Protection minister says US wants Europe

[ad_1] Skip next section Dog sledding competition kicks off in Bavaria 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 Canine sledding competitors kicks off in Bavaria

Greater than 100 groups that includes over 500 canine gathered on the southern border of Germany and Austria for a world canine sledding competitors that drew race fans from throughout Europe.

The race will happen over the weekend, with a course stretched from Unhealthy Hindelang in Germany's southern Allgäu area to the neighbouring Austrian city of Schattwald simply throughout the border and again.

The routes vary from 6 to 18 kilometres (3.5 to 11 miles).

Canines from throughout Europe will participate Picture: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa/image alliance

The 2-day race round Unhealthy Hindelang, organized by the Baden-Württemberg Sled Canine Sports activities Membership, is billed to be technically demanding, with the membership saying it's "one of the difficult races on the circuit, that includes spectacular descents."

Race classes are separated by the variety of canine pushing the sleds.

Groups from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and France, amongst different nations, are all collaborating within the occasion.

The race will characteristic Huskies, amongst different canine breeds Picture: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa/image alliance https://p.dw.com/p/57oXj

Skip next section Holocaust items from canceled auction sent to Auschwitz 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 Holocaust objects from canceled public sale despatched to Auschwitz

The Holocaust-related items of a planned auction in Germany had been handed over to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Basis.

"I'm grateful that we have now discovered a technique to hand over the paperwork to the archives of the memorial websites involved. Remembrance in archives and museums preserves the dignity of the victims and serves additional analysis and schooling concerning the inhuman Nationwide Socialist persecution and extermination processes," mentioned by Andre Kuper, the president of the state parliament of Germany's western state of North Rhine-Westphalia .

The objects had been a part of a set of deliberate public sale within the western metropolis of Neuss, close to Düsseldorf, which sparked outrage concerning the occasion and prompted its cancellation.

Among the many paperwork had been focus camp postcards, letters written by perpetrators, camp-issued foreign money, and worn Stars of David. There have been data of firms forcefully offered to Nazis, in addition to identification paperwork and passports of Jews who managed to flee persecution to Chile and Argentina.

The gathering even included Nazi paperwork on a pressured sterilization carried out on the Dachau focus camp.

The Central Council of Jews in Germany welcomed the handover of the paperwork, with Vice President Abraham Lehrer saying it was very important for survivors and for the reminiscence of these murdered throughout the Holocaust that the paperwork find yourself in the best locations and palms, the place they are often protected and preserved for future generations.

At 100, Auschwitz survivor remembers life throughout the Holocaust To view this video please allow JavaScript, and think about upgrading to an online browser that supports HTML5 video

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Skip next section Germany's AfD bonds with Austrian far-right extremists 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 Germany's AfD bonds with Austrian far-right extremists Martin Sellner (pictured) mentioned mass deportations earlier this month in Thuringia's state parliament Picture: Martin Schutt/dpa/image alliance Officers from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) celebration have been overtly rubbing shoulders with Austrian right-wing extremist Martin Sellner .

The conferences between state and federal parliamentarians of the AfD celebration from the japanese German states of Brandenburg and Thuringia and Sellner had been rigorously orchestrated.

In Brandenburg, it was a panel debate, whereas in Thuringia, it was a dialogue within the state parliament. The branches of the AfD in each states have been categorized as right-wing extremist by German federal safety authorities.

Whereas AfD management on the federal degree is oriented extra towards moderation, the AfD's regional associations in japanese Germany lean towards radicalism.

Learn extra to seek out out why AfD politicians are seeking closer ties to Sellner .

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Skip next section German conservatives draw level with far-right AfD — poll 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 German conservatives draw degree with far-right AfD — ballot Help for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz 's conservative bloc is degree with that of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) , in response to a latest opinion ballot.

If a federal election had been held this Sunday, 26% of respondents mentioned they'd vote for Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) or its Bavarian sister celebration, the Christian Social Union (CSU) , in response to a survey carried out by the INSA polling institute for tabloid newspaper Bild .

The CDU/CSU bloc gained one share level, whereas help for the AfD remained unchanged at 26%. The 2 events had been final tied in an INSA survey in September 2025.

Merz's junior coalition accomplice, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) , additionally gained one share level, reaching 16%, its highest degree since June 2025.

