The German Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) is calling on municipalities to designate public shelters from March 2026. However, key questions regarding criteria and threat scenarios remain unanswered. Funding is largely the responsibility of the municipalities themselves.
Von Lisa-Martina Klein
At the Haus der Wirtschaft in Berlin on Monday, business leaders from Ukraine and Germany will discuss closer cooperation on military hardware. It will include a panel discussion entitled “Defense Industry Transformation: From Wartime Needs to Long-Term European Security”.
Von Markus Bickel
The Commission wants to sign a free trade agreement with Mercosur countries next Saturday. So far, there is no qualified majority in the Council and Parliament could still put a spanner in the works.
Von János Allenbach-Ammann
The EU has created an important basis for using Russian central bank assets for Ukraine. 25 of the 27 member states voted in favor of an indefinite ban on the retransfer of funds established in the EU to Russia.
Von Redaktion Table
EU member states have agreed on fishing quotas for 2026, avoiding a previous plan for cuts in the Mediterranean. The agreement sets catch quotas for various waters and rewards more sustainable fishing practices with additional days.
Von Redaktion Table
The goal of sending only ten percent of municipal waste to landfill sites will have negative consequences for creating a circular economy. Instead of adhering to it in the Environmental Omnibus, stricter rules are needed for waste treatment.
Von Janek Vähk
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has become the key European authority in the Ukraine crisis. His resolute stance makes Germany the most important counterweight to Russia on the continent.
Von Stefan Braun
The most important minds from the social sector in the German Security.Table scene:
Von Redaktion Table
Die Kommission will das Freihandelsabkommen mit den Mercosur-Staaten am kommenden Samstag unterzeichnen. Bisher fehlt die dazu notwendige qualifizierte Mehrheit im Rat und auch das Parlament kann dem Vorhaben noch einen Strich durch die Rechnung machen.
Von János Allenbach-Ammann
Das Ziel, nur noch zehn Prozent der Siedlungsabfälle zu deponieren, hat negative Folgen für die Kreislaufwirtschaft. Statt im Umwelt-Omnibus daran festzuhalten, braucht es strengere Regeln für die Abfallbehandlung.
Von Janek Vähk
