Germany news: Gas reserves historically low ahead of winter
Deutsche Welle · LC · trust 48/100
Gas storage operator association INES has warned that Germany's gas reserves could run out in the event of a cold winter. Meanwhile, fallout from the AfD's state election victory continues. Follow DW for the latest.
https://p.dw.com/p/5M7YW Storage lobby group INES says gas levels are dangerously low, Berlin's Economy Ministry, however, says there is nothing to worry about even if temperatures are extremely cold Image: Jan Woitas/dpa/picture alliance Advertisement Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know German lobby group says gas reserves are at historically low levels and could run out in the event of a cold winter
The wars in Russia and Iran have significantly lowered profit margins, thus dampening economic incentive to fill reserves
Several thousand protesters turned out across the country to voice opposition to the far-right party, which nearly half of Germans say should not be allowed to form a state government
Here are the latest headlines from across Germany on Tuesday, September 8:
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09/08/2026 September 8, 2026 Protester shot in face with airgun at anti-AfD rally A protester was shot in the face with an airgun at an anti- AfD rally in the eastern German city of Halle late Monday according to a police statement issued on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at the end of a march attended by roughly 850 people and authorities say the 25-year-old was not seriously injured.
Police secured evidence at the scene and searched two nearby apartment buildings, though a perpetrator has yet to be identified.
An investigation into the incident has been opened.
09/08/2026 September 8, 2026 German pop singer Xavier Naidoo to be tried for incitement Xavier Naidoo, a German pop singer , will face trial for incitement in an incident involving public antisemitic insults directed at a member of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation — which bills itself as an independent NGO dedicated to strengthening democratic civil society and combating neo-Nazism, right-wing extremism, antisemitism, racism and other forms of bigotry and hate in Germany.
On Monday, a state court in the city of Mannheim, where the musician was born, announced that it would allow state prosecutors to take their case against Naidoo to trial.
Prosecutors sought to bring charges against the celebrity in separate cases in 2023 and 2024, which the court previously rejected for lack of evidence. Prosecutors have lodged a complaint with the Higher Regional Court in Karlsruhe to force the lower court to hear their case on further points.
Monday's decision regards one charge brought in 2023. No trial date has been set.
A popular figure in Germany in the 2000s, Naidoo later made headlines for espousing conspiracy theories, railing against Coronavirus safety measures and hurling antisemitic insults.
In 2021, Germany's top court ruled that Naidoo could be referred to as an antisemite for his song texts .
In 2022, he released a video statement apologizing for the "many mistakes" he had made over the years, including for "troubling statements," saying he regretted having ever made them.
09/08/2026 September 8, 2026 Germany´s exports lose momentum Emilio Reynoso Industrial production also weakened in July amid increasing fuel-related concerns. Image: Gregor Fischer/Getty Images Germany's exports were down for the first time in months, the German Federal Statistical Office has confirmed.
For the first time since January, German exports fell by 0.8% due to lower demand from Europe and China .
Germany's shipments to China dropped by 9.5%, while exports to the Eurozone declined by 2.8%. Meanwhile, exports to the United States increased by 19%, continuing a slow recovery following President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Industrial production also declined in July, adding to growing concerns about fuel supplies in the country.
09/08/2026 September 8, 2026 German students post dismal scores in latest PISA academic assessment The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its 2025 PISA study in Paris on Tuesday and the results are shocking .
According to the study, overall proficiency in reading, math and science has fallen significantly among 15-year-old pupils in 90 countries, with German pupils faring particularly poorly — posting their worst scores ever in the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment, which has tracked the academic performance since 2000.
"We are seeing historically low levels of proficiency," said Samuel Greiff of the Technical University of Munich.
Released every three years, the 2025 assessment documented a major drop in German students' reading proficiency as well as significant dips in math and science skills since 2022 .
"We aren't dramatically behind," said Greiff. "But we are not living up to our own standards as an education nation. We are not among the top performers."
Among the factors contributing to Germany's poor scores were the education system's failings regarding early childhood education, teaching staffing, and digitalization.
Social media use was cited as a particular problem, leading Germany's Federal Commissioner for Drug Issues and Addiction Hendrik Streeck to ask, "How much scientific evidence do we need before we do something? Studies show that early, problematic social media consumption measurably impacts scholastic performance."
Roughly one-third of German students also told pollsters they considered school a "waste of time."
09/08/2026 September 8, 2026 AfD victory prompts protests, opposition to party cooperation Alternative for Germany's (AfD) landslide electoral victory in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday has sparked impromptu protests across the country, with several thousand people turning out in various cities.
The largest of these took place in Berlin, where regional elections will take place on September 20,…
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