Germany Today

German news in English

Friday, January 17, 2025

Germany's Nuclear Debate Reignites

Germany's decision to phase out nuclear energy continues to spark heated debate. At a Bundestag inquiry, Economics Minister Robert Habeck defended his approach, rejecting claims of ideological bias.

22 h

Politics

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Sparks Crisis

Germany is grappling with its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in 35 years, originating in Brandenburg. The highly contagious virus, which affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, goats, and pigs, has led to the culling of hundreds of animals and the establishment of transport bans and quarantine zones.

22 h

Agriculture

Protests Erupt Over Weidel's Hamburg Visit

Thousands gathered in Hamburg to protest the visit of AfD chancellor candidate Alice Weidel to the city’s Rathaus. Mayor Peter Tschentscher emphasized Hamburg’s commitment to diversity and democracy, calling Weidel an "unwelcome guest.

Yesterday

Politics

Magdeburg Attack Sparks Political Outcry

The tragic attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market, which left six dead and over 300 injured, has raised serious questions about Germany's handling of security threats. A confidential report from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reveals that the attacker, Taleb A.

Yesterday

Politics

Hannover Police Face Corruption Scandal

Two police officers from Hannover are under investigation for corruption. A 33-year-old officer is in custody, accused of repeatedly accepting money during his duties.

Yesterday

Crime

Merz Sparks Debate on Green Steel

Friedrich Merz, CDU leader and German chancellor candidate, has ignited a heated debate over the future of green steel in Europe. Initially skeptical about the feasibility of hydrogen-based steel production, Merz questioned the availability and cost of green hydrogen, sparking criticism from political opponents and industry leaders.

Yesterday

Politics

Steffi Czerny: Germany's Tech Connector

Steffi Czerny, the 70-year-old founder of the DLD digital conference, has become a key figure in connecting Germany with Silicon Valley. Despite admitting she has no technical expertise, Czerny has built strong relationships with tech leaders, benefiting Germany's innovation landscape.

Yesterday

Technology

Habeck's Vision: 'Den Bach Rauf'

Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Green Party candidate for Chancellor, has released a new book titled "Den Bach Rauf" ("Up the Stream"). The book, described as a "course correction," critiques the rise of populism and emphasizes the importance of constructive dialogue in politics.

Yesterday

Politics

Stephanie Aeffner Dies at 48

Stephanie Aeffner, a Green Party member of the German Bundestag, has passed away at the age of 48. Representing the Pforzheim constituency since 2021, Aeffner was a passionate advocate for social justice, focusing on issues like child poverty, asylum, and disability rights.

Yesterday

Politics

Scholz Faces Criticism Over Ukraine Aid

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under fire for his stance on Ukraine aid, with critics accusing him of prioritizing domestic election strategies over international support. Scholz has resisted a proposed €3 billion aid package for Ukraine, citing budget constraints and the need to protect domestic spending on pensions and infrastructure.

Yesterday

Politics

Lindner Criticizes Green Nuclear Exit

Former Finance Minister Christian Lindner has sharply criticized the Green Party's approach to Germany's nuclear phase-out during a parliamentary inquiry. He argued that the Greens prioritized ideological and tactical considerations over pragmatic solutions, especially during the energy crisis caused by the Ukraine war.

Yesterday

Politics

Von der Leyen Honored with Karlspreis

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has been awarded the prestigious Karlspreis 2025 for her leadership during challenging times. The award recognizes her efforts in uniting Europe amidst external threats like Russia's aggression and internal challenges from populism.

15 January, 21:25

Politics

Tanker Crisis in the Baltic Sea

The oil tanker "Eventin," carrying 99,000 tons of oil, suffered a complete system failure and drifted in the Baltic Sea near Rügen. German authorities secured the Panama-flagged vessel, which is linked to Russia's shadow fleet, known for circumventing sanctions with aging ships.

15 January, 21:25

Environment

Deadly Ice Storm Hits Southern Germany

Southern Germany is grappling with severe icy conditions, causing chaos on roads and in the air. Over 1,000 accidents were reported in Baden-Württemberg alone, with at least three fatalities in Bavaria.

15 January, 21:25

Weather

Habeck's Tax Plan Sparks Debate

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has proposed a controversial plan to stabilize the country’s healthcare system by taxing capital gains. The idea, part of the Green Party’s platform, aims to broaden the funding base for public health insurance.

15 January, 21:25

Politics

Magdeburg Tragedy Spurs Aid Efforts

In the aftermath of the tragic attack on Magdeburg's Christmas market, over €2. 2 million in donations have been raised to support victims and their families.

7 January, 15:36

World

FDP's Fight for Political Survival

At the traditional Dreikönigstreffen in Stuttgart, FDP leader Christian Lindner delivered a spirited call for a political shift in Germany. Facing poor poll numbers and the risk of missing the next Bundestag, Lindner emphasized the FDP's role as a force for change, criticizing the CDU as a "political chameleon" and rejecting alliances with the SPD and Greens.

7 January, 11:33

Politics

Storm Disrupts German Rail Traffic

Severe storms across Germany caused widespread disruptions in rail and road traffic on Monday. In the north, the Hamburg-Berlin ICE route was temporarily closed due to a fallen tree but reopened partially by late evening.

7 January, 11:33

Weather

Greens Launch Bold Campaign in Lübeck

The German Green Party has officially kicked off its election campaign in Lübeck, with a strong focus on social justice, climate protection, and economic innovation. Before a packed audience of over 1,200 people, co-leaders Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock outlined their vision for a fairer and more sustainable Germany.

7 January, 03:06

Politics

Storm Hits Northern Germany

A powerful storm is sweeping across northern Germany, bringing severe weather to the North Sea coast and beyond. The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued warnings of heavy storm gusts reaching up to 110 km/h, particularly in coastal areas of Niedersachsen and Bremen.

6 January, 22:41

Weather

Storms and Chaos in NRW

North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is experiencing turbulent weather this week. Following a snowy weekend, temperatures rose to an unseasonably warm 15°C on Monday, accompanied by heavy rain and severe storms.

6 January, 22:41

Weather

Allianz CEO Proposes Sick Pay Reform

Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte has proposed reintroducing a "waiting day" for sick leave, where employees would not receive pay for their first day of illness. This measure, abolished in Germany in the 1970s, aims to reduce costs for employers and curb what Bäte describes as a high rate of absenteeism.

6 January, 13:41

Economy

FDP Faces Existential Crisis

The German Free Democratic Party (FDP) is grappling with a critical moment as it faces plummeting poll numbers and internal discontent. At the traditional Dreikönigstreffen in Stuttgart, party leader Christian Lindner sought to rally support, but doubts loom over the FDP's ability to re-enter parliament.

6 January, 09:13

Politics

Truck Crash Shuts Down A1 Highway

A major accident on the A1 highway near Stapelfeld, between Hamburg and Lübeck, has caused significant disruptions. Early this morning, a truck carrying cow manure collided with a bridge after a tire burst, spilling debris and manure across the road.

6 January, 09:13

Traffic

Mild Weather Returns After Ice Risk

Northern Germany is set for milder weather at the start of the week, with temperatures reaching up to 12°C in southern areas of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. However, the German Weather Service (DWD) warns of icy conditions before the warm-up, as snowfall on Sunday afternoon may turn to freezing rain.

6 January, 00:37

Weather