Daily Briefing 28.11.2025, 17:08 (CET)

German lawmakers approve huge 2026 budget with billions in new debt

Germany's budget for 2026 was approved by lawmakers in the lower house of parliament on Friday, with expenditure of €525 billion ($608 billion).

Merz to meet Netanyahu on December 7 during first Israel trip

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is travelling to Israel on December 6-7 for his first visit to the country, his spokesman confirmed on Friday.

German unemployment rate ticks down to 6.1% in November

Germany's unemployment rate fell slightly to 6.1% in November, official figures showed on Friday.

German government fears 'downward spiral' in Africa's Sahel region

The German government says it is very concerned about a coup in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau.

Nord Stream blast suspect remanded in custody in Germany

The suspected mastermind of the Nord Stream pipeline attacks in 2022 was remanded in custody in Germany on Friday after his extradition from Italy.

Germany's inflation rate stuck at 2.3%

Inflation in Germany remains stubbornly above the 2% mark, according to official figures released on Friday.

'Utter madness' - German clubs demand changes to away fan experience

A series of incidents affecting travelling German fans in Europe have agitated Bundesliga clubs, with VfB Stuttgart chairman Alexander Wehrle saying supporters are being "treated like serio...

A German Olympics won't work without Berlin, says city mayor

Berlin must be the venue for a German Olympics because of its status and the economic benefit it will bring to eastern Germany, city mayor Kai Wegner said on Friday.

Cologne evacuates 6,000 for World War II bomb defusal

Around 6,000 people were temporarily evacuated from their homes in the German city of Cologne on Thursday evening for the defusal of two World War II bombs.

Dozens of Afghans approved to enter Germany amid US crackdown

Dozens of Afghan nationals have entered Germany under a federal admission programme, the Interior Ministry confirmed on Friday, after the United States announced it was pausing immigration ...