Daily Briefing 16.09.2025, 16:21 (CEST)

Merz stresses unity in Nawrocki meeting overshadowed by WWII claims

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz assured Poland's newly-minted President Karol Nawrocki of his country's full solidarity in light of the threat emanating from Russia, as the right-wing populist made his inaugural visit to Berlin on Tuesday.

Germany's top diplomat to attend two-state conference in New York

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul plans to attend a Palestine conference on the eve of the UN General Assembly next week, as Berlin seeks to make clear to the Israeli government that it is not happy with its actions in the Palestinian Territories.

German minister urges US to 'finally' slam new sanctions on Russia

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Tuesday called on Washington to finally impose further sanctions on Moscow, following the recent incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace.

Number of games abandoned in German amateur football drops again

The number of matches in German amateur football abandoned due to violence or discrimination incidents has dropped again in 2024-25, but it remains above the pre-coronavirus figures.

Merz tries to boost industry's confidence in German government

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is appealing for Germany's manufacturing community to have confidence in his government.

EU Commission greenlights German long-term budget despite new debt

The European Commission on Tuesday backed Germany's budget proposal for the years 2025-31 despite plans for new debt to finance massive investments in defence, infrastructure and climate protection.

German police raid suspected far-right group believed to be armed

German investigators carried out raids across three states on Tuesday targeting a suspected armed far-right extremist group.

New Polish president to push for Nazi-era reparations in Berlin talks

Poland's newly-minted President Karol Nawrocki arrived in Berlin on Tuesday for an inaugural visit which he intends to use as an opportunity to bring up renewed demands for reparations for damage suffered during World War II at the hands of Hitler's Germany.

US carmaker Ford to cut 1,000 jobs at German plant in Cologne

US carmaker Ford is set to axe 1,000 jobs at its plant in Cologne in early 2026, the firm said on Tuesday, citing weak demand for electric vehicles.

Germany coach Mumbro back in hospital for surgery after Euro title

German basketball national team coach Alex Mumbru has gone to hospital in his native Spain after the EuroBasket 2025 title win to undergo pancreatitis surgery.