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 Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 355
78/100
Factual
72/100
Objective
721
Articles
721
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Recent coverage
Have the Swift and Kelce wedding ceremonies begun?
The article reports on the early wedding festivities of pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce, which are said to have begun at the Madison Square Garden in New York. According to U.S. media citing sources close to the couple and event organizers, the pair had dinner the night before the main celebration, set to take place later that evening. The area around the pink-lit venue was heavily secured, with police presence and photographers gathering outside. While Swift and Kelce have not publicly commented on the event, several celebrities were spotted nearby, including Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff. The article also notes that the couple has been engaged since August 2023 and has donated $26 million to charitable causes this week. It highlights their public profiles—Swift as one of music history’s most successful artists and Kelce as a three-time Super Bowl-winning NFL player.
This calculator shows how the tax plans affect your wallet
The article features a calculator tool provided by STERN.de that illustrates how proposed tax plans affect individuals' wallets. The tool allows users to input their personal financial information to see potential impacts of different tax policies. While the content focuses on explaining the financial implications of taxation, it does not present specific details about any particular tax plan or policy. The calculator serves as an informational resource rather than a commentary on political positions.
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.
Queen Letizia: She shines in a well-worn dress
The article titled 'Königin Letizia: Sie glänzt in bewährtem Kleid' by STERN.de focuses on Queen Letizia of Spain, highlighting her appearance at a formal event where she wore a well-chosen outfit. The piece appears to center on her fashion choices and public presence rather than any political or controversial issue. There is no indication of a specific political charge or framing, as the content seems to be more about style and public image.
Wadephul wants to attract water pigs but gets the cold shoulder
The article discusses a local politician named Wadephul who is attempting to attract 'Wasserschweine'—a term likely referring to waterfowl or perhaps a local nickname for people or animals—to his area. Despite his efforts, he has received little support or attention, described as getting the 'cold shoulder.' The piece highlights the lack of response to his initiatives, suggesting a disconnect between his actions and community engagement.
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
At the hospital, Friedrich Merz is talking about his head and neck.
The article discusses the controversy surrounding German politician Friedrich Merz, who has been accused of falsifying his sick leave documentation. The situation has led to significant public scrutiny and potential legal consequences. Merz, a prominent figure in the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), faces allegations of misleading authorities by providing false medical certificates. This incident has sparked debate over professional integrity and accountability in politics. The article highlights the seriousness of the accusations and their implications for Merz’s political career.
Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russia is building 'some oil reserves' during a meeting focused on energy issues. He emphasized the need to strengthen domestic oil production and increase output. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, detonating an oil purification plant in the southern Krasnodar region, which produces around four million tons of crude oil annually. The Krasnodar region is one of Russia's largest oil-producing areas located near the Black Sea. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched large-scale air strikes on Sevastopol, the largest city on Crimea, including attacks on oil facilities. In response, Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, has restricted fuel sales to the public to counteract the energy shortages. According to reports, these attacks have had no impact on the front line. During an interview with a Russian state television station, Putin described the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as an attempt to destabilize Russian society. He stated that Ukraine's goal was to halt the deployment of Russian military units to improve their position in arms control talks.
Blast in Monaco: Ukrainian woman from Germany suspected
A 39-year-old Ukrainian woman from Germany is suspected of involvement in a serious explosion at a residential building in Monaco, which injured three people. According to authorities, she fled the scene using a rented car with German license plates, traveling through France and Italy back to Germany. The suspect is being sought by Interpol for attempted murder, placing a bomb with criminal intent, and membership in a criminal organization. Authorities searched a property in the German region of Main-Taunus where the suspect had rented an apartment, as well as a vehicle she used. The explosion occurred Monday evening at the entrance of a residential complex, with surveillance footage showing a person wearing a black hat triggering the device remotely as the victims entered the building. Investigators believe the attack was planned with others, citing the complexity of the explosive device and evidence that the suspect visited the location multiple times, including once while dressed as a man. Two men were briefly detained but later released due to lack of evidence linking them to the crime. While the identities of the victims have not been officially confirmed, reports suggest they
Debate on the firewall: the AfD asks no one these questions
The article discusses two contrasting situations involving the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The first involves a friendly interaction between AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund and CDU politician Guido Heuer during a public event in Halberstadt, where they appear to have a cordial relationship despite their political differences. This moment sparked controversy, with some criticizing such interactions during the election campaign. Heuer later had to publicly reaffirm his commitment to the 'Unvereinbarkeitsbeschluss' (incompatibility decision), which prohibits cooperation with the AfD. The second situation involves Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, a deputy leader of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, who stated in a podcast that the AfD would not consider forming a coalition with the CDU. However, this statement received no significant reaction, unlike similar actions by CDU politicians, which face scrutiny. The article highlights that while the AfD appears divided on the issue of cooperating with the CDU, the public does not hold them accountable in the same way as the CDU.
Germany: Voters are skeptical of reform proposals
Germany's ruling coalition—comprising the CDU, CSU, and SPD—has reached an agreement on a 34-point reform package aimed at addressing economic and social issues. The reforms include pension and healthcare adjustments, tax cuts, bureaucratic streamlining, and labor law liberalization. Despite these efforts, voter sentiment remains largely negative, with significant concerns over economic stagnation, job insecurity, and climate change. A recent poll indicates that most Germans view the economy as being in crisis, while a majority worry about the impacts of climate change, particularly extreme heat. While there is broad support for increased investment in infrastructure to combat heatwaves, opinions diverge along partisan lines regarding climate policies and responsibilities between industries and individuals.
Jürgen Drew's pension: self-responsibility or the system?
The article titled 'Jürgen Drews Rente: Eigenverantwortung oder Systemfrage?' from FOCUS online explores the debate surrounding pension systems in Germany, focusing on the case of Jürgen Drews. The headline suggests a discussion between individual responsibility ('Eigenverantwortung') and systemic issues ('Systemfrage') in relation to retirement benefits. While the article does not provide specific details about Jürgen Drews' situation, it appears to frame the broader conversation around pension reform, potentially highlighting tensions between personal financial planning and structural challenges within the German social security system. The piece likely presents arguments from both perspectives but lacks concrete information on the specifics of Drews' case.
Earthquake in Venezuela: Android devices have warned more than 11 million people
In Venezuela, Android smartphones issued earthquake warnings to over 11 million people during recent strong tremors, potentially saving lives. According to the New York Times, citing data from Google, the acceleration sensors in these devices detected shaking three seconds after the earthquakes began, sending alerts six seconds later to areas most affected. Another six seconds later, a larger area including the capital Caracas was warned, with millions of devices receiving notifications six seconds after that. The exact impact of these warnings remains unclear. The country lacks a national earthquake warning system. Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck early Wednesday evening local time, leaving at least 1,450 dead according to official reports, though unofficial platforms suggest over 47,000 people are still missing. More than 70,000 families now rely on humanitarian aid, with many sleeping outdoors or in emergency shelters. Venezuela was already facing significant challenges before this natural disaster, including political instability following the U.S. military's reported capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Sick leave from day one: General practitioners say reform plan 'absolutely catastrophic'
Did Mathias Döpfner ask Merz to tear down the firewall?
