Daily Briefing 26.01.2026, 16:28 (CET)

German minister demands crackdown on Russian shadow fleet

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday called for tougher measures against the Russian shadow fleet, a network of tankers used by Moscow to circumvent sanctions on oil sales.

Vatican bans German far-right politician from return to church body

A far-right member of a German state parliament should remain banned from a Catholic Church council, officials in the Vatican decided on Monday.

North Sea states sign deal to create 'world's largest energy hub'

European countries bordering the North Sea have agreed to sizeable investments to expand offshore wind energy production, at a major gathering in Germany on Monday.

World Cup boycott? German government won't intervene

The German government will not get involved in a debate about a possible boycott of this summer's football World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, State Minister for Sport Christ...

Court orders psychiatric care after woman stabs 15 in Hamburg

A German woman is to be permanently placed in psychiatric care following a stabbing rampage at the main train station in Hamburg last year, the Hamburg regional court ruled on Monday.

German minister backs call for more full-timers to boost economy

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche on Monday said that it was important that people work full-time in order to boost the economy, after a proposal by fellow conservatives to restrict ...

Families of Holocaust survivors are their legacy, charity head says

The families of Holocaust survivors are their legacy, a charity leader has said, as the world prepares to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) at a “crucial juncture”.

German business sentiment flat as 2026 starts 'with little momentum'

Sentiment among German businesses failed to improve at the start of the year as forecasts on economic recovery this year remain subdued, according to a survey by a leading think thank publi...

Draisaitl, Schmid among German flag bearer nominees for Olympics

Ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl and seven-time ski jumping world champion Katharina Schmid are among the candidates to carry the German flag at the opening ceremony of the Milan/Cortina Wint...

Icy conditions restrict transport across Germany

Heavy snowfall and freezing rain disrupted rush-hour traffic across large parts of Germany on Monday morning.