(https://www.dw.com/images/icons/favicon-16x16.png) (https://www.dw.com/images/icons/favicon-32x32.png) (https://www.dw.com/images/icons/favicon-96x96.png) (https://www.dw.com/images/icons/favicon-120x120.png) (https://www.dw.com/images/icons/favicon-152x152.png) (https://www.dw.com/images/icons/favicon-167x167.png) (https://www.dw.com/images/icons/favicon-180x180.png) (https://commons.dw.com) (https://commons.dw.com) Germany news: UK's Burnham visits Berlin for talks with Merz (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-uks-burnham-visits-berlin-for-talks-with-merz/live-79587637)  (https://static.dw.com)  (https://static.dw.com)  (https://www.dw.com/en/manifest.json)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_800.webp)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_801.webp)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_802.webp)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_803.webp)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_604.webp)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_605.webp)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_1003.webp)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_1004.webp)  (https://static.dw.com/image/79597483_1004.webp)                                                                                                       (https://www.dw.com/static/index-DZWlRNyb.css) (https://www.dw.com/static/index-DZWlRNyb.css)   You need to enable JavaScript to run this app.     (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#main-content) Skip to content       (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#navigation) Skip to main menu       (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#footer) Skip to more DW sites        (https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097) (dw.com home - Made for minds)      (Open main navigation)         (https://www.dw.com/en/latest-videos/st-62391524)   Latest videos   (https://www.dw.com/en/latest-audio/s-62391692)     Latest audio      Regions (https://www.dw.com/en/africa/s-12756) Africa  (https://www.dw.com/en/asia/s-12758) Asia  (https://www.dw.com/en/europe/s-1433) Europe  (https://www.dw.com/en/latin-america/s-58267484) Latin America  (https://www.dw.com/en/middle-east/s-14207) Middle East  (https://www.dw.com/en/north-america/s-58267502) North America  (https://www.dw.com/en/germany/s-1432) Germany    Topics (https://www.dw.com/en/climate/s-59752983) Climate  (https://www.dw.com/en/equality/s-58123578) Equality  (https://www.dw.com/en/health/s-58123583) Health  (https://www.dw.com/en/human-rights/s-58123589) Human Rights  (https://www.dw.com/en/migration/s-58123652) Migration  (https://www.dw.com/en/technology/s-58123656) Technology    Categories (https://www.dw.com/en/business/s-1431) Business  (https://www.dw.com/en/science/s-12526) Science  (https://www.dw.com/en/environment/s-11798) Environment  (https://www.dw.com/en/culture/s-1441) Culture  (https://www.dw.com/en/sports/s-8171) Sports            In focus (https://www.dw.com/en/france/t-19065412) France (https://www.dw.com/en/russias-war-in-ukraine/t-60931789) Ukraine (https://www.dw.com/en/gen-z-and-student-protests/t-74195329) Gen Z protests   (Show previous page)    (Show next page)     (https://www.dw.com/en/latest-audio/s-62391692)     Latest audio  (https://www.dw.com/en/latest-videos/st-62391524)   Latest videos   (https://www.dw.com/en/live-tv/channel-english) (Go to TV livestream - channel DW English)  Live TV  (https://www.dw.com/en/search/page-1) (Search DW)            Advertisement     Politics (https://www.dw.com/en/germany/s-1432) Germany   Germany news: UK's Burnham visits Berlin for talks with Merz (https://www.dw.com/en/mark-hallam/person-18542747) Mark Hallam  |  Emilio Reynoso  |  (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones dpa, Reuters, AP, AFP, epd, KNA   Published 10/08/2026 Published October 8, 2026  last updated 10/08/2026 last updated October 8, 2026   UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is visiting Berlin to launch a new bilateral treaty and hold talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. President Steinmeier is on a state visit to France.   (https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DSocialMedia%26at_campaign%3DFacebook%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb) (External link — share this page with Facebook)      (https://x.com/intent/tweet?source=webclient&text=Germany%20news%3A%20UK's%20Burnham%20visits%20Berlin%20for%20talks%20with%20Merz+https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DSocialMedia%26at_campaign%3DTwitter%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb) (External link — share this page with X / Twitter)      (Show more apps)     (https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DSocialMedia%26at_campaign%3DReddit%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb) (External link — share this page with Reddit)   (mailto:?body=https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DWebmails%26at_campaign%3DEmail%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb&subject=Germany%20news%3A%20UK's%20Burnham%20visits%20Berlin%20for%20talks%20with%20Merz) (External link — share this page with EMail)   (fb-messenger://share/?link=https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DMessenger%26at_campaign%3DFacebookMessenger%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb) (External link — share this page with Facebook messenger)   (whatsapp://send?text=Germany%20news%3A%20UK's%20Burnham%20visits%20Berlin%20for%20talks%20with%20Merz%20-%20https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DMessenger%26at_campaign%3DWhatsApp%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb) (External link — share this page with Whatsapp)   (https://telegram.me/share/url?url=https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DMessenger%26at_campaign%3DTelegram%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb&text=Germany%20news%3A%20UK's%20Burnham%20visits%20Berlin%20for%20talks%20with%20Merz) (External link — share this page with Telegram)   (https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DSocialMedia%26at_campaign%3DLinkedIn%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb&title=Germany%20news%3A%20UK's%20Burnham%20visits%20Berlin%20for%20talks%20with%20Merz&source=DW.COM) (External link — share this page with Linkedin)   (sms:?