German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a renewed partnership with France to help Europe confront its “enormous” security and economic challenges.
At a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Wednesday, Merz outlined a joint vision for deeper European integration, calling for a “new push for Europe” grounded in closer Franco-German cooperation.
“We will only be able to meet these challenges if France and Germany stand even more closely together than in the past”, Merz said. “That is why Emmanuel Macron and I have agreed on a new Franco-German push for Europe”.
Among the initiatives discussed was the strengthening of the Franco-German Defence and Security Council, Merz said.
“We want to better coordinate our support for Ukraine within this framework, align our national defence planning and procurement projects even more closely, and also find new answers to strategic questions of security and defence policy”, Merz added.
The meeting comes at a time of mounting concern across Europe about the reliability of US security guarantees amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In a joint op-ed published in Le Figaro, Merz and Macron affirmed their shared commitment to “contribute to a just and lasting peace]in Ukraine], with the support of the United States on security, and strong security guarantees”.
Macron said the two countries would fast-track new defence capabilities.
The visit to Paris follows a rocky start to Merz’s chancellorship after he needed an unprecedented two rounds of voting in the Bundestag to be elected Chancellor, suggesting underlying divisions within the new governing coalition between his centre-right CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).
But in a potential shift towards a more unified German foreign policy, Merz now presides over a government in which both the chancellery and foreign ministry are held by the same party for the first time in years.
He has also pledged to establish a national security council within the chancellery, aimed at improving coordination across foreign, development, and defence policy.
Ange Postecoglou says “Spurs does crazy things to people” in response to Arsene Wenger’s suggestion that the winners of the Europa League should not qualify for the Champions League.
Former Arsenal manager Wenger, now Fifa’s chief of global football development, has questioned why the winners of the Europa League qualify for next year’s Champions League.
Postecoglou’s Tottenham have a 3-1 lead going into Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at Bodo/Glimt’s Aspmyra Stadion.
But they are 16th in the Premier League table, while Manchester United – who have a 3-0 lead over Athletic Club in the other last-four tie – are a point ahead in 15th. The winners will face each other in Bilbao on 21 May.
The pair will not qualify for Europe through the league but Postecoglou does not understand Wenger’s argument.
” You put that club into any sentence or any issue and invariably they all come out and try to diminish it as much as they can.
“It’s Spurs mate, they love it.
” It’s competition rules. Why wasn’t it an issue before and is it an issue now? What’s the difference? Last year fifth]in the Premier League] didn’t get you into the Champions League, this year it does. What does that mean? “
Uefa amended its rules in 2014 to allow the Europa League winners to qualify for the following season’s Champions League tournament, but Wenger disagreed with the policy.
Asked if this was” right”, he told BeIN Sports:” No, they should qualify automatically for the Europa League again but not necessarily for the Champions League – especially when you’re in the Premier League where already five teams qualify. I think it’s something]for Uefa] to think about and to review.
“On the other hand, people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated you need to give them that prize]of qualifying for the Champions League]”.
Tottenham face Bodo in Norway without James Maddison, with Postecoglou confirming the England midfielder is out for the season with the knee injury he suffered in the first leg.
In response to Arsene Wenger’s suggestion that Europa League winners should not be able to reach the Champions League, Ange Postecoglou says, “Spurs does crazy things to people.”
Wenger, a former Arsenal manager, is now Fifa’s director of global football development. He has questioned why the Europa League winners made it to the Champions League next year.
Tottenham’s lead to 3-1 going into Thursday’s Europa League second leg at Bodo/Glimt’s Aspmyra Stadion.
However, they are 16th in the Premier League table, while Manchester United, who lead Athletic Club by 3-0 in the other last-four tie, are just one point ahead. On May 21 in Bilbao, the winners will square off against one another.
Postecoglou doesn’t understand Wenger’s argument, though the pair won’t qualify for Europe through the league.
You put that club in any sentence or issue, and they always try their hardest to minimize it as much as they can.
“They adore it, Spurs mate,” he said.
It follows competition guidelines. Why is it still a problem and why is it still a problem? What makes a difference? You weren’t admitted to the Champions League last year, but fifth [in the Premier League] did this year. What does “” mean exactly?
Wenger objected to the Uefa’s revised rules in 2014, which made it possible for the Europa League winners to advance to the Champions League competition the following year.
When asked if this was “right,” he replied, “No, they should automatically qualify for the Europa League again, but not necessarily the Champions League,” especially when five teams have already qualified in the Premier League.” I believe it should be something to consider and review for Uefa.
On the other hand, “people will tell you that you must give them the prize of qualifying for the Champions League” to keep the Europa League focused, interesting, and motivated.
Without James Maddison, Tottenham face Bodo in Norway, with Postecoglou confirming that the England midfielder will miss the season due to a knee injury he sustained in the first leg.
Rondell Sheridan, best known for his role as Victor Baxter on That’s So Raven, is recovering from a severe case of pancreatitis that left him hospitalised twice in April
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Beloved actor Rondell Sheridan, known to millions as Victor Baxter from Disney’s That’s So Raven, has been quietly battling a serious health crisis – but now he’s turning to fans for support during one of the most difficult chapters of his life.