Help for different events was unchanged. The Green Party polled at 11%, whereas the Left Party remained at 10%.

Two smaller events, the BSW and the Free Democratic Occasion (FDP), acquired 4% and three%, respectively, beneath the 5% threshold required to enter parliament.

The INSA ballot was carried out between January 26 and 30 amongst 1,204 eligible voters in Germany.

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Skip next section EU asylum policy: What changes for refugees in Germany? 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 EU asylum coverage: What adjustments for refugees in Germany? The German authorities is about to implement the EU's Widespread European Asylum System (CEAS) to restrict irregular migration and velocity up asylum procedures.

The CEAS is the European Union's authorized framework to create uniform, truthful and environment friendly requirements for processing asylum purposes.

The system's reform, agreed in 2024, will change into legally binding in Germany and all through the EU in June 2026.

What's going to that imply for refugees in Germany? Learn about all the changes here.

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Skip next section 'No signs that Russia seriously wants peace,' says Pistorius 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 'No indicators that Russia severely desires peace,' says Pistorius

German Protection Minister Boris Pistorius has mentioned he doubts that Russian President Vladimir Putin actually needs peace because the US leads efforts to finish Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

In feedback printed on Saturday, Pistorius advised the RND media group that though US President Donald Trump had given new impetus to diplomatic efforts towards peace, latest actions by Moscow appeared to talk a unique language.

"Thus far, [...] I see no indicators that Russia severely desires peace," Pistorius mentioned, noting that even whereas latest US-led negotiations in Abu Dhabi were going on , Putin had attacked Ukraine "in a approach that has hardly been seen on this conflict."

Pistorius additionally rejected claims by the Kremlin that its assaults have by no means focused civilians or civilian infrastructure, saying: "That is terror directed completely on the civilian inhabitants throughout a winter with temperatures of minus 20 levels [Celsius] (-4 levels Fahrenheit)."

The minister added that Putin has proven no willingness to compromise.

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Skip next section New figures show about one in two Germans will get cancer in their lifetime 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 New figures present about one in two Germans will get most cancers of their lifetime

Virtually each second man and greater than 40% of ladies in Germany will develop most cancers throughout their lifetime, in response to new figures from the Robert Koch Institute, published for World Cancer Day .

About one in six girls and one in seven males are affected earlier than the age of 65.

Listed below are key numbers in response to most cancers registry information:

In 2023, about 517,800 new most cancers instances had been identified in Germany Extra males (276,400) than girls (241,400) had been affected About half of all new instances contain simply 4 sorts: breast , prostate , lung, and colon most cancers https://p.dw.com/p/57nGL

Skip next section US needs Europe, German defense minister says 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 US wants Europe, German protection minister says

Pistorius calls on Europe to face agency towards US President Donald Trump [FILE: January 28, 2026] Picture: Christian Mang/REUTERS German Protection Minister Boris Pistorius urged European governments to behave extra confidently towards the USA.

It will be a mistake "if we stared on the White Home like a rabbit watching a snake," Pistorius advised the RND media group.

He added: "Then we'd lose deal with what we have to do: Turn into extra sovereign and impartial."

US President Donald Trump depends on uncertainty and concern to realize his objectives, "however those that are afraid make the mistaken choices, so let's not enable ourselves to be intimidated," mentioned the protection minister.

Pistorius was referring to European governments' resistance to Trump's renewed push to have the US take management of Greenland , a semiautonomous territory of Denmark.

Europe's strategic significance to the US

He confused that the US wants Europe simply as a lot because the Europeans want the US, saying that Europe is of geostrategic and geoeconomic significance to Washington.

"Think about if Europe had been to change into Russia's sphere of affect if [Russian President] Vladimir Putin succeeded in driving the Individuals out of right here or inflicting them to withdraw," Pistorius mentioned.

Washington could be "sandwiched between Russia and China. That would definitely not be within the Individuals' curiosity," he added.

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Skip next section Welcome to our coverage 01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 Welcome to our protection Guten Tag from the DW newsroom right here in Bonn.

You be a part of us this morning as we carry you the newest headlines from German information, beginning with Protection Minister Boris Pistorius stressing that the US wants Europe simply as a lot as Europe wants the US.