German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended Germany’s defence spending after former U.S. President Donald Trump described it as “ridiculous.” Merz responded to Trump’s criticism of Germany’s defence budget.

Merz also said that Iran was “humiliating” the United States and added that Iranians were “obviously … not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result.”

According to Mirror.co.uk, Donald Trump issued a warning over Iran’s nuclear capabilities to Chancellor Merz.

Al Jazeera reported that NATO leaders are set to meet in Ankara next week. The South China Morning Post reported that Germany is doubling its defence budget within four years.

Deutschland.de provided background information: the modern German nation state was founded in 1871 when the German Reich was established; the Weimar Republic existed from 1919 to 1933; the era of National Socialism lasted from 1933 to 1945; the Federal Republic of Germany was founded on May 23 1949; Germany borders Denmark, the North and Baltic Seas, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Alps, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands; Germany has around 84 million inhabitants, making it the most populous EU country; the German capital is Berlin; and Bonn was the seat of government and capital of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1990.