Daily Briefing 03.05.2026, 12:36 (CEST)

Germany sees rise in battery storage system capacity

Germany saw two-thirds more battery storage systems installed in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year, industry figures showed on Sunday. 

Most believe German coalition won't last until next election

More than half of people in Germany do not expect the current coalition between the mainstream centre-left and centre-right parties to hold together until the 2029 elections, according to a...

Leading German institute chief warns of recession due to US tariffs

The president of a leading think tank has warned of significant risks to the German economy amid the threat of new US tariffs.

Schalke clinch promotion back to Bundesliga

Schalke returned to the Bundesliga after three seasons away on Saturday after a 1-0 home win over struggling Fortuna Dusseldorf secured promotion from the second tier.

Heidenheim held late on by Bayern, heated dispute for top-four

Injury-time goals from Michael Olise and Tiago Tomás handed Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart 3-3 draws on Saturday in results which could have big impacts on both ends of the Bundesliga.

Berlin May 1 rally largely peaceful, though objects thrown at police

The demonstration to mark May 1 was largely calm in Berlin, the German police trade union said on Saturday, though it noted isolated acts of violence.

Syrians returning home in large numbers, but few from Germany

Around 1.6 million Syrian refugees have returned home since the political transition at the end of 2024, most of them from neighbouring countries, according to figures from the UNHCR, the UN's refugee body.

Berlin stresses shared interests as US set to pull out 5,000 troops

German Defence Minister Pistorius stressed that the United States and Germany have shared military interests after the announcement that thousands of US service members would be withdrawn from Germany.

Europe's EPC intergovernmental forum meets in Yerevan without Merz

A summit of the European Political Community (EPC), a forum set up in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, will go ahead in Armenia on Monday for the first time without the presence of the German chancellor.

German group releases Timmy the whale into the North Sea

The humpback whale nicknamed Timmy by the press that has been stranded for weeks off the German coast has been set free, the team behind the initiative responsible for the operation said.