… German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday that his country was preparing for further hybrid attacks, “including serious ones”, after a drone armed with explosives was found in August on the tarmac at Leipzig airport close to Ukrainian cargo planes. …
… After talks between Germany's foreign minister and his Russian counterpart at the United Nations on Saturday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Russia was "not interested" in meaningful talks to end the conflict. …
… As in several other recent state elections, the far-right Alternative for Germany is expected to improve its showing, although Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right CDU still leads the polls there. …
… e) party during a campaign meeting in front of Berlin's City Hall on September 18, 2026. [AFP] Germans began voting Sunday in two state elections where far-right and far-left gains could send new shock waves to Berlin and rock the government of embattled Chancellor Friedrich Merz …
… In Germany, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports restricting or even banning social media for children, an expert commission has proposed two options: gradual restrictions by age, or platform-specific restrictions. …
… German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his country had increasingly "found itself in the crosshairs of hybrid attackers" after an explosive-laden drone was found in August at Leipzig airport, a crucial military transport hub. …
… Subscribe to our newsletterChancellor Friedrich Merz said last week that Germany has "found itself in the crosshairs of hybrid attackers" and warned that the perpetrators would "pay for them", without naming a target.There had been much discussion of whether Germany should shut d …
… dels heat-related mortality using statistical methods that compare deaths during summer weeks with and without heatwaves. - 'Extreme summer' -Climate change and heat adaptation were on the agenda of a two-day cabinet retreat this week led by conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz …
German chancellor demands EU spend less and boost competitiveness By AFP July 29, 2026 03:14 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivers a speech at the German Association of T …
Vladimir Putin said Russia will deploy all weapons at its disposal if Kaliningrad comes under direct attack, insisting Moscow is responding to Western statements about preparing for war in 2029–2030. Russia has accused NATO of preparing to blockade its Baltic exclave bordering Lithuania and Poland, warning it would even use nuclear weapons if the West tries to cut off Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia.
Vladimir Putin said Russia will deploy all weapons at its disposal if Kaliningrad comes under direct attack, insisting Moscow is responding to Western statements about preparing for war in 2029–2030. Russia has accused NATO of preparing to blockade its Baltic exclave bordering Lithuania and Poland, warning it would even use nuclear weapons if the West tries to cut off Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia.
Russia conducted a wave of drone and missile strikes on Kyiv's power supply on Wednesday, killing at least four people as the capital braces for freezing winter conditions. Ukraine's main energy provider DTEK confirmed grid damage affecting 8,000 households.
Germany announced measures to crack down on social welfare abuse by citizens of poorer EU countries such as Bulgaria and Romania, addressing schemes in which citizens are given substandard accommodation and fake work contracts to claim welfare payments.
Germans voted Sunday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state elections where far-right and far-left gains threaten Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government. Merz, who has been in power for 16 months, cancelled a UN General Assembly trip to prepare for potential fallout after the AfD dealt his CDU a significant defeat in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks ago.
The European Union unveiled proposals Wednesday to ban social media for children under 13, as more than 20 countries worldwide have taken steps to block or restrict children's social media access. Seven countries have measures already in place or set to be implemented, targeting children under 15 or 16.
German media reported that police have identified two Russian suspects linked to an attempted "hybrid attack" involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport last month. The German government blamed Russia for the incident and announced measures including shuttering the Russian consulate in Bonn and a Russian cultural centre in Berlin.
The European Union has formed a new initiative bringing together military experts from Ukraine, Britain, and EU nations to advise European countries on addressing defence gaps. EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the advisors will convene from next week as Europe seeks to strengthen its defences against Russian aggression.
Germany blamed Russia for an attempted hybrid attack involving an explosive-laden drone at a strategic airport in August and announced diplomatic counter-measures including closing Russia's consulate in Bonn and canceling the contract for a Russian cultural centre in Berlin. Germany also announced it would tighten entry controls for Russian nationals and propose additional EU sanctions against Russian individuals.
Germany's national public health institute said the country registered a record 15,800 heat-related deaths this summer, with the worst-affected group being people over 75. Around 9,600 deaths occurred in late June when temperatures exceeded 40°C, and another 4,000 were recorded between late July and mid-August.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the EU to reduce its proposed 2028-2034 budget by several hundred billion euros and strengthen competitiveness, arguing that the European Commission's two-trillion-euro spending plan is too high.
