Bild: Trigema legend Wolfgang Grupp (83) speaks from clinic: „I tried to end my life“ / Trigema-Legende Wolfgang Grupp (83) meldet sich aus Klinik: „Ich habe versucht, mein Leben zu beenden“
FAZ: Berlin and London sign friendship treaty / Berlin und London unterzeichnen Freundschaftsvertrag
Funke: Berlin hospitals and clinics are prepared for crisis / Berlins Krankenhäuser und Kliniken bereiten sich auf Krisenfall vor
Handelsblatt: Why AI often seems so dumb to us / Warum uns KI oft so dumm vorkommt
RND: How Trump is putting pressure on the Fed chief / Wie Trump dem Notenbank-Chef aufs Dach steigt
SZ: 30 pages for the future / 30 Seiten für die Zukunft
Tagesspiegel: Crises, wars, uncertainty: birth rate at historic low—Berlin at the bottom / Krisen, Kriege, Verunsicherung: Geburtenrate niedrig wie lange nicht—Berlin Schlusslicht
taz: No work, should not get housing/ Wer nicht arbeitet, soll auch nicht wohnen
Welt: Drones becoming key economic factor for Ukraine / Drohnen werden für Ukraine wichtiger Wirtschaftsfaktor
Catholic church in Gaza hit by Israeli shell: Three people were killed, and around ten others injured, including the parish priest. An Israeli military spokesperson said that, according to initial investigations, parts of a shell accidentally hit the church. Israel expressed regret, stating that the country remains committed to the protection of holy sites and civilians, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Palestinian sources, refugees were sheltering in the church building. spiegel.de
Slovenia imposes sanctions on Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich: Both had called for serious human rights violations and violence against Palestinians, said Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon. The two right-wing politicians are now banned from entering Slovenia. If the situation in Gaza does not improve, Slovenia is considering further sanctions. n-tv.de
Slovakia announces approval of new Russia sanctions: Prime Minister Robert Fico stated his country will no longer block the 18th sanctions package against Russia. The exact conditions for the approval are not yet known. The recent sticking point was the EU Commission’s plan to phase out imports of Russian gas by January 2028. Slovakia, which primarily obtains its gas from the Russian company Gazprom, has demanded compensation or an exemption. spiegel.de, zeit.de, zdfheute.de
New Ukrainian government leadership to boost arms production: Parliament elected former Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the new Prime Minister. It is the first change in this position in five years. The new Defense Minister will be outgoing Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects the new government to significantly increase the share of domestically produced weapons on the battlefield. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha remains in office. Zelensky nominated former Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna as the new ambassador to the U.S. Former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was also considered for the ambassador role; his future remains unclear. faz.net, zdfheute.de
Merz expects delivery of the Patriot missile system soon. When the systems will be operational is a matter of days or weeks. Merz expressed confidence that an agreement with the U.S. on the delivery of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine can be reached soon. Defense ministers are currently negotiating the technical details. spiegel.de, n-tv.de
Germany and the United Kingdom sign friendship treaty: The agreement aims to deepen cooperation in defense and economic policy, the containment of irregular migration, and the fight against cross-border crime. It also includes practical travel facilitation such as visa-free class trips for student groups and a direct rail connection between the two countries. The agreement was largely negotiated under the previous government. Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it a historic day for German-British relations. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the treaty would bring the two countries closer than ever before. zeit.de, sueddeutsche.de, faz.net, zdfheute.de
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants to strengthen cooperation with Africa: Germany has neglected its relations with the Global South for too long while Russia and China have expanded their influence, Klingbeil said at the start of the G20 meeting in Durban, South Africa. He announced an initial €10 million contribution to the World Bank to support private investments in Africa. faz.net, tagesschau.de
Union and SPD against Bundestag special session during summer recess to elect new constitutional judges: There is no urgency, stated CDU parliamentary manager Steffen Bilger and SPD’s Dirk Wiese in a letter to the Greens. While the goal remains to fill the three Federal Constitutional Court positions soon, the required majority is challenging. The coalition wants to carefully prepare a new date for the elections. web.de, faz.net, n-tv.de
- The SPD continues fully to support jurist Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf as their candidate for the Federal Constitutional Court, said Secretary General Tim Klüssendorf.
