Germany news: Berlin officially withdraws Olympics bid
Berlin's decision to withdraw its Olympic bid means that only Munich and the western Rhine/Ruhr region are left in the running as potential Olympic hosts. DW has more.
Germany's socialist Left Party secured a win in the Berlin election, partly due to their promise to implement the 2021 expropriation referendum to tackle the city's rent crisis. The Ifo economic research institute's monthly business climate index rose 1.1 points to 89.9, the highest level in over three years, despite an energy price surge driving fuel costs to record highs.
The business optimism is attributed to a constantly rising index over the past five months, indicating a gradual return to economic health. However, the automotive sector remains in challenging terrain. Meanwhile, German prosecutors are probing a 105-year-old man for potential Nazi-era crimes, accused of being an accessory to multiple murders at the Stalag 326 VI K camp in western Germany.
German GDP growth is forecasted to double to 1.3% this year, but experts warn of forthcoming difficulties. The German government plans to grant intelligence agencies more power, turning them into 'true secret services' capable of providing real defense against dangers, including sabotage and hacking attacks. The reforms have sparked heated debates, with concerns over the balance between intelligence gathering and privacy, particularly for professionals entrusted with confidential information like psychotherapists.
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