Submit your Article

Germany forward Deniz Undav came off the bench to score an 88th-minute goal that secured a 2-1 victory over Ghana in a friendly on Monday, boosting his chances of making the World Cup squad, Reuters reported. 

The VfB Stuttgart striker, who is second on the Bundesliga scorers' list with 18 goals, made the most of a second-half appearance in front of a home crowd, bagging the winner with a flick over the Ghana keeper.

The winning goal came after Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann had raised eyebrows on Friday when Undav was left on the bench as they beat Switzerland 4-3.

Germany will make a number of changes to their line-up for Monday's friendly against Ghana as some players need to be rested ​following their draining win over Switzerland earlier this week, coach Julian said, Reuters reported. 

The Germans twice came from a goal down before beating the Swiss 4-3 in a pulsating friendly on Friday.

Nagelsmann said Stuttgart keeper Alexander Nuebel would be starting with club ​teammate and forward Deniz Undav also being guaranteed playing time, according to Reuters. 

Germany is continuing to struggle with a shortage of skilled workers, as elderly staff retire, and there are not enough young candidates to fill their roles. To try to alleviate the problem the country is increasingly turning to workers from India, BBC reported. 
 

For Handirk von Ungern-Sternberg, it started with an email that dropped into his inbox in February 2021. It had come from India.

The gist of the message was: "We have lots of young, motivated people looking for vocational training and we're wondering if you're interested."

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), in partnership with the Government of Germany, today inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lekhnath–Damauli 220 kV Transmission Line Project at the Damauli Substation in Tanahun District.

NEA Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya,  German Ambassador to Nepal Udo Volz,  Director of KfW Development Bank for Bangladesh and Nepal Michael Sumser, as well as senior representatives from NEA, the German Embassy, KfW Development Bank, GIZ, local governments and other key stakeholders attended the ceremony. 

Co-financed by Germany through KfW Development Bank, the project includes the construction of a 45 km long 220 kV double-circuit transmission line and the development of modern gas-insulated substations in Lekhnath and Damauli, reads a statement issued by the German Embassy in Kathmandu. 

With a transmission capacity of around 1000 MW, the project will strengthen the regional electricity grid and enable efficient evacuation of electricity from hydropower plants in the region, including the Tanahun Hydropower Project.

“The expansion of reliable transmission infrastructure is essential for Nepal’s growing energy needs,” said Ambassador Udo Volz. “Germany is proud to partner with Nepal in strengthening its electricity grid and enabling the use of its vast renewable energy potential. Projects like this ensure that clean energy reaches homes, businesses and industries, contributing to sustainable economic growth.”. 

Germany has also supported renewable energy solutions ranging from household solar systems and solar irrigation to grid-connected solar installations, contributing to around 55 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity in Nepal.  

In Gandaki Province, German Technical Cooperation has supported Pokhara Metropolitan City in developing a five-year Municipal Energy Plan to guide efficient energy use and the adoption of clean energy technologies. 

German Technical Cooperation has also supported the establishment of two electric vehicle charging stations in Pokhara and Damauli and the integration of two micro-hydropower plants in Baglung into the national grid of the Nepal Electricity Authority.

Reliable transmission infrastructure such as the Lekhnath–Damauli line provides the foundation for greater use of clean electricity, including electric mobility and other low-carbon solutions, supporting Nepal’s ambition to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Nepal has signed agreements with four organizations to implement development initiatives under its Small Grant Development Project 2026, with total funding of EUR 86,330 aimed at supporting marginalized communities across Nepal..

Anurodh Nepal in Lahan Municipality will implement one of the projects, “Empowering Marginalized Women through Eco-Craft Skills and Cooperative Enterprise.”

The initiative seeks to empower marginalized Madhesi and Dalit women by providing training in bamboo and banana-fiber eco-craft production, entrepreneurship, and cooperative management, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Germany in Kathmandu. 

The initiative will also promote women’s economic independence, reduce gender-based violence through awareness, and foster a sustainable, women-led cooperative for long-term livelihood generation. 

The embassy will contribute up to EUR 13,860 to the project.

In Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Nucleus for Empowerment through Skill Transfer (NEST) Pokhara will implement a program aimed at economically empowering women who serve as caretakers for persons with disabilities, mental illness, and other vulnerable family members in marginalized settlements of Wards 2 and 8. 

The project will establish cooperative-managed livelihood enterprises and provide skills training along with small-scale production equipment such as sewing machines and beekeeping kits. 

The embassy is supporting the initiative with up to EUR 24,300.

The project GreenRide to Prosperity by Lakshyadeep will focus on improving the livelihoods of marginalized households in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City, Ward No. 15 (Padariya Tole), mostly from the Tharu, Risidev, Bishwakarma, Shah and other communities who struggle to meet basic needs. The project will train selected individuals in e-rickshaw driving, support them in obtaining driving licenses, and provide e-rickshaws to economically vulnerable families The German Embassy supports the project with up to EUR 24,270, according to the statement. 

Meanwhile, The Lutheran World Federation Nepal will implement a project to support newly arrived refugees by improving water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities while strengthening health services, psychosocial well-being, and livelihood resilience. The embassy is providing up to EUR 23,900 for this initiative.

