GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1948
Ownership
Stern is a weekly illustrated magazine founded in Hanover in 1948 by Henri Nannen. It has long been published by Gruner + Jahr (Hamburg); since 1 January 2022 Gruner + Jahr was integrated into RTL Deutschland, and in 2023 RTL fully absorbed the operation. Stern is therefore owned by RTL Deutschland, part of RTL Group, ultimately controlled by the Bertelsmann conglomerate (the Mohn family / Bertelsmann Stiftung).
Funding
It is financed commercially through copy sales, subscriptions, digital paywall revenue and advertising; it receives no state or party funding.
Affiliation & stance
Stern is a privately owned commercial title within RTL/Bertelsmann with no party or state control, so it is INDEPENDENT. Its journalism is mainstream with a liberal, centre-left orientation, matching the site's INDEPENDENT type and CENTER_LEFT lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 472
64/100
Factual
55/100
Objective
679
Articles
658
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Hayden Panettiere's mother is pressing for further investigation.
The article reports that Hayden Panettiere's mother is pushing for further investigations into certain matters related to her daughter. The story highlights the mother's active involvement in seeking additional scrutiny, though specific details about the nature of the investigations or their scope are not provided within the given text.
Effects of low water: Port of Duisburg under stress
The article discusses the ongoing low water levels in the Rhine River affecting the Duisburg port and related industries. The port operator Duisport reports that despite recent rainfall, the river level remains below normal, with the current level at 1.49 meters, lower than during the severe drought of 2018. Officials warn that this situation poses risks to shipping and industrial supply chains, particularly for inland waterway transport. Federal and state authorities, including NRW Minister Oliver Krischer, have met to discuss urgent measures, criticizing the slow progress of initiatives aimed at improving river navigability. The federal government has reduced funding for transforming inland shipping by half, leaving only 37 million euros available, which officials argue is insufficient. There is also pressure to implement planned improvements to the river channel. The Duisburg port, Europe’s largest inland port, handles over 20,000 ships and 25,000 trains annually, supporting around 52,000 jobs directly and indirectly, making it a critical economic pillar in the region.
Returning to England: What are Harry and Meghan up to?
The article discusses Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to return to the United Kingdom from California, focusing on their potential future roles and activities. It mentions Meghan's possible involvement in the third season of the Netflix series 'The Gentlemen' directed by Guy Ritchie, which involves a fictionalized account of a former UN soldier returning home to find a large cannabis plantation. The article notes that while they are moving to a private house in the Cotswolds, this is distinct from royal residences like Highgrove House. Additionally, it references Harry's ongoing efforts with the Invictus Games, a sports event for wounded veterans, and his hope to collaborate with his father, King Charles III, on future events. The article also touches on the gathering at Balmoral Castle where members of the royal family discussed the implications of Harry and Meghan's return.
Migration: Matteo Salvini stirs conflict with Germany over secondary migrants
The article reports on tensions between Italy and Germany over the handling of secondary migrants. Italian Vice Prime Minister Matteo Salvini threatens that Italy will no longer accept migrants returned by Germany, criticizing German NGOs for rescuing refugees in the Mediterranean and bringing them to Italy, some of whom then travel to Germany. Salvini, who is part of the right-wing coalition led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, argues that Germany has no right to return undocumented immigrants while these NGOs continue their operations. The conflict arises under new EU asylum and migration rules introduced in June 2026, which aim to allow countries like Germany to repatriate migrants who entered via Italy but later traveled elsewhere within the EU. Despite these rules, Italy has not accepted any returns from Germany since the regulations took effect. Official figures show Italy rejected around 80,000 'return applications' from other states since 2023, citing an overloaded national reception system. Reports suggest there may be discussions between Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt regarding the issue.
Pension cuts for nurses: new health minister questions plans
The article reports that Germany's new Health Minister has expressed doubts about previously proposed reductions in retirement benefits for caregivers. The plans were part of broader reforms aimed at addressing financial sustainability in the pension system while recognizing the contributions of caregiving work. The minister’s hesitation suggests potential changes or delays in implementing these measures, which had sparked debate among policymakers and advocacy groups. The discussion highlights the tension between fiscal responsibility and social welfare considerations in Germany's healthcare and pension policies.
