Merz repairs the Iran rift with Trump even as he widens the German-American gap on values
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he and Donald Trump 'agreed' in a May 15 phone call that Iran must come to the table, the Strait of Hormuz must reopen and Tehran cannot have nuclear weapons — closing the rift that began with Merz's late-April 'no strategy' line. The same day Merz told young Germans at the Catholic Day in Würzburg he 'would not recommend' that his children study or work in the US. General Carsten Breuer warned Russia could be capable of a major war against NATO by 2029.
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Merz and Trump close their Iran-policy rift in phone call as the chancellor warns young Germans against moving to the United States
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he and US President Donald Trump 'agreed' in a May 15 phone call as Trump returned from China that Iran 'must come to the negotiating table now', that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened, and that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. The call ended a rift that erupted in late April when Merz told schoolchildren in the Sauerland that the United States had 'no strategy' for talks with Tehran and that the entire American nation was being humiliated by Iran's leadership, prompting Trump to call Merz's performance 'terrible', describe Germany as 'broken' and announce the withdrawal of 5,000 US soldiers from the country. Hours before the call, at the Catholic Day in Würzburg, Merz told young Germans he 'would not recommend' that his children study or work in the United States, citing the country's 'social climate.'
Germany's Top General Warns Russia Could Pose Direct Military Challenge to NATO by 2029
Germany's top military commander, Gen. Carsten Breuer, warned Friday that Russia is rapidly expanding its armed forces and could be capable of waging a large-scale war against the West by 2029. Speaking at a German Catholic gathering in Wurzburg, Breuer said intelligence reports show Moscow is establishing new garrisons and building a weapons arsenal for a major conflict. He urged NATO allies to boost their military capabilities to deter any potential attack.
German Chancellor Merz advises against moving to US, citing worsening social climate
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday he would no longer advise young people to move to the U.S. for work or study, citing what he described as the worsening “social climate” in America. Speaking at a gathering of German Catholics in Würzburg, Merz said: “I would not recommend to my children today that they go to the U.S. to get an education and to work.” The comments underscore growing tensions between Berlin and Washington after weeks of public clashes between Merz and President Donald Trump.
Germany signals readiness to join European Strait of Hormuz mission
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has signaled that the Bundeswehr could contribute additional forces to a European mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The mission, initiated by Britain and France, remains conditional on a durable ceasefire between Iran and the US/Israel, as well as international and national mandates. Pistorius' assurance is seen as a strategic signal to European partners and a move to undercut US President Trump's criticism of allies.
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Every other event tracked in Germany, with a one-line preview.
de30German Chancellor Merz criticizes US social climate, advises against studying in America at Catholic Day event
At the German Catholic Day in Würzburg, Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the rapidly changing social climate in the United States, stating he would not recommend his children go there for education or work. He also admitted weaknesses in his black-red coalition government and his communication style. The event was briefly disrupted by climate activists, and Merz avoided a direct answer when asked if he prays before important decisions.
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German Chancellor Merz criticizes US social climate, advises against studying in America at Catholic Day event
At the German Catholic Day in Würzburg, Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the rapidly changing social climate in the United States, stating he would not recommend his children go there for education or work. He also admitted weaknesses in his black-red coalition government and his communication style. The event was briefly disrupted by climate activists, and Merz avoided a direct answer when asked if he prays before important decisions.
At the German Catholic Day in Würzburg, Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the rapidly changing social climate in the United States, stating he would not recommend his children go there for education or work. He also admitted weaknesses in his black-red coalition government and his communication style. The event was briefly disrupted by climate activists, and Merz avoided a direct answer when asked if he prays before important decisions.
de28Suspected Russian spy extradited from Spain to Germany
A 43-year-old Ukrainian man suspected of spying for Russia has been extradited from Spain to Germany and placed in pre-trial detention. He was arrested in Alicante in March. A 45-year-old Romanian woman, allegedly his accomplice, was also arrested in Rheine, Germany. They are accused of spying on a man who supplies drones and components to Ukraine, on behalf of a Russian intelligence service. The German domestic intelligence agency notes an increased threat from Russian espionage, sabotage, and disinformation since the war in Ukraine, and observes a strategy of recruiting individuals from petty crime for such operations.
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Suspected Russian spy extradited from Spain to Germany
A 43-year-old Ukrainian man suspected of spying for Russia has been extradited from Spain to Germany and placed in pre-trial detention. He was arrested in Alicante in March. A 45-year-old Romanian woman, allegedly his accomplice, was also arrested in Rheine, Germany. They are accused of spying on a man who supplies drones and components to Ukraine, on behalf of a Russian intelligence service. The German domestic intelligence agency notes an increased threat from Russian espionage, sabotage, and disinformation since the war in Ukraine, and observes a strategy of recruiting individuals from petty crime for such operations.
