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Germany’s conservatives plot last stand for mandatory military service – POLITICO
But inside Merz’s own conservative bloc, lawmakers are preparing to reopen the debate. The party aims to introduce changes when the bill comes before parliament for its first reading between Oct. 8 and 10, according to Thomas Erndl, MP and spokesperson for defense policy in Merz’s Christian Democratic bloc.
“We cannot risk a situation where targets are missed and nothing happens — there has to be a mechanism that guarantees the numbers we need,” said Erndl. “That’s why the law needs to be changed.”
Under the government’s draft law, agreed Wednesday, compulsory service could only be reinstated if the Bundestag voted for it. Conservatives want to go further: Their proposal would create an automatic trigger — if recruitment targets are missed, conscription would return without another parliamentary decision.
That would mark a sharp break with the government’s position. Merz told reporters after the Cabinet session: “If over the next one, two or three years we see that the target numbers are not reached … then we will adjust.” But he dismissed the idea of a self-executing clause: “That would be very odd, because we are talking about conscription that would have to be reintroduced. And that in any case requires deliberation.”
Cabinet approval is the first step of Germany’s legislative process, with every bill subsequently going through several readings in the Bundestag. In the first reading, committees vet the details and lawmakers can formally table amendments.
Those votes decide whether a bill changes course or survives intact. For the conservatives, it is the last procedural window to press for a tougher line on service obligations.
Influencer Jess Hurrell
Dead at 42
… After 8-Year Cancer Battle
Published
Jess Hurrell, the UK-based influencer who inspired thousands online with her chic interiors and uplifting posts, has died after an 8-year battle with cancer.
Her family shared the heartbreaking news on her Instagram Friday, revealing Jess passed away earlier this month following her long battle with cancer. Despite the diagnosis, they said Jess’ “positive energy was infectious,” and most people never even knew the struggles she was facing behind the scenes.
“Even tackling this horrible disease for over 8 years, people couldn’t believe how positive and strong she was,” her family wrote. “She always skipped, smiled and powered through life. We are heart broken and she will be remembered forever. Rest in peace my darling xxx.”
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Known to her more than 94,000 Instagram followers for her stylish home transformations, family moments and favorite recipes, Jess built a community with her blog, “Gold Is A Neutral.”
She’s survived by her husband David, along with their two young children.
Jess was 42.
RIP
Banks, post offices, and the stock market will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day, but many restaurants, grocery chains, and retail stores will remain open.
Significance of Labor Day
Labor Day honors the “social and economic achievements of American workers,” according to the US Department of Labor. The holiday traces back to September 5, 1882, when New York City hosted the firstLabor Day parade was organised by the Central Labor Union. By 1894, 23 states recognised the holiday, and President Grover Cleveland signed a law designating the first Monday in September as a federal holiday.
Stock Market, Banks, Post Offices, and Delivery services
Stock Market: The benchmark indices on the US stock market will remain closed on September 1, on the account of the Labor Day 2025 celebrations in the United States. In case of a market holiday, the trading session before a scheduled holiday is usually a half-day session. However, in this case, due to the Saturday and Sunday market closures, there is no half-day trading ahead of a scheduled holiday.
Banks: Capital One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Truist, Citibank, and JPMorgan Chase branches will be closed. Capital One Cafes will remain open on Labor Day.
Post Offices: US Postal Service facilities will be closed on Labor Day, with no mail delivery.
UPS & FedEx: UPS pickup and delivery services will be suspended. UPS Stores may close depending on location. Most FedEx services will also be unavailable, with FedEx Office operating on modified hours.
Walmart, Target, and Costco
Walmart: Open from 6 am to 11 pm (hours may vary).
Target: Stores will be open with local variations in hours.
Costco: Warehouses will be closed for Labor Day holiday.
Hardware stores
Home Depot: Open, hours vary by location.
Lowe’s: Open regular hours.
Ace Hardware: Hours vary as stores are independently operated.
Pharmacies
CVS: Open, with some locations reducing hours.
Walgreens: Retail stores open under normal hours, but pharmacies will close except at 24-hour and select locations.
Restaurants open on Labor Day
Many popular chains will serve customers on Labor Day, including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Taco Bell, Olive Garden (11 am–10 pm), Buffalo Wild Wings, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, Texas Roadhouse, and Red Lobster.
Grocery stores
Most major grocery chains will be open, including:
Walmart, Target, Kroger stores, Trader Joe’s, Meijer (6 am–midnight), Publix, Aldi, Whole Foods, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, Lidl, and Sprouts Farmers Market.
Sam’s Club: Open 8 am–6 pm for Plus members; 10 am–6 pm for Club members.
Retail stores
Shoppers can expect most major retailers to stay open, such as:
Target, Macy’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, and Burlington.
Specialty stores like IKEA, Cabela’s, Tractor Supply Co., PetSmart, and Barnes & Noble will also be open.
After a drama-filled Saturday, college football’s opening weekend kept right on rolling with more intrigue on Sunday.
No. 13 South Carolina and Virginia Tech got things started in another SEC vs. ACC clash. Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers showed flashes of brilliance in a 24-11 win over the Hokies, but it was vintage Beamer Ball that put South Carolina over the top with a game-changing 80-yard punt return by Vicari Swain. That’s right, Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer used his legendary dad’s style to beat his former team.
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In the evening game, No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 10 Miami played out a thriller at Hard Rock Stadium. The Hurricanes were in control throughout before a late rally by the Irish tied things up at 24. But Miami kicker Carter Davis drilled a 47-yard field goal with just over a minute left in the game and the Hurricanes defense held on for a 27-24 win.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]
See how it all played out below:
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