GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1946
Ownership
Die Welt is a national German daily founded in Hamburg in 1946 by the British occupying forces as a quality paper modeled on The Times, and bought by publisher Axel Springer in 1953. It is published by Axel Springer SE, one of the EU's largest media groups (which also owns Bild and US outlet Politico). Axel Springer SE has been controlled since a 2020 take-private by US private-equity firm KKR together with the Springer family/foundation interests and CEO Mathias Döpfner.
Funding
Financed commercially through advertising and reader revenue, including a WELTplus digital subscription/paywall and print sales, as part of the Axel Springer publishing business.
Affiliation & stance
Die Welt has a center-right, economically liberal and pro-transatlantic editorial line reflecting Axel Springer's house principles, but it is a privately, commercially owned newspaper with no party or state control. Private corporate ownership makes it INDEPENDENT, in line with the site's center-right lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Right
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 654
76/100
Factual
68/100
Objective
918
Articles
918
reports
Top stories
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Recent coverage
Sick note: What kind of sick note is this?
The article discusses two main topics. First, it covers the German federal government’s plan to abolish telephonic sick leave reporting and introduce mandatory medical certificates from day one of illness. The current system requires employees to report sickness after three days, but the new proposal would require immediate documentation. Doctors criticize this change, warning of increased workload and bureaucracy. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil have proposed a pragmatic solution, though details remain unclear. Second, the article mentions the resignation of Germany’s national football team coach Julian Nagelsmann following their early exit from the World Cup. Nagelsmann has requested to terminate his contract and plans to meet former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who is considered a potential successor.
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
World Cup 2026 live: France against Sweden in the liveticker
The article titled 'WM 2026 live: Frankreich gegen Schweden im Liveticker' appears to be related to a football match between France and Sweden during the 2026 World Cup. However, the content provided does not include the actual article text but rather subscription information for SPIEGEL+. The text promotes digital subscriptions and offers pricing details for new customers, including a discounted rate for 4 weeks followed by a regular weekly fee. It also mentions additional benefits such as access to all S+ articles, the digital edition of SPIEGEL, and other features. There is no substantive news content available in the provided text.
What if one day a Christian Ulmen Ultra shoots me in the head?
The article poses a rhetorical question regarding the potential threat posed by members of the Christian Ulmen Ultra group, suggesting a scenario where such individuals might target someone with violence. The piece appears to explore concerns around far-right extremism or radical groups, though it does not provide specific information about the group's activities, ideology, or any concrete incidents. It raises questions about personal safety in relation to such groups but does not offer detailed analysis or context about their actions or motivations.
News of the day: new national coach, 250th anniversary of the United States, reform package
The article covers three main topics. First, it discusses the potential appointment of Jürgen Klopp as the new German national football coach following Julian Nagelsmann's departure, highlighting the emotional responses from both coaches and the expectations surrounding Klopp's role. Second, it reports on the logistical challenges faced during preparations for the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations, including equipment failures and issues with the reflecting pool's appearance and cleanliness. Third, it mentions the complexity of understanding the recent reform package introduced by the federal government, though the discussion on this topic is cut off.
Due to radio interference, train service resumes after a complete shutdown.
On Tuesday evening, June 24, 2026, a nationwide disruption caused by a malfunction in Germany's digital railway communication system (GSM-R) brought all train traffic across the country to a complete halt. The outage lasted approximately two hours, stranding numerous passengers and creating long queues at train stations. By around 0:30 AM, the first trains resumed operation, but delays and service disruptions were expected to continue into Wednesday morning. Deutsche Bahn (DB) attributed the stoppage to a technical failure in the GSM-R network, which is critical for modern rail operations. While some passengers received taxi vouchers and hotel coupons, others reported difficulties finding accommodations, particularly in cities like Frankfurt. Despite efforts by IT specialists to resolve the issue quickly, DB did not provide detailed information about the cause of the malfunction. The incident affected not only passenger trains but also regional services, private railways, and freight traffic.
Parteitag der AfD: Ausnahmezustand in Erfurt erwartet
The article reports on the upcoming AfD party congress in Erfurt, Germany, which is expected to be marked by significant protests due to the party's controversial stance and recent racist remarks by some of its members. The AfD has faced criticism for its anti-immigration policies and alleged racism, with several politicians making derogatory comments about the German national football team, using terms historically associated with Nazi ideology. As a result, various civil society groups, including churches, unions, and human rights organizations, have organized peaceful demonstrations against the event. There are also calls for blockades, though authorities expect both peaceful protests and potential clashes. Thüringer Interior Minister Georg Maier has pledged to uphold the right to assembly for both the AfD and protesters. Meanwhile, internal party dynamics are highlighted, with the current leadership facing re-election and potential influence from more extreme factions within the party.
