Germany’s Merz cancels phone call with Trump after social media post celebrating AfD win – as it happened

<p>Spokesperson for Merz declines to give a reason for cancellation, but notes that it was not due to scheduling</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/09/friedrich-merz-afd-far-right-accused-seeking-ethnic-cleansing-saxony-anhalt-election">German chancellor accuses far-right AfD party of seeking ‘ethnic cleansing’</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Back to Oslo, the funeral procession for King Harald is about the begin,</strong> and the 1.2km route to the Oslo Cathedral is lined up with 1,900 soldiers from all branches of the Norwegian defence forces.</p><p>The procession is expected to walk <em>very</em> slowly – at around 60 steps per minute – and will include the royal family, including <strong>King Haakon</strong>, followed by a royal car with the widow, <strong>Queen Sonja.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/sep/09/europe-ukraine-russia-zelenskyy-germany-merz-afd-norway-king-harald-v-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>