Stories from Berlin · Germany

Energy companies BP and Total Energies have submitted requests to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs to present a study. The ministry confirmed the receipt of these meeting requests to NDR. No specific date for the meeting has been scheduled yet. The discussion reportedly concerns the companies' plans regarding wind power expansion.

The CDU/CSU Union faction has rejected proposals to increase national debt to offset economic consequences of the Iran conflict. Steffen Bilger, parliamentary manager for the Union, stated that responding to every crisis with more debt is not sensible.

Berlin authorities will enforce an alcohol ban at Bahnhof Zoo and Ostbahnhof starting in May. Deutsche Bahn will implement an alcohol consumption ban at Zologuscher Garten and Ostbahnhof stations starting Friday. Michael Klein of Deutsche Bahn stated the measure aims to raise awareness rather than discriminate against homeless individuals. The policy is intended to improve the travel experience. The policy change affects these specific locations within the city's rail network. Deutsche Bahn is launching an immediate program to address trash and high crime rates at many Berlin stations. The initiative includes deep cleaning at approximately 50 stations. Starting Friday, an indefinite ban on alcohol consumption will be implemented at Berlin Zoo station and Ostbahnhof to increase security. Spokesperson Klein stated the measure aims to improve the atmosphere at the stations.

The Union parliamentary group is meeting in Berlin for a closed-door session. The session is taking place on Monday, April 27, 2026. The discussions include preparations for tomorrow's cabinet meeting and address several points of contention between the CDU, CSU, and SPD coalition partners. Chancellor Merz is participating in the deliberations. Members of the Union and SPD parliamentary groups are continuing their closed-door meetings today. The Union leadership intends to discuss the status of Germany as an industrial location in Berlin. The SPD meeting is continuing in Bielefeld with representatives from Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bremen. Both meetings are being held ahead of tomorrow's cabinet session, which includes a vote on a planned health reform.

German intelligence agencies have identified a wave of targeted cyberattacks against high-ranking political, military, and diplomatic figures. Elena Singer, a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of the Interior, stated that the attacks are likely conducted by a state-sponsored cyber actor. The campaign appears to be targeting sensitive information from investigative journalists and government officials. The compromised accounts belong to Education Minister Karin Künzel and Construction Minister Verena Huberts. The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution reported that attackers are accessing news photos and documents shared via Signal groups within the parliamentary sphere. These digital attacks are occurring largely undetected, with numerous high-ranking officials already affected by the espionage.

The CDU-CSU parliamentary group leadership is convening for a two-day closed-door meeting on Monday. Discussions are expected to cover Germany's current economic situation.

Russian intelligence services have successfully conducted phishing attacks against German Members of Parliament. Intelligence suggests that Russia is behind these cyber operations. CDU security politician Roderich Kiesewetter has called for the expulsion of Russian diplomats in response to the breach. Green Party security politician Konstantin von Notz described the attacks as a wake-up call for all security sectors. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that over 20 drones were detected across 15 locations during a large-scale Russian drone attack on the Odesa region. Social media reports confirm the scale of the drone attack on Odesa as of the morning of April 27, 2026. This follows previous drone attacks on energy substations. The strikes aim to impact electricity production and transport capabilities.

More than 2,600 applications for military service conscientious objection were filed in Germany during the first three months of 2026. While expansion is occurring, personnel levels in the east remain lower than in western Germany. Approximately 2,700 people in Germany filed applications to refuse military service during the first quarter of 2026. The increase follows a policy implemented at the start of the year requiring mandatory medical examinations for men born in 2008 to determine voluntary service eligibility. The Osnabrücker Zeitung reported these figures. The number of individuals refusing military service in Germany has risen to a few thousand. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense in Berlin stated this trend is not surprising, as many young people are engaging with the topic due to the new conscription model. The Bundeswehr remains calm about the situation.

German company Quantum has committed to producing up to 120,000 drones per year. This production agreement follows discussions between Merz and Zelenskyy. The move aims to address the lack of industrial-scale drone production within NATO. No other NATO companies are currently producing flying drones at such industrial scales.

Energy companies BP and Total Energies have slowed plans to expand wind power installations in the North Sea. The companies previously won bids for North Sea areas three years ago for 12 billion euros. Experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems are investigating shading effects that reduce wind speed and energy yield. The companies initially offered high prices but are now hesitating on the expansion projects. The companies have purchased large areas for wind farms but are now pressing the brakes on development. This decision has drawn criticism from scientific communities and regulatory authorities. The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has received requests from both companies to present studies regarding this shift. No specific date for a meeting between the ministry and the energy firms has been set.