Daily Briefing 30.04.2026, 16:38 (CEST)

Merz's CDU and Social Democrats agree coalition deal in German state

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have agreed to form a coalition government in the western German state of Rhine...

'So sensational': Dortmund's Kovač on PSG v Bayern thriller

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač said he was also thrilled by the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and his former club Bayern Munich which the French side won 5-4, altho...

Germany agrees cost-sharing plan in heating law reform

Germany's coalition government has agreed on a cost-sharing mechanism between landlords and tenants as part of planned reforms to its heating law, aiming to ease concerns over rising housin...

Israeli defence contractor could acquire VW plant set to shut

The Israeli defence company Rafael is seeking to take over Volkswagen's Osnabrück plant, according to a conservative member of the German parliament with defence industry ties.

Elderly German man arrested over hundreds of sexual abuse allegations

An 84-year-old man in Germany has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing several children over many years, with investigators alleging hundreds of offences, authorities announced on...

German chemicals firm BASF posts higher profit despite weaker sales

German chemicals giant BASF reported higher first-quarter profit on Thursday, even as sales fell due to adverse currency effects and slightly lower prices.

Supply bottlenecks grow for German industry amid Iran war

The share of German companies facing supply chain disruptions more than doubled to 13.8% in April, up from 5.8% recorded in January, the Munich-based ifo Institute reported on Thursday.

Germany achieves 0.3% growth in first quarter despite headwinds

The German economy grew by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to an official estimate released on Thursday.

Volkswagen profit falls 28% as China and US sales weaken

Volkswagen on Thursday reported a further decline in profit in the first quarter of 2026, as weaker sales in key markets and ongoing industry headwinds weighed on Europe's largest carmaker....

Germany first-quarter GDP data due as war weighs on outlook

Germany is set to release an initial estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) on Thursday, with economists expecting at best marginal growth in the first quarter as the fallout from the Ira...