&body=https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ%3Fat_medium%3DSMS%26at_campaign%3DSMS%26at_share_source%3DSharingButton%26at_origin%3DWeb) (External link — share this page with SMS)    https://p.dw.com/p/5NwNZ         (German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham walk past a row of soldiers in dress uniforms with musical instruments. Berlin, October 8, 2026.) (German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham walk past a row of soldiers in dress uniforms with musical instruments. Berlin, October 8, 2026.)   Burnham was greeted with military honors in BerlinImage: Carsten Koall/dpa/picture alliance    Advertisement     (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-live-blog-rich-text-overview) Skip next section What you need to know      What you need to know These updates have been closed. Thank you for joining us.  Below, you can review a roundup of the top news from and about  (https://www.dw.com/en/germany/t-17871182) Germany from Thursday, October 8, 2026:  The 'Kensington Treaty' between the UK and Germany comes into force amid Burnham's trip to Berlin The UK leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz held one-on-one talks as part of the visit In Berlin, the Left Party, Greens and Social Democrats have agreed to begin exploratory coalition talks after resolving differences over antisemitism and organized crime President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was welcomed with military honors at the Arc de Triomphe during a state visit to France And a wax döner kebab is now on show at Berlin's Madame Tussauds, visitors are advised not to try to taste it   Tired of missing our real-time updates?  (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=dw.com) (External link — Click here) Click here   to add DW as a Preferred Source on Google.      (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79603687) Skip next section IN DEPTH: New naval port aims to enhance Germany's defense capabilities      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   IN DEPTH: New naval port aims to enhance Germany's defense capabilities (https://www.dw.com/en/nina-werkh%C3%A4user/person-18878816) Nina Werkhäuser    (A bird's-eye view of the port in Emden) Emden on the North Sea will be a naval city againImage: Sina Schuldt/dpa/picture alliance   Citing the escalating security threat, Germany's Navy has decided to establish a second port on the North Sea coast. After months of evaluating locations, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the Bundeswehr's new naval port would be built in Emden. "Emden offers ideal conditions, such as quick access to the Atlantic Ocean and the far north," Pistorius said. Read all about why Pistorius said Germany needs another port for its navy and why Emden should host it: (https://www.dw.com/en/german-bundeswehr-a-new-naval-port-in-emden-aims-to-enhance-germanys-defense-capabilities/a-79561414) A new naval port in Emden aims to enhance Germany's defense capabilities   https://p.dw.com/p/5O0YR    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79600465) Skip next section Steinmeier reassures France over Germany's EU commitment      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Steinmeier reassures France over Germany's EU commitment (https://www.dw.com/en/rosalia-romaniec/person-19112390) Rosalia Romaniec  |  (https://www.dw.com/en/richard-connor/person-36017400) Richard Connor    (German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a military welcoming ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has reaffirmed Germany's commitment to Europe during a state visit to France amid concerns over the far-right AfD's electoral gainsImage: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa/picture alliance   (https://www.dw.com/en/frank-walter-steinmeier/t-17345761) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has pledged that Germany will remain firmly committed to Europe, seeking to reassure France following recent gains by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in state elections. Speaking during a state visit to Paris on Thursday, Steinmeier said Germany could succeed only as a European country firmly embedded in the European Union. "Germans will remain good Europeans," Steinmeier said at the Elysee Palace, alongside (https://www.dw.com/en/emmanuel-macron/t-38774225) French President Emmanuel Macron . After bilateral talks, Steinmeier emphasized that Germany "can only be successful as a European Germany, that is, tightly embedded in the European Union. "That is true, and it will remain so for us," the German president said in Paris.  His remarks followed recent electoral successes by the euroskeptic AfD, including in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, which have prompted concern in France. Steinmeier described the current period as "damn difficult," pointing to the war in Ukraine, geopolitical challenges and domestic political tensions in both countries. "We are experiencing a polarization of society, with the strengthening of the radical fringes," he said. He warned that this was making it increasingly difficult to form governments and govern effectively, particularly as political debate shifted toward social media. Macron also spoke of a “time of upheaval."  "We are witnessing how social media is accelerating societal changes and fueling doubts over democracy," he said. "If Germany and France do not move forward together, Europe will not make any progress at all." Steinmeier was welcomed with military honors by Macron at the Arc de Triomphe, where he laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and rekindled its memorial flame. At the Elysee Palace, the two presidents attended the signing of an agreement to bring the Franco-German Citizens' Fund under the umbrella of the Franco-German Youth Office. The fund supports cross-border civil society projects and has an annual budget of €5 million ($5.8 million). On Friday, both presidents will travel to Bordeaux. There, the focus will be on defense and military cooperation.   https://p.dw.com/p/5NziT    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79599530) Skip next section German spy agency BND approved suspect's side job      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   German spy agency BND approved suspect's side job  Germany's foreign intelligence agency reportedly approved outside work by an employee for a former spy chief who is now (https://www.dw.com/en/german-spy-scandal-threatens-national-security/a-79580000) suspected of illegally obtaining classified information . According to German news magazine Der Spiegel, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) officially authorized Manfred D. to work for former BND head August Hanning, who became a private-sector consultant after leaving government service in 2009. Prosecutors allege that Manfred D. supplied Hanning with nearly 2,000 internal BND documents, many of them classified, which the former intelligence chief allegedly used for commercial gain. Investigators believe the arrangement began around 2010, when Hanning and his former chief of staff allegedly agreed that intelligence would be supplied in return for payment. Manfred D. allegedly passed the documents to Hanning between 2010 and 2022. Hanning, 80, headed the BND from 1998 to 2005. He is suspected of offenses including intelligence-agent activity, espionage involving state secrets and attempted treason. Manfred D., 64, served as chief of staff to several BND presidents from March 2012 until March 2026, a position that gave him access to sensitive intelligence. He is accused of aiding (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-shaken-by-espionage-and-treason-allegations/a-79566578) attempted treason and espionage involving state secrets. (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-ex-spy-chief-sent-to-pretrial-detention-on-treason-charges/a-79576300) Both men have been held in pretrial detention since this week. According to Der Spiegel, the BND had known about Manfred D.'s work for Hanning for some time and had issued an official authorization for the secondary employment. The agency declined to answer questions about when the authorization was granted or what activities it covered, the magazine said. Hanning's lawyer has denied wrongdoing, saying his client was being prosecuted unjustly. He acknowledged that Hanning had possessed confidential documents but denied he had passed on information detrimental to Germany or had done so for payment.    DW's Michaela Küfner looks at Germany's espionage scandal To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that (https://videojs.com/html5-video-support/) supports HTML5 video     https://p.dw.com/p/5NzTO    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79597258) Skip next section Merz, Burnham inaugurate new German-British friendship treaty      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Merz, Burnham inaugurate new German-British friendship treaty (https://www.dw.com/en/mark-hallam/person-18542747) Mark Hallam    (German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Berlin. October 8, 2026.) Burnham was welcomed with military honors in Berlin on ThursdayImage: Carsten Koall/dpa/picture alliance   Chancellor Friedrich Merz received relatively new British Prime Minister (https://www.dw.com/en/andy-burnham/t-78006143) Andy Burnham with military honors in Berlin.  During Burnham's visit, the new Treaty on Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation between the UK and Germany — (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-and-uk-sign-historic-post-brexit-friendship-treaty/a-73313982) signed last year by previous Prime Minister Keir Starmer — officially comes into force.  Aslo known as the Kensington Treaty, the 27-page document lays out a 17-point action plan for (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-and-uk-rebuilding-ties-10-years-after-brexit-vote/a-77662482) closer cooperation in the post-Brexit era , with the UK no longer a part of the EU.  Merz called it a historic day and said the deal opened up new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, particularly for students and young people.    Burnham wants to 'bring the UK closer to Europe' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that (https://videojs.com/html5-video-support/) supports HTML5 video    "That's what we're doing this for," Merz said. "So that the young generation also notices when it comes to bilateral relations between Germany as part of the EU and the UK, how well we Europeans work together and how much we belong together, too." Burnham said that the Kensington Treaty would improve security in Europe, help both economies grow and improve people's living standards.  "In challenging times, and these are challenging times, we need the strongest possible cooperation with our closest partners and Germany really is one of our closest partners," the former mayor of Manchester said.   Burnham also said that he was open to Germany joining the GCAP program, a partnership between Britain, Italy and Japan to build a next-generation multirole combat aircraft.  "I've indicated to the chancellor ... our openness to Germany joining GCAP," he said at a press conference. "That is something that we seek to progress in the coming period, working with our other partners, Italy and Japan."  (https://www.dw.com/en/franco-german-fighter-jet-project-collapses-after-industry-dispute/a-77466897) A rival Franco-German plan to build a next-generation military jet, FCAS, collapsed in June .  