Germany
EU leaders met at an informal competitiveness summit where Commission president Ursula von der Leyen defended limited "Buy European" procurement preferences, as members debated protectionism and eurobonds.
Germany sharply criticized Israel's measures to expand control over the West Bank, calling them a "de facto annexation" and joining international critics who warned of Palestinian dispossession.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejected President Emmanuel Macron's proposal for joint EU borrowing, deepening a Franco‑German rift over competitiveness and sovereignty ahead of the EU summit.
Bundesbankpräsident plädierte in Deutschland für gemeinsame europäische Schulden (Eurobonds), anders als die Bundesregierung, während die EU‑Kommission sie als Chance zur Stärkung des Euro angesichts eines schwächeren Dollar wertete.
BMW recalled hundreds of thousands of vehicles worldwide due to a defective starter relay that could cause engine fires, affecting multiple models produced July 2020–July 2022.
Europol seized €1.2 billion in counterfeit euros in a Europe-wide operation that investigators said largely originated in China and moved via postal networks to countries including Portugal and Germany.
Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig 2-0 in Munich to reach the DFB-Pokal semifinals, with Harry Kane converting a penalty and Luis Díaz adding a second four minutes later.
Lufthansa called the strikes planned in Germany for Thursday a “completely unnecessary escalation,” saying its Swiss, Austrian, Ita, Brussels, Eurowings and Discover units were likely not affected.
Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder in Germany unveiled a federal package to cut driving‑school costs, proposing more online instruction and allowing parents or friends to provide parts of driver training.
Germany's cabinet advanced reforms to the Disability Equality Act to tighten accessibility across services, transport and businesses, drawing business complaints about bureaucracy and critics calling it insufficient.
Green Party lead candidate Cem Özdemir announced he would marry his partner, Canadian lawyer Flavia Zaka, in Baden-Württemberg before the state election in early March.
At the Cortina Olympic curling tournament, Sweden's reigning champions Team Edin relied on veteran Christoffer Sundgren's opening stones while Germany narrowly lost a long fight against Canada.
Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew planned to strike Thursday, unions said, over pensions and working conditions, grounding Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cityline and Cargo flights and disrupting service to Swiss airports.
Commerzbank raised its 2026 profit target after near‑record 2025 results, CEO Bettina Orlopp said in Frankfurt, aiming to fend off an unfolding takeover bid by UniCredit.
AfD leaders intervened in Saxony-Anhalt after media reported regional party politicians had placed relatives in taxpayer-funded jobs, and the federal party said the affair endangered its autumn election prospects.
Tesla called police and had an IG Metall representative removed from a works council meeting at its Grünheide factory, alleging he secretly recorded the meeting weeks before works council vote.
Germany's women's ice hockey team advanced to the Olympic quarterfinals and awaited an opponent to be determined as the tournament moved into the knockout phase.
Amid debate over Germany’s inheritance tax, Germans increasingly prepared estate plans to ease heirs’ burdens, with wealthier people prioritizing planning and some considering disinheritance.
Germany recorded nearly 500 million overnight stays in 2025, a new record, the Federal Statistical Office said, driven mainly by domestic guests despite fewer foreign visitors.