Help for Ukraine: Europe now has its fate in its own hands
The article discusses Europe's financial commitment to supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia, highlighting the significant sums pledged by Western countries, including 140 billion euros in aid, with 60 billion coming as EU loans. While this support aims to halt Russian advances, concerns remain about Ukraine's ability to repay these funds. The piece notes that such large expenditures are politically sensitive, especially in Germany, where high taxes and spending cuts have made the issue a point of contention for parties like the AfD. It also emphasizes the strategic dilemma facing Europeans: either continue supporting Ukraine as a buffer against Russian expansion or risk allowing Russia to extend its influence further westward. The article points out that while NATO remains involved, the U.S. has increasingly distanced itself from European security matters, leaving Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense.
Frankfurt: Firefighters rescue window cleaners at the Commerzbank tower
In Frankfurt am Main, firefighters rescued two window cleaners who were stuck at a height of 240 meters on the Commerzbank Tower after their work basket became defective and could no longer move. Twenty-five firefighters were involved in the rescue operation, which was complicated by strong winds that pushed the basket up to eight meters away from the building's facade. The rescuers used battery-powered winches to lift the workers up 11 floors to safety. After the rescue, the fire department checked the building's facade using a drone and found no damage. According to the Commerzbank, the windows of the tower are cleaned three times a year. A height rescue instructor noted this might be the highest rescue operation ever conducted in an urban area in Germany.
Turbo-Einigung zwischen Union und SPD: Reform-Hammer vor Mitternacht!
The headline from Bild suggests a rapid agreement between the Union (likely referring to the Christian Democratic Union, CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), indicating significant reform measures are set to be implemented late at night. The article appears to focus on the potential swift collaboration between these two major German political parties, possibly signaling a shift in their traditionally opposing stances. However, the content provided is very brief and lacks detailed information, making it difficult to assess the specific reforms or the implications of this alleged agreement. The headline implies urgency and a notable political development, but further details would be necessary to fully understand the context and significance of the 'Reform-Hammer' mentioned.
Trump attacks Germany for NATO spending We don't need to hide , Merz countered
The article reports on U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing Germany for not meeting NATO's defense spending targets, specifically accusing the country of not being transparent about its military expenditures. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition partner, Armin Laschet of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), responds by asserting that Germany does not need to hide its spending figures. The discussion highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Germany over compliance with NATO commitments.
Early World Cup exit for Germany: What went wrong?
Germany's football national team suffered an early exit from the World Cup by losing 3:4 to Paraguay in a penalty shootout during the round of 16. This marks the third consecutive failure to advance beyond the group stage at a World Cup, having previously been eliminated in the group phase in 2018 and 2022. The match ended 1:1 after extra time, with Germany's players failing to convert their penalties, including Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made strong saves but could not prevent the defeat. Since winning the World Cup in 2014, Germany has not won any knockout game at a World Cup. This was the first loss in a World Cup penalty shootout for the German team, which had previously won all four such encounters. Several key players underperformed, including captain Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala, who struggled due to injury and poor form. Defensive issues and lack of attacking momentum were also significant factors. Injuries to players like Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl further weakened the squad. Coach Julian Nagelsmann faced criticism for his tactical decisions, including retaining Kimmich as a right-back despite his struggles
What Ulrich Siegmund is planning to do in Saxony-Anhalt
The article discusses Ulrich Siegmund, the leading candidate for the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, highlighting his dual image as a friendly politician and his radical political agenda. It reveals that Siegmund has ties to the banned völkische organization Heimattreue Jugend (HDJ), which influences his political strategy. The article emphasizes the AfD's use of the term 'Remigration' as a vague concept masking a völkish ideology that divides people into 'foreigners' and 'own.' With the AfD leading opinion polls at around 40%, there is concern over their potential influence on state governance, as they are classified as 'securely right extremist' by the constitutional protection agency. The article suggests that Siegmund's plans were outlined during a meeting in Potsdam where he connected with right-wing figures.
Overlooked
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Hanning über DFB: Weltklasse? Höchstens bei der Hotelwahl. Sonst nur Gucci, Gucci, Cappuccino
Heat in the EU: From Leyen's office, cool, but workers sweat
