- 2d ago
German retailers run out of fans and mobile AC units as heatwave pushes temperatures past 30°C
A prolonged heatwave with temperatures exceeding 30°C has emptied shelves of fans and portable air conditioners at major German retailers, with many chains warning no further deliveries will arrive before autumn.
- 5d ago
German police suspect sabotage after fire closes key Cologne-Düsseldorf rail line, left-wing group claims responsibility
A fire damaged signal cables on the Cologne-Düsseldorf line Friday, halting trains for over a day. Authorities suspect arson after a confession letter surfaced online from a group calling itself 'Kommando Angry Birds'.
- Jul 9
Volkswagen CEO reveals up to 100,000 job cuts and four plant closures as costs run 20% above rivals
Oliver Blume confirms a second wave of layoffs may be needed, adding to 50,000 positions already agreed, in a leaked internal interview that puts four German plants at risk.
- Jul 8
AI adoption in German firms surges 118% since 2024, but global digital market share slips, studies show
Two new studies reveal rapid AI uptake across German industry, with 40% of firms now using the technology, while Bitkom warns the country's share of the global IT market is shrinking.
- Jul 7
EU Parliament launches review of AfD's European party family over values compliance
The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to initiate a formal review of the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party, which includes Germany's AfD, over possible breaches of EU fundamental values. The procedure could strip the party of millions in EU funding.
- Jul 5
Cologne Pride draws 1.5 million in record CSD turnout as politicians warn of rising queer hostility
Around 1.5 million people celebrated Christopher Street Day in Cologne on Sunday, making it the largest edition of the parade in the city's history. Politicians used the occasion to voice alarm over growing hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community.
- Jul 5
Benfica close to signing Polish winger Jakub Kaminski from Köln for €20 million
Portuguese club Benfica is finalising the transfer of Polish international Jakub Kaminski from 1. FC Köln, with a fee around €20 million and a long-term contract agreed.
- Jul 5
Hollick overcomes four-shot deficit to win BMW International Open; Rosenmüller sixth
South Africa's Michael Hollick birdied and eagled the final two holes to overtake Hennie du Plessis and win the 37th BMW International Open near Munich. Local favourite Thomas Rosenmüller, who started the day two shots off the lead, carded a level-par 72 to finish sixth.
- Jul 5
ADAC issues ten tips for a relaxed car journey as NRW summer holidays approach
With 2.5 million students in North Rhine-Westphalia about to start summer holidays on 17 July, the ADAC offers advice on avoiding traffic jams and saving on fuel.
- Jul 5
German lifeguards warn parents: smartphone distraction at pools puts children at risk of drowning
Swimming pools in North Rhine-Westphalia are urging parents to put down their phones after staff report finding unsupervised children, sometimes in the water, while parents scroll on social media.
- Jul 3
A1 and A2 weekend closures hit NRW as summer holidays begin across Germany
Two major motorways in North Rhine-Westphalia will be fully closed over the weekend for resurfacing and bridge works, just as summer holidays begin in eight German states, threatening heavy congestion.
- Jun 30
Germany's rail regulator forces Deutsche Bahn to open 25% of busy long-distance routes to competitors
Germany's network regulator ruled that Deutsche Bahn must reserve at least a quarter of capacity on congested long-distance routes for competitors, facilitating Italian high-speed operator Italo and FlixTrain's expansion plans from 2028.
- Jun 29
NRW premier Wüst defends 2020 Leverkusen bridge contract termination as €550m lawsuit heads to October hearing
A six-year-old contract dispute over the new Leverkusen Rhine Bridge is escalating, with the federal government claiming over €350 million in damages and builder Porr counterclaiming more than €200 million. NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst defended the 2020 termination before a state parliamentary inquiry, while a Cologne court has set a hearing for 16 October 2026.
- Jun 29
Cologne Cathedral starts charging €12 entry fee from 1 July, but worshippers and children go free
From 1 July, tourists will pay €12 to visit the interior of Cologne Cathedral, while worshippers and children can still enter for free. The move aims to address six years of deficits.
- Jun 27
Europe suffocates under record heatwave: over 200 dead, hospitals overwhelmed and events cancelled
From France to the Balkans, a scorching heatwave shattered national temperature records and killed more than 200 people, pushing hospitals into saturation and forcing major event cancellations on 27 June 2026.
- Jun 27
Two Eurostar trains evacuated in Belgian heatwave as catenary snaps, hundreds stranded
Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from two Eurostar trains on Friday after technical failures and a catenary wire break left them stranded in scorching heat in Belgium.
- Jun 25
New legal report brands AfD unconstitutional, reigniting German party ban debate
A 13-month expert review by the Society for Freedom Rights concludes the Alternative for Germany violates the democratic principle and human dignity, prompting senior SPD and Green politicians to demand a constitutional ban procedure.
- Jun 24
Germany breaks heat record for second day with 41.5°C, triggering transport chaos and evacuations
Germany recorded 41.5°C on Saturday in Drewitz, Saxony-Anhalt, surpassing Friday's 41.3°C and prompting rail shutdowns, motorway closures and the evacuation of care homes as extreme heat pushed eastward.
- Jun 23
Shoplifting losses in German retail hit record €4.3 billion in 2025, EHI study finds
Customer theft, employee theft and organised crime drove losses to a fourth consecutive annual high, according to the EHI retail research institute.
- Jun 23
Summer construction and holiday wave hit Hesse highways and rail lines as ADAC warns of heavy jams
With school holidays beginning in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, the ADAC warns of severe traffic jams and rail disruptions as a wave of summer construction work collides with holiday traffic.
