In response to complaints from Holocaust survivors, Poland’s foreign minister announced the cancellation of an auction of Holocaust artifacts in Germany, after speaking with his German counterpart. The auction, which included letters from concentration camp prisoners and Gestapo documents, was scheduled to be held by the Felzmann auction house. A Holocaust survivors group had called for the auction’s cancellation, criticizing it as a commercial exploitation of victims’ suffering. The auction house’s website listing the items was unavailable on Sunday afternoon.
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The World Health Organisation has announced the first detection of polio in Europe since 2010. This finding underscores the fact that no country is entirely safe from the spread of the disease. Despite this detection, the risk of widespread polio in Germany remains low due to the country’s high vaccination rates.
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A fifth suspect linked to a Hamas terror network has been arrested in Germany, expanding the scope of an investigation into planned attacks across Europe. The individual is accused of supplying weapons for these attacks. This arrest follows previous detentions and highlights the ongoing efforts to dismantle the Hamas network and prevent potential acts of violence on the continent. The investigation is still ongoing.
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During a recent interview, a co-leader of Germany’s far-right AfD party suggested that Poland poses a similar threat to Germany as Russia, citing differing economic interests and a recent extradition refusal. This statement follows the AfD’s history of downplaying Nazi crimes and its opposition to a memorial for Polish victims of World War II. The comments were quickly condemned by a politician from the Christian Democratic Union. This is not the first instance of criticism against the AfD, as the party has been accused of pro-Russian sympathies and has previously faced controversy for its actions and statements regarding Russia.
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The German government plans to increase its defense support for Ukraine to over €11.5 billion in the upcoming year, according to a submission from the Ministry of Finance. These additional funds are earmarked for critical military equipment like artillery, drones, armored vehicles, and replacing Patriot missile systems. The decision comes as the Bundestag’s Budget Committee prepares to finalize the 2026 budget draft, with government sources suggesting the government intends to continue its support despite some opposition. This commitment remains despite ongoing investigations into alleged Ukrainian involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosions.
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Addressing the anniversary of Kristallnacht, President Steinmeier hinted at the potential banning of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party experiencing a surge in popularity. He urged mainstream political parties to collaborate to protect democracy, specifically discouraging any cooperation with extremist groups. Steinmeier’s remarks emphasized the historical precedent of extremist parties gaining power through the support or inaction of others, drawing parallels to the downfall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism. This statement comes amidst a divide among AfD’s opponents, with some advocating for a ban while others see it as a counterproductive measure.
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In a recent move, the German government outlawed the Muslim group, Muslim Interaktiv, citing violations of human rights, antisemitism, and discrimination. The group, known for its online presence targeting young Muslims, promoted Islam as the sole social model, advocating for Islamic law over German law. This ban, part of a broader crackdown on extremism, follows investigations against two other Muslim groups, Generation Islam and Reality Islam, with the government vowing to protect democracy from those who undermine it.
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A palliative care nurse in Germany has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 10 patients and the attempted murder of 27 others. The nurse, who worked at a hospital in Wuerselen, injected elderly patients with painkillers and sedatives, allegedly to ease his workload during night shifts between December 2023 and May 2024. The court found the crimes to be of “particular severity” and has barred the nurse from early release. Investigators are currently looking into other suspicious cases from his career, and exhumations are taking place to identify further potential victims.
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A listing of German food aid services, initially included on a U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria webpage as a resource for furloughed employees, has since been removed. The list of support organizations was meant for local national employees, not American troops, due to concerns about potential payment issues during the government shutdown. The information was part of guidance provided by the Army’s Installation Management Command-Europe. Despite the removal, various American-run sources, such as food pantries and school donation drives, are available to assist U.S. military families with food aid during the shutdown.
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In a significant move, Germany is poised to increase its financial aid to Ukraine by approximately $3.45 billion in 2026, according to government sources cited by Reuters. This additional funding, supported by the finance and defense ministries and endorsed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, will bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities with artillery, drones, armored vehicles, and replacements for Patriot air defense systems. The funds will be added during final adjustments to the 2026 federal budget, building upon the existing $9.78 billion already allocated for Ukraine. As Europe’s largest military donor, Germany’s continued commitment aims to provide ongoing support against Russia’s aggression.
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John Q. Hosedrinker