Daily Briefing 16.03.2026, 17:03 (CET)

Outrage in Germany after UniCredit's 'hostile' takeover bid

Italian bank UniCredit said on Monday it has submitted an official takeover bid for German lender Commerzbank, a step that was swiftly met with condemnation in Frankfurt and Berlin.

Over 600,000 left Germany's two main Christian churches in 2025

More than 600,000 German Catholics and Protestants left the church in 2025, official figures revealed on Monday, as Germany's two main Christian churches continued to haemorrhage members.

Germany calls on Israel not to expand ground operations in Lebanon

The German government on Monday expressed great concern about Israel's attacks on Lebanon, calling on the country not to expand its ground operations after cross-border fighting between the...

Berlin rejects US call to protect Strait of Hormuz

The German government on Monday rejected a call by US President Donald Trump for NATO allies to help protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks in a bid to bri...

Midfielder Reitz to join Leipzig from Gladbach

Midfielder Rocco Reitz is moving from Borussia Mönchengladbach to Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig in July.

German politicians pressure football bodies over stadium violence

German states are ramping up the pressure on the football league and clubs to ban violent fans or face repercussions.

New coalition deal after collapse of German state government

Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) and the conservative Christian Democrats signed a coalition deal in Brandenburg on Monday, paving the way for a new regional government in the eastern state...

Berlin airport faces disruption on Wednesday as union calls strike

Berlin's international airport faces disruption on Wednesday after the Verdi trade union called a strike over an ongoing pay dispute.

Conservatives remain strongest force in Hesse's local elections

The conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) of Chancellor Friedrich Merz remained the strongest force in local elections in the western central German state of Hesse on Sunday, according to ...

Pressure on Arsenal as confident Leverkusen go to London

Bayer Leverkusen head to Arsenal for their Champions League last 16 second leg on Tuesday feeling boosted by their performances in the first leg and at the weekend against Bayern Munich.