Daily Briefing 16.05.2026, 11:12 (CEST)

Analysis: German blue-chip firms lift profits despite weaker sales

Germany's blue-chip companies increased profits in the first quarter despite lower revenues, driven mainly by strong results in the financial sector, according to an analysis by consultancy EY.

Worker dies after chemical spill injures dozens in Germany

A chemical spill at a company in Nuremberg in southern Germany on Friday left one man dead and injured some 30 others.

'Maybe we are currently fighting too much,' Merz says of his coalition

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday admitted that his governing coalition, which continues to make headlines due to repeated infighting, could do better.

Labour strikes drag down passenger numbers at Frankfurt airport

Six strike days at Lufthansa cost Frankfurt Airport around half a million passengers in April, operator Fraport said on Friday.

German Economy Ministry sees slower growth ahead

The German government is expecting a clear economic slowdown in the second quarter after a stronger-than-expected start to the year, the Economy Ministry said in its May report.

Germany expands assets it could provide to a Hormuz mission

Germany is ready to supply further equipment and personnel for a potential international mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

Commerzbank boss says AI to drive large share of planned job cuts

Commerzbank chief executive Bettina Orlopp said artificial intelligence would account for a large share of the roughly 3,000 job cuts planned by the lender as it seeks to fend off a takeover by Italy's UniCredit.

German LGBTQ+ group accuses state of failing to curb hate crime

Germany is failing to adequately protect queer people from rising hate crime, LGBTQ+ advocacy group LSVD+ said ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Eurovision final line-up complete after second semi-final

The line-up for Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest final in Vienna is complete after Thursday's second semi-final, with Romania's Alexandra Capitanescu and Australia's Delta Goodrem among the acts to qualify.

Report: Bayern goalkeeper Neuer extends contract by a year

Manuel Neuer has extended his contract with Bayern Munich for one year and is expected to remain the club's first-choice goalkeeper next season, Bild newspaper reported on Friday.