The 65-year-old performer became gravely ill while traveling in April, which ended up with him staying in hospital. It was later revealed he has been diagnosed with what friends describe as an “extremely severe case of pancreatitis”.
Sheridan, who also starred in Cory in the House and Raven’s Home, broke his silence on social media Tuesday to share the news of his condition and ask for help via a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser, organized by close friend Isabel Beyoso, has already raised around $25, 000 toward its $35, 000 goal.
Rondell Sheridan is best known for his role as Victor Baxter on That’s So Raven(Image: Rondell Sheridan/Instagram)
“Hello friends and family. My name is Isabel Beyoso, and I am creating this page on behalf of my very dear friend Rondell Sheridan because he has been admitted to the hospital twice in the last month due to an extremely severe case of pancreatitis”, Beyoso wrote in the appeal.
Article continues below
According to her update, Sheridan has been unable to work since April 12, 2025—and doctors have not been able to determine when, or if, he’ll be well enough to return. “He has not been able to work since April 12, 2025 and will not be able to return to work for the unforeseeable future”, she continued.
At this stage, medical teams are monitoring him closely but are limited in what they can do. “The doctors have said he just has to wait for his pancreas to do what it’s going to do before any further treatment can be considered”, Beyoso explained, adding, “In the meantime, he will be mostly bedridden, while in recovery”.
Victor was hospitalised twice last month(Image: Getty Images)
Supporters are being asked to help ease the financial burden while Sheridan focuses on healing. “If we can all come together to help him financially for his medical and monthly bills while his body heals, I know this will be one giant stress we can collectively take off his shoulders, so that he can focus on resting, recovering, and healing”, Beyoso wrote. “Every little bit helps and he appreciates you immensely”, the message concluded.
In addition to his Disney Channel fame, Sheridan has had roles in The Jamie Foxx Show, Kenan &, Kel, Cousin Skeeter, and A Different World, earning a devoted fan base across generations. Now, that same fan base is being called on to help one of their favorite sitcom dads through an unexpected health battle.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Rochelle Humes’ chic £40 linen trousers are a must-have for spring and summer
Brooklyn Beckham’s wife Nicola Peltz have proved that she’s not going to let the critics get her down in her latest Instagram offering
Nicola Peltz shares defiant comeback amid Beckham feud as fans ‘stand with her’(Image: @nicolaannepeltzbeckham/Instagram)
Nicola Peltz has defiantly returned to Instagram with a series of stunning photographs after she was blasted by fans of The Beckham family over her and Brooklyn’s reported feud with his parents David and Victoria.
Earlier this week, the actress, 30, was bombarded with cruel comments when she posted an advert on her account. Nicola, who tied the knot with Posh and Becks ‘ eldest son Brooklyn, 26, in 2022, was called ‘ shameless ‘ and ‘ selfish ‘ and ‘ rude ‘ by furious Beckham family fans who have weighed in on the rumours of a family feud.
However, it’s clear that Nicola is not backing down and has stood her ground as she took to Instagram once again on Wednesday to share three stunning selfies. The pictures in question see the model pose up a storm for the camera while wearing a stylish black halterneck dress.
Brooklyn’s wife oozes elegance in her latest offering as she wears her brunette locks in a half-up, half-down style. Meanwhile, her makeup is styled to perfection as she opted for a heavily bronzed look with lots of pink blush on her cheeks and a cherry lipstick.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
While most of the comments were positive, with fans calling Nicola a “ten out of ten” and “stunning”, others weren’t so kind. One particular Instagram user wrote: “I feel sorry for Brooklyn’s dad”. Another further weighed in on the Beckham family feud as they commented: “We stand with you and Brooklyn!!! It’s sad that you are getting iced out of the family”.
Article continues below
Someone else wrote: “Keep shining Nicola take no notice of anyone”. While another fan encouraged: “Everything happens for a reason”.
It comes after Brooklyn broke his social media silence following the reported fallout with his famous family. The amatuer chef, 26, and wife, Nicola, failed to turn up for David Beckham’s 50th birthday party on the weekend following reports the former footballer’s firstborn is feuding with brother Romeo over his girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, who Brooklyn reportedly dated in 2016.
Actress, Nicola, is at the centre of the drama, with a source close to the Beckhams claiming Victoria and David are “done” with their daughter-in-law, who has been accused of ‘ controlling ‘ her husband. However, taking to Instagram for the first time since his dad’s birthday, Brooklyn had only good things to say about her.
Nicola and Brooklyn are reportedly being ignored by David and Victoria(Image: FilmMagic)
Praising the billionaire heiress for inspiring him to make his new hot sauce, he mused: “I was having a bottle of wine with my wife and she said: ‘ You like hot sauce, you like design. Why don’t you make a hot sauce’.
