Germany
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Germany

Germany
Germany
The latest breaking news and stories on Germany, a country in northern Europe known as a federal republic, and the world’s fourth largest economy. Also covering Germany’s relationship with China and Europe, plus commentary and updates on Germany’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
Berlin
Head of State
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Head of Government
Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Olaf Scholz
South Koreans view parenthood as a source of joy, but widespread anxiety about financial burdens highlights a critical tension underlying the country’s low fertility rate and persistent economic worries. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea

South Koreans see joy in parenthood but fear economic strain

While 74 per cent see joy in children, 92 per cent say economic burdens impact family planning – a factor in South Korea’s record-low birth rate.

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Israel-Gaza war

Hamas says will dissolve its Gaza government when Palestinian body takes over

India

India’s Modi to host German leader to bolster trade, defence ties

Greenland

Britain in talks with Nato allies over Arctic security as US eyes Greenland

UK minister says talks on the Arctic ‘business as usual’, while Trump posits having Greenland ‘one way or the other’.

Donald Trump has said that he would like to make a deal to acquire Greenland, a semiautonomous region of Nato ally Denmark. Photo: Reuters
Britain

1 dead in UK, 100,000 French homes without power as storms batter Europe

The man died on Friday after a tree fell onto a caravan in Cornwall, while some rail services in Germany remain affected by the storms.

Taiwan

Taiwan to fortify key facilities and ramp up ammunition output to ward off PLA

Senior official says the island must be ready for drones and new grey-zone tactics as Trump fuels doubts about US commitment.

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Crime

Online predator ‘White Tiger’ on trial in Germany over crimes against children

Shahriar J is accused of driving a trans teen in the US to suicide, and of encouraging kids to make porn that he then used to exploit them.

A justice officer is pictured ahead of the start of the “White Tiger” trial in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday. Photo: AFP
European Union

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

Artificial intelligence

Chinese robot vacuum maker Dreame sees AI-driven appliances run household chores

The firm’s ambition is to become a ‘world-class technology company’, global president Chang Xinwei says.

Donald Trump

Trump plots to buy Greenland, as Nato ally Denmark seethes

The US president has repeatedly refused to rule out using force to seize the Arctic island, but his team says the first option is diplomacy.

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A Danish navy vessel patrols the waters off Nuuk, Greenland, in March 2025. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Ukraine’s allies agree to ‘robust’ security guarantees in push to end war

UK and France could deploy troops on Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire, but a big question mark hangs over Russia’s response.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) signs a declaration of intent along with France’s President Emmanuel Macron (centre) and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photo: AFP
Greenland

Use of US military to acquire Greenland ‘always an option’, White House says

Trump’s preferred option might be to buy Greenland from Denmark, but the White House says military action is being considered.

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Obituaries

Anne Frank’s stepsister, Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, dies at 96

Schloss co-founded the Anne Frank Trust UK foundation in 1990 to pass on the memory of the Holocaust to young people and combat prejudice.

Energy

Berlin mayor denounces attack on German capital’s power grid as ‘terrorism’

Mayor demands a federal manhunt for those who plunged 45,000 homes into darkness as the alleged perpetrators claim responsibility.

A man uses a torch in his flat during a blackout that left thousands of homes without electricity. Photo: Reuters
Switzerland

Swiss grieve as all 40 bar fire victims identified - many of them under 18

Hundreds march in silence to honour victims of the New Year’s Swiss bar fire who were as young as 14.

People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Sunday. Photo: AP
Crime

Loot in German bank vault heist could exceed US$117 million

Hundreds of safe deposit box holders report losses from last month’s heist far exceeding insurance limits.

China-EU relations

‘Straddle the middle ground’: Europe’s hard choice over US attacks on Venezuela

Although they do not agree with Trump’s way of doing things, they seem to agree with his ultimate objectives, analyst in China says.

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Energy

Cable fire cuts power to tens of thousands of Berlin homes and businesses

A suspected arson attack damaged the power cables. Authorities said 35,000 households will be without electricity until Thursday afternoon.

Police emergency staff at the site of a cable bridge fire in front of the Lichterfelde power plant on the Teltow Canal in Berlin, Germany on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh

Asian Angle | Bangladesh needs ‘structural’ change, but how will it get there?

As Bangladesh heads into elections next year, it must tread the challenge of political transition with more care and thoughtfulness.

Science

As I see it | We can now watch our own genes dance

Modern biology reveals a real miracle: how broken pieces of molecules evolved into a species that became conscious of its own genetic make-up.

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European Union

Opinion | Can Europe survive its crippling paralysis?

The brutal reality is that the European Union is failing to get its squabbling nations to work as a coherent group.

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European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas signs an agreement to transfer to Ukraine a tranche of proceeds from frozen Russian assets during a meeting in Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Russia claims Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in occupied Kherson

Moscow accuses Kyiv of New Year’s Eve attack on civilians as diplomats scramble to save fragile peace talks.

Flames and smoke rise after a reported Ukrainian drone strike on a hotel and cafe in Russian-controlled Khorly, Kherson Region on Thursday. Photo: Governor of Kherson Region Vladimir Saldo via Telegram/Reuters
South Korea

Will ‘Made in Europe’ threaten South Korea’s arms export boom?

Observers urge South Korea to integrate itself into European supply chains by increasing production localisation to maintain competitiveness.

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Crime

Video | Gang drills into German bank vault in US$35 million heist

Thieves use quiet Christmas period to drill their way into vault, smash open more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes and make off with the loot.

Crime

‘Ocean’s Eleven’ gang steals millions in cash, gold and jewellery from German bank

Thieves use quiet Christmas period to drill their way into vault, smash open more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes and make off with the loot.

A giant hole in a wall of the vault of a Sparkasse bank branch after thieves broke in at the weekend. Photo: Police Gelsenkirchen handout via AFP
India

India overtakes Japan as world’s fourth largest economy, eyes top 3 in 2026

Government data shows India’s GDP at US$4.18 trillion, with projections it will surpass Germany by 2026 despite global trade challenges.

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People buy vegetables at a market in the old quarters of New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Russia says Ukraine tried to attack Putin residence, but Zelensky denies it

Ukraine denies accusation as a fabrication after Trump said he was ‘angry’ when Putin told him about the alleged attack.

Israel

Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon

With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.

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