German authorities recovered a video from the phone of suspected attacker Abdul Ballout, 21, in which he claims responsibility for the weekend assault at Berlin's Pride festival in Tiergarten park on behalf of the Islamic State. As of Tuesday, one person had died and 29 others were injured in the attack; police shot and killed Ballout shortly after.
A white minivan struck people near Berlin's Christopher Street Day Pride event on Saturday evening, killing one woman and injuring 29 others. Police identified the chief suspect as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, a German citizen of Lebanese origin and alleged Islamic State supporter with a May criminal conviction.
A growing number of countries are implementing or proposing restrictions on children's access to social media, with more than 20 countries now involved and five already enforcing measures, mostly targeting children under 15 or 16. The European Union is considering similar regulations, with an expert committee set to submit recommendations to the European Commission.
German NGOs have condemned Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition's plans to restrict Freedom of Information Act access to German or EU citizens with "legitimate interest," warning the move could hinder corruption investigations and public oversight.
G7 leaders at a three-day summit hailed newly-found unity on increasing pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, sensing a shift by President Donald Trump to take a tougher line against Moscow. The leaders agreed on a final statement involving key geopolitical issues and committed to increasing supplies of air defence equipment to Ukraine.
G7 leaders, alongside G7 partner countries Kenya and Korea, agreed Tuesday to intensify efforts against human trafficking and migrant smuggling by dismantling organised criminal networks and disrupting their business models.
President William Ruto arrived in Evian, France, to represent Africa at the G7 Leaders' Summit, invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. Ruto, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto and Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, will participate in discussions on the economy, international trade, climate action, security, and artificial intelligence.
President William Ruto arrived in Evian, France, to participate in the G7 Leaders' Summit as an invited guest of French President Emmanuel Macron. Ruto is expected to advocate for reforms of the global financial system and stronger Africa-world partnerships on trade, infrastructure, and energy.
President William Ruto is travelling to Evian, France for the G7 Leaders' Summit, where he will champion Africa's economic agenda and push for reforms to the global financial system. He received a personal invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron and will present Africa's common position as shaped during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi last month.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted Ukraine deserves full EU membership rather than the "associate member" status without voting rights proposed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelensky argued that Ukraine's presence in the EU must be complete with full rights, citing his country's defence of Europe against Russian invasion.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has renewed criticism of NATO members for not supporting the US war on Iran, saying that while many agree Iran is a nuclear threat, they refuse to help despite not being asked to commit troops or fighter jets. Rubio made the remarks ahead of NATO foreign minister talks in Sweden, following a US-Israel joint attack on Iran on February 28.
German federal prosecutors arrested a married couple identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S. on suspicion of working for a Chinese intelligence agency and seeking information on high-tech with military applications by establishing contacts with German scientists at universities and research institutions.
The United States has canceled the planned deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland as Washington reorganizes its forces in Europe following a decision to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany. The cancellation, ordered by the Secretary of Defense, affected the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, with some elements already deployed and equipment in transit.
President Trump announced the US will pause its operation escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a peace agreement with Iran. Secretary of State Rubio said the US has completed offensive operations against Iran while reserving the right to respond to further attacks on shipping.
World leaders including Germany, France, Britain and Saudi Arabia are pressing Iran to return to diplomacy as the Middle East ceasefire deteriorates following exchanges of fire between Iran and the United States over the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian attacks reported by the United Arab Emirates for the first time since the truce was declared nearly a month ago.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next six to twelve months, according to the Pentagon, amid tensions between the US and Europe over the Mideast war and trade disputes.
US President Donald Trump said Friday he was "not satisfied" with a new Iranian negotiating proposal, as peace talks remain frozen despite a weeks-long ceasefire that began in April. Trump blamed stalled negotiations on "tremendous discord" within Iran's leadership and faced pressure at home to seek congressional authorization for the conflict.
The United States approved a $4 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Qatar and a nearly $1 billion sale of precision weapons systems to Israel, citing support for US foreign policy and national security objectives. The Pentagon also announced the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year.
US President Donald Trump stated that a naval blockade against Iran could last months, causing oil prices to reach their highest level in more than four years. With US-Iran diplomacy at a standstill, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned of "damaging consequences" if the US and Israel resume military action against Iran.
President Trump warned Iran to "get smart soon" and accept U.S. demands for strict nuclear controls, as a U.S. naval blockade pressures Iran's economy. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has decided to reject Iran's latest deal proposal and intends to continue the blockade until Tehran dismantles its nuclear programme.