Germany

Europe

Volkswagen workers on strike over proposed pay cuts and plant closures

The two-hour stoppages included the company's base plant at Wolfsburg, where workers protested against a cost-cutting drive by the car maker's management which includes the threat of plant closures in Germany.

02/12/2024

Europe

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz kicks off election campaign

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has positioned the Social Democratic Party as the only one for the people, heavily criticising CDU, who are currently leading the polls.

30/11/2024

Europe

'D-Day paper' affair: Can Germany's FDP still be salvaged?

FDP Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai has resigned from his post in the wake of the "D-Day paper" affair. He stated that he had "unknowingly" provided false information about the internal document.

29/11/2024

Economy

German unemployment rises less than expected in November

The number of unemployed people rose far less than expected this month, reflecting a resilience in the German labour market, despite a surge in job cuts recently by major companies such as Volkswagen and Schaeffler.

29/11/2024

Business

Volkswagen workers in Germany ready to strike in early December

Volkswagen workers are set to strike in Germany in early December and union IG Metall said in a circulated pamphlet that it is "necessary".

29/11/2024

Economy

Germany’s inflation misses forecasts in November: Bund yields fall

Germany's headline inflation rose to 2.2% in November, below forecasts, with a sharp 0.2% monthly drop signalling disinflation. Core inflation hit 3.0%, the highest since May. Bund yields fell to 2.14%, DAX rose 0.5%, and the euro slightly weakened.

28/11/2024

Europe

Russia's hybrid warfare may trigger NATO defence clause, Germany says

German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl says that Moscow's acts of sabotage against Western targets could spur NATO to invoke Article 5 defence clause.

28/11/2024

Travel News

Germany’s new tram breaks the world record at 58 metres long

It carries 368 passengers, has air conditioning and can travel at a speed of 80km/h.

27/11/2024

Culture news

Berlin announces huge €130 million cuts to culture budget

Germany’s government has confirmed huge cuts to the culture budget in Berlin.

27/11/2024

Lifestyle

Mulled wine and drag shows: Berlin’s LGBTQ Christmas market opens

The annual LGBTQ Christmas market has opened for the fifth time in the German capital. According to organisers, it's a “safe Christmas space” for queer people to enjoy mulled wine and live performances.

27/11/2024

Europe

Germany plans to turn buildings into bomb shelters

The country's interior ministry said that an app would be designed for citizens to find their closest bunker.

26/11/2024

Europe

Merkel reflects on Putin's tactics and US presidencies in memoirs

Angela Merkel's memoirs reflect on her tenure as German chancellor, detailing interactions with global leaders like Putin, Obama and Trump, and her thoughts on Brexit.

26/11/2024

Europe

Germany's job market reliant on thousands of migrants, experts say

An analysis by the independent Bertelsmann Foundation has sounded the alarm that Europe's biggest economy will need thousands of additional workers from abroad to thrive.

26/11/2024

Europe

Merkel confronts her legacy in long-awaited memoir

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who served for 16 years, reflects on her childhood, time in office, and her "worry" for the future in her new memoir.

26/11/2024

Business

Thyssenkrupp plans to cut total of 11,000 jobs in troubled steel unit

Germany's largest steelmaker is proposing to cut 5,000 jobs from the workforce and outsource another 6,000 as it seeks to cut staff costs by around 10%.

25/11/2024

Europe

Scholz gets SPD's chancellor candidate nod after weeks of doubt

Germany's centre-left Social Democracts have chosen to officially nominate current Chancellor Olaf Scholz as their party's candidate despite his low approval ratings.

25/11/2024

Culture news

Nan Goldin condemns war in Gaza at Berlin exhibition opening

“Are you afraid to hear this, Germany?” the photographer asked in her fiery speech, which drew support from the crowd but criticism from some German cultural leaders.

25/11/2024

Economy

Germany business morale worsens further: Is competitiveness at risk?

German business confidence fell sharply in November, with the Ifo Index hitting its second-worst level since January. Rising costs, energy prices, and structural issues are eroding industrial competitiveness, while private sector activity hit a nine-month low.

25/11/2024

Europe

VW workers' union threatens to go on strike after talks fail

Earlier this week, the workers announced that they were willing to accept pay reductions so that the company could continue to keep plants open and avoid mass layoffs.

22/11/2024

Economy

Modest growth in the German economy helps it avoid a recession

Europe's biggest economy expanded by 0.1% in the third quarter, revised down from the first estimate of a 0.2% rise.

22/11/2024

Europe

German Defence Minister says he won't run for chancellor in 2025

The announcement, which Boris Pistorius made in a video posted to SDP social media channels, clears the way for incumbent chancellor Olaf Scholz to run for a second term.

22/11/2024

Europe

Merkel delayed Ukraine's NATO bid over Russia fears, memoir reveals

The former German chancellor feared retaliation by Russia if Ukraine joined NATO, and asked Pope Francis for advice about dealing with Donald Trump.

21/11/2024

Business

Volkswagen workers offer to take pay cut as wage talks continue

As Volkswagen’s wage negotiations enter a third round, employees have offered to accept a wage cut, in return for guarantees from the company that it will not shut down German plants, and will protect job security.

21/11/2024

Europe

Germany's Olaf Scholz faces pressure to drop re-election campaign

Members of the German chancellor's Social Democratic Party are increasingly speculating that Scholz's defence minister, Boris Pistorius, is a more popular choice to lead the country.

20/11/2024

Economy

German producer prices stay subdued as energy prices heat up

The producer price index, which looks at the average change in selling prices that domestic producers get for their services and goods, was down for the 16th month in a row.

20/11/2024

Art

Techno-inspired Xmas lights show opens in Berlin's industrial district

Magical illuminated Christmas trees, mist, and a pulsing techno beat set the stage for Dark Matter Winterlights 24, an edgy Christmas light exhibition in Berlin inspired by the city’s club scene.

20/11/2024