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Germany

German Front Page: Merkel Morphs Into Kohl

After German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed her run for a fourth time, Berlin-based daily Die Tageszeitung opted for a notably creepy photo montage.

Die Tageszeitung — Nov. 21, 2016

With the announcement that German Chancellor Angela Merkel would run for her fourth time, Berlin-based daily Die Tageszeitung opted for a notably creepy photo montage Monday, mashing Merkel's face with that of former Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

"Merkel Becomes Kohl," reads the headline. The newspaper highlights the growing similiarities in the careers of Merkel and Kohl. As chancellor from 1982 to 1998, Kohl holds the longest tenure of any democratically elected leader of Germany. With her announcement to seek a fourth term in elections next year, Merkel could match Kohl's 16-year tenure if she wins reelection.

Merkel, 62, confirmed Sunday she was seeking another term to "serve Germany," but observers both at home and abroad noted that the centrist's candidacy stands as a potential fortress against the rising tide of populism around Europe and the world.

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Society

Tales From A Blushing Nation: Exploring India's 'Issues' With Love And Sex

Why is it that this nation of a billion-plus has such problems with intimacy and romance?

Photo of Indian romance statues

Indian romance statues

Sreemanti Sengupta

KOLKATA — To a foreigner, India may seem to be a country obsessed with romance. What with the booming Bollywood film industry which tirelessly churns out tales of love and glory clothed in brilliant dance and action sequences, a history etched with ideal romantics like Laila-Majnu or the fact that the Taj Mahal has immortalised the love between king Shahjahan and queen Mumtaz.

It is difficult to fathom how this country with a billion-plus population routinely gets red in the face at the slightest hint or mention of sex.

It therefore may have come as a shock to many when the ‘couple-friendly’ hospitality brand OYO announced that they are “extremely humbled to share that we observed a record 90.57% increase in Valentine’s Day bookings across India.”

What does that say about India’s romantic culture?

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