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Demonstrations, such as this one in Düsseldorf, have called for the AfD to be bannedImage: Thomas Banneyer/dpa/picture allianceDemonstrators plan to take to the streets in Dresden and Kiel on Sunday as part of a weekend of protests against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and populist ideologies. The rallies have largely been prompted by the recent landslide win by the AfD in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, where the party has been classified as "confirmed right-wing extremist" by the state domestic intelligence agency. In Dresden, the capital of the eastern state of Saxony, where support for the AfD is also strong, a demonstration is planned in the square in front of the city's iconic Semperoper under the motto "Time for action." In Kiel, situated on the Baltic Sea, unio...

The demonstration was peaceful, according to the policeImage: Thomas Banneyer/dpa/picture allianceWith the slogan "Not a Step Back! No to the AfD and Right-Wing Hate Speech!" around 20,000 people marched through downtown Düsseldorf, according to reports from the police and organizers.  Several political initiatives called for the protest rally to send a united message of support for an open, democratic society. Among the participants, who marched peacefully without any counter-demonstrations, according to police, were the "Grandmas Against the Right." On their poster, which was secured with a small piece of fabric and pins, they proclaimed: "The right is only for knitting." Numerous families with children also joined the protest march in beautiful weather. Meanwhile, in Berlin, several...

The demonstration was peaceful, according to the policeImage: Thomas Banneyer/dpa/picture allianceWith the slogan "Not a Step Back! No to the AfD and Right-Wing Hate Speech!" around 20,000 people marched through downtown Düsseldorf, according to reports from the police and organizers.  Several political initiatives called for the protest rally to send a united message of support for an open, democratic society. Among the participants, who marched peacefully without any counter-demonstrations, according to police, were the "Grandmas Against the Right." On their poster, which was secured with a small piece of fabric and pins, they proclaimed: "The right is only for knitting." Numerous families with children also joined the protest march in beautiful weather. Meanwhile, in Berlin, several...

The Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London opened Thursday to much fanfare, in what British newspaper the Times has dubbed "Tapestry-mania," with more than 100,000 tickets already sold. The tapestry is on loan from France, and comes after years of diplomacy, with the move being seen as a symbol of close ties between Paris and London. It is thought to be the first time the tapestry has gone on display outside of France. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the tapestry's loan a "return," while King Charles III hailed the move as a "precious symbol of trust at a time when trust seems sadly to be in short supply between nations." The work is believed to have been made in England nearly 1,000 years ago before finding its way to Bayeux, now located in the French region of Normandy.  Two...

Some items in German grocery stores have seen prices shoot up Image: Annegret Hilse/REUTERSInflation in Germany rose to 2.9% in August, driven largely by sharply higher energy prices, the Federal Statistical Office confirmed on Thursday. The annual rate was the highest since late 2023, up from 2.8% in July and 2.3% in June. Energy prices rose 10.5% compared with August last year, accelerating from an 8.3% increase in July. Motor fuels cost 27.7% more than a year earlier, while heating oil prices jumped 49.6%. "Particularly noticeable was the rise in energy prices, especially for fuels, which was mainly caused by the Iran war," said Federal Statistical Office President Ruth Brand. Other household energy costs fell, however. Electricity prices were down 5.5%, natural gas including opera...

Some items in German grocery stores have seen prices shoot up Image: Annegret Hilse/REUTERSInflation in Germany rose to 2.9% in August, driven largely by sharply higher energy prices, the Federal Statistical Office confirmed on Thursday. The annual rate was the highest since late 2023, up from 2.8% in July and 2.3% in June. Energy prices rose 10.5% compared with August last year, accelerating from an 8.3% increase in July. Motor fuels cost 27.7% more than a year earlier, while heating oil prices jumped 49.6%. "Particularly noticeable was the rise in energy prices, especially for fuels, which was mainly caused by the Iran war," said Federal Statistical Office President Ruth Brand. Other household energy costs fell, however. Electricity prices were down 5.5%, natural gas including opera...