Month: February 2026
1091 posts
Trump Urges Iran to Drop Nuclear Plans in First State‑of‑Union Speech
During his inaugural address of his second term, US President Donald Trump urged the Iranian regime to abandon its…
Economist Urges Merz to Call Out China’s Unfair Trade Practices in Talks With Xi
Economist Michael Hüther has urged German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to make clear statements during his talks with…
Germany Expels Over 8,000 Foreigners in 2025, Stripping Them of Residency
More than 8,000 foreigners had their right to stay in Germany revoked in 2025. The expulsions mainly targeted…
Patient Advocates Slam Government’s Reversal on Expanding Organ Donation Registry
Patient‑rights advocates have criticised the federal government for deciding not to expand the ways people can register in…
Health economist urges higher hospital stay co‑pay
Boris Augurzky, a health economist at the RWI Leibniz Institute, has called for a rise in hospital co‑payments.…
Leverkusen Secures Champions League Last‑16 Spot With 2-0 Victory Over Olympiakos
Bayer Leverkusen secured a spot in the Champions League round of 16 with a 0‑0 draw against Olympiacos…
Greens Warn of Cost Trap as Heating Law Reform Threatens Germany’s Climate Goals
The Greens in the Bundestag warn that the proposed reform of the Heating Act will jeopardise Germany’s climate…
US Markets Rise on Tuesday as Gold Slumps
The U.S. stock markets advanced on Tuesday. By the close in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average…
76 Percent of Ukrainians Want to Remain in Denmark After Four Years of Conflict
Four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an increasing number of refugees are expressing a desire to remain…
Germany Strengthens Push Against Drug and Financial Crime by Easing Seizure of Dubious Assets
The federal government aims to simplify and strengthen the seizure and safeguarding of assets that are either criminally…
ZDF Defends Dismissal of New York Studio Director Over Unlabeled AI Footage in Heute‑Journal Report
ZDF’s editor‑in‑chief Bettina Schausten has defended the decision to remove the station chief in New York over the…
Eurojackpot Tuesday Draw 4 5 26 38 48 Euro Numbers 2 9 1 in 140 Million Jackpot Odds
On Tuesday evening the Eurojackpot draw was held, and the winning numbers were announced. The main numbers are 4, 5, 26, 38, 48,…
German Coalition Agrees to Reform Building Energy Law Revoking 65% Renewable Heating Target and Old Boiler Ban
Union and SPD have agreed on a reform of the Building Energy Act. The new rule introduced by…
German Business Travel Group Urges Decisive Action Against US Entry Restrictions
The German business‑trip association VDR has urged the federal government to take decisive action against the upcoming tightening…
DAX dips briefly as automakers surge ahead.
On Tuesday the DAX dipped slightly. At the Xetra closing, the index was calculated at 24,986 points, a…
ZDF Confirms Staff Meeting Debates Amid AI‑Fake Video Scandal
After the controversy over AI‑generated fake videos in a report on U.S. deportation policy, a ZDF staff meeting…
Merz to Offer Balanced China Partnership Says German Chancellor
Before leaving for China, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) announced that he wants to offer the country a balanced…
Ukraine Urges EU Membership as Security Guarantee on Four Year Attack Anniversary
On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha criticized the West’s handling of Russia and…
CSU blasts CDU demand for child social media ban says symbolic politics do nothing
The CSU has sharply criticized the CDU’s proposal for a ban on social media for children and young…
Germany Faces Over 640 Billion Euro Cost From CO2 Emissions Each Year 2024 Greenhouse Gas Release Exceeds 640 Billion Euro In Damage
Germany’s greenhouse‑gas emissions released in 2024 are estimated to cause more than €640 billion in damage, according to new…
Brantner Urges Merz to Speak Straight in Beijing
Franziska Brantner, chair of Germany’s Green Party, says she expects Chancellor Friedrich Merz to confront disagreements head‑on during his upcoming trip…
DAX Returns to Yesterday’s Level After Disappointing Quarterly Report
The DAX moved back toward last‑day levels by mid‑afternoon after a weaker start to the session. At roughly…
Former Council Head Lars Feld Defends Ulrike Malmendier Amid CDU Exodus
Former head of the Wirtschaftsweisen research institute, Lars Feld, publicly backs Ulrike Malmendier, who is set to resign from…
Metalworkers Union Criticizes New Federal Wage Loyalty Law as Impractical and Costly
The Employer Association Gesamtmetall sharply criticized the coalition’s agreement on the new federal wage‑faithfulness law. Oliver Zander, the association’s…
Nouripour Blasts China Over Ukraine War Involvement And Rare Earth Supply Cuts Urges Merz To Confront Beijing During Visit
The deputy speaker of the German Bundestag and Green Party foreign‑policy spokesperson Omid Nouripour has accused China of actively…
