German Teachers Union Warns Against Blanket Social Media Ban for Under‑14s
In the debate over a social‑media ban for children and youths under 14, the German Teachers’ Association cautioned against blanket solutions. President Stefan Düll told the “Rheinische Post” (Tuesday edition) that a universal ban on social media for those under 14 is neither enforceable nor pedagogically sensible. He added that many methods of age…
February 16, 2026
Union Proposes Limiting Train Track Access Amid Safety Debate
In the debate over increased safety on trains, the Union is now proposing access restrictions at stations. “Other countries demonstrate that keeping the platform only accessible with a valid ticket works well and reduces the need for extensive checks” said Union parliamentary group vice‑chair Stephan Stracke (CSU) in an interview with the “Rheinische…
February 16, 2026
Justice Ministry Plans Reforms to Make Lawyer Registry More Attractive
The Federal Ministry of Justice presented a draft law aimed at making the professional field of notaries more attractive. The proposal seeks to simplify entry into the profession and make it more family‑friendly, while also allowing qualified lawyers to serve beyond the current retirement age of 70 under specific conditions. The goal is to secure comprehensive notarial…
February 16, 2026
Kremlin Denies European Accusations About Navalny Death
The Kremlin rejected the European declaration regarding the death of Putin critic Alexei Navalny. “We do not accept such accusations, we do not agree with them, and we find them biased and unfounded” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow said on Monday. “And we decisively reject them”. Prior to this, Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands…
February 16, 2026
German Government Pursues Solution to Keep Schwedt Refinery Running Securely and Prevent Fuel Shortages
The German federal government is still working on a solution that will keep the Schwedt refinery operating smoothly and prevent any looming fuel shortages. This was stated by spokesperson Elisabeth Kaiser (SPD), a representative of the eastern affairs commissioner, on Monday. The current situation presents a challenge, but there is no reason for concern. Measures are being…
February 16, 2026
Hubig Defends SPD’s Social Media Ban for Children Under 14
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig defended the SPD position paper she co‑signed, which calls for a ban on social media for children under 14, against criticism. She told the “Rheinische Post” (Monday issue) that while social media are a permanent part of young people’s reality, their use can be harmful, especially for children and adolescents. “We need…
February 16, 2026
Laschet Warns Mullahs Facing Collapse as Regime’s Future in Question
Armin Laschet, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the CDU, believes that the Mullahs in Tehran have little future left. “The days of the regime are numbered. Even if the overthrow does not happen tomorrow, that is clear, because the people who were brave now will not be coaxed back” he told RTL and ntv. Laschet’s main question…
February 16, 2026
DAX Opens Higher Despite No Trading in the US Markets
The DAX opened Monday with gains, trading at about 24,970 points – roughly 0.2 % above the Friday close. The top of the sector list featured Scout24, Deutsche Bank, and Commerzbank, while MTU, Brenntag and Symrise sat at the bottom. No U.S. market activity was expected during the day, as the U.S. exchanges were closed for Washington’s Birthday. Thomas Altmann of…
February 16, 2026
JU Leader Johannes Winkel Announces Plan to Cut Pension Expenditures by Over 50 Billion Euros
Johannes Winkel, chairman of the Junge Union (JU) and a member of the CDU, says that a broad pension reform could cut Germany’s annual pension spending by more than €50 billion. He argues that future pension increases should be linked to inflation rather than wage growth. According to the International Monetary Fund, adjusting pensions to inflation alone could save up…
February 16, 2026
Owner Association Rings Alarm Over 15% Rent Hikes From SPD’s Insurance Plan Shift
According to the owners’ association Haus & Grund, the SPD’s plan to levy health‑insurance and nursing‑care contributions on rental income would cause significant rent increases.The newspaper “Bild”, citing several Haus & Grund calculations, says that the proposal could push rents up by as much as 15 %. The reason, explained by…
February 16, 2026
German Housing Market Climate Slightly Improves at Start of Year
The mood in Germany’s residential construction sector has edged up at the beginning of the year. In January, the Ifo institute’s business climate index rose from -22.7 to -20.9 points, indicating a slight lift in confidence among firms. Companies reported being a bit more content with their current operations, and expectations for the future have also brightened.…
February 16, 2026
Police Union Champions ID Photo Requirement for Nationwide Deutschlandticket to Boost Train Safety
The Police Union (GdP) backs a proposal from Rhineland‑Palatinate Minister‑President Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) to introduce a nationwide, photo‑verified Germany ticket for train travel. In a statement to the “Rheinische Post” (Tuesday edition), GdP’s federal police chief Andreas Roßkopf noted that many passengers become confused when train staff compare…
