Daily Briefing 22.11.2025, 17:15 (CET)

'Harmonious' meeting between Merz, Lula despite Belém controversy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met on the sidelines of G20 talks in South Africa on Saturday, after the German leader sparked outrage with comments on the Brazilian city hosting the COP30 climate talks.

German Economy Ministry clears Covestro sale to UAE energy company

Germany's economy ministry has given the green light for specialty plastics manufacturer Covestro's takeover by the United Arab Emirates' state-owned energy company.

German upper house approves underground CO2 storage

Germany's upper house on Friday paved the way for underground storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) on an industrial scale, signing off on a bill passed in the lower house that will now take effect.

Lufthansa rejects pilots' union demands as dispute drags on

German flagship airline Lufthansa's chief executive Jens Ritter has again rejected union demands in an ongoing pensions dispute involving its pilots, describing them as unrealistic.

Armbruster criticizes exclusion of women's Nordic combined from Games

World Cup champion Nathalie Armbruster has sharply criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for not including the women's Nordic combined in the Olympics schedule in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in February.

Germany's austerity package delayed by parliamentary upper house

Germany's upper house of parliament threw the government's austerity plans into some confusion on Friday by halting their implementation, at least temporarily.

Strack-Zimmermann calls US plan for Ukraine 'crazy dictated peace'

The chair of the Committee on Security and Defence in the EU Parliament, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, has sharply criticized the newly tabled US plan to end the war in Ukraine.

Poll: Majority of Germans support voluntary military service plan

A majority of Germans would support a voluntary military service programme, according to a survey commissioned by dpa.

German finance minister sees advantages of smartphones in schools

Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has said he is opposed to banning mobile phones and social media in schools.

Germany's 1&1 agrees to acquire 1&1 Versatel From United Internet

German telecommunications company 1&1 AG said on Friday it had agreed to acquire 1&1 Versatel from United Internet.