Daily Briefing 07.10.2026, 14:53 (CEST)

New €9bn railway line to link Germany's Hamburg and Hanover by 2050

A decision has been reached in the years-long dispute over modernizing the important north-south axis in northern Germany: a new line is to be built.

AfD state speaker says he received votes from Merz's conservatives

AfD politician Tobias Rausch says that he was elected President of the State Parliament with votes from the CDU as well. What does this mean for the election of the Minister-President in Saxony-Anhalt?

Germany marks anniversary as Merz affirms support for Israel

Around 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel three years ago. The Chancellor and the Foreign Minister are commemorating the victims and warning of rising antisemitism in Germany.

AI helps drive sharp rise in German electrical industry orders

The order situation in the German electrical and digital industry is improving noticeably. How experts assess this positive trend.

Germany treats first patient with CRISPR therapy since approval

The Nobel Prize was awarded in 2020 for the development of the CRISPR method. Now, for the first time nationwide since the approval of the gene-editing therapy, a patient has received the corresponding treatment.

China criticizes Germany, France over calls for new EU trade tools

China has criticized Germany and France over their calls for new European measures to protect against unfair trade practices.

Germany's Porsche to focus on luxury vehicles in sweeping new strategy

Just a few years ago, Porsche sold one in three of its cars in China. But those days are over. Business in the People's Republic is faring significantly worse — and that is likely to remain the case for the time being.

Germany plans to criminalize rape videos and sexual deepfakes

Anyone who misuses others' identities online or films in a sauna without permission will face the prospect of imprisonment in the future. How the federal government plans to better protect victims of digital abuse.

Germany blocks sale of Hamburg logistics firm to China's COSCO

The Federal Cartel Office had approved a deal with a major Chinese shipping company. However, the federal government is now halting it.

Survey: Majority of Germans believe Merz has failed as chancellor

Friedrich Merz remains stuck in a polling slump; the majority of Germans see no future for him as Chancellor. But there is no clarity yet regarding his potential successor.