Amthor Encourages Work Requirement Debate for Basic Income Recipients in Saxony‑Anhalt
Philipp Amthor, the secretary‑general at the German Ministry for Digital Affairs, welcomed the proposal by Saxony‑Anhalt’s state premier, Sven Schulze (both members of the CDU), that citizens’‑allowance recipients who are capable of working could be called upon to perform municipal duties. In a recent interview on RTL’s “Frühstart” and ntv,…
February 10, 2026
Merz Plans Munich Security Summit Talks With Zelenskyy Rubio and Newsom
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has arranged a series of bilateral talks for the upcoming Munich Security Conference (MSC). Among the planned meetings, he will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to our sources from government circles. A further engagement is set with California’s Democratic…
February 10, 2026
Valentine’s Day Gifts Prices Surge in 2025
According to the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), prices for classic Valentine’s Day gifts rose more than usual last year.The cost of chocolates increased by 17.8 % from 2024 to 2025, while fresh cut flowers were 5.3 % more expensive. Those who chose to dine out rather than give chocolates or flowers also spent more.Meals and drinks in restaurants, cafés,…
February 10, 2026
German Housing Market Climbs 4 Percent in 2025 Following 1 Point Eight Percent Rise in 2024
Following a 1.8 % rise in 2024, German property prices increased by 4.0 % in 2025, according to the real‑estate‑price index of the Association of German Mortgage Credit Banks (VDP). The index reached 185.6 points by the end of 2025, showing price gains in every quarter-most recently 1.0 % from Q3 to Q4. The stronger jump in the index was driven primarily by residential…
February 10, 2026
Dax Starts With Slight Losses Focus on Macro Data
The DAX opened the trading day on Tuesday with slight losses. At 9:30 a.m. it was calculated at around 24,989 points, down 0.1 percent from the previous close. On the top of the performance list were Symrise and BASF, while Siemens Energy and Allianz were at the bottom of the index. After turbulence in the precious‑metal and cryptocurrency markets, investors are refocusing…
February 10, 2026
Amthor Raises Concerns Over Proposed Under‑16 Social Media Ban
Philipp Amthor, the state secretary in the Ministry for Digital Affairs, raised doubts about a proposed ban on social‑media use for people under 16. Speaking on RTL and ntv’s “Frühstart” on Tuesday, he said that social networks also provide a chance for democratic exchange, but they carry risks. He warned that a ban would hinge on a number of technical…
February 10, 2026
Valentine’s Gift Prices Surge in 2025 As Classic Gifts Skyrocket for Shoppers
Last year, the cost of many classic Valentine’s Day presents rose noticeably for consumers. According to the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), prices for chocolates climbed 17.8 % from 2024 to 2025, while cut flowers saw a 5.3 % increase. Those who prefer a night out over giving chocolate or flowers also spent more. Dining out-encompassing restaurants,…
February 10, 2026
Marco Rubio Accepts Invitation to Attend Munich Security Conference
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has accepted the invitation to attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC). He will be present from 13 to 15 February, where he will consult with his U.S. counterparts on bilateral cooperation in the Euro‑Atlantic security arena, according to Deputy Secretary of State Tommy Pigott. After the conference, Rubio will travel to…
February 10, 2026
Hamburg Prepares for Public Sector Strike Ahead of Third Negotiation Round
A day before the third round of wage negotiations in the public sector of Germany’s federal states, Verdi staged all‑day warning strikes in Hamburg on Tuesday. The union called for the staff of schools, fire services, public transport companies, district offices and other authorities to refuse work. On Wednesday, similar warning strikes are expected in North…
In Jerusalem, Green Party leader Franziska Brantner sharply criticized the Israeli government’s settlement policy. She told “Politico” that the Israeli authorities are not simply tolerating but actively supporting the brutality of settler violence, arguing that they are trying to create new “facts” that will prevent the establishment of a…
February 10, 2026
EU Parliament Vice President Calls for European Investigation into Jeffrey Epstein Files
European Parliament vice‑president Katarina Barley, a member of Germany’s SPD, told Handelsblatt that relying solely on the U.S. investigation into Jeffrey Epstein is not sufficient. She stressed that while member states retain the authority to conduct investigations, a coordinated and cooperative approach at the EU level is “incredibly important” for…
February 10, 2026
EU Politicians Call for Europol Investigation into Jeffrey Epstein
The case of U.S. sex‑crime suspect Jeffrey Epstein should be investigated at the EU level, according to several members of the European Parliament. Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence, told the “Handelsblatt” that European bodies such as Europol and the EU anti‑money‑laundering authorities must…