Conceding he” didn’t really think much about it “until he watched a quick video”, he added: “I didn’t really think much about it and then I ordered a bunch of stuff and I watched a quick video on how to make a hot sauce. I then made the jalapeno one and I really liked it and I thought: ‘ I really want to do something with this'”.
Brooklyn’s comments about his wife come after Nicola has been villainised by many following the couple’s no-show at David’s milestone. Her Instagram post in which she flogs sun cream was hijacked on Tuesday, with several telling her she should be ashamed of herself for missing David’s big day.
However, a source tells the Mirror that the Transformers actress is actually the peacekeeper between Brooklyn and his family, saying: “Nicola encourages Brooklyn to see his family and is usually the reason Brooklyn does see his family. They are both devastated”.
Brooklyn has not yet commented on the rumours of a feud(Image: Instagram)
Brooklyn allegedly didn’t want to go to the big knees-up in London and the Cotswolds at the weekend because of Romeo’s girlfriend, Kim.
Romeo, Kim, Cruz and Harper all attended the birthday bash as Victoria shared snaps of her three kids and tagged them all – except Brooklyn. Usually the mum-of-four will tell her firstborn that he was ‘ missed ‘ if he can’t attend a family function, but made no mention of him at the weekend, leading fans to ask the artist formerly known as Posh Spice what was going on.
The Mirror has contacted Nicola’s representatives for comment on this story.
Article continues below
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
READ MORE: Rochelle Humes’ chic £40 linen trousers are a must-have for spring and summer
Music mogul Simon Cowell has opened up about ‘always worrying’ about money due to the world being ‘so precarious’ and has revealed what he plans to do with his fortune
Simon Cowell has been a familiar face on our screens for two decades(Image: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
Since his days on Pop Idol in the early noughties, Simon Cowell has become one of the most familiar faces in showbiz. Having started his career in the entertainment industry as a mail room clerk for EMI Music Publishing, the music mogul climbed his way up the corporate ladder before forming his own record label, S Records.
“I was fearless because I had nothing to lose,” he told MailOnline. “I irritated the hell out of everyone in the music business because I was this jumped-up arrogant kid who absolutely believed in myself.”
Having helped propel countless musicians into the spotlight, during his thirties, Simon, now 65, moved into the world of TV, starting out on Pop Idol.
After rising to fame, Simon became a household name and later created talent shows including The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. In turn, he has played a hand in breaking artists including One Direction, Leona Lewis and Little Mix.
READ MORE: Simon Cowell says he ‘always worries about money’ despite £300million net worth
Simon started his career as a mail room clerk for EMI Music Publishing(Image: Getty Images)
As a result of his successes, it’s been reported that the music mogul has a net worth of £492 million. However, Simon has said he’s not worth anywhere near as much. “Oh God, it’s not that. I’m not even close to that. I’m being serious. I’m not. I’ve made a lot, I’m not going to lie. I’ve made a bit of money, yes, but not that much, no,” he told Elizabeth Day on her How To Fail podcast.
Article continues below
Despite his wealth, Simon added that he worries about finances due to the world being “so precarious”. Speaking to Elizabeth, he opened up on how he put his shows into production prior to the Covid lockdown out of fear the projects would be put on hold. “I always worry about money because I think you have to in a way,” he said.
Back in 2011, the TV personality spoke to GQ about his fortune and revealed that he’d leave “the whole lot to charity” when asked what he’d do with his money. “You can enjoy it while you’ve got it, and then it’s gone to good causes afterwards,” he explained, before adding that he’d picked out charities relating to children and animals.
He elaborated: “One of the good things about making money is that you can help other people. It feels good when you do it. I like doing it.”
Meanwhile, speaking to MailOnline in 2015, after the birth of his son Eric, Simon voiced similar opinions. “I don’t like the idea that you just sort of pass it down from generation to generation and it just gets bigger. I mean, I find that actually quite disgusting,” he said.
Simon with The X Factor stars One Direction in 2010(Image: WireImage)
He continued: “As a father, I want my son to be OK, but you know no one ever gave me a penny and I believe part of my drive was to do with the fact I had nothing to lose. That gives you a lot of energy.”
In recent years, Simon has continued to work as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent alongside Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli. With The X Factor coming to an end in 2018 after 14 years on our TV screens, Simon spoke to The Sun about what he’d do differently with the show.
“It’s a tricky one but there are hundreds of people who still want to be pop stars. We’d have to go back to basics. The other thing we did with the show was to keep tinkering with it, adding new formats,” he said.
“When we first started the show it was very simple with unique elements. I’d argue you can’t make a better music show than that.”
Article continues below
He also recently launched a quest to find the next big new boy band. “I have no idea how this is going to end because until we find the band that’s sort of it but there is something I’m going to do in the middle which I’ve never done before which I’ll tell you about later,” he said on This Morning back in July 2024.
Alison added: “I think you’ll put them in a house together.” Simon replied: “It’s kind of close to that but something different which I’ve never done before. I think 1D [One Direction] it was always about friendship and Spice Girls, and the determination to be success.”
READ MORE: Sky unveils major update to TV and broadband plan that Virgin and BT can’t match