Holstein Kiel Names Tim Walter New Head Coach
Holstein Kiel has appointed 50‑year‑old Tim Walter as its new head coach, taking over from Marcel Rapp as announced on…
SPD Approves 4.3 Billion Euro Loitering Drone Deal With Stark Amid Peter Thiel Investor Concerns
The concerns about buying “loitering munitions” from the Berlin defense start‑up Stark, in which ultra‑right US investor Peter Thiel…
Allianz and Schwarz Group Back EU Scaleup Europe Fund to Mobilize 100M Euros for European Tech Startups
Two German companies are investing in the EU’s new growth fund, Scaleup Europe. The insurance and asset‑management group…
Merz Honors Suessmuth as Exceptional Politician at State Funeral
At the state ceremony for the late former President of the German Bundestag, Rita Süssmuth, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) delivered…
AfD Delegates Skip Rita Süssmuth Memorial in Bundestag
At the formal mourning session for Rita Süssmuth in the German Bundestag on Tuesday, a large portion of the…
Over 2 Million Germans Still Offline in 2025 Says Destatis
In 2025, about three percent of people aged 16 to 74 in Germany had never used the Internet,…
Heiner Wilmer Takes Helm as New Chief of German Bishops Conference
Heiner Wilmer, the Bishop of Hildesheim, has been elected the new chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference. The…
German Hospitals See Surge In Foreign Doctors Share Rises Significantly
More and more doctors in Germany come from abroad, especially in human and dental medicine, where their share…
Holstein Kiel Parts Ways With Coach Marcel Rapp
Holstein Kiel has apparently relieved Head Coach Marcel Rapp of his duties with immediate effect. The decision was reported…
German PM Wüst Aims to Align Asylum Benefits With EU Standards
The North Rhine‑Westphalian premier, Hendrik Wüst of the CDU, has said he wants to adjust the level of social…
German tourism minister demands FIFA security guarantees amid violence in Mexico before World Cup
In the wake of a massive surge of violence in the World‑Cup host nation Mexico, Christoph Ploß, the German…
Verdi Calls for Nationwide Public Transport Strikes on Friday and Saturday
On Tuesday, the service‑sector union Verdi announced that it is calling for nationwide strikes in public transport on…
DAX Kicks Off Tuesday with Losses as Caution Dominates
On Tuesday morning the DAX slipped into trading. At about 9:30 a.m. the index was around 24,935 points, roughly…
Ukrainian Ambassador Rejects Return of Draft‑Eligible Men to Ukraine
The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, says he opposes sending fit‑bodied Ukrainian men back to their homeland.During…
Linken Leader Urges Merz to Rally China for Ukraine Peace Talks
Linken leader Jan van Aken has urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to persuade China to join peace talks between Ukraine…
Germany Ramps Up Electronic Waste Recycling 1.5 Percent Surge to 758,000 Tons in 2024
In 2024, Germany processed nearly 758 000 tonnes of electronic and electrical waste as recycled material-an increase of 1.5 % (11 100 tonnes)…
German Export Sentiment Rises to Plus 2.6 as Ifo Confidence Surges
The mood in Germany’s export business has improved again.In February the Ifo export expectations index rose to +2.6…
Deutsche Telekom Set to Embed AI Assistants Into Phone Calls Offering Chatbots and Live Translation
Deutsche Telekom plans to embed artificial intelligence directly into its mobile network, aiming to make services such as…
China Revenue Share for DAX Companies Falls From 18.6% to 14.9% in Four Years
For many publicly listed German companies, the former boom market of China has turned into a problem. The…
Weimar Triangle Reaffirms Resolve for Durable Ukraine Peace on Fourth Anniversary of Russian Invasion
On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland-Johann Wadephul, Jean‑Noël Barrot,…
SPD Eastern German Ministers Push for Long‑Term Kitas Funding Beyond 2026
SPD education politicians from the five eastern German states are urging the federal government to secure kindergarten financing…
German Industry Group Demands Transparency From Chinese Export Controls and Calls to Cut Dependence
The chief executive of the BDI, Tanja Gönner, called for increased transparency and reliability in China’s export‑control regime and…
Transatlantic Coordinator Sets Conditions For New US Trade Deal, Demanding Tariff Protection
Metin Hakverdi, the German government’s Transatlantic Coordinator, has outlined strict conditions for any new trade agreement with the…
Only 25 Percent Respond to Bundeswehr New Military Service Survey Gender Gap Widening
Since January 1, about one‑quarter of young men and women have answered the Bundeswehr’s new service questionnaire. However, the…
Germany and Canada Move Toward 12-Submarine Deal with Norway
An apparent trade deal is emerging between Canada and Germany. The German federal government, together with Norway, is…