The GCAP project has been set up to allow for different levels of involvement. It expanded in July when Canada signed up as an observer, and Saudi Arabia had also been touted as a potential interested party. Germany already works with the UK and Italy on the joint Eurofighter Typhoon project. Italy and Japan would need to join Burnham in indicating a willingness for Germany participating in this project. (German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stand on a balcony, with the Bundestag parliament building visible in the background, during a meeting in Berlin on October 8, 2026.) Merz and Burnham had one-on-one talks in the chancellery during the visitImage: Michael Kappeler/dpa/picture alliance    https://p.dw.com/p/5Nysk    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79597636) Skip next section Left-leaning parties in Berlin to begin talks on forming new government      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Left-leaning parties in Berlin to begin talks on forming new government  Germany's (https://www.dw.com/en/left-party/t-17439669) Left Party , (https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-green-party/t-17365878) Greens and (https://www.dw.com/en/social-democratic-party-spd/t-17437818) Social Democrats (SPD) have agreed to begin exploratory talks on forming a coalition government in Berlin, two and a half weeks after the city's state election. The breakthrough follows an agreement on combating antisemitism and organized crime, issues that had threatened to derail negotiations before they began. The parties said they would protect Jewish life in Berlin and reaffirmed that Israel's right to exist was "non-negotiable." They also agreed to strengthen the police and domestic intelligence services in their efforts to protect Jewish communities. Party and parliamentary group members who violate the agreed principles could face expulsion, with the relevant parliamentary group responsible for deciding and publicly explaining any disciplinary measures. The three parties also pledged to maintain a clear distance from individuals and groups associated with organized crime. The Greens and SPD had made agreements on antisemitism, racism and organized crime conditions to open talks with the Left Party. Those demands followed (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-debates-alleged-antisemitism-in-the-left-party/a-79493282) controversy over positions on Israel and the Palestinians held by some members of Berlin's Left Party . Concerns intensified after an election-night gathering organized by the Left's Neukölln branch was attended by a figure associated with a partly criminal clan and a controversial pro-Palestinian activist. The activist is alleged to have links to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which the European Union designates as a terrorist organization. The Left Party emerged as the (https://www.dw.com/en/young-berliners-vote-overwhelmingly-for-socialist-left-party/a-79375167) strongest party in Berlin's September 20 election , winning 25.7% of the vote. It hopes to form a coalition with the Greens and SPD, potentially making its parliamentary co-leader Elif Eralp Berlin's first mayor from the Left Party.    German Left Party co-chair on allegations of antisemitism To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that (https://videojs.com/html5-video-support/) supports HTML5 video     https://p.dw.com/p/5Nyyq    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79596225) Skip next section Waxwork döner kebab put on the menu at Berlin Madame Tussauds      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Waxwork döner kebab put on the menu at Berlin Madame Tussauds (https://www.dw.com/en/mark-hallam/person-18542747) Mark Hallam    (A close-up of a wax replica of a döner kebab being unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Berlin. October 8, 2026.) We've all had a waxy kebab or two in our time, but in this case, it's by designImage: Volodymyr Sindieiev/picture alliance   The latest exhibit at Madame Tussauds in Berlin would surely taste just as dire as all the others, but the wax replica of a döner kebab is at least supposed to look appetizing.  The kebab — obviously stuffed "with everything" or "mit alles/mit allem ," depending on your level of German grammatical exactitude — is complemented by a recreation of the popular snack stop Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap in Berlin's Kreuzberg district.  Tarik Kara, who owns the restaurant, was present in the flesh for Thursday's unveiling.  The Turkish specialty has long been a mainstay of the fast food culture in Berlin and beyond, given Germany's vast and long-established Turkish diaspora, estimated at around 3 million people. (Tarik Kara, the owner of Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap in Berlin, stands next to a wax replica of a döner kebab and his restaurant, as the new display is unveiled ar Madame Tussauds in Berlin. October 8, 2026.) Restaurant owner Tarik Kara attended Thursday's opening in the fleshImage: Volodymyr Sindieiev/picture alliance    https://p.dw.com/p/5Nyc5    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79595863) Skip next section Iranian intelligence eying US bases in Germany — report      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Iranian intelligence eying US bases in Germany — report (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones    (US transport aircraft at the Ramstein air base) The air base in Ramstein plays a key role in supporting US forward military operationsImage: Thomas Frey/dpa/picture alliance   Iranian intelligence services have set their sights on (https://www.dw.com/en/trump-us-troops-bases-germany/a-77015428) US military bases in Germany , such as those in Ramstein and Spangdahlem, according to news outlet WirtschaftsWoche . Israel recently warned US ‌and German partners of a potential threat likely to focus on bases supporting US military operations and logistics with a connection to the (https://www.dw.com/en/iran-war/t-76168615) conflict ​with Iran , the report said The German Defense ​Ministry ⁠and the US forces in ⁠Germany have so far not commented on the report.  