Dario Sarmadi | EURACTIV Germany
![A camp in Jordan hosts thousands of Syrian cross-border refugees. Al Mafraq, Jordan 2012 [United Nations Photo/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/08/syria.jpeg)
NGO warns Germany against cuts to Syria aid
The German aid organisation World Vision fears that newly-escalating conflicts threaten to overshadow growing need in Syria, following German government plans to spend less on humanitarian aid in the region. EURACTIV Germany reports.![Demonstrators gather in Berlin to protest heightened Israeli attacks on Gaza. July 2014 [Montecruz Foto/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/07/14641732001-4a5cbe3b53-b.jpeg)
German Gaza protests turn violent, raising anti-Semitism fears
Violence, hate speech, self-immolation: the Middle East conflict has reached Germany, with observers worrying that riots during recent Gaza demonstrations are an expression of deeply rooted anti-Semitism. EURACTIV Germany reports.![German Chancellor Angela Merkel hopes Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger will be assigned the trade portfolio in the new European Commission. [EC]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/07/oetti.jpeg)
Merkel eyes trade portfolio for Oettinger
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pushing for Günther Oettinger to be assigned the trade portfolio in the new European Commission, fuelling optimism in Germany’s economic sector. EURACTIV Germany reports.![Jean-Claude Juncker speaks before the European Parliament before his election to Commission President on Tuesday (15 July). Strasbourg 2014 [EP]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/07/juncker_ep.jpeg)
Berlin optimistic following Juncker victory
Jean-Claude Juncker’s appointment as President of the European Commission ends a month of haggling over the post. But Berlin is divided on the outcome, with Green Party politicians praising a win for democracy, while the Left claims the Parliament voted to “rescue the Spitzenkandidat experiment”. EURACTIV Germany reports.![Jean-Claude Juncker in the European Parliament in Brussels, 8 July 2014 [© European Union 2014 - European Parliament]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/07/juncker_hearings.jpeg)
MEPs flex their muscles ahead of Juncker approval vote
Jean-Claude Juncker began his tour of European Parliament political groups yesterday (8 July) and appears closer than ever to securing a majority. But Juncker's bid for the EU Commission Presidency may still be hanging by a thread as many MEPs are still undecided. EURACTIV Germany reports.![A new textile label marking socially acceptable production standards is a project spearheaded by German Development Minister Gerd Müller. [ILO in Asia and the Pacific]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/07/textilarbeiter.jpeg)
German NGOs and businesses attack social labelling plans
Plans to promote sustainably produced clothing announced by German Development Minister Gerd Müller are under attack. Apparel producers and NGOs consider the approach unrealistic, while the Green Party spoke of deliberate deception. EURACTIV Germany reports.![31 drugs intended to treat cancer were approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) over the past three years. 2011 [Interpharma/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/06/7347518562-5706bf38f1-b.jpeg)
Cancer research at a crossroads in Germany
A new EU regulation is meant to make clinical trials easier and more transparent, a pivotal tool in the fight against deadly diseases like cancer. But researchers in Germany warn that the country may lose its role as a leader in international medicine. EURACTIV Germany reports.![Oxfam protestors demonstrate against land grabbing in Westminster, UK. 2012 [Oxfam International/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/06/8328853431-f8ee6f13e5-b.jpeg)
NGOs blame Berlin for feeding big business land grabs
NGOs in Germany accuse the public development agency DEG of promoting land grabbing in developing and newly industrialised countries and blames the German government for not taking the issue seriously. EURACTIV Germany reports.![Wind park Pattensen/Hiddestorf. [Windwärts Energie GmbH / Mark Mühlhaus/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/06/9930764146-eda45b3bdd-b.jpeg)