Germany's Gas Reserves Tested by Cold Snap, Supply Resilience Grows
In early February, German media outlets reported on the strains affecting Germany's gas reserves. The news magazine Focus warned that the "cold snap devours our gas reserves."
Europe
Are Berlin Wall Souvenirs Authentic?
When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, it sealed the fate of East Germany. People wasted no time and started hacking away at the monstrosity with hammers and chisels. Those people chipping away at the former border barricade were known as "Mauerspechte," or wall woodpeckers.
Can Franco‑German Divisions Salvage the €100bn FCAS Program?
Michael Schoellhorn, the CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, says the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the long-planned Franco-German fighter jet and air defense project, will survive but that "there will have to be some restructuring in certain parts."
State votes threaten Germany's oldest party
The center-left Social Democrats (SPD), Germany's first political party, are struggling to muster their optimism in a year when five of Germany's 16 federal states are set to elect new parliaments. According to the latest opinion polls, the SPD could be voted out of power in two states that is has governed for decades.
When Tourism Overwhelms: Europe's Cities Under Strain
Never before have so many people traveled worldwide. According to the UN World Tourism Organization's World Tourism Barometer, an estimated 1.52 billion international tourists were recorded globally in 2025 — nearly 60 million more than in 2024. Europe remained the world's most popular destination region, welcoming about 793 million international visitors.
Russia and Belarus to Use Flags at 2026 Paralympics
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has granted 10 athletes from Russia and Belarus wildcard spots for the upcoming Winter Games in Italy from March 6-15. The IPC on Tuesday told news agencies AFP and SID that the limited number of athletes would be allowed to compete under their own flags.
How Much Did Hosting Help Italy at the Winter Games?
Home advantage smaller than ever before, but still a factor Italian women playing a huge role in host's success Familiarity with facilities the main reason for Italy's strong display History shows negative spillover possible From Francesca Lollobrigida setting an Olympic record in the women's 3,000-meter speed skating for Italy's first gold to alpine skier Federica Brignone
Lower Saxony Labels AfD State Chapter Extremist
The northern state of Lower Saxony's internal intelligence agency will monitor the Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party as a "surveillance object of considerable import" on the far-right. Interior Minister Daniela Behrens and state intelligence agency (or Verfassungsschutz) head Dirk Pejril announced the move at a press conference on Tuesday.
CDU Conference in Stuttgart Pushes for Reform and Unity
"Bound by responsibility" is the motto of the upcoming Christian Democratic Union (CDU) federal party conference in Stuttgart, set to take place February 20 and 21.
Navalny likely killed by lab-made frog toxin, multinational analysis finds
A poison found in threatened frog species in the Ecuadorian foothills has been named as the cause of Alexei Navalny's death in prison. Scientists from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK performed a postmortem analysis of the Russian pro-democracy campaigner and opposition leader, who died on February 16, 2024.
Why Germany’s Major Projects Run Late and Over Budget
Berlin's new airport? Planned for 5 years, finished in 14. Stuttgart's central station? Still under construction after 16 years. Hamburg's concert hall, the Elbphilharmonie? Nine years instead of three. And the costs? Sometimes 10 times higher than promised. Or take Cologne's opera house.
France, Germany Show Unity at EU Castle Retreat
Heads of state and government from the EU gathered at an "informal retreat" at the Alden Biesen Castle in eastern Belgium on Thursday, in lieu of a full monthly leaders' summit in Brussels. The talks will focus on reviving and streamlining Europe's economy, with the leaders also set to discuss ways to counter threats from China, Russia and the US.