Heavy snowfall is forecast for central and southern Germany after blanketing the north of the country Long-distance rail services in northern Germany, which were suspended on Friday, are set to resume but face delays Many people are expected to brave the weather in Berlin to show solidarity with Iranian anti-government protesters
This is a roundup of the top news stories from and about Germany on Saturday, January 10, 2026:
IN PICTURES: Germany blanketed after winter snowstormBusiness sector has high hopes of Merz’s India trip
Ahead of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip to India with an economic delegation on Sunday, a leading foreign trade expert has told the dpa news agency that German business could benefit greatly from the visit.
“India is an increasingly important trading partner for the German economy,” Volker Treier, foreign trade chief of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), said.
“Given its economic dynamism, young population and growing industrial base, India is rapidly gaining relevance for our companies — especially for the diversification of supply chains and the expansion of international value creation.”
He said, however, that despite its size, India currently ranks only 23rd among Germany’s trading partners, while Germany holds first place among India’s EU trading partners.
But the trade volume between the two countries has doubled in the past decade, reaching €31 billion ($36 billion) in 2024, with Germany exporting more than it imported.
German products sent to India include machinery, chemical products, aircraft, ships and trains, while the main imports to Germany are pharmaceuticals and goods from the Indian chemical industry, machinery and clothing.
In addition, some 2,000 German companies have branches in India that employ more than 500,000 people overall.
Merz’s three-day trip comes as Berlin seeks to reduce reliance on China by strengthening trade ties with other countries.
In 2023, direct German investment in India stood at €27 billion, while German companies have built manufacturing capacities in China worth €100 billion.
Iranian solidarity rallies planned in Berln
A number of demonstrations are to take place in the German capital on Saturday to show support with Iranian protesters calling for the end of the clerical system in place in their country since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The series of rallies will kick off with a demonstration entitled “Solidarity with the just uprising of the Iranian people, remembrance of victims of the recent violence in Iran and protest against the death penalty,” which is to be held in the morning on the “Platz des 18. März” in the Mitte district.
Three other demonstrations have been registered with authorities for the afternoon.
DW will bring you coverage of the demonstrations throughout the day.
Snowy weather moves south after causing travel chaos in the north
As northern German regions begin to experience some relief after heavy snowfall on Friday, the south of the country is bracing for its turn to be covered in white.
The Allgäu region in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg is predicted to receive 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches) of fresh snow by Saturday night, while the Black Forest could see as much as 50 cm, forecasters say.
Long-distance train services in the north were initially expected to resume operations from 10 a.m. (0900 GMT), according to national rail operator Deutsche Bahn, but a spokeswoman later told the dpa news agency that they would restart at midday.
She said services would, however, remain heavily limited.
This comes after a day on which bus and train services were severely disrupted, with all buses canceled in Hannover and surrounding regions on Friday evening. Many traffic accidents were also reported.
The snow has had its positive side for those who enjoy winter sports, with numerous ski regions in Saxony, Thuringia and Hesse profiting from excellent conditions.
Temperatures are also expected to fall across the country on Saturday, with -15 C (5 F) possible in some locations during the night to Sunday.
Welcome to our coverage
The DW newsroom in Bonn says guten Tag as Germany remains in the grip of a cold spell that has brought lower-than-average temperatures and snow across the country.
The heavy snowfall seen in many northern regions, which has caused severe disruptions to transport, is now forecast to move southward, with parts of Bavaria and the Black Forest expected to be particularly affected.
Despite the literally freezing weather in Berlin, protests are to held in solidarity with Iranian anti-government demonstrators who are currently facing the threat of a brutal crackdown.
You can read more on these and other stories in DW’s Germany news blog.