying their ransom.
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