Against Borussia Dortmund: FC Bayern Munich wins the Supercup with a score of 2:1
On August 22, 2026, FC Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2:1 in the Bundesliga Supercup, marking their first title of the new season. The match took place at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund before a sold-out crowd of 81,365. New signing Nathaniel Brown opened the scoring in the 28th minute, playing in the position usually occupied by Jamal Musiala, who was not included in the starting XI due to recent form issues. Michael Olise extended Bayern's lead in the second half, while Fábio Silva reduced the deficit for Dortmund. Despite being down to ten men after Ramy Bensebaini received a red card in stoppage time, Dortmund failed to equalize as Maximilian Beier missed a crucial chance. The victory showcased Bayern's strong start under coach Vincent Kompany and highlighted the performance of several national team players, including Brown, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, and Aleksandar Pavlović, in front of new national team manager Jürgen Klopp.
'Pandora's box' opened - Putin threatens Kiev with blow
The article discusses the opening of the 'Pandora's Box' in the context of Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, highlighting President Vladimir Putin's threats against Kyiv. It suggests that the situation has escalated significantly, potentially leading to further military actions or geopolitical consequences. The piece frames this development as a critical turning point in the war, emphasizing the risks involved for both sides.
Donald Trump takes part in the "Beast" round of honour at the Washington Auto Race
The article discusses Donald Trump participating in a motorsport event in Washington, specifically mentioning his involvement in a race using a vehicle referred to as the 'Beast.' The focus appears to be on Trump's presence at the event rather than any political actions or statements he made during the occasion.
Before the elections in Saxony-Anhalt: coffee with Mr Siegmund?
Four weeks before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, leading candidates from various parties participated in a televised debate hosted by MDR titled 'Fakt ist! Wahlarena,' where they addressed questions from the public on topics ranging from education, gas supply, migration, war, and peace. The discussion focused heavily on concerns regarding democracy, societal division, and the future role of the AfD, which leads in opinion polls with over 40 percent support. One audience member questioned why the CDU would maintain a 'firewall' against the AfD if they wanted to engage with their voters. The CDU’s Minister President, Sven Schulze, stated he had no intention of cooperating with the AfD but emphasized his willingness to talk to its supporters. The AfD’s candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, described a sense of optimism among his supporters, while Left Party candidate Eva von Angern warned against falling into the AfD’s narrative of victimhood. Education was another major topic, particularly the AfD’s proposal to replace compulsory schooling with a compulsory education mandate, which Siegmund argued could benefit children facing extreme bullying at school. Other issues included university
Hope for a Long Life - How New Research is Bringing the Dream Closer
The article discusses recent scientific research aimed at extending human lifespan. It highlights advancements in medical science and biotechnology that are bringing the dream of a longer life closer to reality. The focus is on new discoveries and innovations that could potentially increase longevity. Researchers are exploring various approaches, including genetic modifications, regenerative medicine, and other cutting-edge techniques. These developments raise hopes for significant improvements in health and quality of life in older age.
Energy transition: When wind farms steal rain from coasts
The article titled 'Energiewende: Wenn Windparks den Küsten den Regen klauen' by Die Welt discusses concerns regarding wind farms potentially affecting coastal regions by altering local weather patterns. It suggests that the expansion of wind energy infrastructure might lead to changes in precipitation levels along the coasts, raising questions about the environmental impact of renewable energy projects. The piece highlights the debate over Germany's Energiewende policy, which aims to transition the country to sustainable energy sources. While the focus is on climate and environmental issues, the article implies potential negative consequences for coastal areas due to increased wind farm installations.
The victim of a sword attack at a Swedish school was a 17-year-old
A 17-year-old student was killed in a sword attack at a school in Sweden, according to a report by STERN.de. The incident has raised concerns about safety in educational institutions and prompted discussions about security measures in schools. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, including potential motives and whether any other individuals were involved. The case highlights ongoing challenges related to violence in public spaces, particularly involving young people.
Paderborn: intestinal infections in the children's clinic One premature baby has already died, other children are sick
A neonatal intensive care unit at a children's clinic in Paderborn has been affected by a bacterial infection outbreak. One premature infant has already died as a result of the infection, and several other children have fallen ill. The incident has raised concerns about infection control measures within healthcare facilities. Authorities are likely investigating the cause of the outbreak and assessing whether there were lapses in hygiene protocols. This event could lead to increased scrutiny of medical practices in similar institutions.