“Germany and Nepal enjoy a strong partnership with many facets,” stated Ambassador Udo Eugen Volz. “These new small-scale grants are designed to complement our larger government-to-government collaborations by investing in smaller projects that are rooted in local communities and built for long-term impact. They specifically target support for marginalized groups across Nepal.”

Germany and Nepal on December 5 marked 50 years of technical cooperation, bringing together government partners, development stakeholders, and longstanding collaborators at the GIZ premises in Khumaltar. Under the theme “Woven Through Time, Shaping Tomorrow Together”, the event highlighted the milestones of a partnership that began with Bhaktapur’s heritage preservation in the early 1970s, expanded through GIZ’s work in infrastructure and urban development, industrial and entrepreneurial development, agriculture and forest management, peace building and conflict transformation, and post-earthquake reconstruction, and has now grown into one of Nepal’s longest-standing international collaborations in energy, health and sustainable economic development.

Over the years, German Development Cooperation has evolved into several organizations – GIZ, which is celebrating its 50 years of technical cooperation in Nepal today, KfW Development Bank, which is a German Financial Cooperation, and PTB, supporting quality assurance across sectors. Each organization brings its own expertise, but all share one approach: a partnership built on mutual respect, collaboration, and shared progress in Nepal.

Today, Germany-Nepal technical cooperation is closely aligned with Nepal’s national priorities and supports its regional and global commitments. The 50-year milestone underscores a partnership that is both long-standing and forward-looking.

The chief guest, Minister of Finance and Federal Affairs and General Administration Mr. Rameshwor Prasad Khanal, highlighted the significance of the 50-year partnership between Nepal and GIZ, describing it as a story of trust, cooperation, and shared aspirations. He stated, “It is a great privilege for me, on behalf of the Government of Nepal, to join in celebrating 50 years of GIZ’s dedicated service to our country. This milestone is evidence of what long-term cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared vision can achieve.”

Reflecting on GIZ’s contributions over the decades, the Minister noted, “GIZ has been more than a development agency; it has been a committed partner in Nepal’s pursuit of sustainable growth, social inclusion, and the well-being of our people.” The Minister called for deeper future collaboration in renewable energy, public health, decentralization, sustainable infrastructure, inclusive economic growth, and improved revenue systems.

The Minister concluded with a message of appreciation and commitment on behalf of the Government of Nepal, " I express our deepest gratitude to GIZ and our German partners. Let this golden jubilee be a renewed beginning, a call to collaboration, shared purpose, and continued progress toward a greener, healthier, and more equitable Nepal.”

In his address, His Excellency Udo Volz, the German Ambassador, reflected on the origins of the partnership with the restoration of Bhaktapur, saying, “A commitment that meant: your heritage matters, and we will help you preserve it.” He underlined where the past 50 years have taken this cooperation since then: “What started with restoring temples now provides digital solutions. What began with preserving the past now includes preparing for the future.”

Ms. Paulina Campos Monteros, Country Representative, GIZ Nepal, said: “We see ourselves as facilitators and long-term partners, bringing technical expertise and practical solutions, developed hand-in-hand with government, civil society, the private sector, and communities. Our role is to connect actors, support innovation, and help turn ideas into systems that last.”

Too slick, too quick and, ultimately, just too good at football; Spain reaffirmed their standing as the best team in the world as they outclassed Germany and retained the Women’s Nations League title in spite of the absence of their injured superstar Aitana Bonmatí, The Guardian reported. 

The world champions were playing their first game since their Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder was ruled out for five months after undergoing surgery on a broken leg, but anybody who worried that her absence may disrupt Spain’s stylish football was immediately proved wrong, as they demonstrated the extensive depth of talent across their classy team and eventually played some ruthless football to dispatch their rivals at the Estadio Metropolitano.

All of the goals came in a 13-minute second-half burst of the second leg, but Spain could have been comfortably in control before half-time on home soil, in what was a fearless attacking performance that thrilled the Madrid crowd of 55,843 – a record for a Spanish women’s national team home fixture – with well-taken goals once Germany’s resistance was finally broken, according to The Guardian. 

Germany secured a place at next year's World Cup by crushing Slovakia 6-0 in their final qualifier on Monday, pummeling them into submission with four goals in the first half, and sending their opponents into a playoff in March, Reuters reported.

The four-time world champions, who crashed out in the first round of the last two editions of the World Cup, finished top of their group on 15 points, with the Slovaks second on 12.

Germany's coalition government has agreed a new military service plan to boost troop numbers following months of wrangling between political forces, BBC reported.

The new military service plan will mandate all 18-year-old men to fill out a questionnaire on their suitability to serve and, from 2027, to undergo medical screening.

The decision comes as Berlin aims to create Europe's strongest conventional army, according to BBC.

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has pledged an assistance of 39,000 Euros to support communities impacted by the devastating floods of October 2025 in Ilam, Nepal. 

Ambassador Udo Volz, on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, signed the grant agreement with Country Director Shakeb Nabi of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe for an Emergency Relief Support Project in Ilam, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Germany.

