Bild: Girls, you’re amazing! / Mädels, ihr seid der Wahnsinn!
FAZ: Klingbeil wants to nominate Brosius-Gersdorf again / Klingbeil will Brosius-Gersdorf wieder zur Wahl stellen
Funke Mediengruppe: Customers and staff fear for the future of Galeria at Alexanderplatz / Kunden und Beschäftigte bangen um Zukunft von Galeria am Alex
Handelsblatt: „On the brink of a global economic crisis“ / „Am Rand einer Weltwirtschaftskrise“
RND: From friend to foe: Trump’s hardline battle against Murdoch / Vom Freund zum Feind: Trumps rigoroser Kampf gegen Murdoch
Süddeutsche Zeitung: Coalition struggles over AfD ban proceedings / Koalition ringt um AfD-Verbotsverfahren
Tagesspiegel: CDU plans „Autumn of Reforms“: Linnemann wants to stop citizen’s benefit abuse / CDU plant „Herbst der Reformen“: Linnemann will Missbrauch von Bürgergeld beenden
taz: The hand of the goddess / Die Hand Göttins
Welt: Klingbeil calls for reform of debt rules – Union blocks / Klingbeil fordert Reform der Schuldenregeln – Union bremst
Israeli military declares large parts of Gaza City a combat zone: The army announced that staying in these areas of the Gaza Strip is forbidden and that it will respond with „extreme violence.“ The warning is directed at all Palestinians who have returned or plan to return there. Such evacuation orders are not uncommon, but in this case, they cover an unusually large area, including parts of Gaza City and the northern border region with Israel. Gaza City is considered largely destroyed by the war. tagesschau.de
Germany pledges support for Gaza reconstruction: During a visit to Egypt, Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan said that Germany will contribute to rebuilding Gaza after a possible end to the war. Her ministry could help improve water and energy supplies or create temporary housing. rnd.de
Israeli army chief sees growing possibility of ceasefire and hostage deal: Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said that a ceasefire and an agreement for the release of hostages are increasingly likely. nordbayern.de
Nationwide protests in Israel against the Gaza war: Thousands of people in Tel Aviv and other cities demonstrated for the release of all hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas. In Tel Aviv, the main protest march led from so-called Hostage Square in the city center to a U.S. embassy branch office. tagesschau.de
Russia says it is open to peace talks but insists on achieving its own goals: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the offer of talks from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky represents a long and difficult process. Russia still aims to achieve its own objectives. Zelensky had announced in a video message that the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, had offered Moscow a meeting. Everything must be done to achieve a ceasefire. Zelensky also expressed willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin personally. tagesschau.de, n-tv.de
Ukrainian drones disrupt air traffic in Moscow: Russia’s aviation authority reported disruptions at the capital’s four airports—Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky. Due to the drone threat, takeoffs and landings were temporarily suspended, and incoming flights were rerouted.
BamS Sunday trend by Insa: CDU/CSU at 27 percent (-1), AfD at 24 percent, SPD at 15 percent, Greens at 11 percent, Left Party at 11 percent, BSW at 5 percent (+1), FDP at 3 percent, others at 4 percent. bild.de
Commemoration of the July 20, 1944 resistance: On the anniversary of the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler 81 years ago, the government remembered the resistance against the Nazi regime. On July 20, 1944, Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg carried out an attempt on Hitler’s life. He and his co-conspirators tried to kill Hitler at the Führer’s headquarters Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia with a bomb, to overthrow the Nazi regime and end World War II. zdfheute.de
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said at the Berlin-Plötzensee Memorial that remembrance is not a „routine ceremony.“ It’s about the responsibility today to ensure that „such monstrous horror never again comes from Germany.“ More than 2,800 people were murdered at the former Plötzensee prison under the Nazi dictatorship.
- Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner said at the main event that the resistance fighters showed the world 81 years ago that there was another Germany. Their values continue to live on in Germany’s democratic constitution.
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said at a swearing-in ceremony for around 250 Bundeswehr recruits at the Bendlerblock that July 20, 1944, has become a symbol of justice and conscience, and of a better Germany. Stauffenberg and three others were executed at the Bendlerblock after the failed coup attempt.
- Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer honored the families of the resistance fighters. He said that when we talk about resistance, we should not only mention the attackers, but also their families also showed courage. Referring to the present, he warned against confusing civil courage with being loud. True conviction can grow quietly, for example, when people look where others turn away.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil continues to support nominating Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf: Now that the concerns from the CDU/CSU over alleged plagiarism have been cleared, the Bundestag can put the vote back on the agenda, Klingbeil told BamS. For him, it’s a matter of principle — whether one gives in to pressure from right-wing networks that have slandered a highly qualified woman.
