Bild: Holiday paradise demands German bank statements! / Urlaubsparadies verlangt deutsche Kontoauszüge!
FAZ: Customs seize growing amounts of cannabis from North America / Zoll beschlagnahmt immer mehr Cannabis aus Nordamerika
Funke: Costs too high: Ryanair cuts summer flights at BER / Zu hohe Kosten: Ryanair reduziert das Sommerangebot am BER
Handelsblatt: DAX profits heading for a record / Dax-Gewinne vor Rekord
RND: Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi: the night of „constructive“ negotiations and „Russian terror“ / Ukraine-Gespräche in Abu Dhabi: Die Nacht der „konstruktiven“ Verhandlungen und des „russischen Terrors“
SZ: Zelenskyy calls negotiations „constructive“ / Selenskij nennt Verhandlungen „konstruktiv“
Tagesspiegel: America in turmoil after ICE officers fatally shoot US citizens / Amerika in Aufruhr nach tödlichen Schüssen durch ICE-Beamte auf US-Bürger
taz: One killing after another / One Killing After Another
Welt: Political showdown after Minneapolis shootings / Politischer Showdown nach Schüssen von Minneapolis
Ukraine, Russia and the United States are continuing their direct talks in Abu Dhabi. The first round of negotiations in the capital of the United Arab Emirates ended on Saturday without concrete results, but was described as constructive by all sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of important, intensive discussions and emphasized Kyiv’s willingness to continue the talks. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and other US government representatives also stressed that „a lot of work“ had already been done during the two-day talks. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place again in Abu Dhabi next Sunday, once more in a trilateral format.zeit.de, tagesschau.de, spiegel.de
- Ukraine and the United States have concluded negotiations on security guarantees. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Vilnius that the document is ready to be signed and will then be submitted to the parliaments of both countries. web.de
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda accuses Russia of blocking a peaceful solution in Ukraine. After a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he said Moscow refuses any commitment to a just peace and rejects a ceasefire.
- The Kremlin has ruled out talks with the EU on the war in Ukraine. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the EU leadership on state television as „incompetent“ and accused it of having made itself dependent on the United States. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was a particular target of the criticism. web.de
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western partners to deliver more air defense ammunition. In view of massive Russian attacks using drones, guided bombs and missiles, he said in Vilnius that Ukraine needs daily resupplies for its air defense systems.
- Green Party leader Franziska Brantner is calling on the German government to step up its support for Kyiv. In view of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, she accused Putin of war crimes and stressed that Russia is waging war against civilians, not only against the military. stern.de
- The Czech Republic will not supply Ukraine with L-159 fighter jets. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš declared the debate over a possible sale to be over, despite President Petr Pavel having supported the transfer of used aircraft to counter Russian drone attacks.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has described remarks by former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder on Russia as „appalling.“ In a guest article for the Berliner Zeitung, Schröder had called Russia’s war of aggression illegal under international law, but at the same time warned against a „demonization of Russia“ and argued for resuming energy cooperation with Moscow. Tsahkna wrote on X that it is „simply appalling“ not to want to demonize a country waging the most brutal war in Europe since the Second World War. Schröder has long faced criticism for his closeness to Vladimir Putin and his work for Russian energy companies. tagesspiegel.de
- Gerhard Schröder’s confidant Heino Wiese: The last friend. spiegel.de
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has criticized Russian attacks during the peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Writing on X, Sybiha spoke of a „brutal missile attack“ that struck not only the population but also „the negotiating table,“ accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of cynicism.
- According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia attacked Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Chernihiv with more than 370 drones and 21 missiles. At least one person was killed and dozens were injured; in Chernihiv, power was cut for hundreds of thousands of people. In the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, Russian forces shelled energy infrastructure, injuring an electrician. The utility company said the explosions also caused significant damage to facilities.
- A Ukrainian unit reported a targeted drone strike on Russian positions in the border region of Kursk. According to Ukrainian information, several soldiers, an armored personnel carrier and military shelters were hit.
- Russia reported a massive Ukrainian drone attack on the Belgorod region. Governor Gladkov described it as the „most massive“ attack so far on the regional capital.
- According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian military bloggers are increasingly questioning the Kremlin’s official portrayal of the situation at the front. They criticize the defense ministry for painting an unrealistic picture, particularly around Kupiansk.
- Serhii „Flash“ Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense ministry, suspects that Russia is using Starlink satellites to control its drones. The military communications expert sees this as the first documented case of satellite communications being used in attacks with Shahed drones.
