- Jul 9
German couple sentenced to prison for years-long cemetery bronze thefts
A Berlin court handed down multi-year prison terms to a couple from Demmin who stole bronze artworks from cemeteries and parks over several years, with a third man receiving a suspended sentence for handling the stolen goods.
- Jul 8
Police officer weeps in Fabian murder trial: 'He was disposed of like trash'
On the 18th day of the trial, a police officer broke down describing the body of 8-year-old Fabian, while defendant Gina H. showed no emotion and her statements appeared 'rehearsed'.
- Jul 4
German rents climb 51% in a decade, DGB demands six-year nationwide freeze
Rents in Germany's 40 largest cities have risen by an average of 51 percent over the past decade, with Rostock and Berlin seeing the steepest increases, according to a DGB study. The trade union federation is calling for a six-year nationwide rent cap and more social housing.
- Jul 2
Fabian murder trial: Father initially suspected his partner, long-time friend tells court in Rostock
On the 16th day of the trial over the murder of 8-year-old Fabian from Güstrow, a long-time friend of the father testified that Matthias R. had told him on the day the body was found that he suspected his partner, the accused Gina H., of the crime. R. later abandoned that suspicion.
- Jul 1
German prosecutors charge Ukrainian ex-officer over Nord Stream blasts, say Kyiv state ordered sabotage
German federal prosecutors have formally charged a Ukrainian former army officer with war crimes and sabotage, alleging the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions were carried out on orders from Ukrainian state authorities.
- Jun 29
Heat and repairs cause widespread rail disruptions in northern Germany
A heatwave and a series of technical faults and repairs have caused delays and cancellations on multiple rail lines across northern Germany, affecting both long-distance and commuter services.
- Jun 27
Ice bombs, showers and shade: how Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's zoos keep animals cool in the heat
With temperatures climbing, zoos in Rostock, Schwerin and Stralsund are turning to frozen treats, water showers and natural shade to keep species from polar bears to red pandas comfortable.
- Jun 24
Germany cancels flagship F126 frigate programme after €2.3bn sunk, buys smaller TKMS ships
Defence minister Boris Pistorius cancelled the €10 billion-plus F126 programme after the Dutch contractor failed to meet cost and schedule targets, with the alternative switch to NVL pushing the bill to €18.8 billion. Eight smaller MEKO A-200 frigates from Thyssenkrupp subsidiary TKMS will be bought instead for an estimated €11.6 billion.
- Jun 17
50Hertz awards Rostock shipyard €2.5 billion contract for North Sea wind converter platform
Germany's 50Hertz has handed a consortium of Siemens Energy and Neptun Smulders a contract for a 2 GW offshore converter platform, with a second identical order under negotiation that could push the total to 2.5 billion euros.
- Jun 16
Second witness says accused visited Fabian's body the night before reporting it; recorded call reveals alibi deal
A neighbor told the Rostock court that Gina H. led him to the pond where 8-year-old Fabian's body lay late on 13 October 2025, a day before she called police. A taped phone conversation played in the courtroom showed her arranging alibis with the same witness.
- Jun 15
German state committee finds authorities failed to properly handle far-right violence and NSU legacy
After nearly five years, a parliamentary inquiry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern concludes that police, prosecutors and domestic intelligence repeatedly mishandled right-wing extremist crimes and victim support, issuing around three dozen recommendations.
- Jun 13
EVG warns Italo's German entry could cut long-distance rail to at least 16 cities
Italy's Italo plans to launch high-speed services on two German corridors from 2028. A railway union analysis says at least 16 cities could lose their ICE and IC stops as a result.
- Jun 9
Erfurt tops German happiness ranking as city size and social fabric shape life satisfaction
The Thuringian capital scores 7.74 out of 10 in the 2026 SKL Glücksatlas, while Rostock, Frankfurt and Wiesbaden bring up the rear in a survey of 40 major cities.
- Jun 6
DFB-Pokal first round: Bayern Munich at VfL Osnabrück, Borussia Dortmund at HEBC Hamburg as pairings set
The draw for the 2026/27 DFB-Pokal first round took place at the German Football Museum in Dortmund on Saturday evening, with defending champions Bayern Munich paired with promoted second-division side VfL Osnabrück and Borussia Dortmund drawn at fifth-tier HEBC Hamburg.
- Jun 4
TSV 1860 Munich denied third-division licence, drops to Regionalliga for second time since 2017
The traditional Munich club failed to provide the DFB with a liquidity guarantee by Wednesday's 17:00 deadline, triggering a forced relegation. Investor Hasan Ismaik blamed a withdrawn financing commitment for the shortfall.
- May 28
Hundreds of Vacant Desks: Municipalities in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Struggle to Fill Administrative Posts
A dpa survey reveals hundreds of unfilled positions across city and district administrations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with engineers, doctors, and IT specialists particularly hard to recruit.