- CSU leader Markus Söder no longer expects Brosius-Gersdorf to be elected. He said he understands and considers it acceptable that the SPD „for now“ continues to stand by her. He believes Union and SPD could still reach an agreement. n-tv.de
- Green Party chairman Felix Banaszak accuses the Union of using tactics. He said the Union’s calculation is that Brosius-Gersdorf will be so strongly attacked that she will eventually withdraw.n-tv.de
CDU leader Markus Söder praises cooperation with SPD leader Lars Klingbeil: Despite disputes over the postponed judicial vote, Söder emphasized good relations within the black-red coalition. „We can talk well about football. And he has worked very reliably,“ said Söder about Klingbeil. „Overall, he is doing a good job.“ He found it „unfair“ that Klingbeil was criticized over the delayed reduction of the electricity tax — this was „a joint decision.“ stern.de
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier highlights the importance of free and responsible journalism: Such journalism enables people to become politically informed, engage in debates, and make democratic decisions, said Steinmeier at the 80th anniversary of the Süddeutsche Zeitung. In times of crisis, change, war, and disinformation, many people have a strong need for orientation. n-tv.de
Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer warns against U.S. monopolies in digital platforms and streaming services: Media monopolies of American origin are effectively forming in Germany, Weimer told the Rheinische Post. The domestic system is not only under pressure but in existential danger. Concerned about the threat to media diversity, he invited representatives of streaming providers to the Chancellery next week. Weimer also said there are considerations to require companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Disney to invest in German film production. faz.net
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius relies on voluntariness for military service: During a troop visit in Rhineland-Palatinate, he announced a „modern and contemporary military service“ that meets young people where they are. The service must be meaningful and financially attractive. Regarding the planned law for the new military service, Pistorius rejected an automatic conscription model. He relies on voluntariness. welt.de
More news:
- Environment Minister Carsten Schneider rejects subsidies for new nuclear power plants from the proposed EU budget; Europe needs more investment in climate protection, natural foundations of life, and future technologies.
- Federal states and environmental organizations criticize EU Commission plans for agricultural subsidies.
- Economy Minister Katherina Reiche wants to subject the energy transition to a „reality check.“n-tv.de
- Union warns: Border controls are tying up police officers needed for escorting fan groups. rnd.de
- Greens question the „emergency“ justification for border controls. welt.de
- Brandenburg: Pledge to support Israel, required during German naturalization. rbb24.de
- Bavaria: Climate report to be abolished as part of bureaucratic streamlining. faz.net
- Brandenburg: Interior Minister Rene Wilke attacks AfD. rbb24.de
- Hesse: Municipalities drastically increase property tax. faz.net
- Schleswig-Holstein: FDP escalates dispute over Northvolt project. ndr.de
Criticism of the proposed EU budget. spiegel.de, faz.net, tagesschau.de
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for a €2 trillion EU joint budget. He especially dismissed the proposed EU-level taxation of businesses.
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said many of the proposals do not have Germany’s support. He opposed the introduction of an EU tax on large companies, calling it the wrong signal in its current form.
- Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen described the proposed budget as too high.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called it an unfair proposal.