The project will assist disaster-affected communities in Ilam district, ensuring lifesaving assistance and enhancing resilience against future disasters. 

The project will support households in highly affected areas in Ilam District, with a focus on marginalized groups, women and children. That includes the provision of food as well as essential items such as mattresses, tarpaulins, warm clothes, dignity kits and blankets, according to the statement.

The local implementation partner is Rural Reconstruction Nepal. 

The project is slated to be completed by December 2025.

Germany remains committed to supporting the people of Nepal, also in difficult times. During the floods in September 2024, Germany provided 100, 000 Euros for disaster response, dedicated to relief efforts in Sarlahi and Rautahat Districts, implemented by One Heart Worldwide.

A first-half header from Nick Woltemade was enough as Germany edged a dogged Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast on Oct 13 to stay top of their 2026 World Cup qualifying group, Reuters reported.

Woltemade put the visitors in front with a header after 31 minutes, scoring his first goal in Germany colours.

“It was a very important three points for us,” Woltemade told Germany’s RTL, adding “in this atmosphere and in a bit of an ugly game, you have to win and we did well”.

Nepal and Germany today signed a technical and financial cooperation agreement on 41 million euros in grant.

German Ambassador to Nepal Udo Volz and Joint Secretary and the head of the Foreign Aid Coordination Division at the Ministry of Finance Dhani Ram Sharma signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments, reads a statement issued by the German Embassy in Kathmandu.

The agreement builds upon the commitments made during the government-to-government negotiations held in Berlin on September 4-5, 2024, in accordance with international law.

The agreement encompasses several projects in the areas of energy, sustainable economic development and health, according to the statement.

One is the Power Distribution Strengthening Program (PoDiSP)which aims to enhance electricity distribution and consumption in and around the cities of Pokhara, Butwal, and Bharatpur. 

An additional 20 million euros has been allocated for this initiative to a previously granted 10 million euros. 

The agreement also includes an additional 12 million euros to strengthen the GRAPE (Green Resilient Agricultural-centeredPrivate Sector Economic Development) project. Another notable project is the Strengthening of Quality Infrastructure for the Health System, with a budget of 1.5 million euros.

The projects will be implemented by the German Implementing Agencies – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), GMBH, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), and Physikalisch- Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).

During the agreement signing ceremony, German Ambassador Udo Volz expressed his appreciation of the longstanding German-Nepal Development Cooperation. “With these new commitments, we further deepen our cooperation with the country and the people of Nepal in the areas of Energy, Sustainable Economic Development and Health,” the ambassador said. 

Joint Secretary Sharma stated that the agreements reflect the strength of Nepal-German relations and demonstrate the shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. "We are deeply grateful for Germany’s continued support in key sectors that matter most to the people of Nepal," he noted, the statement further reads.

The agreement signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Finance at Singha Durbar. 

Representatives from GIZ, KfW and PTB, and from relevant Nepali line ministries were also present on the occasion.

Four-time world champions Germany struggled for more than an hour against Northern Ireland before scoring twice in three minutes in the second half to earn a 3-1 victory in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Sunday, Reuters reported. 

With the score level at 1-1, a tap-in by substitute Nadiem Amiri in the 69th minute and a free kick from Florian Wirtz made sure of Germany's first win in Group A.

It was also the first victory for Julian Nagelsmann's team in their last five matches and followed their shock 2-0 loss to hosts Slovakia on Thursday -- their first ever away defeat in a World Cup qualifier -- in their opening group match, according to Reuters.

Four-time world champions Germany suffered their first away loss in a World Cup qualifier after their shock 2-0 defeat by hosts Slovakia in their opening qualifier for the 2026 tournament, Aljazeera reported.

The Germans, who have set a goal of winning the 2026 World Cup, had never before lost a World Cup qualifier on the road, and they have now lost their last three consecutive matches, following defeats by Portugal and France in the Nations League in June.

“We did not show any emotionality in our game today. In terms of emotions, the opponents were miles ahead of us,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said after Thursday’s defeat. “We want to go to the World Cup, but today we were miles away from that, according to Aljazeera.

Four-time world champions Germany have set their sights firmly on winning the 2026 World Cup, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Wednesday ahead of their first qualifier against Slovakia on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Germany kick off their World Cup Group A qualifying campaign in Bratislava before next hosting Northern Ireland on September 7 in Cologne.

Nagelsmann said they were eager to make a winning start in their bid to qualify for the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, according to Reuters.

EU foreign ministers are divided over how to respond to Israel’s war in Gaza amid rising civilian casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions. Some countries, including Spain and Ireland, want stronger measures, while Germany and Hungary favor minimal action. Proposals such as suspending funding to Israeli start-ups or imposing sanctions lack the majority needed to pass.

Denmark signaled readiness to push for sanctions, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged deep divisions within the bloc. The debate comes as a UN-linked report confirmed famine in Gaza, a finding Israel disputes, and ahead of the UN General Assembly, where France stressed unrestricted access for Palestinian representatives, according to Al Jazeera.