A 43-year-old Ukrainian man suspected of spying for Russia has been extradited from Spain to Germany and placed in pre-trial detention. He was arrested in Alicante in March. A 45-year-old Romanian woman, allegedly his accomplice, was also arrested in Rheine, Germany. They are accused of spying on a man who supplies drones and components to Ukraine, on behalf of a Russian intelligence service. The German domestic intelligence agency notes an increased threat from Russian espionage, sabotage, and disinformation since the war in Ukraine, and observes a strategy of recruiting individuals from petty crime for such operations.
de15Mixed results two years after Germany's payment card for asylum seekers
Two years after Germany introduced a payment card system for asylum seekers to limit cash access and prevent misuse, implementation remains uneven across states and municipalities. Critics, including the AWO social welfare association, argue the card creates discrimination and administrative burdens, while supporters say it reduces incentives for irregular migration. The federal government aims for nationwide uniformity but lacks enforcement tools.
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Mixed results two years after Germany's payment card for asylum seekers
Two years after Germany introduced a payment card system for asylum seekers to limit cash access and prevent misuse, implementation remains uneven across states and municipalities. Critics, including the AWO social welfare association, argue the card creates discrimination and administrative burdens, while supporters say it reduces incentives for irregular migration. The federal government aims for nationwide uniformity but lacks enforcement tools.
Two years after Germany introduced a payment card system for asylum seekers to limit cash access and prevent misuse, implementation remains uneven across states and municipalities. Critics, including the AWO social welfare association, argue the card creates discrimination and administrative burdens, while supporters say it reduces incentives for irregular migration. The federal government aims for nationwide uniformity but lacks enforcement tools.
de13Henning Höne withdraws FDP leadership bid, clearing path for Wolfgang Kubicki
FDP politician Henning Höne has withdrawn his candidacy for party chairman, leaving Wolfgang Kubicki as the sole candidate ahead of the party congress. The two agreed on a team solution with Höne as deputy. The FDP, which lost its Bundestag representation in 2025 and suffered state election defeats, faces pressure ahead of upcoming votes in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
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Henning Höne withdraws FDP leadership bid, clearing path for Wolfgang Kubicki
FDP politician Henning Höne has withdrawn his candidacy for party chairman, leaving Wolfgang Kubicki as the sole candidate ahead of the party congress. The two agreed on a team solution with Höne as deputy. The FDP, which lost its Bundestag representation in 2025 and suffered state election defeats, faces pressure ahead of upcoming votes in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
FDP politician Henning Höne has withdrawn his candidacy for party chairman, leaving Wolfgang Kubicki as the sole candidate ahead of the party congress. The two agreed on a team solution with Höne as deputy. The FDP, which lost its Bundestag representation in 2025 and suffered state election defeats, faces pressure ahead of upcoming votes in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
de10Germany ends systematic surveillance of Scientology after nearly 30 years
Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has ended its systematic surveillance of the Church of Scientology, a practice that began in 1997. The decision, reported by SWR and ARD, cites Scientology's diminished relevance compared to newer threats including the far-right AfD, Russian sabotage, Chinese espionage, and North Korean hackers. The BfV will retain the ability to monitor individual Scientology-related persons or groups as needed. The state of Baden-Württemberg had already ceased its surveillance earlier in 2026. This marks the end of a nearly three-decade-long observation of the organization, which had been listed annually in intelligence reports.
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Germany ends systematic surveillance of Scientology after nearly 30 years
Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has ended its systematic surveillance of the Church of Scientology, a practice that began in 1997. The decision, reported by SWR and ARD, cites Scientology's diminished relevance compared to newer threats including the far-right AfD, Russian sabotage, Chinese espionage, and North Korean hackers. The BfV will retain the ability to monitor individual Scientology-related persons or groups as needed. The state of Baden-Württemberg had already ceased its surveillance earlier in 2026. This marks the end of a nearly three-decade-long observation of the organization, which had been listed annually in intelligence reports.
Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has ended its systematic surveillance of the Church of Scientology, a practice that began in 1997. The decision, reported by SWR and ARD, cites Scientology's diminished relevance compared to newer threats including the far-right AfD, Russian sabotage, Chinese espionage, and North Korean hackers. The BfV will retain the ability to monitor individual Scientology-related persons or groups as needed. The state of Baden-Württemberg had already ceased its surveillance earlier in 2026. This marks the end of a nearly three-decade-long observation of the organization, which had been listed annually in intelligence reports.