https://p.dw.com/p/5NyWF    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79594975) Skip next section Low-cost carrier Ryanair cuts flights in Germany, with Berlin hardest-hit      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Low-cost carrier Ryanair cuts flights in Germany, with Berlin hardest-hit (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones    (A Ryanair Boeing 737 taking off) Ryanair is Europe's biggest budget airlineImage: Alberto Lo Bianco/IPA/Zuma/picture alliance   Irish airline Ryanair says it will be offering 700,000 fewer seats on flights in Germany this winter season, citing the (https://www.dw.com/en/german-aviation-sector-calls-for-air-travel-taxes-to-be-cut/a-70546254) "astronomical" cost of various charges , including for air traffic control and security. This represents a reduction of 10%. Ryanair said Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which it has dubbed "Europe's least successful airport," would be affected the most, losing around half of its current services from the airline. Among the 12 routes to be axed in Berlin are those to Gran Canaria, Palermo, Marseille and Thessaloniki. The Ryanair base at the airport is set to close on October 24.  Seven aircraft and their crews are to be relocated to more competitive airports in other European countries, the company said.  Passengers in the German capital will now have much less choice and considerably higher fares, according to the airline's chief executive Eddie Wilson.  Hamburg will see a cut of 5%, but Memmingen and Cologne will have their capacity expanded. Ryanair's winter schedule also adds regional airports in Saarbrücken and Friedrichshafen.  https://p.dw.com/p/5NyHv    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79592997) Skip next section Sick leave for mental illnesses on the rise — health insurer      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Sick leave for mental illnesses on the rise — health insurer (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones    (Woman seen in silhouette possibly suffering from depression) Mental illness particularly affects those in social professions, the AOK saysImage: Julian Stratenschulte/dpa/picture alliance   The number of days of (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-sick-days-absentees-mental-health-oecd-workers-economy/a-77815488) sick leave in Germany on grounds of psychological problems has risen some 42% in the last 10 years, the AOK health insurance company says. According to AOK, there were 284 days of sick leave per 100 members in 2015, compared with 403 per 100 members in 2025. Although absences from work are much more frequently due to respiratory illnesses, those prompted by mental illness tend to be much longer, AOK said. It said that on average, employees took 28.5 days off on grounds of psychological problems last year compared with 5.7 days because of respiratory illnesses. However, the AOK said there had been a slight reduction in the average number of days of sick leave taken by employees, from 23.9 in 2023 and 2024 to 23.3 in 2025. The highest level, 24.5 days, was reached in 2022 during the coronavirus pandemic.  https://p.dw.com/p/5Nxm1    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79591041) Skip next section Berlin leftist parties agree to hold exploratory coalition talks — media      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Berlin leftist parties agree to hold exploratory coalition talks — media (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones    The Berlin chapters of the socialist (https://www.dw.com/en/left-party/t-17439669) Left Party , ‌the ⁠center-left (https://www.dw.com/en/social-democratic-party-spd/t-17437818) Social ⁠Democrats (SPD) ​and the ​environmentalist (https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-green-party/t-17365878) Greens have ​agreed ‌to hold exploratory ‌coalition talks , media reports said ​onThursday. The news come 2 1/2 weeks after ​the ​(https://www.dw.com/en/elections-in-berlin-and-mecklenburg-western-pomerania/t-79320225) election ‌for the city-state's ​parliament , which saw the Left Party emerge as strongest party with 25.7% of the vote. The Greens and the SPD received 14.3% and 12.1% respectively, both below the conservative (https://www.dw.com/en/christian-democratic-union-cdu/t-17351950) Christian Democrats (CDU) on 18.8%. The far-right (https://www.dw.com/en/alternative-for-germany-afd/t-17455253) Alternative for Germany (AfD) came in third, with 16.3%. The announcement follows preliminary talks held by the three leftist parties to clarify positions amid (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-debates-alleged-antisemitism-in-the-left-party/a-79493282) accusations leveled at the Left Party that it was antisemitic and had alleged links to organized criminality. According to reports, those talks have ended with an agreement satisfactory to all three parties.  https://p.dw.com/p/5NxGT    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79590447) Skip next section Suspected Russian hacker extradited from Japan to Germany      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Suspected Russian hacker extradited from Japan to Germany Emilio Reynoso    Japan extradited on Thursday one of the suspected leaders of the (https://www.dw.com/en/russia/t-19065060) Russian (https://www.dw.com/en/cyberwar/t-38111131) hacking group Qilin , which has (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-summons-russian-envoy-over-cyberattack/a-68985000) extorted hundreds of millions of dollars, to Germany, officials said. Herbert Reul, Interior Minister of (https://www.dw.com/en/north-rhine-westphalia/t-18943637) North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), said at a press conference that the unnamed suspect was arrested in Japan while on vacation.  