- The EU is providing Ukraine with around 450 additional generators to cushion power outages caused by Russian attacks on electricity infrastructure. Since the start of the war, Brussels has delivered almost 9,500 devices; French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot plans to coordinate further aid with the G7 and Nordic countries.
BamS Sunday trend from Insa: Union 25 per cent, AfD 26 per cent, SPD 15 per cent (+1), Greens 11 per cent (-1), Left Party 10 per cent (-1), BSW 4 per cent, FDP 4 per cent, others 5 per cent. bild.de
CDU business wing wants to restrict the legal right to part-time work: The SME and Business Union (MIT) is pushing for a reform of part-time work legislation. According to a report by Stern, the CDU party conference at the end of February is set to vote on a motion titled „No legal right to lifestyle part-time work.“ The MIT wants the statutory right to part-time work to be permitted only with special justification – such as childcare, caring for relatives, or professional training. Chairwoman Gitta Connemann justifies the proposal by pointing to the ongoing shortage of skilled workers. Currently, Germany has a general legal entitlement to part-time work for employees with at least six months of service. tagesspiegel.de, focus.de, spiegel.de, faz.net
- SPD deputy parliamentary group leader Daniela Schmidt sharply criticized the CDU’s business wing, accusing it of endangering social cohesion by calling for a rollback of workers’ rights. Such steps would benefit neither the economy nor growth, she told the Handelsblatt.
- Green Party politician Armin Grau criticized the term „lifestyle part-time work“ as disrespectful, saying it ignores the lived reality of many employees.
- Left Party parliamentary group leader Sören Pellmann accused the MIT of promoting a backward-looking understanding of work with its proposal to restrict the right to part-time employment. He said it was presumptuous to force employees to ask for permission for part-time work when political or operational circumstances compel them to do so.
- CDU social wing leader Dennis Radtke warned in the Funke newspapers against restricting employees’ freedom of choice. Instead, he called for better conditions in childcare and elder care. Anyone who wants more full-time work must create structures that make it possible. morgenpost.de, t-online.de
- DIW President Marcel Fratzscher said in the Rheinische Post that curtailing the right to part-time work would harm the economy and worsen the shortage of skilled workers. Such a rule would ignore the wishes of many citizens and would reduce rather than increase employment. rp-online.de
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announces an offensive cyber strategy and a new defense center: Germany plans to actively strike back against cyberattacks in the future. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and intelligence services are to be jointly responsible for countermeasures, including abroad. Intelligence agencies are also to receive expanded powers to gather information, Dobrindt told the Süddeutsche Zeitung. A new defense center against hybrid threats will coordinate the work of security authorities. The goal is to disrupt attackers and deliberately destroy their technical infrastructure. welt.de
Berlin and Rome deepen cooperation in the defense industry and EU policy: At the German–Italian government consultations in Rome, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed on a closer strategic partnership, including coordinated migration policy and economic stimulus. Two action plans aim to reduce European bureaucracy and promote greater restraint by the EU in legislation. Both governments emphasized the importance of stronger industrial integration, particularly in the defense sector. gea.de, dw.com
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul open to Bundeswehr participation in a NATO mission in Greenland: Speaking on Deutschlandfunk, he mentioned deploying the new Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Germany has the necessary capabilities for airborne maritime surveillance, he said, though the decision lies with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. deutschlandfunk.de
Germany closes the 2025 budget with a significantly lower deficit: The Finance Ministry reported a better-than-expected outcome for the first budget year of the black-red coalition. The core budget deficit in 2025 amounted to €66.9 billion – around €14.9 billion less than planned. The improvement was due to both higher revenues and lower spending. Including special funds, new borrowing totaled around €103 billion instead of the planned €142 billion.
