Remembering Ted Turner and one year of Friedrich Merz

Ted Turner’s death at 87 marks the end of an era for 24-hour news, which he pioneered by transforming television journalism into a constant, immersive experience. While his legacy remains influential, the shift toward continuous news cycles has arguably contributed to increased media polarization and the rise of punditry over traditional reporting. In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces significant political headwinds, with low approval ratings and coalition instability complicating his efforts to address economic stagnation and shifting geopolitical alliances. Meanwhile, Russia’s scaled-down Victory Day parade reflects a regime struggling with military resource depletion and the reality of a war brought closer to home by Ukrainian drone operations. Finally, the historical milestone of Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile serves as a reminder of the human fascination with breaking daunting, seemingly impossible athletic barriers.