Six EU countries want stricter European asylum law: The European system must be hardened and sharpened, said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt after a meeting with his counterparts from France, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, and Denmark. They adopted the „Effectively Reducing Illegal Migration Together“ declaration on the Zugspitze. They want faster asylum procedures and no more triple-checks. The countries call for tighter external border controls, more deportations, and deeper cooperation with third countries. Deportations should routinely include Syria and Afghanistan. br.de, zeit.de
- SPD politician Hakan Demir warns against hasty tightening of migration policy. He says the discussion is premature, as EU-level regulations passed last year won’t take effect until June 2026.
- Overtime for federal police due to border checks has risen by 20 percent in just two months, according to the government’s response to a question from the Left Party. The Police Union criticized the stricter checks as disproportionate; there are now 2.8 million overtime hours compared to just a few hundred rejections.
Deportation flight with 81 passengers to Afghanistan: A Qatar Airways flight departed Leipzig/Halle early Friday morning. On board were Afghan men required to leave Germany, who had previously committed crimes. The UN Human Rights Office criticized the deportation, saying return is not permissible where there is a risk of torture or inhumane treatment—this applies to both asylum seekers and criminals. tagesschau.de
Admission of Afghans with government approval: Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has pledged to admit Afghans waiting in Pakistan into Germany, provided they have a legally binding promise of admission from the previous German government and pose no security risk. He said we cannot undo past mistakes. The programs will be discontinued, and no new approvals will be granted. According to the Foreign Office, around 2,400 Afghans in Pakistan are still waiting for visas. rnd.de, n-tv.de
Judges‘ association calls for stronger protection of prosecutors from political influence: In a time when far-right parties across Europe are testing the judiciary, there must be no openings for misuse of criminal prosecution, said managing director Sven Rebehn. In the wrong hands, political control over criminal investigations would be fatal. In Germany, prosecutors are not independent by law — the interior ministries can issue directives. tagesschau.de
Germany and Romania want to deepen defense cooperation and economic ties: Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Romanian President Nicusor Dan signed an action plan in Berlin. Merz said both countries are working together to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia. They also want to integrate Moldova into the EU and prevent Russian destabilization of the country. stern.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz prepares the public for heavier financial burdens: He said people must know that more effort will be needed for retirement, healthcare, and long-term care — this cannot be funded by the state alone. Society must discuss how future income should be used. He defended the planned reform of citizen’s benefit, saying it was necessary to remove harmful incentives. faz.net
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz also said there is no longer a chance of resolving the trade conflict between the U.S. and EU through tariff exemptions. U.S. President Trump needs the revenue to fund tax cuts.
Speaking at his summer press conference, Merz commented on tensions within the coalition. Disagreements happen in every government, he said — it’s not a crisis, but it could be better. - Green Party leader Franziska Brantner accused the government of deceiving voters and practicing clientelism. She said the CDU is no longer a reliable partner. In a ZDF interview, she criticized the government for having more money than ever but not addressing key issues.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz honor the Central Council of Jews: The council creates space for Jewish life and identity, strengthens the community, and advocates nationally and internationally for its interests, said Steinmeier. Merz said the council reminds us that Germany must be a safe haven for Jews. sueddeutsche.de, zdfheute.de
More News:
- Public health insurer CEO Oliver Blatt sees personal savings as essential. deutschlandfunk.de
- SPD refers to unstable conditions in Syria in response to deportation demands. rnd.de
Nearly 300 cannabis clubs approved in Germany: Due to a legal change by the ample coalition, it has been permitted for one year to grow cannabis collectively and distribute it to club members. Most clubs were approved in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, according to DPA. They are followed by Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg. More than 320 applications are still being processed nationwide. The current coalition has agreed to conduct an open-ended evaluation of the cannabis legalization law this coming autumn.
