- 3h ago
EU split over migration after 60,000 cross into Ceuta; 22 leaders demand border crackdown
After 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, 22 EU leaders signed a letter calling for stronger external borders, while Spain accused some partners of 'selfish' reactions and Italy suspended Schengen rules.
- 6h ago
Spain installs floating barrier off Ceuta after 60,000 migrants cross from Morocco, 67 dead
Spanish authorities began installing a 500-metre floating barrier between Morocco and the Ceuta beach of Tarajal on Saturday, days after 50,000 to 60,000 people crossed into the North African exclave in a surge that left at least 67 dead.
- 12h ago
Dieter Hallervorden's CDU campaign tour sparks row over anti-Merz song and Gaza genocide sign
The 90-year-old actor's cabaret performances for Saxony-Anhalt's CDU candidate Sven Schulze drew sharp criticism from the party's federal leadership after he called the defence minister a 'war minister' and displayed a 'Stop the genocide in Gaza' sign.
- 2d ago
Five eastern German state premiers threaten to block federal pension reform, opposing end to early retirement at 63
The CDU premiers of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, joined by SPD leaders in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, have publicly rejected a central plank of Chancellor Merz's pension overhaul: abolishing the deduction-free early retirement after 45 contribution years, known popularly as 'Rente mit 63.'
- 2d ago
Brandenburg JU chief quits CDU, says party has lost credibility under Merz
The state chair of the Junge Union in Brandenburg has resigned from her post and quit the CDU, accusing the party leadership under Chancellor Friedrich Merz of abandoning its campaign promises and pursuing policies that burden working people.
- 3d ago
Death toll in Ceuta migrant crisis reaches 72 as Spain installs floating barrier
At least 72 people died trying to reach the Spanish enclave from Morocco, while Madrid installed a 500-metre floating barrier and over 48,000 migrants returned.
- 6d ago
Berlin Pride attacker was under police surveillance; Polish woman dead, 31 injured
On Saturday evening, a van rammed into Berlin's Pride parade, killing a 65-year-old Polish woman and injuring 31. The suspect, a known Islamist under police surveillance, attacked with a machete and was shot dead by police the next day.
- 6d ago
Merz reshuffles CDU and cabinet: Franziska Hoppermann to become party general secretary, Linnemann moves to health ministry
Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed the current party treasurer to the CDU presidium on Monday, part of a wider personnel package triggered by Jens Spahn's resignation as parliamentary group leader.
- Jul 26
Söder announces 2028 re-election bid, defends Merz's reshuffle, and warns against AfD cooperation
Bavarian premier Markus Söder used the ZDF Sommerinterview to confirm his 2028 candidacy, defend Chancellor Merz's cabinet reshuffle, and draw a sharp line against cooperation with the AfD, while also addressing the Berlin CSD attack.
- Jul 26
Berlin police shoot dead suspect in Pride parade attack that killed one and injured 29
Abdul Ballout, 21, was tracked to a community garden in Spandau on Sunday and shot after charging officers with a knife. The attack on the Christopher Street Day parade left one woman dead and 29 injured.
- Jul 26
One dead, at least 14 injured as van rams Berlin Pride parade; Islamist suspect identified but not yet arrested
A white van drove into crowds celebrating Christopher Street Day at Berlin's Tiergarten park Saturday evening, killing a woman and wounding between 14 and 17 people. Police identified a suspect from the Islamist milieu known to authorities, but the man has not been arrested yet.
- Jul 25
New German study warns gas heating costs could nearly double by 2040, heat pumps offer stable savings
Homeowners opting for a new gas boiler face the prospect of annual heating bills nearly doubling from €1,080 to €1,952 by 2040, according to an unpublished study by the German Economic Institute, while a heat pump would keep costs stable and save at least €1,000 per year.
- Jul 25
Linnemann, with 'hell of a respect', takes on health minister role despite own earlier doubts
Carsten Linnemann, previously unsure of his suitability, now accepts Germany's health ministry, promising to reduce the number of health insurance funds and stabilize social contributions.
- Jul 24
Merz reshuffles German cabinet after Spahn resignation, signals further changes before state votes
Chancellor Friedrich Merz replaced his chancellery chief and health minister on Friday, with the transport minister also expected to depart, as he seeks to revive his unpopular government before September regional elections.
- Jul 23
Merz reshuffles cabinet as CDU rebellion exposes chancellor's weakened grip
Chancellor Friedrich Merz replaced his transport and health ministers and installed a new parliamentary group leader after an 11-day reshuffle, but open criticism from senior CDU figures and a new pension row with eastern state premiers left his authority badly dented.
- Jul 22
Germany clears French-Russian nuclear fuel production at Lingen, bans Rosatom staff and urges EU sanctions
A German state has cleared a French-Russian nuclear fuel venture at the Lingen plant, imposing a ban on Rosatom staff and demanding EU sanctions on Moscow's nuclear sector.
- Jul 22
Azerbaijan's president confirms secret German-Russian talks in Baku, says territory used without consent
Ilham Aliyev said flight records show former German and Russian officials met in Baku on 12–14 July, but neither Berlin nor Moscow informed his government.
- Jul 22
Kretschmer: 'Whoever still talks about firewalls has not recognized the signs of the times'
Saxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer says the CDU must talk to every party, including the Left, as state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern approach in September.
- Jul 21
Germany seeks more Azerbaijani gas and oil as Merz and Aliyev sign strategic pact, while Baku backchannel surfaces
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed in Berlin to deepen energy ties, with Germany seeking more gas and oil while Aliyev demanded new pipelines and investment. The meeting also surfaced a secret backchannel between former German and Russian officials in Baku.
- Jul 20
German sick leave dips slightly in first half of 2026 as mental illness becomes top cause, DAK data shows
Average sick days per worker fell to 9.6 from 9.9 a year earlier, but the government is pushing stricter rules for sick notes, sparking protests from doctors.
