Merz meets with Saudi crown prince

Skip next section Fire breaks out at Darmstadt heavy ion research center

02/05/2026February 5, 2026

Fire breaks out at Darmstadt heavy ion research center

Residents in the city of Darmstadt, located south of Frankfurt, have been asked to keep windows and doors closed Thursday morning as firefighters work putting out a blaze at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research.

Firefighters said the blaze broke out early Thursday morning at a transformer station on the campus. It is currently unclear what caused the fire, and what effect it could have on the research center. More information is expected later Thursday.

The GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research in the Wixhausen district of Darmstadt is known for its ion accelerator facility. It is used for experiments to gain insights into the structure of matter and the evolution of the universe.

https://p.dw.com/p/586ew

Skip next section Analysis: Merz’s Gulf tour shows how global power is shifting02/05/2026February 5, 2026

Analysis: Merz’s Gulf tour shows how global power is shifting

Merz arrived in Qatar after his visit to Saudi Arabia during his first Gulf tour as German chancellorImage: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture alliance

Merz’s Gulf states tour is a manifestation of how global power is shifting.

The German chancellor is here with a mission to attract more investment from the rich Gulf states to Germany and to secure LNG suppliers as an alternative for the United States.

Nobody here will openly criticize US President Donald Trump’s administration, as all sides seem to fear his wrath, which could lead to yet more tariffs or other erratic moves in an already explosive security environment in the Gulf region.

But when Merz promises, and his partners here praise the reliability of relations with Germany, they speak of creating alternative alliances, not working against but around the US.

https://p.dw.com/p/586Zj

Skip next section Icy rain halts departures at Berlin airport

02/05/2026February 5, 2026

Icy rain halts departures at Berlin airport

Air traffic has been partly suspended at BER due to winter weatherImage: Christoph Soeder/dpa/picture alliance

Departures were suspended at Berlin Brandenburg Airport on Thursday morning after freezing rain prevented aircraft from being de-iced, an airport spokesperson said.

“Due to weather conditions, no take-offs are currently possible. Please check the flight status with your airline,” an update on the airport website said.

Passengers were told to expect flight cancellations and significant delays. It said disruptions could remain in place until weather conditions improve.

The recent cold spell in Germany has resulted in widespread travel chaos, particularly on trains.

Wadephul in Australia calls for cooperation on critical raw materials

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday that Berlin wants to deepen cooperation with Australia on critical raw materials, while pushing for the swift conclusion of a free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia.

After his talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Wadephul said in Canberra that Germany is keen to expand partnerships on strategically important minerals.

“Your country is an important partner for us in diversifying our supply chains,” Wadephul said.

“Many critical raw materials such as lithium are extracted here and we are very interested in further expanding our cooperation in the raw materials sector, especially in strategically important minerals.”

Australia has the world’s largest hard-rock lithium mine, which supplies around 20% of the world’s output. It is also home to huge deposits of rare earths such as neodymium and terbium.

Wadephul also urged swift progress on a long-delayed free trade agreement between the EU and Australia.

Both Wong and Wadephul hoped a deal could be reached soon, to which the German minister said, “Preferably before the end of this year.”

He added that both the EU and Australia would benefit from an agreement dismantling “all trade barriers.”

https://p.dw.com/p/586I5

Skip next section Merz embarks on first Gulf trip

02/05/2026February 5, 2026

Merz embarks on first Gulf trip

Ahead of his trip, Merz said the Gulf could also help Germany “diversify our oil and gas supply chains” Image: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture alliance

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his three-day Gulf tour late on Wednesday with Saudi Arabia, as Europe’s largest economy seeks to diversify trade, energy and security partnerships.

Merz and a business delegation will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before traveling to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The trip concludes on Friday.

Ahead of his trip, Merz said the Gulf could also help Germany “diversify our oil and gas supply chains” as Berlin aims to cut down reliance on US liquefied natural gas (LNG).

“We need such partnerships more than ever at a time when major powers increasingly determine politics,” the German chancellor said.

Germany has deep ties with Gulf nations, including defense exports, infrastructure projects, and investments in German corporations such as Volkswagen to Deutsche Bank.

Merz’s visit also comes amid heightened regional tensions regarding Iran.

The chancellor said he would raise human rights concerns during his Saudi tour, while also admitting that the issue no longer played as prominent a role in relations as in the past. Saudi Arabia is known for its draconian justice system and treatment of women.

https://p.dw.com/p/586Fp

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