Berlin
Yorgos Lanthimos' black comedy "Bugonia," Olivier Laxe's post-apocalyptic road movie "Sirens," and Masha Schilinski's German drama "The Sound of Falling" topped the list with five nominations each for the 2026 European Film Awards. The awards ceremony will take place on January 17 in Berlin.
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Poland must recognize same-sex marriages concluded in other EU countries, as refusal violates EU citizens' rights to respect for private life and freedom of movement. This decision concerns the case of a Polish couple who married in Berlin and were denied marriage registration in Poland.
Germany and France have set a deadline of December 18 for aviation concerns regarding the FCAS/SCAF program. The project, which is intended to replace Rafale and Eurofighter fighter jets after 2040, faces conflicts over work distribution and intellectual property rights.
The German Chancellor, the Presidents of France, and the Prime Minister of Great Britain will hold an urgent conversation with Zelenskyy. They will discuss the US and Russian plan to end the war. A meeting is also expected on the sidelines of the G20 in South Africa.
European countries have expressed their position on a possible US peace plan for Ukraine and Russia, developed in secret. Most emphasize the need to involve Ukraine and Europe in any peace agreements.
The German Chancellor's Cabinet has approved a law allowing the Bundeswehr to shoot down unknown drones suspected of spying on military bases and industrial facilities. The military will be able to use force against UAVs at the request of local police, using weapons or jammers.
US President's envoy to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, calls on European allies to take a more aggressive stance on Moscow and use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. This move would provide support to Ukraine for years and signal a new, bolder phase in European politics.
On Tuesday, November 18, a trilateral meeting will take place in Berlin between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders will meet for dinner after the summit on Europe's digital sovereignty, in which Macron will participate.
In the German capital, a number of schools received fake threats of violence via social media, causing panic. Police are investigating Russia's possible involvement in the disinformation campaign.
The European Union has begun work on the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. The goal is to further pressure the aggressor, with potential targets including energy companies and vessels.
German Ambassador Peter Fischer appeared at an anti-government rally in Tbilisi, expressing solidarity with the demonstrators. This caused outrage from the ruling Georgian Dream party, which accused Fischer of "mocking" Georgian society.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with German Chancellor Merz, discussing the situation at the front and key steps for defense. They also coordinated positions regarding the opening of an export office for Ukrainian weapons in Berlin.
Germany stated that it trusts President Zelenskyy and Ukraine, despite the scandal in the energy sector.
Google plans to invest 5. 5 billion euros in the development of computing resources and operations in Germany over the next four years. The investment covers two data centers in the Frankfurt region, which is part of the company's ongoing commitment to Europe.
Hanover Airport suspended operations for 45 minutes on the evening of November 5 after a drone was detected nearby. Three planes were diverted to other airports, and other flights were delayed.
The development of a joint British-German long-range missile within the framework of the "Trinity House" defense partnership is gaining momentum. British Defense Minister John Healey confirmed active technical work on the missile, which will have a range of over 2000 kilometers.
The European Commission has unveiled a plan to connect all European capitals with high-speed rail lines by 2040. This involves expanding existing lines and creating new ones, allowing trains to reach speeds of over 250 km/h.
Over 51% of Ukrainian refugees aged 20-64 who arrived in Germany between February and May 2022 had found employment by summer 2025. This represents a significantly faster integration into the labor market compared to refugees from other countries, with the employment rate more than tripling over three years.
Reagan Airport in Washington has resumed air traffic after a temporary suspension of flights due to a bomb threat on a United Airlines plane. Flight delays continue for an average of 51 minutes.
During a briefing, President Zelenskyy told journalists about the export of Ukrainian weapons and the implementation of "export capitals" projects.
Berlin authorities are closing the largest reception center for Ukrainian refugees at the former Tegel Airport due to a decrease in the number of new arrivals. A new residential area is planned to be built on its site, and part of the territory will be converted into a permanent refugee arrival center.
Flights at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were suspended for almost two hours due to the appearance of unknown drones. A number of flights were diverted to other German cities.
Germany's annual inflation rate fell to 2. 3% in October after 2.4% in September, exceeding the market forecast of 2.2%. The slowdown was driven by cheaper energy and slower food price growth, while the cost of services continued to rise.
Germany is considering nationalizing a unit of the Russian company Rosneft due to US sanctions. This concerns the Schwedt refinery, which supplies fuel to Berlin and eastern Germany.
The Trump administration has informed its German counterparts that it is considering granting a non-renewable, limited general license for Rosneft Deutschland.
The Kyiv Funicular's operation has been temporarily suspended due to a lack of electricity supply. The city is experiencing scheduled power outages, which has affected public transport operations.
The double-decker city bus MAN A39, donated by Berlin, will run in Kyiv on route No. 57 this weekend. It has 83 seats, 45 standing places, and is equipped for people with disabilities.
In the second quarter of 2025, housing prices in the EU increased by 5. 4%, and rents by 3.2% compared to the same quarter of 2024. London and Paris remain leaders in the highest rental prices.
Berlin authorities plan to increase fines for items left on the street to combat litter, which cost the city 10. 3 million euros last year. Local residents opposed the changes, collecting 10,000 signatures on a petition.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel helped the Russian army master modern combat tactics before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. The defense concern Rheinmetall planned to receive a contract with the Kremlin worth about 1 billion euros.