Daily Briefing 05.02.2026, 13:37 (CET)

Icy conditions halt departures at Berlin airport

Flights were unable to depart from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) on Thursday morning due to icy conditions, an airport spokeswoman said.

German factory orders surge in December, defying forecasts

Signs are mounting that Germany's industrial downturn may be coming to an end, with companies receiving more orders for a fourth consecutive month in December, government data showed on Thu...

Major blackout strikes German city of Stuttgart, crippling traffic

A large-scale power outage struck Stuttgart on Thursday morning, paralysing traffic, disrupting public transport and triggering a wave of automatic fire alarms across the German city.

German property price growth slows at end of 2025, index shows

Price growth in Germany's residential property market slowed towards the end of 2025, with apartment prices edging down and gains in single-family homes remaining modest, an index from the ...

Germany, Australia hail close ties amid pressure from 'big powers'

Germany and Australia are seeking to expand cooperation in a range of areas, including defence and energy, as the two countries try to reinforce existing alliances in a rapidly evolving wor...

German intelligence agency: Russia understates military spending

Russia's military spending in recent years was up to 66% higher than indicated in its official defence budget, according to an analysis by Germany's BND intelligence agency.

German machinery businesses hope for upturn as orders improve

Sentiment across Germany's mechanical engineering sector has brightened slightly, after orders improved slightly in 2025 following a years-long slump, a trade group said on Wednesday.

Majority of German teens aged 16–18 oppose smartphone ban in schools

A majority of teenagers aged 16 to 18 in Germany oppose a ban on smartphones in schools, according to a survey.

German Olympic gold medal hopes mainly rest on sliding teams again

Germany want to finish in the top three again at the Milan/Cortina Winter Olympics. Good showings in the sliding events could be crucial in this attempt.

HRW says situation in Germany for migrants has worsened

The living situation for immigrants and their descendants in Germany has worsened, the rights watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday.