July 15, 2025

Almost two-thirds (64%) of foreign students in Germany want to stay in the country after graduation, according to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in Bonn.

The survey, that was conducted among 21,000 students intending to graduate from 132 German universities in the winter semester of 2023/24, also showed that nearly half (49%) of respondents could imagine starting a business.

The DAAD study revealed that the intention to stay is particularly high among students of economics, engineering, and computer science.

Respondents cited three main reasons for choosing to study in Germany: affordability, attractive career prospects, and a wide range of English-language courses. Master's students, in particular, appreciated the opportunity to complete a full degree program in English.

However, only around a third of those surveyed feel well-prepared to start a career in Germany. Many said they would like more support, such as career services, language courses, and access to company contacts.

According to the DAAD, more than 379,900 international students studied at a German university in the winter 2023/24 semester. This made Germany the third most popular destination worldwide and the most popular non-English-speaking host country.

July 15, 2025

Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his tour of Germany's 16 states with a visit to Bavaria.

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder welcomed Merz to a session of the Bavarian Cabinet held atop Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze.

Traditional Bavarian mountain rifle companies greeted Merz at the Zugspitze cable car base station with ceremonial rifle salutes.

After taking a group photo with cabinet members, Merz and Söder rode the gondola to the 2,962-meter summit, where a troupe of Bavarian Schuhplattler dancers performed for them.

During this high-energy traditional folk dance, performers rhythmically slap their thighs, knees, and the soles of their shoes with their hands.

Before the cabinet meeting, Söder announced that the Bavarians had several demands for the chancellor, including matters related to energy, technology, rail, and transport links, in addition to ceremonial gifts.

Bavaria is led by the Christian Social Union (CSU), which is part of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc that nominated Merz as chancellor.

As the largest German state by area, it is home to major companies like BMW and Siemens. This gives Bavaria political clout and a key role in shaping industrial policy.

July 15, 2025

In the northern German city of Kiel, activists climbed the scaffolding outside the regional parliament building.

They were demanding the release of Maja T., a German national who is currently being held in Hungary.

Maja T. identifies as non-binary, meaning they do not fit into traditional gender roles, and prefers the gender-neutral pronoun "they" to "he" or "she."

Identifying as part of the "TurboKlimaKampfGruppe" (Turbo Climate Combat Group), the activists unfurled a banner reading "Free Maja" and posted a video on Instagram showing several masked individuals chanting the slogan.

A police spokesman confirmed that seven individuals were on the scaffolding outside the parliament's plenary chamber and that authorities were monitoring the situation on site.

Maja T. is on trial in Budapest for alleged bodily harm during protests against right-wing extremists in February 2023. If convicted, they could face up to 24 years in prison.

On Monday, the activist ended a hunger strike that had lasted more than five weeks. The strike was intended to demand improved prison conditions and repatriation to Germany.

July 15, 2025

Carolina Wilga, a German backpacker who survived 12 days in the Australian outback, says she lost more than 12 kilograms during the ordeal, according to news agency AAP.

From her hospital bed in Perth, the 26-year-old shared photos on Instagram showing her surrounded by snacks, including chocolate and pastries sent by the German consulate.

The post read: "When you need to gain 12 kilograms back."

 A passerby discovered her by chance in the outback on Friday. The day before, her van was found in the dense bushland of the vast Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, about 310 kilometers northeast of Perth.

July 15, 2025

In a reversal of a trend, people in Germany are driving more again.

According to data from the the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), personal cars registered in Germany covered 594 billion kilometers (360 billion miles) in  2024, roughly four times the distance from Earth and to the sun. 

This was 3 billion kilometers more than the previous year and the first increase since 2018. Prior to this, domestic car mileage had fallen five times in a row. In 2018, it was just under 631 billion kilometers.

However, the average distance driven per car fell again in 2024 — marking at least the tenth consecutive decline. According to the KBA, the figure was 12,309 kilometers — 11 fewer than in 2023. The total distance covered increased due to the higher number of vehicles.

The vast majority of the last year's driving distance was covered by combustion vehicles. Gasoline vehicles accounted for approximately 283 billion kilometers and diesel vehicles for about 230 billion. Other types, such as electric cars, hybrids, and gas-powered vehicles, accounted for the remaining kilometers but were not reported separately.

In 2024, petrol cars were driven an average of 9,555 kilometers, while diesel cars were driven an average of 16,984 kilometers. Diesel cars are particularly popular with frequent drivers because, from a certain annual mileage, their purchase is usually worthwhile, as the lower consumption and cheaper fuel compensate for the higher acquisition costs and vehicle tax.

July 15, 2025

Germany's Constitutional Court dismissed a lawsuit against the use of the Ramstein Air Base by US armed forces for overseas drone operations.

The suit was filed by two Yemeni citizens whose relatives were reportedly killed in a US drone attack in Yemen in 2012.

In 2019, a regional court ordered the German government to investigate whether US drone missions in Yemen that use the military base in Rhineland-Palatinate violate international law. However, a federal court overturned the decision.

In the Constitutional Court, the plaintiffs invoked the right to life and physical integrity enshrined in the German constitution. They argued that Germany had violated its duty of care by helping with the drone operations.

However, the government does not accept such a duty of care under certain exceptions, including if there is no clear connection to Germany.

Read more about why the Constitutional Court rejected Germany's responsibility in the Yemen drone case

July 15, 2025

Guten Morgen from the DW newsroom in Bonn!

Germany's Constitutional Court Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed against the US Armed Forces' use of Ramstein Air Base for drone missions abroad.

Meanwhile, Germans continue to marvel at the ordeal of the German backpacker who was found alive in Australia after missing for 12 days.

We will bring you these stories and cover other major topics that are currently being discussed in Germany.