- EU Parliament negotiator Siegfried Muresan, on the other hand, considers the budget too small. New priorities require appropriate new resources. n-tv.de
More news:
- Number of asylum applications in the EU has continued to fall since April. n-tv.de
- Used cars: EU wants vehicle inspection requirement for online sales. vol.at
- EU directive: Fixed plastic bottle caps cause controversy. rnd.de
- Tax dispute with EU: Apple has paid the Irish government. heise.de
Greece plans tougher migration policy: People residing illegally in the country who refuse to leave voluntarily are to face at least three years in prison. A draft law aims to tighten measures against irregular migration. According to the Ministry of Migration, this is an important step toward restoring balance between the protection of human rights and the safeguarding of legal order, social cohesion, and national security. derstandard.at
More Europe news:
United Kingdom: Voting age to be lowered to 16 for all elections. faz.net
Netherlands: Knife attack at school concert; teacher seriously injured, three suspects arrested. rnd.de
Switzerland: Delivery of Patriot systems delayed; Ukraine given priority.sarganserlaender.ch
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Shutdown of Al Jazeera Balkans shocks media industry. dw.com
Luxembourg: Retirement age to be raised further.lessentiel.lu
Belgium: Tomorrowland Festival goes ahead despite burned-down main stage. stuttgarter-zeitung.de
US President Donald Trump is suffering from chronic venous insufficiency: This vein condition in the legs primarily affects older people. The president noticed „mild swelling“ in the lower part of his legs, said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. „The president remains in excellent health, as you all witness every day.“ The condition is not life-threatening and mostly occurs in people over the age of 70.n-tv.de, handelsblatt.com
- Federal Court of Justice sets strict limits on Payback points for medical products.stern.de
- Entrepreneur Wolfgang Grupp publicly shares suicide attempt due to age-related depression and urges others to seek help.n-tv.de
- Lieferando cuts around 2,000 delivery driver jobs in Germany; will rely more on subcontractors in the future. handelsblatt.com
- Number of bank branches in Germany continues to decline. tagesspiegel.de
- Fruit prices could rise due to weather-related crop failures. stern.de
- TikTok employees protest against potential layoffs in content moderation department.faz.net
- Austrian extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner dies in paragliding accident. n-tv.de
- “That’s enough, Mr. Frank!”: Huge row between the Archdiocese of Cologne and the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger – : The Archdiocese of Cologne has criticized the reporting of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger on Cardinal Woelki, particularly by chief correspondent Joachim Frank. kress.de
- Angela Merkel: After separating from her first husband, she occupied an apartment gala.de
- Latest DNA figures from Agma: Many major online news brands lost significant reach in June meedia.de
- More bad news for publishers: Google Discover now also summarises news using AI kress.de
- This is the new dual leadership of the Fuldaer Zeitung—Bernd Loskant and Tobias Farnung are taking over as editors-in-chief of the Fuldaer Zeitung. Longtime No. 1 Michael Tillmann is leaving the paper. kress.de
- Parookaville electronic music festival reviews safety concept – prompted by fire on main stage at Tomorrowland festival in Belgium two days before it was due to start – no changes wdr.de
- Literature: Hape Kerkeling receives honorary Bavarian Book Prize ksta.de
- Freedom of art in the theater: Nothing to see – The Osnabrück Theater is rehearsing a play about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. And even before the premiere, the director has been fired. zeit.de
- Opera spectacle: Tickets still available for the Bayreuth Festival ksta.de
More from Culture, Media and People
- Prince Harry: Following in Diana’s footsteps in Angola – he also ran through a minefield wearing a safety vest n-tv.de
- Comedian in relationship with model Elsie Hewitt: Pete Davidson to become a father for the first time n-tv.de
- Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell sues sheriff over beach access – he owns a house in Florida with beach access, but alleged “intruders” are not respecting this.spiegel.de
- Star from ”Love Actually“: Actress Joanna Bacon succumbs to cancer n-tv.de
- Bruce Springsteen: Most successful tour of his career waz.de
Frauenalia is a social enterprise dedicated to boosting diversity and equal opportunities in German society and business. With a team of international experts, they help international professionals find fulfilling work as employees, entrepreneurs, or through career changes. Their mission is to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can access professional environments that match their unique skills and ambitions. Frauenalia empowers women from all backgrounds through entrepreneurship, career programs, and networking, fostering creativity and economic growth. Their initiatives not only support individuals but also strengthen the fabric of German business and culture.
- Association boss – “We will deliver more”: DFL concerned about youth football – shortly before the start of the World Cup, criticism in an open letter that Russian starters are being recognized more easily as “neutral athletes.” sportschau.de
- “Women’s soccer is unstoppable” – More spectators, more goals, more excitement: The Women’s European Championship is breaking records. faz.net
- DFB Cup controversy: Mainz takes match scheduling to federal court – Conference League playoffs to follow shortly thereafter sport.de
- Tennis: Eugenie Bouchard plays one last tournament and then retires spiegel.de
- Admission of “neutral athletes”: Russia – fencers put pressure on world federation ahead of World Championships sportschau.de
- Competition in La Coruña: German show jumpers on course for medals at European Championships sportschau.de
We are now officially in der politische Sommerpause — the annual summer recess in German politics. From mid-July to early September, parliamentary sessions take a break, major legislative decisions are put on hold, and much of the political machinery slows down. While urgent issues can still be handled, most parties and institutions use this time to step back, regroup, and prepare for the intense months ahead. In the meantime, expect lighter headlines, behind-the-scenes negotiations — and the occasional political surprise.