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Nela Heidner

Europe News

Merz and Trump hold “good” phone call, German Chancellor says

German Chancellor Merz said earlier phone discussions with US President Donald Trump included the situation of the Strait of Hormuz and an agreement that Tehran should not possess nuclear weapons.

Travel News

Europe is home to some of the world's longest pedestrian walkways

Some of the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridges are not in Asia, but Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Here's a list of these spectacular, world-breaking structures and where to find them.

Europe News

Cattle theft in Germany: Farms hit by organised gangs

Livestock theft is becoming a problem in German agriculture, with entire herds disappearing overnight in some cases. In addition to financial losses, the offences also have an emotional impact on farmers. Investigators believe that organised gangs from abroad are involved.

USA

Trump declassifies 162 UFO files for public to judge the 'evidence'

A first tranche of files dating back to 1948 has been released to provide greater transparency regarding unidentified flying objects. Although the archive features unusual sightings reported by astronauts and pilots, it contains no definitive proof of alien life.

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Europe News

End of the rescue operation: Humpback whale "Timmy" released in the North Sea

The humpback whale that was rescued from a shallow Baltic Sea bay off the island of Poel has been released, the private rescue initiative has announced. However, it is unclear what condition the animal is in.

Europe News

Iran's exiled crown prince splattered with red liquid in Berlin

The alleged perpetrator, whose name was not released in line with German privacy rules, was immediately detained by police.

Europe News

German rescuers plan to use air cushions to save Timmy the whale

The rescue attempt, proposed by two entrepreneurs, involves lifting the whale using inflatable cushions and transporting it with pontoons.

Europe News

Germany could send minehunting boats to secure Strait of Hormuz

According to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, the navy could also use its logistics base in Djibouti for maritime reconnaissance missions.

Culture news

Genetic analysis reveals secret of Otto I, Roman-German emperor

Just a few days after the coffin was opened, the researchers announced that the bones suggested that the man was around 60 years old. He was also unusually tall for the Middle Ages.

Culture news

Dirt detective digs at German castle ruins without permission

Germany's cultural heritage community is embroiled in a row after an amateur archaeologist uncovered an ancient construction. The problem however is that he didn't have permission to dig at the site of Metilstein Castle near Eisenach.

Culture news

Priceless golden helmet from Romania stolen from Dutch museum found

The helmet was on display at the small Drents Museum in January 2025, the last weekend of a six-month-long exhibition, when thieves broke in and grabbed it, along with three golden wristbands.

Germany

German teams halt rescue efforts for whale stranded off Baltic coast

Since it was spotted last week the whale had prompted a large-scale rescue operation involving firefighters, scientists and the maritime police.

Business

Cars to defence: Will Volkswagen make parts for Israel's Iron Dome?

Volkswagen is reportedly in talks with Israeli defence company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems about potentially converting VW's Osnabrück plant, currently threatened with closure, to producing defence-adjacent parts.

Germany

European Parliament: EPP apparently worked closely with AfD

Investigations suggest the EPP group in the European Parliament cooperated more closely with right-wing parties, including the AfD, on tougher EU migration laws, with a chat group and a meeting of MEPs playing a key role.

Culture news

Mysterious men-only Mithras cult site found by German archaeologists

German archaeologists have discovered new insights into Bavaria's Roman past from an ancient buried temple where Roman legionaries once worshipped the sun god Mithras.

United Arab Emirates

German cruise passengers stranded in the Persian Gulf amid Iran attack

The Persian Gulf is currently a hot zone due to hostilities. The Strait of Hormuz is closed to shipping, except for ships with connections to China or Russia that can pass.

Culture news

Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle reportedly faces axe over Gaza debate

Germany's Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer has allegedly called for Tricia Tuttle to be replaced as director of the Berlin International Film Festival as fallout continues over the pro-Palestinian stance of many of its participants.

25 February 2026

Culture news

Mysterious secret corridor discovered in German Stone Age burial site

Archaeologists in Germany have discovered a corridor system from the late Middle Ages in a burial site dating back to the 4th millennium BC.

25 February 2026

Culture news

Have archaeologists found a bone from Hannibal's war elephant?

Hannibal led the Second Punic War against Rome and became famous for his crossing of the Alps and the 16-year campaign which brought the ancient empire to the brink of collapse. Now, archaeologists say they've found a bone that could be from Hannibal's war elephant.

12 February 2026

Earth News

Why are frozen lizards falling from the sky in Florida?

The otherwise sunny US state of Florida is currently experiencing unusually low temperatures.

6 February 2026

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