The Qilin group, one of the most "aggressive" cybercrime organizations according to auhtories, has extorted about $2.9 billion from some 4,000 companies and institutions worldwide since 2024. At least 30 companies in the German state of NRW have been affected.  Hacking the hackers  (https://www.dw.com/en/germany/t-17871182) German police infiltrated the Qilin group and monitored its members for several months. NRW Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach said that payments and cryptocurrency transactions were traced to individuals linked to the organization.  (https://www.dw.com/en/pro-russian-hackers-target-italian-airport-websites/a-71176385) The Russian group is also blamed for an attack on Britain's National Health Service (NHS) that disrupted more than 10,000 medical appointments. Last year, shares of Japanese brewer Asahi fell after Qilin carried out a cyberattack that disrupted the company's ordering and delivery systems.  According to authorities, Russian cyberattacks against Germany have increased since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.     How did hackers trick Berlin's city government? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that (https://videojs.com/html5-video-support/) supports HTML5 video      https://p.dw.com/p/5Nx6t    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79589934) Skip next section My lifelong Pokemon collection is worth around €400,000, Christoph Kramer estimates      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   My lifelong Pokemon collection is worth around €400,000, Christoph Kramer estimates (https://www.dw.com/en/mark-hallam/person-18542747) Mark Hallam    (Christoph Kramer smiling next to a shelf full of copies of his new novel. Cologne, September 23, 2026.) Kramer is working hard to establish himself as one of the more interesting recently-retired footballers in GermanyImage: Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa/picture alliance   Retired midfielder and 2014 World Cup winner Christoph Kramer — now a TV presenter, podcaster and novelist — discusses another of his longstanding passions in an interview with the dpa news agency published on Thursday.  He may not have caught them all in more than a quarter of a century hunting Pokemon cards, but he's corralled a collection of creatures capable of dropping the jaw of a typical 10-year-old.  "I've been collecting pokemon cards since 1999, I have the complete first edition in English and would not give up my collection for any price," the 36-year-old said. Nevertheless he said he saw the collection as a "real investment," and said he'd estimate its value at roughly €400,000 (roughly $450,000).   "I'm wholly convinced that our generation won't be hanging classical paintings on the walls aged 50 or 60 any more, but instead will prefer to frame their Pokemon cards behind glass," he said.  Kramer, who might be best known as the World Cup winner with no memory of his finest hour on the pitch because of a concussion sustained during the 2014 final against Argentina, has quickly graduated to a senior broadcasting and punditry role since quitting football. (Per Mertesacker, Christoph Kramer and Jochen Breyer on the pitch before the 2026 World Cup final betwen Spain and Argentina, as part of German TV channel ZDF's coverage of the event. New Jersey, July 19, 2026.) Kramer was particularly busy this summer during the World Cup on ZDF televisionImage: Marvin Ibo Güngör/GES/picture alliance   He's currently promoting his second novel, called "Wolkenberührpunkt ," which one could perhaps translate as "the point touching the clouds." As he told dpa, he's always had a passion for collecting more generally.  "I got myself an original iPhone in its original packaging and laminated. Objects like collectors' cards, rare vintage gear or retro jerseys are, for me, the real art of our era," Kramer said. "Of course it has a lot to do with nostalgia, because these are things from my childhood I simply love."   https://p.dw.com/p/5Nwyc    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79589900) Skip next section Spanish and Turkish make gains among school language learners      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Spanish and Turkish make gains among school language learners (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones    (Blackboard with signs in English stuck to it) English remains the most-learned language at German schoolsImage: Sebastian Gollnow/dpa/picture alliance   Although English remains by far the most-learned foreign language at German schools, Spanish and Turkish are becoming ever more popular, while French, Latin and Russian are losing ground, new figures show. Turkish is being learned by almost three times as many pupils as 20 years ago, with 29,230 of altogether 8.9 million school students taking the language in 2025/2026 (0.31%). That compares with some 13,000 pupils out of 9.5 million in 2005/2006 (0.13%), according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). There are also twice as many Spanish learners at German schools compared with two decades ago. Some 549,000 of the current 8.9 million pupils took the language as a subject in 2025/2026 (6.1%), compared with 243,400 of the 9.5 million pupils back in 2005/2006 (2.56%), Destatis said. Fewer pupils are learning French than 20 years ago, even if the language is second only to English in the statistics. Some 14% of pupils learned French in the 2025/2026 school year, compared with 17% in 2005/2006. Latin and Russian are also being learned by ever fewer pupils, with the former falling from 8.1% of schoolchildren to some 6% over the 20-year period, and the latter now learned by 0.746% compared with 1.25% in 2005/2006. English remains far ahead at the top of the language-learning table, despite a small decline over the past two decades. It was learned by 81% of pupils back in 2005/2006 compared with 78% in 2025/2026.  