Daily Briefing 07.02.2026, 17:00 (CET)

€1m reward produces many tip-offs in Berlin power grid arson attack

A large number of potential leads have been received following the attack by suspected left-wing extremists on Berlin's power grid last month as citizens sought to bag a €1 million reward for information.

German minister warns against EU isolation in global competition

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has rejected a proposal by a European Union commissioner to tie the allocation of EU public funds to "Made in Europe" criteria for companies.

Authorities in Germany seize millions of cigarettes at hidden factory

Customs officers have seized millions of cigarettes and arrested four people following the discovery of a large illegally operated factory in northern Germany, officials said on Saturday.

Germany does not plan to open a consulate in Greenland

Unlike France, Germany is currently not planning to open a consulate general in Greenland.

German research vessel departs for new expedition in the Antarctic

A research vessel operated by Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) is set to depart this weekend from Punta Arenas, Chile, on an expedition to Antarctica.

'Fishing for medals' now: German team counters Olympic outfit mockery

The latest German athletes' outfit on the Olympic catwalk that is the opening ceremony has not exactly been deemed a fashion statement but the team is taking the mockery in its stride.

Accident involving 28 vehicles on German motorway due to tyre damage

A sudden tyre defect on a moving lorry on the A9 motorway in central Germany led to a major accident involving 28 vehicles. A spokesman for the motorway police said no one was injured in the accident.

Munich prepares for 120,000 protesters at global security summit

Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected in the Bavarian capital during next week's Munich Security Conference, city authorities have said.

German metal industry sentiment weak despite order rise

Defence contracts boosted orders in Germany's metal and electrical sector in the final quarter of 2025, though sentiment remains extremely poor, employers' association Gesamtmetall said on Saturday.

Study: Crises cost Germany almost €1 trillion

The economic costs of the ongoing crises of recent years for Germany now total €940 billion ($1.11 billion), according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW) published on Saturday.