Germany Merz rejects calls to drop 'firewall' and work with Germany's AfD The far-right AfD party finished second in Germany's snap national election in February and polls since then have shown its support base continues to grow. 20/10/2025
The Cube Did pro-Russian supporters fly a Putin hot air balloon in Berlin? Social media users claim that the alleged stunt was to show support for Russia rather than Ukraine. 20/10/2025
Culture news What is 2025's German Youth Word of the Year? Every year, Germany’s youth select their annual "Youth Word of the Year", which is voted for by youngsters around the country. 20/10/2025
Economy Germany greenlights €2,000 tax-free earnings for pensioners From 2026, Germany will keep expert retirees in the labour market by allowing them to earn up to €2,000 a month tax-free. 15/10/2025
Economy German economic sentiment edges higher but recovery remains fragile Germany’s ZEW economic sentiment slightly rose in October, yet annual inflation accelerated to 2.4% last month, driven by rising service costs. Markets fell, with the DAX down 0.9%, as renewed US-China trade tensions weighed on sentiment. 14/10/2025
Tech News Chat Control on hold, Europe's Eastern flank remains passive Germany’s withdrawal freezes CSAR, yet the EU’s eastern flank remains passive, signalling a deeper malaise: inefficient interministerial cooperation, capital–PermRep disconnects, and a habit of sidelining digital policy. 11/10/2025
No Comment Festival of Lights brings colour and creativity to Berlin nights Berlin’s skyline was illuminated on Thursday evening as the city marked the opening of its annual Festival of Lights, transforming landmarks and public spaces into radiant works of art. 10/10/2025
Tech News Good drones, bad drones: The battle to clear up Germany's skies Germany will allow its police officers to shoot down drones. But could the new policy be a danger to aerial vehicles carrying life-saving medicines? 10/10/2025
Germany Daughter, 17, suspected in stabbing of newly elected mayor in Germany Iris Stalzer, 57, was found at home with multiple stab wounds at her home in Herdecke in western Germany on Tuesday. Her life is no longer in danger. 08/10/2025
Economy Germany projects a sliver of growth, betting on Merz’s €500bn overhaul Despite a slightly improved growth projection, Merz’s coalition is banking on infrastructure spending and quicker investment approvals to revive momentum. 08/10/2025
Poland Tusk says extraditing Nord Stream suspect 'not in Poland's interest' Volodymyr Z — a Ukrainian man wanted in Germany in connection with the Nord Stream blasts in September 2022 — was detained near Warsaw last month. 08/10/2025
Europe News I’m the clearest defender of Israel in Brussels, Germany’s FM says On the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, Johann Wadephul praised himself of being "the one who always stands most clearly on Israel's side" when he is surrounded by his EU counterparts in Brussels. 08/10/2025
Culture news German chancellor threatens to boycott Eurovision if Israel excluded Chancellor Friedrich Merz says that if Israel is excluded from Eurovision 2026, Germany will not take part. 06/10/2025
Green News This German city has been crowned Europe’s greenest capital The city came top thanks to its scores for air quality, water, noise, climate change adaptation and its circular economy. 06/10/2025
Belgium Drones detected flying over military base in Belgium, reports say Around 15 drones were detected by chance over a military base in Elsenborn during a routine test of surveillance equipment. 03/10/2025
Germany Munich Airport reopens after drone sightings halt flights The incident is the latest in a string of drone sightings across Europe in the last week. The airport, which closed late on Thursday night, reopened early on Friday morning. 03/10/2025
Economy Illness tops job loss as Germany’s biggest debt trigger A new report finds health-related problems now account for nearly one in five overindebtedness cases in Germany, outpacing unemployment and divorce. 02/10/2025
World News Europe's drone wall: Political puzzles and bureaucratic hurdles German drone company Quantum Systems says a European drone wall is posssible but warns that the real challenge is political and bureaucratic coordination between the EU and NATO. 02/10/2025
Germany Alleged Hamas members arrested in Berlin suspected of plotting attacks Two of the suspects are German citizens and the federal prosecutor's office described the third as being born in Lebanon. 01/10/2025
No Comment Munich Oktoberfest resumes after closure Munich’s Oktoberfest resumed after a tense seven-hour shutdown due to a bomb threat. Police cleared the grounds, ensuring safety for festival-goers. 01/10/2025