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Germany
Turkey is nearing a $5.6 billion deal to purchase up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with an announcement possible at the Istanbul Defense Industry Fair, per the WSJ.
Germany and the UK have signed a “friendship treaty” to combat migrant smuggling by empowering German police to seize small boats and criminalize smuggling to Britain. The agreement, led by PM Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, also enhances cooperation on defense, travel, and climate initiatives, strengthening post-Brexit ties.
Greece’s South Aegean region leads Europe in tourism intensity with 117 overnight stays per inhabitant in 2023, followed by the Ionian Islands and Italy’s South Tyrol. Croatia’s Adriatic coast ranks high with 67 stays, tying with Spain’s Balearic Islands, while Spain’s Canary Islands top total overnight stays at 95.6 million.
Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador on July 8, 2025, after the Chinese military targeted a German aircraft with a laser during the EU’s Operation ASPIDES, a mission to protect maritime security in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf. Greece is among the EU nations contributing to the mission. Berlin condemned the act as “completely unacceptable,” citing risks to German personnel and disruption of the operation.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking in Athens to promote her book Freedom, reflected on her pivotal role during Greece’s economic crisis from 2011 to 2021. She admired the resilience of Greeks, opposed Grexit despite Wolfgang Schäuble’s stance, and called Alexis Tsipras’ referendum announcement the most shocking moment of her career. Merkel also discussed the debt haircut, the refugee crisis, and her interactions with global leaders like Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Germany halts funding for Mediterranean migrant sea rescues, redirecting resources to address migration causes in source countries, sparking debate over humanitarian impact.
Turkish President Erdogan announced progress on Eurofighter jet talks with Germany and the UK, while urging Israel and Iran to follow Trump’s lead to de-escalate tensions. Speaking post-NATO summit, he emphasized diplomacy for regional peace and confirmed Turkey’s 2026 summit host city will be chosen soon.
Only 14 refugees have voluntarily returned to Greece from Germany, despite 100,000 arriving in the past five years. BAMF’s voluntary return program faces criticism from Pro Asyl for misleading information. A recent court ruling permits deportations to Greece, potentially affecting tens of thousands. Chancellor Merz prepares to meet Trump, aiming to strengthen ties while navigating diplomatic challenges.
Germany’s new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has signaled openness to supplying Eurofighter jets to Turkey, marking a potential shift from the previous government’s stance. Speaking at NATO headquarters, Merz highlighted Turkey’s strategic importance and plans to visit Ankara, emphasizing strong NATO ties.
German Acting Defense Minister Pistorius urged Ukraine to reject U.S. President Trump’s peace proposal, calling it “capitulation.” He noted Ukraine might cede some territory but argued the plan, which recognizes Russian control over Crimea and other territories, offers no new benefits.
Greece has rejected Germany’s plan to return refugees who first applied for asylum in the Mediterranean nation, with Minister Makis Voridis stating that Athens will not accept such requests due to the country’s already significant burden of hosting the EU’s second-highest number of refugees per capita. The decision follows a German court ruling permitting deportations to Greece under the EU’s Dublin Agreement.
Turkey has criticized Greece’s Maritime Spatial Planning Map, with analysts claiming that Greek islands have no effect and a median line should apply in the Aegean. The map, part of Greece’s EU obligations, has been deemed invalid by Turkey, escalating maritime boundary disputes. Meanwhile, Germany’s veto on Eurofighter jets to Turkey is linked to the imprisonment of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Germany’s Federal Administrative Court rules that single, healthy male asylum seekers can be deported to Greece, citing manageable conditions, a move supporting Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz’s pledge to reduce migrant arrivals amid political pressure.
Germany’s caretaker government, led by Olaf Scholz, has reportedly blocked the potential export of Eurofighter jets to Turkey, citing the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu as an attack on Turkish democracy. The move underscores rising tensions and Germany’s key role in defense exports within the Eurofighter consortium.
