Esme Nicholson

Germany's woodlands, long associated with Grimm's Fairy Tales, are dying. After years of drought, the trees are now facing a new onslaught from bark beetles. Many believe climate change is the cause.

German efficiency is a stereotype challenged by the city of Berlin. Its civil government is so dysfunctional that the city had to re-do municipal elections over the weekend.

German Special Forces arrested 25 people for a domestic terrorism plot to overthrow the government there.

The operator announced that natural gas started flowing through a key pipeline after a 10-day shutdown. The gas flow was expected to fall well short of full capacity and the outlook was uncertain.

Earlier this month, the EU Parliament voted in favor of a resolution to make abortion a fundamental right — a good sign for activists in Germany fighting to make the procedure more available.

As the heat wave in southern Europe shows some signs of abating, temperatures in northern Europe are soaring. Record highs are expected in the U.K. where officials have declared a national emergency.

Chancellor Nehammer says he held "very direct, open and tough" talks on Monday in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin — and told him the war in Ukraine needs to end.

West Germany established strong trade ties with Moscow in the 1970s in an attempt to foster dialogue and stability. Today, Germany's approach is under stress as Russia threatens Ukraine.

Departing German Chancellor Angela Merkel chose three songs for her farewell ceremony this week. One of them, an East German hit from the '70s, caused some surprise in Berlin.

The German language is full of male and female nouns. Officials and businesses are tweaking words, including adding asterisks, to make them inclusive.