In focus:

Topic of the week: Animals

Germany’s hit paw-rade

Often called “man’s best friend”, dogs only rank second among Germans’ favourite pets. Another animal is ahead by a whisker - for a reason.

Quick fact

Around 33.4 million pets live in German households (discounting ornamental fish and terrarium animals).

33.4 million

Quick fact

That’s equivalent to one pet for every two and a half inhabitants. Source: Industrial Association of Pet Care Producers (IVH) / German Pet Trade and Industry Association (ZZF).

Newsroom

Ticker Foreign Relations

03.08.2026: Wadephul: Protecting the EU’s external borders is absolute priority 31.07.2026: Amazon plans to invest heavily in Germany 30.07.2026: Germany secures supply of Canadian gas from 2032

Newsroom

Film festival

Great opportunities for German films in Locarno

20 German productions and co-productions will be shown at the film festival in Locarno. Five of them will be vying for the Golden Leopard in the main competition.

Sport

Men’s quadruple sculls rowing team takes European gold

Taking gold in the European Rowing Championships, the men’s quadruple sculls team finished off an outstanding day for the German team in grand style. Germany’s diving athletes also won a European Championship medal.

Menschen schwimmen über das Meer zu einem Felsen

Migration

Federal Government pushes for protection of EU external borders

The surge of migrants into the exclave of Ceuta has put Spain in crisis mode. Chancellor Merz is following the developments with concern and urging for counteraction to be taken.

Economic activity

The German economy is growing

A slight upwards trend can be observed in the German economy, despite global conflicts. Experts believe that further potential for growth exists.

Research

Federal Government establishes fusion hubs

Nuclear fusion is considered a possible energy source of the future. Plenty of research is needed to make this happen, and this is where the three new fusion hubs come in.

Mehrfamilienhaus in der Waldsiedlung Zehlendorf

Architecture

Zehlendorf Forest Estate becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has added Zehlendorf Forest Estate to the World Heritage List as part of the Berlin Modernism Housing Estates.

Zwei Personen stehen in einem noch nicht fertigen Haus und blicken nach oben.

Business

German firms are optimistic

German business increasingly confident about economic recovery. Germany’s Dax share index also up.

Operation Matrjoschka – benannt nach den ineinander schachtelbaren russischen Holzpuppen – will mit gefälschten Medieninhalten die öffentliche Meinung manipulieren

DW German News Service

Fact check: Russian disinformation targets German elections

Ahead of four elections in Germany this fall, dozens of fake posts are circulating online aimed at discrediting candidates and portraying Germany as divided. Analysts warn that Russia is now targeting local candidates.

Newsroom

Find out more about Germany and the world

Beaches

Giving seal pups a second chance at life: Germany’s Seal Sanctuary

Lighthouses

Facing the vast, open sea

A passion for lighthouses makes tourists flock to this monument on the North Sea coast. To this day, some beacons still help sailors navigate shores.

Travel destinations

Germany’s best beaches

Five beaches you will love - with seals resting on sandbanks, deer walking along the shore and seaside resorts facilitating luxurious vacations.

Species conservation

Saving the Wadden Sea’s young seals

In the Wadden Sea National Park, a veterinary team takes care of some 100 orphaned seals every year. Once the animals are strong enough, they are set free.

Schnitzel & small talk

Holiday culture

Schnitzel & smalltalk

Holiday culture

Adventure? Yes – but only in moderation!

A place by the sea – with a hood, side panels and a surprising amount of comfort. What the Strandkorb reveals about the Germans.

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Democracy

Heroes of democracy Democracy „Now. Not sometime in the future“

Matthias Brandt is campaigning against right-wing radicalism. The actor is the son of Willy Brandt, the former chancellor and Nobel peace laureate.

Heroes of democracy Heroes of democracy Democracy begins in the classroom

Marina Weisband is teaching children democracy by engaging them in debates, rather than instructing them. A core message is that their young voices count.

Defence

U-Boot-Bestellung aus Kanada: Ein Boot der Vorgängerklasse 212A

Submarines for NATO fleet

Defence

Why Canada has chosen German-Norwegian submarines

Up to twelve submarines, a historic contract for TKMS and a signal to NATO: we answer the most important questions about the cooperation with Canada.

Defence

Security

3d printing, drones and supersonic tech for the Bundeswehr

To boost Germany defence capacities, a new innovation centre will fast implement good ideas expressed by troops, researchers and start-up companies

Defence

Armed forces

The Federal Republic’s new military strategy

The Bundeswehr is set to become Europe’s strongest conventional army by 2039. We assess the background of the Federal Government’s strategy.

Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (r.) und NATO-Generalsekretär Mark Rutte

Defence

Transatlantic Alliance

Why Germany is an unwavering NATO member

For Germany and Europe in genral, the alliance has been an unprecedented success. We assess key issues.

Pros & Cons

Would you go to war for your country?

Should compulsory military service be reintroduced in Germany? Two young people are sharing their views on the issue.

Famous Germans

Ihre Gedanken sind bis heute aktuell: Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)

A portrait

Philosophy

A life in exile: Hannah Arendt and her escape from evil

Hannah Arendt was one of the most influential political theorists. Her works reveal how important it is to stand up for democracy and human rights.

The man in the hat who made Germany laid-back

Udo Lindenberg is a musician, cult figure and political voice. He made rock music with German lyrics popular and has been a defining influence for decades. He now turns 80.

Konrad Adenauer – the founding chancellor

Born 150 years ago, Konrad Adenauer shapes the nascent Federal Republic of Germany as its first chancellor, the architect of Western integration - and a polemical and ruthless politician.

Rainer Maria Rilke, hier vermutlich 1906, gilt bis heute als einer der größten deutschsprachigen Dichter.

The perfect poet

Rainer Maria Rilke was born 150 years ago. The German-language poet was much admired even in his lifetime, and his works continue to touch people around the world to this day.

Reformation Day: Martin Luther, the Reformer

How Martin Luther and the Reformation have continued to influence German society until the present.

Wim Wenders bei der Verleihung des Europäischen Filmpreises 2024

Wim Wenders - travelling the world through film

Wim Wenders has made a name for himself not just as one of Germany’s leading directors but also as a photographer.

Sophie Scholl: Resistance icon

Sophie Scholl is one of the most famous women in German history. As a member of the “White Rose”, she was part of the resistance to the Nazi regime.

Albert Schweitzer 1965 vor dem von ihm gegründeten Krankenhaus in Lambaréné

Albert Schweitzer: out of reverence for life

What drove the doctor, humanist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate – and how he built an entire hospital village in what is today Gabon.

Ihr Tagebuch wurde nach Anne Franks Tod weltberühmt.

Anne Frank and her diary: writing for eternity

Anne Frank died in a concentration camp aged 15. Her diary is one of the most important documents which bear witness to Nazi atrocities.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: faith in contradiction

It is not possible to be a National Socialist and a Christian at the same time: this is the attitude that defined the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The theologian was murdered by the Nazis on 9 April 1945.

Johannes Gutenberg – knowledge for the whole world

It was his invention of letterpress printing with movable type that enabled books to be produced rapidly and inexpensively.

Erich Kästner: a great children’s book author – and much more besides

His children’s books have been translated into more than 70 languages and continue to sell millions of copies to this day. Erich Kästner didn’t just write for young readers, however.

Blick in die Schau in der Hamburger Kunsthalle

Caspar David Friedrich: the master of silence

Forgotten, misunderstood and celebrated: Caspar David Friedrich’s works are ready to be rediscovered again in his 250th anniversary year.

Goethe ist einer der bekanntesten Dichter und Denker Deutschlands.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: a genius, even beyond literature

Goethe shaped German culture like no other. His persistent thirst for knowledge was his greatest motivation.

Marlene Dietrich, Hollywood-Star aus Deutschland

Marlene Dietrich - world star, style icon, myth

The actress and singer was a phenomenon of her era and continues to inspire many people around the world today, partly because of her political stance.

Franz Kafka – the eternal enigma of world literature

The world's most widely read German-language author died on 3 June 1924 – and left instructions for all his writings to be destroyed.

Käthe Kollwitz mit Selbstbildniss (vermutlich von 1940)

Käthe Kollwitz – a dauntless woman and major artist

Her works are of timeless significance and exceptional artistic quality. Käthe Kollwitz campaigned against war and poverty and for the rights of women.

Clara Schumann – art is the air I breathe

She was a pianist, composer, piano teacher, superstar – and she is the most famous woman in music history. A portrait to mark the 205th anniversary of her birth

Thomas Mann – a literary giant of the century

2025 marks the 150th anniversary of Thomas Mann’s birth and the 70th anniversary of his death – a good moment to revisit the work of the Nobel laureate.

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Skilled crafts

Digital magazine: Careers in the skilled crafts and trades – talented people wanted!

Read our free 56-page magazine to find out all about job opportunities in the skilled crafts and trades in Germany.

Read the e-magazine now

Dieu Hue Tong aus Vietnam macht eine Ausbildung zur Bäckerin.

Made it!

They have come from Ecuador, Tunisia and Vietnam, and all have found their place in Germany. Let’s meet Victoria, Aymen and Dieu Hue.

Hier wird ein Dach auf traditionelle Weise mit Reet gedeckt, also mit getrocknetem Schilfrohr.

The art of craftsmanship: handmade joy

The German TV series “Handwerkskunst” opens the doors of workshops across the country. It present people for whom work is about talent and devotion.

Starkes Team: Geschäftsführerin Claudia Frick (M.) mit den Schneiderinnen Tetiana Korenivska (l.) und Reyhane Heidari

Sewing: a universal language

A fashion workshop in Frankfurt am Main shows how diversity can be key to a successful business. People from many different nations work together there and enhance the business.

Moderne Werkstätten und hohe Sicherheitsstandards: Das Handwerk bietet gute Arbeitsbedingungen.

Five great reasons to work in the skilled crafts and trades

Great working conditions, a secure job, development opportunities – there are so many reasons to train and work in the skilled crafts and trades in Germany.

Five steps to gaining a qualification in Germany

Rohan Gupta from India wants to train an electronics technician in Germany. Our infographic explains how he will get here.

Raum für Kreativität: Ana Paniagua in ihrem Büro in Frankfurt am Main

Ana and Imad hit the ground running

The media designer from Mexico and the mechanic from Syria who have set out on their own. What does being self-employed mean to them? They share their experiences and tips.

From Ecuador to Germany: Working as an industrial mechanic

From Vietnam to Germany: Working as a baker's apprentice

From Tunisia to Germany: Working as a mechatronics engineer

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