Berliner Tageblatt

Davos forum opens probe into CEO Brende's Epstein links

The World Economic Forum, which organises the Davos summit, said Thursday that it would conduct an independent review into its chief executive's interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

ECB warns of stronger euro impact, holds rates

The European Central Bank warned Thursday a stronger euro could push inflation down too far after recent gains in the single currency, but sought to downplay any immediate threat to the eurozone economy.

ECB holds interest rates as strong euro causes jitters

The European Central Bank held interest rates steady for its fifth straight meeting Thursday, saying the eurozone economy remained "resilient" despite mounting worries about the impact of a stronger euro.

What does Iran want from talks with the US?

Iran and the United States are holding talks on Friday in Oman, with Tehran pushing to focus squarely on its nuclear programme, while Washington's demands go beyond that.

Wind turbine maker Vestas sees record revenue in 2025

Denmark's Vestas, Europe’s leading wind turbine manufacturer, on Thursday posted an all-time high revenue, but noted that regulatory changes in the United states had made wind power investments less attractive.

Bitcoin under $70,000 for first time since Trump's election

Bitcoin, the world's biggest cryptocurrency, extended its price slump Thursday to trade under $70,000 for the first time since Donald Trump's presidential election victory in November 2024.

Germany claws back 59 mn euros from Amazon over price controls

Germany's competition watchdog ordered Amazon on Thursday to stop implementing price controls for retailers on its marketplace and told the US tech giant to return 59 million euros ($70 million) in what it deemed unfair gains.

Germany claws back 70 mn euros from Amazon over price controls

Germany's competition watchdog ordered Amazon on Thursday to stop implementing price controls for retailers on its marketplace and told the US tech giant to return 59 million euros ($70 million) in what it deemed unfair gains.

Stock markets drop amid tech concerns before rate calls

Major European and Asian stock markets mostly fell Thursday after more losses on Wall Street's Nasdaq, where technology firms are under pressure over concerns about vast AI investments.

BBVA posts record profit after failed Sabadell takeover

Spanish banking giant BBVA on Thursday reported a record annual profit, shrugging off the rollercoaster ride of its failed hostile takeover bid for its biggest national rival Sabadell.

UN human rights agency in 'survival mode': chief

The UN human rights chief said Thursday his agency was "in survival mode" due to funding shortfalls, as he launched a $400 million appeal to tackle global rights crises in 2026.

Greenpeace slams fossel fuel sponsors for Winter Olympics

Greenpeace activists staged a protest in Milan on Thursday against the sponsorship of the Milan-Cortina Olympics by energy giant Eni, warning that fossil fuel emissions were threatening the viability of winter sports.

Russia says thwarted smuggling of giant meteorite to UK

Russian investigators have prevented a giant meteorite fragment being smuggled to Britain disguised as a garden ornament, the Federal Customs Service reported Thursday.

Heathrow still Europe's busiest airport, but Istanbul gaining fast

London Heathrow remained the busiest aviation hub in Europe last year but Istanbul Airport was nearly neck-and-neck and is likely to overtake it soon, an industry group said Thursday.

Shell profits climb despite falling oil prices

British energy giant Shell said Thursday that its net profit rose 11 percent last year as higher volumes and lower costs helped to offset falling oil and gas prices.

German factory orders rise at fastest rate in 2 years in December

German factory orders unexpectedly posted their biggest rise in two years in December, official data showed Thursday, fuelling hopes that a turnaround is taking hold in Europe's struggling top economy.

Trump fuels EU push to cut cord with US tech

Until President Donald Trump's return a year ago, when the EU talked about cutting economic dependency on foreign powers -- it was understood to mean China. But now Brussels has US tech in its sights.

Top US news anchor pleads with kidnappers for mom's life

US news anchor Savannah Guthrie tearfully pleaded with kidnappers to share proof that her 84-year-old mother was still alive in a video posted to her social media Wednesday night.

The coming end of ISS, symbol of an era of global cooperation

When the International Space Station comes back to Earth in 2030, it will mark the end of three decades of peaceful international cooperation -- and an era when space became central to our daily lives.

New crew set to launch for ISS after medical evacuation

Four astronauts could blast off to the International Space Station (ISS) next week, after setbacks including a mysterious medical evacuation of the previous crew, last-minute rocket problems, and some scheduling conflicts with NASA's Moon mission.

Stocks in retreat as traders reconsider tech investment

Asian stocks fell Thursday to track more losses on Wall Street, where tech firms were again under pressure as fears over vast AI investments and extended valuations gained momentum.

Rising euro, falling inflation in focus at ECB meeting

A rising euro and falling inflation will present fresh challenges for the European Central Bank at its meeting Thursday, potentially reviving debate about if and when policymakers should start cutting interest rates.

Google's annual revenue tops $400 bn for first time, AI investments rise

Google parent Alphabet on Wednesday reported blockbuster earnings, its revenue climbing as it invests massively in cloud computing services enhanced with artificial intelligence.

Boxer Khelif reveals 'hormone treatments' before Paris Olympics

Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif revealed in an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe that she had undergone hormone treatments to lower her testosterone levels ahead of the 2024 Games, but reaffirmed that she is not "transgender".

BHP damages trial over Brazil mine disaster to open in 2027

Australian mining giant BHP will face trial before a British court from April next year to determine how much it must pay in damages to victims of a 2015 dam collapse in Brazil, lawyers said Wednesday.

Bezos-led Washington Post announces 'painful' job cuts

The Washington Post, owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced major job cuts Wednesday, saying that "painful" restructuring was needed at the storied newspaper.

UK PM says Mandelson 'lied' about Epstein relations

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Wednesday said he regretted naming Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, following fresh allegations about the disgraced envoy's close ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump suggests 'softer touch' needed on immigration

US President Donald Trump suggested Wednesday that a "softer touch" may be needed on immigration, as his administration said 700 federal officers would be pulled from Minnesota after weeks of aggressive and even deadly operations.

Panama hits back after China warns of 'heavy price' in ports row

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino on Wednesday rejected China's threat to make the Central American country pay a "heavy price" after a Hong Kong company was evicted from two ports on the Panama Canal.

US seeks minerals trade zone in rare Trump move with allies

US President Donald Trump's administration called Wednesday for a preferential trade zone among allies on critical minerals crucial for advanced technology, in a rare turn to multilateralism in the face of China's dominance.

US removing 700 immigration officers from Minnesota

Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday announced the removal of 700 immigration enforcement officers from Minnesota after weeks of operations and the fatal shooting of two protesters that sparked outrage across the United States.

US calls for minerals trade zone in rare move with allies