german intelligence agency

Billionaire Peter Thiel believes The Giving Pledge, a philanthropic initiative by Bill and Melinda French Gates, has lost its appeal. He has reportedly urged signatories to reconsider their commitment, with some expressing regret. Thiel also advised Elon Musk against signing, fearing his wealth might fund 'left-leaning nonprofits' chosen by Gates.

Germany is exploring controversial defence research creating bioelectronic insects for surveillance. A startup, SWARM Biotactics, is developing prototypes combining living insects with electronic components and AI. These insect-based systems aim to gather intelligence in difficult environments where drones struggle. This innovation highlights a move towards stealthier and more adaptable military technologies.

Germany's far-right AfD party said on Monday it was suing the domestic intelligence agency for labelling it a "right-wing extremist" party, a designation that sparked a row between Berlin and Washington. The BfV said on Friday it considered the AfD a "confirmed" right-wing extremist group, citing the "xenophobic, anti-minority, Islamophobic and anti-Muslim statements made by leading party officials".

During a livestreamed chat, Elon Musk and Alice Weidel made controversial claims about Hitler being a communist, despite his documented anti-communist stance. The discussion, tied to free speech and media control, raised concerns among German intelligence agencies monitoring the AfD's rise in the polls ahead of the snap election.

Germany's two main intelligence services used a special surveillance programme of the US to collect vast amounts of communications data, even as the government continued to deny prior knowledge of such operations, a report claimed today.

A German court convicted a Russian man of espionage and gave him a one-year suspended sentence on Wednesday in a case in which he was accused of passing information about European rockets to Russian intelligence. The defendant, who has been identified only as Ilnur N. in line with German privacy rules, worked as a research assistant for a science and technology professor at the University of Augsburg until his arrest in June.

Germany's intelligence agency, BfV, has classified the AfD as an extremist group, enabling closer monitoring due to its anti-immigration stance and controversial rhetoric. The decision follows accusations that the AfD undermines democratic institutions by targeting minority groups with xenophobic and Islamophobic remarks. Despite this, the AfD has gained popularity, securing over 20% of the vote in recent elections.

President Trump has ordered the US Navy to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if needed and directed a federal agency to offer political risk insurance for maritime trade in the Gulf. This immediate action aims to guarantee the uninterrupted global energy supply amidst escalating Middle East tensions.

The Pune blast has exposed the need to quicken both top-end intelligence operations as well as stem the rot seeping through the first line of defence represented by the beat constabulary and the local police station.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a "confirmed right-wing extremist" movement, leading to immediate repercussions. Several federal states are now evaluating the compatibility of AfD membership with civil service roles. The AfD, which became the second-strongest political force in Germany in 2025, faces setbacks in its efforts to gain mainstream acceptance.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency's designation of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a suspected case of extremism was upheld by a court ruling in Muenster, rejecting an appeal from the party. The court decision supports the BfV intelligence agency's classification, which the AfD strongly opposes. The AfD, a party that has shifted towards the right since its formation in 2013, may still pursue further appeals at a federal court.

Sunday morning's reports about the capture of a former Nazi official on the Karnataka-Goa border have stunned even the authorities of both states.

The complaint against the foreign intelligence service, the BND, came after a law was changed allowing the agency, starting in 2017, to collect and evaluate communications from foreigners abroad without having to provide legal justification.

US intelligence spied on former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder from 2002, NDR television has reported, adding fuel to the flames of a row over spying on incumbent Angela Merkel.

US President Barack Obama has called up the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, to discuss with the latter's concerns over the alleged surveillance activities of National Security Agency of the United States.