Other news:
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig wants to criminalize voyeuristic recordings in public places such as saunas. lto.de
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expects a war-ready Bundeswehr by 2029. zeit.de
- CDU politician Christoph Ploß calls for a stricter blood alcohol limit and higher fines for cyclists. deutschlandfunk.de
- After the Berlin blackout: the federal government does not know the vulnerabilities of Germany’s power grid. tagesspiegel.de
- After the blackout in Berlin: patient advocates call for emergency power supplies for nursing homes. tagesschau.de
- 5,000 cyberattacks per minute: how vulnerable the Bundesbank is. tagesspiegel.de
- SPD Secretary General Tim Klüssendorf: there is a need for inheritance tax reform. br.deGreen
- Party leader Felix Banaszak: „Europe must become more independent from the US.“ rnd.de
- IfW President Moritz Schularick: „The US is no longer a reliable partner for us.“ handelsblatt.com
- Head of the German Police Union Jochen Kopelke: actions like those of ICE in the US would be unthinkable here. rnd.de
- Brandenburg: Minister President Dietmar Woidke wants to support companies with climate funding. zeit.de
- Brandenburg: CDU wins district administrator runoff election against AfD in Oberspreewald-Lausitz district. welt.de
- Saxony: AfD member becomes mayor in Altenberg in the Ore Mountains. focus.de
- North Rhine-Westphalia: AfD wants to oust its own deputy district mayor in Bochum-Wattenscheid. ksta.de
- Bavaria: Shortage of childcare staff to be resolved by 2029. stern.de
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Nearly 18,000 people protest against the regime in Iran in Düsseldorf. sueddeutsche.de
- Saxony-Anhalt: Several photographers attacked on the sidelines of a right-wing network meeting. n-tv.de
NATO boosts defenses on its eastern flank and strengthens presence in the Arctic: Bundeswehr Brigadier General Markus Lowin announced in Welt am Sonntag that over the next two years larger stocks of weapons and ammunition will be built up along NATO’s eastern flank, and a largely automated defense zone using robotic systems and sensors will be established. At the same time, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte plans to expand the alliance’s military presence in the Arctic together with Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is traveling to Greenland for this purpose, where discussions will also focus on the permanent stationing of NATO troops. noz.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reject participation in Trump’s „Peace Council“: Merz sees the „Peace Council“ initiated by US President Donald Trump as constitutionally problematic; the body’s leadership structures are incompatible with Germany’s Basic Law. Giorgia Meloni expressed similar concerns, also pointing to constitutional obstacles. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva likewise rejected the initiative, criticizing Trump for wanting to create a counter-model instead of reforming the UN. Lula said he supports multilateralism rather than the „law of the jungle.“
Green MEP Erik Marquardt calls for greater willingness to compromise in the European Parliament after the Mercosur vote:
Marquardt urged a strategic realignment of his party. Speaking on Deutschlandfunk, he warned that the Greens must never again give the impression of making common cause with far-right extremists, and advocated more compromises, for example with conservatives. At the same time, he accused EPP group leader Manfred Weber of repeatedly blocking negotiations with the Greens. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sharply criticized the voting behavior, saying that anyone who speaks of a „firewall“ must live up to that standard themselves. The agreement should be provisionally applied as soon as possible.deutschlandfunk.de
WHO strongly rejects US accusations after withdrawal: Following the formal withdrawal of the United States, the World Health Organization has responded in detail for the first time, firmly rejecting the accusations from Washington. The US government had accused the WHO of lacking cooperation and respect. The organization stressed that it has always acted in a spirit of partnership and in line with its mandate. It also strongly countered criticism of its pandemic management, emphasizing that it warned the world as early as January 2020, through all available channels, about the looming emergency. tagesschau.de
California continues cooperation with the WHO despite US withdrawal: The US state intends to maintain its partnership with the World Health Organization. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California will participate in a WHO-led network coordinating the early detection and containment of global health threats.
Other news:
- The EU is concerned after reports of ISIS members escaping from detention. rp-online.de
- India plans to drastically cut tariffs on EU cars. n-tv.de
Railway expects better punctuality despite a record number of construction sites: After years of declining reliability, Deutsche Bahn sees progress in the modernization of its infrastructure. Infrastructure chief Philipp Nagl said the condition of the network has stabilized for the first time in years. For 2026, the railway is planning the largest number of construction sites to date, but still promises faster long-distance travel. Nagl asked passengers for patience, saying only consistent „building, building, and more building“ can ensure punctuality in the long term. n-tv.de
Other business news:
- Foreign investment in Germany is rising sharply, according to the German Economic Institute. zeit.de
- Prescriptions without visiting a doctor’s office: health insurers call for a mandatory navigator app for medical contacts. n-tv.de
- 350,000 visitors attended the Green Week trade fair; 40,000 more than last year. tagesspiegel.de
- Nuisance telemarketing: thousands of consumers fight back against illegal calls. spiegel.de
- Deutsche Bank is downsizing its branch network. tagesspiegel.de
- Sometimes taking months: new labor market entrants are likely having to wait longer for jobs. n-tv.de
- Berlin court: TikTok’s age verification is insufficient. tagesspiegel.de
- Human rights activist Julia Navalnaya and Russian historian Irina Shcherbakova receive the Ludwig Beck Prize for Civil Courage. hessenschau.de
If Deutsche Bahn asks for patience, it’s not a delay tactic — it’s practically a cultural contract. In Germany, Baustelle isn’t a bug, it’s a feature: proof that things are being fixed properly, thoroughly, and possibly forever. Punctuality, after all, is just efficiency that hasn’t met reality yet.