Majority Demands New Rule Banning Lawmakers From Hiring Relatives of Party Allies
A majority of German citizens support a ban that would prevent lawmakers from hiring relatives of party friends…
EU USA Customs Deal Faces Collapse After Trump Ruling
The BGA, Germany’s federation for international trade, says that the customs agreement between the European Union and the…
Ataman Accuses German Government Of Failing To Deliver Women Wage Equality Ahead Of EU Deadline
Ferda Ataman, the Independent Federal Commissioner for Anti‑Discrimination, has accused the German government of falling short on closing the…
Germany EU Intra-border Controls Cost 140 Million Euros In Nine Months
The controls introduced at all German EU‑internal borders in September 2024 have cost the country 140 million euros by the…
German Police Union Heats Up Criticism of Dobrindt’s Three-Month Asylum Work Plan
The German Police Union (DPolG) has sharply criticized Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s proposal to allow asylum seekers to begin…
US Stock Markets Fall Over AI Fears See Gold Demand Surge
On Monday, U.S. shares dropped sharply. The Dow finished at 48,804 points, down 1.7 %; the Nasdaq‑100 closed at…
EU Politicians Call for Revoking Hungary’s EU Voting Rights Over Ukraine Policy Blockade
Because Hungary’s government has again adopted a blocking position on Ukraine policy, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, the German FDP member…
Police Shocked By Four-Body Family Found Dead In Strullendorf Upper Franconia
In a residential building in Strullendorf, a town in the Bamberg district of Upper Franconia, police discovered the…
Young Social Democrats Remain Unconvinced of CDU’s New Social State Reforms
The Jusos remain skeptical even after the Chancellor’s concessions on reforming the social state. Chairman Philipp Türmer told RTL…
Economists Applaud Dobrindt’s Plan to Fast‑Track Migrant Workforce Access
Leading economic researchers welcomed Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s (CSU) plans to speed up the labour‑market access for asylum…
Bas Bars Pension at 70 for Current Legislature
Bundesarbeitsministerin Bärbel Bas (SPD) said that a pension at age 70 will not be introduced during the current legislature.…
German Parliament Rejects Full Elimination of Voluntary Health Insurance Benefits
The governing coalitions of the CDU/CSU and SPD rejected the chief doctors’ proposal to eliminate all voluntary benefits…
Former UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson Arrested in Epstein Scandal
Peter Mandelson, the former British Business Secretary and the recently appointed Ambassador to the United States, was taken…
DIHK And City Chambers Criticise Bamf Restrictions on Integration Courses
The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the German Cities and Municipalities Federation (Städtebund) criticized the…
Greens and Health Insurers Warn of Warken Hospital Reform Amid Massive Criticism
The planned adjustment of Germany’s hospital reform has drawn fierce criticism from both the Greens and the health…
Bundeswehr Spock Radar Satellite System Costs Surge Pre Launch
According to a confidential draft from the German Finance Ministry sent to the Bundestag’s budget committee – reported…
Customs Chaos Sends DAX Below 25,000 Points Start of Week Marked by Losses
At the start of the week the DAX fell. At the close of Xetra trading the index was…
Dozens Killed in Mexican Unrest After Cartel Boss Murder
After the death of cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho” dozens of people were killed amid severe…
AfD Representatives in North Rhine-Westphalia Employ Nearly Twice as Many Staff as Their Opponents
The AfD members in North Rhine‑Westphalia appear to employ far more staff than the members of any other…
Critics Urge Moderate BND Reform After Chancellor’s Office Announces Comprehensive Plan
When the chancellor’s office revealed its plans for a sweeping overhaul of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), SPD…
EU Parliament Delays US Customs Deal Vote, Halts Implementation
The European Parliament has again postponed the implementation of the trade agreement between the United States and the…
Greens Narrow Gap With CDU Ahead Of Baden-Württemberg State Election
Two weeks before the Baden-Württemberg state election on March 8, a poll conducted by Insa shows the Greens are…
Coalition Reaches Deal on GEAS Reform and Wage Loyalty Law Ahead of Bundestag Vote
the reform of the Common European Asylum System (GEAS) and the Tarifloyalty Act.. Reports from coalition insiders say…
Ulrike Malmendier Ousted from Economic Role Term Not Renewed
The term of Ulrike Malmendier as economic expert is apparently not being renewed. According to the “Handelsblatt”-reporting the…
Mexican Riot Spirals Out After CJNG Boss El Mencho Killed in Jalisco Raid
In Mexico, the killing of a powerful drug boss sparked widespread violence. Mexican security forces eliminated the cartel…