https://p.dw.com/p/5Nwy4    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79588845) Skip next section Suspected puma on the loose eludes searchers      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Suspected puma on the loose eludes searchers (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones    (A puma walking on green undergrowth) Could a puma be on the prowl in southern Germany?Image: Pond5 Images/IMAGO   Police have so far been unsuccessful in their search for (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-merz-rails-against-extremism-afd-sympathizers/live-79570924) a suspicious animal sighted near Munich airport on Tuesday that is thought to possibly be a puma. Thermal imaging cameras employed in an overnight aerial search failed to detect any sign of the animal in the Notzingermoos nature reserve in the district of Erding, a police spokeswoman said. During the light hours of Wednesday, police also scoured the area with the help of a helicopter and drones in addition to officers on the ground but in vain. There was one false alarm after a security guard spotted a suspicious animal on surveillance footage, with a helicopter sent to investigate. That animal is believed to have been a domestic cat, police said. The searches began after a hunter spotted and filmed a suspicious animal using a night-vision device late on Tuesday evening, with an expert who viewed the footage later saying it was possibly a puma. However, local authorities have noted that there has so far been no definite identification of the animal.  https://p.dw.com/p/5Nwh3    (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-liveblog-post-79588377) Skip next section Steinmeier on 'farewell' state visit to France      10/08/2026 October 8, 2026   Steinmeier on 'farewell' state visit to France (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones    (Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender walking away from plane marked 'Bundesrepublik Deutschland' along a red carpet with a guard of honor standing beside it) Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, arrived in Paris on Wednesday eveningImage: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa/picture alliance   German President (https://www.dw.com/en/frank-walter-steinmeier/t-17345761) Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to be welcomed by French President (https://www.dw.com/en/emmanuel-macron/t-38774225) Emmanuel Macron on Thursday with military honors at one of the French capital's best-known landmarks, the Arc de Triomphe, at the (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-merz-rails-against-extremism-afd-sympathizers/live-79570924) start of a state visit . Following the ceremony, the German head of state is to hold talks with Macron at the Elysee Palace, with an ensuing joint press statement. Steinmeier will then be received for a state banquet at the palace, the official residence of the French president. On Friday, Steinmeier is to travel with Macron to the southwestern city of Bordeaux, where the two will visit two facilities connected with atomic deterrence. Before leaving for France, Steinmeier said he saw the trip as a kind of farewell visit to Macron, whom he described as a "committed European and a good friend." Both men took office in 2017 and both will be stepping down early next year. However, their roles are very different despite their having the same title: The German president has, in the main, ceremonial duties, while Macron holds wide-ranging executive powers.  https://p.dw.com/p/5NwZV    Show more posts     (https://www.dw.com/en/mark-hallam/person-18542747) (Mark Hallam) (Portrait photo of Mark Hallam.)  (Portrait photo of Mark Hallam.) (Portrait photo of Mark Hallam.)    (https://www.dw.com/en/mark-hallam/person-18542747) Mark Hallam News and current affairs writer and editor with DW since 2006. (https://twitter.com/@marks_hallam) (External link — twitter — @marks_hallam)     @marks_hallam   (https://www.dw.com/en/timothy-jones/person-35896911) Timothy Jones Writer, translator and editor with DW's online news team.    Send us your feedback      Your feedback (Close form)              (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-related-content-by-similarity) Skip next section Similar stories      Similar stories (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-merz-calls-for-unity-at-csu-party-conference/live-79749353) (Germany news: Merz calls for coalition unity at CSU party conference) (Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria and CSU Chairman)  (Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria and CSU Chairman) (Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria and CSU Chairman)     Live  (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-merz-calls-for-unity-at-csu-party-conference/live-79749353) Germany news: Merz calls for coalition unity at CSU party conference  (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-merz-calls-for-unity-at-csu-party-conference/live-79749353) With his coalition under pressure, Merz gave an address at the close of the CSU party conference in Munich. DW has more   Politics 10/24/2026 October 24, 2026      (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-emergency-at-leipzig-airport-sparked-by-novice-driver/live-79695354) (Germany news: Emergency at Leipzig airport sparked by novice driver) (Police officers stand by a broken fence at the Leipzig/Halle airport on October 18, 2026)  (Police officers stand by a broken fence at the Leipzig/Halle airport on October 18, 2026) (Police officers stand by a broken fence at the Leipzig/Halle airport on October 18, 2026)     (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-emergency-at-leipzig-airport-sparked-by-novice-driver/live-79695354) Germany news: Emergency at Leipzig airport sparked by novice driver  (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-emergency-at-leipzig-airport-sparked-by-novice-driver/live-79695354) Two men breached a fence at the Leipzig/Halle airport while practicing for a driving test. DW has more.   