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Europe News

Germany: CDU leader rules out co-operation with far-right

The centre-right CDU has been accused of breaking 'taboo' by putting forward a motion to the Bundestag for a stricter migration policy which was backed by the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD).

Europe News

Russian influence on German election a 'serious problem', MPs warn

With less than a month until Germans go out and vote in the parliamentary election, lawmakers are warning that authoritarian states, including Russia, are using disinformation to stoke instability.

Europe News

Berlin: 160,000 demonstrate against Friedrich Merz and the AfD

Tens of thousands protest against Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democrats: Merz had presented parliament with proposals for strict new immigration rules, which were supported by the partly far-right AfD.

Business

Commerzbank announces share buyback and record earnings

The update comes as the bank is fending off a takeover from Italy’s UniCredit.

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Economy

Germany’s unemployment rate rises to highest level in almost a decade

A rise in the jobless rate is normal for this time of year, although the scale of the jump points to underlying economic weakness.

Lifestyle

Why this artist plans to knit the same scarf over and over... forever

Lithuanian artist Gertrūda Gilytė has knitted the same scarf 65 times, and plans to continue until receiving recognition from the art market.

Europe News

Merkel criticises Merz for teaming up with Germany's far-right

The front-runner to be Germany's next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has faced criticism for accepting support from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Economy

Eurozone economy stagnates in Q4 as Germany and France contract

Eurozone GDP stagnated in Q4 2024 as Germany (-0.2%) and France (-0.1%) contracted, reinforcing expectations of more ECB rate cuts. The euro held at $1.04, while bond yields fell. The ECB-Fed policy gap widens as Powell signals "no rush" for rate cuts.

Europe News

Hundreds of Germans protest against stricter migration policy push

The CDU's stricter migration policy, backed by the far-right AfD, has sparked protests in Berlin and heightened political tensions in Germany before the parliamentary elections.

Business

Germany lowers 2025 economic growth forecast to 0.3%

The uncertainty about US trade policy in the wake of Donald Trump's presidency is partly to blame, economy minister Robert Habeck said on Wednesday.

Europeans' Stories

Cannabis legalisation in Germany: a European dilemma?

Last spring, hundreds of people gathered under the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to celebrate the legalisation of recreational cannabis use in Germany.

Europe News

German opposition leader Merz's migration plan passes parliament

The CDU party chief, who leads in the polls to become the next chancellor, said he would collect votes from all parties to push his five-point migration plan through parliament despite Chancellor Olaf Scholz's strong opposition.

Europe News

Germany's Aschaffenburg stabbing ignites fierce migration debate

The attack in Aschaffenburg is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Germany, intensifying fears surrounding migration and increasing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Europe News

Holocaust commemorated as Jewish groups warn of rising antisemitism

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, on 27 January, people remember the six million Jews and millions of other victims of Nazi persecution during WWII.

Europe News

Thousands protest as AfD party begins election campaign

The protests took place while AfD was opening its election campaign in the central city of Halle on Saturday.

USA

German citizen and US border official shot dead near Canadian border

The US officer and German citizen were shot dead during a vehicle check near the Canadian border. Both he and a companion had been under FBI surveillance.

Europe News

Germany's Merz under fire for vowing migration crackdown

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has pledged to impose tough border controls if elected chancellor in next month's vote.

Germany

German CDU leader Friedrich Merz vows to toughen migration policy

Merz, whose centre-right bloc currently tops the polls, is toughening his stance on migration ahead of federal elections next month.

Europe News

AfD fails to appeal 'extremist' ruling in Saxony — what now?

The party's state association in Saxony is now officially classed as a "right-wing extremist" organisation. Could the AfD soon be facing a national ban?

Europe News

Macron and Scholz call for a united Europe amid Trump's tariff threats

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke in Paris of the challenge posed by US President Donald Trump.