Daily Briefing 18.03.2026, 16:47 (CET)

Germany urges EU to do more to boost Syria's economic recovery

Germany has called on the European Union to expand economic relations with Syria to help the country recover and stabilize more quickly after more than a decade of civil war, according to a position paper addressed to the European Commission.

German president to visit Guatemala's Tikal, site of famed Maya ruins

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to visit the famous Maya ruins in Guatemala's Tikal National Park on Wednesday on the second day of his visit to the Central American country.

Anti-Semitic incidents up at Holocaust memorial sites in Germany

Germany has seen a surge in anti-Semitic incidents registered at sites commemorating the victims of Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime, according to figures released on Wednesday.

Berlin would have advised against course of action in Iran, Merz says

Despite all the US president's appeals to Europeans, Chancellor Merz remains firm on the issue of the Iran war. Ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, he is counting on greater European self-confidence.

Residential construction permits in Germany up 8.4% in January

The housing construction sector shows increasing signs of improvement. Building permits rose sharply at the beginning of the year. However, the war with Iran is increasing the burden on developers.

15 tons of gummies stolen from lorry parked near German motorway

A container loaded with some 15 metric tons of fruit jellies has been stolen from a lorry parked near a German motorway, police said on Wednesday.

Flights cancelled at Berlin airport as workers strike for better pay

Passenger air traffic at Berlin's international airport came to a standstill on Wednesday after ground staff went on a one-day strike over an ongoing pay dispute.

Volkswagen will continue Wolfsburg backing in event of relegation

Volkswagen intends to continue supporting men's football team VfL Wolfsburg even in the event of relegation from the Bundesliga, the carmaker's chief executive Oliver Blume said on Wednesday.

UniCredit: Commerzbank takeover bid intended to resolve 'stalemate'

A takeover offer made by Italian bank UniCredit for German lender Commerzbank is aimed at breaking the deadlock between the two major European banks, UniCredit chief executive Andrea Orcel said on Wednesday.

Top Greek lawmaker slams axing of Deutsche Welle Greek service

The speaker of the Greek parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, has criticized the planned discontinuation of German broadcaster Deutsche Welle's Greek-language service and called for a review of the decision.