Germany's foreign intelligence service is to be given far more scope for taking decisive action in threatening situations under plans of the office of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to media reports on Thursday. The proposals would allow sabotage operations to weaken hostile forces, according to public broadcasters WDR and NDR as well as the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, citing a new draft law on the country's Federal Intelligence Service BND.

While space is often referred to as a vacuum, it isn't completely empty.

Moscow has labelled Germany's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) an "undesirable organization," effectively banning its activities in the country. The move follows a recommendation by the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, DW reported on Sunday.