Glider crashes onto A45 in North Rhine-Westphalia – one dead
A glider crashed onto the A45 motorway in North Rhine-Westphalia on Tuesday, killing one person and seriously injuring another. No vehicles on the road were hit.
Category Germany
News from Germany on politics, society, regions and everyday issues relevant to readers in Germany and across Europe.
Spahn questions Bafög increase due to budget situation
Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn (CDU) has questioned the planned increase in Bafög. Given the tight budget situation, he sees no financial leeway, as he told the "Münchner Merkur".
75 Grundgesetz: How Germany’s Provisional Constitution Came to Be
On May 23, 1949, the Grundgesetz was solemnly proclaimed. Frank Bräutigam's article for Tagesschau explains the history and key contents of the German constitution.
Record Naturalizations: 309,000 New Germans in 2025
More than 309,000 people acquired German citizenship in 2025, setting a new record. According to Spiegel, the reform of the nationality law contributed to this increase.
Night operation in Berlin: Wegner accompanies checks, shots fired in Kreuzberg
In the night before Saturday, customs, police and the job center checked shops in Berlin-Neukölln – with the governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) present. At the same time, shots were fired in Kreuzberg, as the Tagesspiegel reports.
Bundestag debates automatic child benefit payments
The Bundestag has held its first reading on plans to pay child benefit automatically without requiring an application. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) said the reform sounds small but would improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of families.
Employers Want to Link Long-Term Care Benefits to Life Expectancy
The Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) has proposed linking long-term care insurance benefits to general life expectancy, according to Deutschlandfunk.
Kaiserreich group: Three supporters sentenced to prison
The Munich Higher Regional Court has sentenced three supporters of the so-called Kaiserreich group, who planned the kidnapping of former health minister Karl Lauterbach during the coronavirus pandemic. The sentences range from one year and four months to two years and three months.
Civil Rights Report 2026: Militarization Threatens Freedoms in Germany
The 2026 Civil Rights Report, compiled by ten human rights organizations, warns of a growing militarization in Germany. According to Deutsche Welle, the authors criticize that security interests are increasingly prioritized over fundamental rights.
German states demand €14 billion more for regional trains
Germany's federal states are calling on Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) to increase funding for local rail services. Without additional billions, regional trains and S-Bahn lines face severe cuts, according to ZDFheute.
MVG improves U-Bahn replacement service at Goetheplatz and Poccistraße
For nearly a week, commuters on the U3 and U6 lines have had to switch to buses at Goetheplatz and Poccistraße. After numerous complaints about crowding and wrong buses, MVG is now responding with comprehensive measures.
Hesse: Number of firearm offenses rises sharply again
The number of firearm-related crimes in Hesse has increased significantly again, according to the police crime statistics. Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) expressed understanding for public concerns.
Bahn.de blocks Linux users with error 751
Linux users may encounter error 751 when checking train connections on bahn.de. According to Golem, Deutsche Bahn cites bot protection systems as the cause.
Germany recorded double-digit billions in migration follow-up costs in 2025
According to a report by "Welt", the federal government recorded a double-digit billion amount last year for the follow-up costs of migration. Additional burdens fall on states and municipalities.
Munich News: Eclipse Attack, Oktoberfest Dispute, Headhunter Verdict
The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports on the latest Munich news: the suspected mastermind of the attack on the Eclipse restaurant has been caught, the city cannot award Oktoberfest contracts despite winning a tent dispute, and a headhunter has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
Bundestag approves digital certificate of good conduct as PDF
The Bundestag has approved a legislative change that will allow the certificate of good conduct to be issued as a PDF in the future. Previously, the document was printed on special green paper.
Retirement at 70: Debate After Denied Media Report
A media report about a possible increase in the retirement age to 70 has sparked debate, but several parties have denied it. According to Tagesschau, a 13-member expert commission is to develop proposals for long-term pension reforms.
Munich Utilities Build Four Large Solar Parks in the Surrounding Area
Munich's municipal utilities have completed four large photovoltaic projects in the districts of Ebersberg, Munich, Dachau, and Erding, as reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Groundbreaking for Frankfurt’s Hellerhöfe District
A new neighborhood with around 1,000 residents is taking shape in Frankfurt's Gallus district. The cornerstone for the Hellerhöfe was laid on Tuesday, as reported by the FAZ.
