GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1978
Ownership
taz (die tageszeitung) was founded in 1978 in Berlin out of the alternative/left-wing scene. Facing insolvency or a commercial takeover in the early 1990s, it converted to a reader-owned publishing cooperative (taz Verlagsgenossenschaft eG), formalised in 1992, now comprising many thousands of member-shareholders. No single owner, company, party or investor controls it; it is governed collectively by its cooperative and staff.
Funding
It is funded primarily by subscriptions, cooperative shares and reader donations, deliberately minimising reliance on advertising (only a small share of income); it receives no state or party subsidy.
Affiliation & stance
taz is openly left-wing and green-leaning in its editorial stance, but it is reader-/employee-owned through a cooperative with no party, union or state control, which makes it INDEPENDENT. This confirms the site's INDEPENDENT type and LEFT lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Left
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Leftbased on 598
80/100
Factual
73/100
Objective
787
Articles
787
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Recent coverage
Umm Kulthum honoured in Berlin: a voice that transcends borders
The article honors Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, highlighting her cultural influence across the Arab world and Israel. It describes her unique vocal style and the impact of her music, which transcends borders. The Neuköllner Oper in Berlin is staging a production titled 'Tarab,' which explores her work through a meditative theatrical approach focusing on gestures, symbols, and music. The event coincides with the 48 Stunden Neukölln cultural festival. The piece notes her early life, her rise to fame, and the enduring legacy of her songs, which continue to resonate across different regions and communities.
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
Modern electrical appliances: refrigerator with fan
The article discusses a new type of refrigerator equipped with a ventilator feature that maintains consistent temperatures throughout the appliance, improving energy efficiency. It contrasts this innovation with older models that suffered from increasing temperature fluctuations and higher energy consumption over time. The piece humorously speculates on future developments such as AI-enabled appliances and their potential communication methods, like 'pieping.' It also critiques the design choice of the refrigerator’s alert system, noting that it only sounds if the door is visibly open, which could lead to security concerns if intentional. The tone is lighthearted but raises questions about technological reliability and user experience.
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.
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
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.
Zschäpe's girlfriend faces four years in prison for knowing everything
The article discusses the legal proceedings against Susann Eminger, a close friend of Beate Zschäpe, who is accused of knowing about and supporting the National Socialist Underground (NSU), a far-right terrorist group responsible for multiple murders, attacks, and robberies between 2000 and 2011. The prosecution is seeking four years in prison for Eminger, arguing she was fully aware of the terror activities and actively assisted Zschäpe and her associates. The case marks the final attempt to prosecute one of the few remaining individuals connected to the NSU. Zschäpe was previously sentenced to life imprisonment, while others involved received prison terms up to ten years. Eminger’s role as a supportive figure within the group, including providing housing and maintaining contact under false names, is central to the charges.
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.
Right wingers exploit Stade murders: incitement against integration club
The article reports on the Stade murders where six people died at a mother-child home, and discusses how far-right groups are using the incident to target integration organizations and individuals who support migrant integration. The suspect, Fatih G., allegedly fled the scene with the help of Sylvia S., who is described by right-wing media as a 'migrationsactivist' and linked to an SPD politician. Sylvia S. was reportedly driving the vehicle and has a close relationship with the family of the accused. She was released after being detained, unlike Fatih G., who remains in custody. The police have not confirmed or denied claims that she helped him escape or that he threatened her with a weapon. The case is linked to a custody dispute involving the child, and both parents and Sylvia S. are under investigation for suspected murder. A statement from the Federal Association of Binational Families clarifies that Sylvia S. was acting in a private capacity during the incident.
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.
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.
After October 7: A Thousand Days of Waiting
The article reports on a demonstration in Tel Aviv marking the 1,000th day since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Participants express anger and grief over the loss of lives and the ongoing lack of accountability from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The protest highlights demands for an independent commission to investigate the attack, which the current government has refused to establish, opting instead for a politically selected committee. Demonstrators criticize the government for failing to provide answers on how the attack occurred, while some families of victims describe their journey of resistance and hope over the past year.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Algerian killed in Lower Saxony: evidence of xenophobia as motive
German flag banned? Contributions to viral video missing context
BSW-Offerte an die AfD: Weidel zeigt Wagenknecht die kalte Schulter
Government transparency: Attack on freedom of information continues to draw sharp criticism
Citizen Vigilante scandal: Can a film be shown whose hero calls for the murder of migrants?
Merz, Döpfner and the AfD: the Chancellor is on Springer's hit list
Germanyticket as compulsory in NRW: What an absurd proposal
Proteste im Gazastreifen: Die Revolution fällt weitgehend aus