The European Commission has admitted to misusing €15.5 million annually from the LIFE Program—meant for climate action—to fund NGOs in a secret operation targeting conservative critics of the Green Deal. Coordinated with groups like the EEB, the scheme aimed to silence Eurosceptic voices through lobbying and media campaigns, sparking outrage from the EPP, ECR, and PfE, who now demand accountability and threaten funding cuts.
President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas addressed Greeks abroad with a heartfelt message ahead…
Each year on March 25, Greeks worldwide celebrate Greek Independence Day, marking the 204th anniversary of the 1821 uprising against Ottoman rule. This national holiday honors the start of a fierce struggle that ended four centuries of oppression under the Ottoman Empire. From the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the decisive Battle of Navarino in 1827, Greece’s journey to freedom was shaped by resilience, resistance, and international support. Today, parades and flag-waving from Athens to the global diaspora celebrate a legacy of courage and the enduring spirit of a nation reborn
Nana Mouskouri’s 1977 hit ‘Guten Morgen Sonnenschein’ is back with a vengeance, thanks to Netflix’s chilling new series Cassandra. The German thriller, set in a smart home gone rogue, has turned the sunny tune into a global earworm, racking up 37 million Spotify streams and sparking a TikTok frenzy. Nearly 50 years after its debut, the Greek icon’s cheerful greeting is proving it can still shine—even through a dark, tech-driven nightmare.
A 61-year-old German tourist faces up to a decade in a Greek prison after being caught attempting to smuggle an ancient marble column out of the country. The man was arrested at the port of Patras while trying to board a ferry to Italy with the artifact hidden in his vehicle. This incident underscores Greece’s strict laws against antiquities trafficking, with potential sentences up to 12 years. The column’s authenticity was confirmed by an archaeologist, though its origin remains unknown. The case reflects broader issues of cultural heritage theft, similar to efforts on Skiathos to prevent tourists from taking pebbles from Lalaria Beach.
European leaders have vowed to bolster Ukraine’s defense and increase their own military expenditures following a significant shift in U.S. policy under Donald Trump, which has led to a freeze in American military aid to Ukraine.
A Pakistani journalist based in Greece has brought the issue of the return of thousands of foreign Muslims from Germany, promoted by the German government, back into the public eye. Despite government denials, which convince no one that the program is on a “voluntary” basis, all signs indicate that it is in full swing.
Germany has launched a new program to repatriate refugees back to Greece, focusing on those aged 19 to 49 who have secured protection status within the last two years. The initiative, overseen by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), will initially offer voluntary participation, with plans for mandatory returns in the future. Returning individuals will receive support from Greek authorities and have opportunities for language acquisition and workforce integration.
Gunfire erupted today outside a courtroom in Bielefeld during the trial of Hüseyin Akkurt, accused of murdering pro boxer Basar Nimani. Several individuals, including Nimani’s family members, were shot, with one victim critically injured. Police have arrested one suspect, while another remains at large. Investigators are probing a possible connection between the shooting and the ongoing trial, raising concerns about courtroom security in high-profile cases.
Friedrich Merz, the new leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and winner of the…
Afroditi Latinopoulou, leader of Greece’s Voice of Reason party, responded to the German election results by blaming former leaders Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz for the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). She argued that European citizens are waking up to the failures of socialist policies and emphasized the need for strong patriotic movements to restore identity and security across Europe.
AfD leader Alice Weidel celebrated her party’s historic performance in Germany’s latest national election, with exit polls showing support between 19.5% and 20%. Weidel emphasized the AfD’s growing influence in the country’s political landscape and called for an alliance with the CDU to further strengthen their position.
The recent seismic disturbances in the Aegean have sparked significant concern in Turkey, as new research suggests an expanding fault line beneath the country is moving towards Iraq. This alarming development calls attention to the complexities of geological processes and their potential impact on the region’s stability. Experts are providing reassurance while closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing collaboration in disaster preparedness and response strategies.
Germany launched a program in January 2025 to return refugees to Greece, initially on a voluntary basis but eventually including mandatory returns. The initiative, developed by BAMF, targets those granted protection in Greece in the past two years and will be supported by EU and Greek government funds.
Ahead of Germany’s upcoming election, Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Europe is ready to retaliate…