Animal Welfare Association Sues German Government Over Insufficient Funding
The German Animal Welfare Association has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that it provides too little money for animal shelters. Many facilities are on the verge of collapse, according to Spiegel.
Driving License Reform: Cabinet Approves Digital and Cheaper Acquisition
The German cabinet has passed a reform draft aimed at making the driving license process more digital and affordable. Transport Minister Volker Wissing promises simpler procedures while maintaining high safety standards.
Driving Reform: Transport Minister Schnieder Aims to Cut Costs
A driving license in Germany currently costs an average of 3,400 euros. Transport Minister Schnieder wants to simplify the rules to reduce costs, as reported by Tagesspiegel.
Landtag president calls Interior Minister Hagel to order in plenum
In Baden-Württemberg's state parliament, Landtag President Thomas Strobl (CDU) reprimanded Interior Minister Manuel Hagel (CDU) for applauding from the government bench. The plenum burst into laughter, as WELT reports.
Suspected Chinese Spies Arrested in Munich
A married couple has been arrested in Munich. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office accuses them of spying for China at German universities.
Munich Utilities Miss Green Electricity Target – Commentary Calls for Honesty
Munich's municipal utility, Stadtwerke München (SWM), has made considerable progress in expanding renewable energy but failed to fully meet its self-imposed green electricity target, according to a commentary in the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Gordon Schnieder elected Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate
CDU politician Gordon Schnieder is the new Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate. The state parliament in Mainz elected him on Monday with 63 votes, as reported by Tagesschau.
Expert Council: Germany Clearly Missing Climate Targets
Germany is at risk of missing its climate targets, according to a new review by the Expert Council on Climate Issues. The independent advisory body accuses the federal government of doing too little for climate protection.
Bundeswehr imposes promotion freeze for non-commissioned officers until 2027
The Bundeswehr's decision to suspend promotions for non-commissioned officers until 2027 has sparked discontent among troops.
Study Shows: Germany Ranks Below Average in Child Welfare
Germany has received below-average results in a recent study on child welfare. Various factors affecting children's well-being in Germany were examined, according to Deutschlandfunk.
Fatal Cow Attack in Austria: 67-Year-Old Woman Dies After Incident
A 67-year-old woman has died after being attacked by a herd of cows in East Tyrol, Austria, while hiking with her husband.
Humpback Whale Timmy Dies – Criticism of Crisis Management
The death of the humpback whale Timmy has sparked public outrage and sharp criticism of the officials in the Ministry of Environment.
World War II Bomb Discovered in Pforzheim – 30,000 People Evacuated
A 1.8-ton World War II bomb has been found in Pforzheim, Baden-Württemberg, and is set to be defused today, prompting the evacuation of up to 30,000 residents.
Federal Police Implements Prohibition Zones at Train Stations Against Drugs and Violence
The Federal Police has introduced new prohibition zones at train stations in Berlin to combat violence and drugs.
Two Dead in Small Plane Crash in Limburgerhof
A small aircraft crashed in Limburgerhof, claiming the lives of two men, while residents escaped unharmed.
Gas burner explodes in Berlin-Hellersdorf without injuries
A gas burner explosion in Berlin-Hellersdorf caused a stir on Friday evening, but there were no injuries reported.
Hamburg: Police Arrest 18 Suspects for Racist Slogans
On Ascension Day, Hamburg police detained 18 men allegedly shouting racist slogans. Investigations are underway for incitement to hatred, according to Der Spiegel.
Munich Plans Drastic Childcare Fee Increases Under New Government
The new Mango coalition in Munich is set to implement significant increases in childcare fees starting September 2027, impacting families heavily.
Police stop car with twelve occupants on Father’s Day in Rhineland-Palatinate
On Father's Day, police in Rhineland-Palatinate stopped a car with twelve occupants. The driver was intoxicated, and some passengers were unsecured.
One in Eight X-ray Machines Found to Have Deficiencies, TÜV Report Reveals
According to Deutschlandfunk, one in eight X-ray machines in Germany has deficiencies, as highlighted in the latest TÜV report.
World War II Bomb Defused in Regensburg: Evacuation Successfully Completed
A World War II bomb was defused in Regensburg on Wednesday, with around 430 residents evacuated.