Politics 10/20/2026 October 20, 2026      (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-wadephul-says-threat-of-famine-due-to-ongoing-wars/live-79738902) (Germany news: Wadephul says 'threat of famine' due to ongoing wars) (Johan Wadephul stands on the tarmac ahead of his flight to Istanbul on October 23, 2026)  (Johan Wadephul stands on the tarmac ahead of his flight to Istanbul on October 23, 2026) (Johan Wadephul stands on the tarmac ahead of his flight to Istanbul on October 23, 2026)     (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-wadephul-says-threat-of-famine-due-to-ongoing-wars/live-79738902) Germany news: Wadephul says 'threat of famine' due to ongoing wars  (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-wadephul-says-threat-of-famine-due-to-ongoing-wars/live-79738902) German Foreign Minister Wadephul is meeting counterparts in Turkey while the CSU party conference begins in Munich.   Politics 10/23/2026 October 23, 2026       Show more        (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-related-content-by-thematic-focus-region) Skip next section More on Politics from Europe      More on Politics from Europe (https://www.dw.com/en/why-women-say-politics-is-becoming-more-hostile/video-79743891) (Why women say politics is becoming more hostile) (Deutschland Berlin 2026 | Blick in den Plenarsaal des Bundestags vor Sitzungsbeginn)  (Deutschland Berlin 2026 | Blick in den Plenarsaal des Bundestags vor Sitzungsbeginn) (Deutschland Berlin 2026 | Blick in den Plenarsaal des Bundestags vor Sitzungsbeginn)     (https://www.dw.com/en/why-women-say-politics-is-becoming-more-hostile/video-79743891)   Why women say politics is becoming more hostile   (https://www.dw.com/en/why-women-say-politics-is-becoming-more-hostile/video-79743891) Across Europe, female politicians say public life is becoming more hostile.   Politics 10/23/2026 October 23, 2026  08:39 min     (https://www.dw.com/en/albanias-student-protests-are-only-getting-bigger/a-79735213) (Albania's student protests are only getting bigger) (A black-clad, hooded person is seen hurling a stone at security forces)  (A black-clad, hooded person is seen hurling a stone at security forces) (A black-clad, hooded person is seen hurling a stone at security forces)     (https://www.dw.com/en/albanias-student-protests-are-only-getting-bigger/a-79735213) Albania's student protests are only getting bigger  (https://www.dw.com/en/albanias-student-protests-are-only-getting-bigger/a-79735213) Few are buying Prime Minister Edi Rama's claim that "antifa" is behind anti-corruption protests in Albania.   Politics 10/22/2026 October 22, 2026      (https://www.dw.com/en/how-russian-aggression-is-shaping-bulgarias-presidential-election/video-79729221) (How Russian aggression is shaping Bulgaria's presidential election) (This picture shows a group of people protesting ahead of the presidential elections in Sofia, set for October 25. One person is holding the Bulgarian flag)  (This picture shows a group of people protesting ahead of the presidential elections in Sofia, set for October 25. One person is holding the Bulgarian flag) (This picture shows a group of people protesting ahead of the presidential elections in Sofia, set for October 25. One person is holding the Bulgarian flag)     (https://www.dw.com/en/how-russian-aggression-is-shaping-bulgarias-presidential-election/video-79729221)   How Russian aggression is shaping Bulgaria's presidential election  (https://www.dw.com/en/how-russian-aggression-is-shaping-bulgarias-presidential-election/video-79729221) Four ships have been hit by drones in Bulgaria's Black Sea waters. How is this impacting Sunday's presidential election?   Politics 10/22/2026 October 22, 2026  03:54 min      Show more        (live-79587637@maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf.html#post-related-topics) Skip next section Related topics      Related topics (https://www.dw.com/en/germany/t-17871182) Germany            Footer About DW (https://corporate.dw.com/en/about-dw/s-30688) (External link — Who we are) Who we are  (https://corporate.dw.com/en/press/s-3293) (External link — Press) Press  (https://corporate.dw.com/en/gmf/s-43101535) (External link — DW Global Media Forum) DW Global Media Forum    DW offers (https://learngerman.dw.com/en/overview) (External link — Learn German) Learn German  (https://akademie.dw.com/en/home/s-9519) (External link — DW Akademie) DW Akademie    Service (https://corporate.dw.com/en/newsletter-registration/a-15718229) (External link — Newsletters) Newsletters  (https://corporate.dw.com/en/regional-reception/s-6809) (External link — Reception) Reception  (https://corporate.dw.com/en/faqs-about-dw/s-30600) (External link — FAQ) FAQ  (https://corporate.dw.com/en/contact/s-30606) (External link — Contact) Contact  (https://www.dw.com/en/a-z-index/index-en/a) Topics from A to Z  (https://www.dw.com/en/headlines/headlines-en) Headlines    B2B (https://corporate.dw.com/en/business-sales/s-3303) (External link — Sales & Distribution) Sales & Distribution  (https://corporate.dw.com/en/content-for-travelers/s-3972) (External link — Travel) Travel  (https://corporate.dw.com/en/advertising/s-101376) (External link — Advertising) Advertising  (https://www.dw.com/en/german-news-service/s-101394) German News Service      Follow us on (https://facebook.com/deutschewellenews) (External link — facebook)       (https://www.youtube.com/dwnews) (External link — youtube)       (https://www.instagram.com/dwnews) (External link — instagram)       (https://tiktok.com/@dwnews) (External link — tiktok)    (https://x.com/dwnews) (External link — x-twitter)          (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=dw.com) (External link — Add DW as preferred source on Google)   Add DW as preferred source on Google  © 2026 Deutsche Welle (https://www.dw.com/en/european-union-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr-valid-may-25-2018/a-63500655) Privacy Policy  (https://www.dw.com/en/legal-notice/a-63500643) Legal notice  (https://www.dw.com/en/accessibility-statement/a-53922576) Digital accessibility  (https://www.dw.com/en/data-privacy-settings/privacy-settings-en) Data privacy settings