German factory retools from trains to tanks: ‘Not everyone is happy about the transition’
As weapons production ramps up in the face of the Russian threat, assembly lines in Görlitz are switching from rail carriages to battle tanks
Germany
Berlin, sex and the afterlife of a 1968 awakening
Once dismissed as obscene, Helga Goetze’s street sermons on sex and pacifism are being reappraised as the city confronts its radical past
What’s behind the Trump administration’s war on typefaces?
Worldview: Attempts by Donald Trump and Marco Rubio to turn back the clock typographically have strange historical resonances
Merz faces mounting criticism in Germany amid concern over his Ukraine deal performance
‘He didn’t take the Belgian resistance seriously,’ says one observer of chancellor’s approach to EU summit
Merz, in the line of stiff questions, unclear on sending German troops to Ukraine
The chancellor had previously said it was possible to foresee German soldiers helping maintain a peace agreement
Peace process for Ukraine closer than at any time since start of Russian invasion, says Merz
European leaders say proposed security guarantees agreed with US include a Ukrainian peacetime army of 800,000 troops and European-led military support force
Ireland claim 10 medals at Under-17 European Boxing Championships
All medals could be upgraded in semi-final bouts on Monday
Irish-born mayor of a German town: ‘I like the bureaucracy here. Things are planned’
‘There is a melodic tone to the way I pronounce words which can give away that I’m not German,’ says Michelle Wittler
Naoise Dolan on Things That Disappear by Jenny Erpenbeck: Subtle, wry and newly pertinent
This fresh English translation by Kurt Beals introduces new resonances and ironies
Germany’s Merz walks diplomatic tightrope with Netanyahu on first visit to Israel
Chancellor did not renew his invitation for Israeli PM to visit Germany
Thalidomide: A shock finding in the Irish State archives
Department of Health papers refer to concentration camp scientist who helped develop German drug linked to birth defects worldwide
Irish investors left in lurch as opportunity flogged on Ivan Yates podcast seeks ‘chance to breathe’
Plus: Feathers fly as Mike Tyson hits Belfast, Vikings rule and will Sensible Simon give kids a dig out?
German parliament passes contested pensions vote as Merz sees off rebellion
Chancellor Friedrich Merz held his coalition together to see a controversial pensions vote pass in parliament
Mysterious speaker exits stage-right at AfD youth conference
German far-right party, which is leading opinion polls, has rebooted its youth wing but conference begins in fascist vein
German vote exposes Merz weakness and some CDU members’ far-right ambitions
A vote on state pensions could decide how soon the chancellor is nudged into political retirement
German comedy is no laughing matter
As museums showcase the country’s comedic past, contemporary laughter struggles to find its place
Berlin and Warsaw try yet another reboot as German-Polish relations hit new low
Attitudes sour over history of occupation and contemporary security pressures overshadow latest rapprochement
The German arms giant capitalising on renewed fear of Russia
Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger on what rearmament means for Germany and Europe
A ‘cog’ in the Nazi engine: Why the story of chancellor Friedrich Merz’s grandfather matters
Might Merz, by sharing his family history and encouraging others to engage with their family past, help prevent Germany from sliding again into political extremism?
France and Germany to bring back military service as Russia threat looms
Paris and Berlin latest to reintroduce measure to strengthen forces as US steps back from Continent
France announces voluntary military service for 18- and 19-year-olds
Move comes amid growing concerns over Russia’s threat to other European nations beyond Ukraine
Fame could cut musicians’ lifespan as much as casual smoking does, study suggests
Popular singers die four years earlier than less famous ones, researchers find
Udo Kier, German actor who starred in classic horror films, dies aged 81
Kier is known for his roles in My Own Private Idaho and The Stationmaster’s Wife
Hometown holds goodwill for Friedrich Merz, but coalition leaves him in a bind
Merz retains plenty of goodwill, but even friends and allies admit coalition leaves him in a bind
German police officer alleged to have legally changed gender to secure promotion
Düsseldorf police commissioner facing charges of attempted fraud
Paschal Donohoe hopes ‘bricks and mortar foundation’ opens doors for Ireland in Frankfurt
Ireland’s new consulate general in Germany’s financial capital has opened its doors in a permanent premises
Hugo Hamilton: ‘I love speaking Irish. It places me in a less aggressive country full of musical links to an ancient past’
The author on his new novel, Conversation with the Sea; his German heritage; and how Germany is in denial about Gaza
Does anyone believe Russia would respect Irish neutrality in a major war in Europe?
If Russia strikes the UK, they won’t stop at Ireland, a German professor of international politics warns
‘I see no threat from Russia’: Far-right AfD leader’s remark deepens party rift in Germany
Co-leader Tino Chrupalla defends Putin and suggests Poland may threaten Germany, widening divisions at the top of the far-right party
Adolf Mahr: Frank McNally on the confused reputation of an Austrian Nazi in 1930s Ireland
When he tried to resume his old job in Dublin after the war, he was no longer welcome
Berlin at risk of ‘squandering opportunities’ to revive Germany’s ailing economy, new report says
Federal economic advisers warn ‘special’ €500m fund being used for election promises rather than promised new infrastructure investment
Reality bites as Germany begins slow creep away from pacifist idealism
Left-wing firebrand Sahra Wagenknecht takes a back seat as country debates military service and main Protestant church revises pacifist tradition
Suspect in Magdeburg Christmas market attack goes on trial
Saudi-born doctor (51) charged with six counts of murder and 358 counts of attempted murder
Munich surfers left high and dry as famed river wave vanishes
Eisbach wave in the Bavarian city had been a surfing magnet for decades but disappeared after a recent cleanup
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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