AUKUS appears to weaken Western alliance

London among world's top startup hubs SPD leads slightly in German election, situation not yet clear Social Democrats beat conservatives in vote to decide Merkel successor Germans start voting for new parliament marking end of Merkel era Germany's tight-race election opens post-Merkel era Closely fought German election ushers in post-Merkel era German conservatives warn of extreme left risk as election nears German center-left SPD beats conservative union CDU/CSU in general election: provisional results China launches reciprocal countermeasures to UK Parliament's ban Germans voice expectations as country braces for post-Merkel era British govt insists petrol panic ending 65 countries oppose interference in China's internal affairs in joint statement Shortage of drivers sparks fuel crisis in the UK AUKUS appears to weaken Western alliance British turning to TCM to help treat COVID-19 Western media coverage of China filled with 'doomsday' scenarios: British writer Putin nominates Volodin for speaker of new convocation of State Duma Trucker shortage solution seen as too little UK travel rules 'illogical, discriminatory'