EU Halts Ratification of US Trade Deal Amid Ongoing Negotiations
Bloomberg reports that the European Union appears to intend to halt, at least for the time being, the…
Belarusian Spy Unmasked in Poland, Germany Implicated
Polish intelligence has arrested a suspected Belarusian spy who was also allegedly active in Germany. The individual was…
Survey Most Germans Unprepared for Hybrid Attacks
A recent survey carried out by the IT‑industry association Bitkom shows that most Germans feel inadequately prepared for…
Caritas warns of worsening job market integration for Ukrainian refugees over planned legal shift
Caritas has warned that the integration of Ukrainian refugees into the labour market will deteriorate sharply if the…
AKK Deeply Upset By Public Debate Over Germany’s First Female President
Annegret Kramp‑Karrenbauer, chairwoman of the Konrad‑Adenauer‑Stiftung- a foundation closely tied to the CDU-has said she is “deeply upset” by…
DAX Remains in Red at Midday Despite Strong Ifo Numbers
The DAX remained in the red until lunchtime on Monday after a weak start to the trading day.…
Germany Spends 60 Million Euros on Emergency Gas Reserve as Storage Levels Drop
Germany’s gas system has incurred a short‑term security buffer costing roughly €60 million, according to the business magazine “Capital”.…
German Government Praises Sports Funding Despite Olympic Medal Decline
The German federal government still considers the nation’s sports funding to be “well positioned” even though the Olympic…
German Federal Agencies See Record Sick Leave Surpassing National Average
Employees in Germany’s most important federal agencies are sick more often than the national average. According to data…
Germany Secures Third Spot in Global Economy 2025 Despite Ongoing Crisis
Despite a continuing economic crisis, Germany secured its place as the world’s third‑largest economy in 2025. According to…
Klingbeil Advisor Warns of Investment Stagnation Despite New Special Fund
Despite the new Special Fund for Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality (SVIK), economist Jens Südekum warns of a long‑term stagnation…
German Business Sentiment Improves as Companies Show Optimism
The sentiment among German companies has recently shown a slight improvement. The Ifo business climate index rose to…
German Foreign Minister Shocked By Hungary’s Blockade Of EU Aid For Ukraine
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) expressed surprise at Hungary’s recent blockade of EU aid to Ukraine. Speaking before consultations…
DAX Opens in the Red Amid Customs Concerns
30 a..m. German time-about 0.5 % below Friday’s closing level. The strongest performers were Commerzbank, Henkel and RWE, while SAP,…
Juso Leader Rejects Under‑14 Social Media Ban
Philipp Türmer, the chair of The Left (Juso), rejected proposals to ban social‑media platforms for users under 14. In…
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas skeptical of swift Ukraine peace
EU external affairs commissioner Kaja Kallas said she still sees no serious effort from Russia to bring the Ukraine…
Dudenhöffer Fires Blame at Germany’s Auto Hub
Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, a leading industry analyst, sharply criticized Germany as a motor‑vehicle manufacturing hub. “The biggest problem for…
Greenland Dismisses Trump’s Plan to Send a Hospital Ship to the Arctic Island
President Donald Trump offered to send a field‑hospital ship to Greenland, an idea that was met with outright refusal…
SPD Demands Halt of EU‑US Customs Deal After Trump’s Tariff Rollout
The parliamentary manager of the SPD Bundestag faction, Dirk Wiese, has called for a suspension of the ratification process…
Berlin Homeless Shelter System Exposed as Highly Susceptible to Abuse – Business Model Under Scrutiny
Berlin’s system for housing homeless people is extremely vulnerable to abuse, according to the investigative reporting of the…
SPD Rejects CDU’s Part‑Time and Sick Leave Measures, Tension Rises in Black‑Red Coalition
After the CDU party congress, fresh tensions are emerging between the black‑red coalition partners. The CDU has decided,…
Doctors’ Association Demands Removal of Optional Health Fund Services
In the debate over cutting costs in the German health system, Kassenärztechef Andreas Gassen is calling for the…
Schleswig-Holstein Premier Günther to Push Sugar Tax Through Federal Council After Party Conference Setback
After his unsuccessful bid for a sugar‑tax proposal at the CDU party conference, Schleswig‑Holstein’s Minister‑President Daniel Günther is looking…
Former Army Inspector Alfons Mais Urges Europe to Build Nuclear Forces Under German Leadership
Former Army Inspector Alfons Mais urges that Europe adopt nuclear weapons, with Germany taking the lead. “Europe must become…
German Judiciary Report Reveals Severe Overload in Northern and Western Courts
Across Germany, the criminal justice system is suffering a steep nationwide backlog, with the northern and western regions…