More News:
- Brandenburg: Suspected Libyan war criminal arrested. faz.net
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Kurds and Syrians brawl at Düsseldorf central station. wdr.de
- Bavaria: AfD lawmaker Ramona Storm appears in court after objecting to a penalty order. zeit.de
- Berlin: Pro-Palestinian protest permitted in front of the Chancellery; camp residents must keep noise levels down in the future. lto.de
- Bavaria: Animal rights activists chain themselves in protest of planned killing of healthy baboons at Nuremberg Zoo.zdfheute.de
- Baden-Württemberg: Stuttgart 21 underground station will go into operation in stages only. spiegel.de
- Baden-Württemberg: For the first time in years, the CDU is not participating in the Stuttgart Pride (CSD) demonstration. stuttgarter-zeitung.de
The global economy faces complex challenges: G20 finance ministers surprisingly agreed on a joint statement but avoided calling tariffs harmful or using the term climate change. The declaration now generally states that the global economy is facing great uncertainty. Reasons cited include wars, trade disputes, high debt, and frequent extreme weather events. It also emphasizes the need to ensure the independence of central banks. tagesschau.de
EU eases visa rules for Turkish citizens: EU Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Ossowski said in Ankara that the new rules aim to reduce bureaucracy and simplify the process for multiple-entry visas. He also called for renewed negotiations on full visa liberalization. Turkey has been an EU accession candidate since 1999, but the talks have been frozen for years due to concerns over human rights and democratic standards. t-online.de
EU Commission denies plans for a combustion engine ban on company cars: After a report about a potential requirement for rental companies to switch to electric cars from 2030, the EU Commission left its next steps open. Industry representatives had called for clearer CO2 standards for corporate fleets. The Commission is currently assessing the implications. No decisions have been made at the Commission or political level. *BamS* reported that the Commission wants a medium-term ban on combustion engines. Rental companies and large firms would only be allowed to purchase electric cars from 2030. Criticism came from the auto industry and the rental company Sixt. The German transport ministry announced it would oppose any such ban. zeit.de, tagesspiegel.de
Thousands protest against migration in Poland: In Warsaw and around 80 other cities, thousands of people demonstrated against accepting migrants. The rallies were organized by the far-right and partially extremist party „Konfederacja.“ In larger cities, there were counter-demonstrations. The group is represented both in Poland’s national parliament and in the EU Parliament. orf.at, tagesschau.de
First refugees arrested in Greece after tightened asylum policy: Around 200 migrants were detained after Greece suspended asylum hearings for people from North Africa. They are not entitled to apply for asylum and will remain in custody until deportation procedures begin, said Migration Minister Athanasios Plevris. Most of the migrants were intercepted south of the island of Crete. taz.de
More News:
Italy: Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini back in court over migration policy. faz.net
Italy: Rome rejects WHO pandemic-related health regulations. faz.net
Liechtenstein: Prime Minister Brigitte Haas explores European integration. watson.ch
The situation in war-torn Suwaida in southern Syria is calming: After days of fighting, the first aid convoys have arrived. The Red Crescent sent 32 trucks with food, medicine, water, fuel, and other goods. According to Syria’s interior ministry, Druze militias expelled Bedouin fighters from the city. The Druze form the majority population there and are a religious community that stems from Shia Islam. The Bedouin tribes belong to Sunni Islam. tagesspiegel.de, zdfheute.de
Iran willing to resume nuclear talks with Germany, France, and the UK: The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reports that discussions with the E3 countries are currently focused on setting a date and location, possibly as soon as this week. Recently, Berlin, Paris, and London had threatened to reinstate strict sanctions if there is no progress on a new nuclear agreement by the end of the summer. rnd.de, n-tv.de, tagesschau.de
U.S. President Donald Trump sues *Wall Street Journal* for billions in damages: The newspaper had reported on alleged ties between Trump and the now-deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit targets publisher Dow Jones and Company, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and the two journalists who wrote the article. Trump maintains he was not the author of a congratulatory letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday. He calls the article false and defamatory. For each of the two charges, Trump demands at least ten billion dollars in compensation. derstandard.at, rnd.de, handelsblatt.com
- Trump sues Rupert Murdoch over Epstein coverage zeit.de
- Usage figures: 213.85 million monthly visits – ZDF to reach more people with streaming portal by 2024 meedia.de
- AEOS insights on the DFB victory: ZDF attracted an ever-growing audience until midnightdwdl.de
- How the “WAZ” wants to rethink local journalism meedia.de
- Automotive journalism: Print is resilient meedia.de
- “Milestone for financing digital media offerings”: Bild opens test lab kress.de
- HarperCollins makes acquisitions in the manga sector new-business.de
- Halle University of Art rejects accusations of anti-Semitism monopol-magazin.de
- Off into invisibility: How Meta allegedly weeds out politics in art – When they wanted to place ads on Instagram, a Munich theater and a queer gallery in Hamburg were suddenly rejected. The reason: their art is too “political.” sueddeutsche.de
- Country from a test tube – “The Velvet Sundown”: How an AI band is competing with real musicians rnd.de</a
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Mitte Daily is your guide to the new myth of Berlin—where everyday life meets culture, curiosity, and local flair. Launched by Dima Samarin in the midst of 2020, it has since evolved into a trusted source for hyperlocal insights, covering everything from lifestyle and food to the hidden corners of the city. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and become part of a growing community that sees Berlin not just as a place, but as a mindset.
- European Football Championship: After Germany’s victory over France: “Proud of you” – Merz and Steinmeier congratulate the DFB team sport.de
- Press marvels at DFB “heroine”: Berger stuns France with “one of the best saves of all time” n-tv.de
- Fiancé of DFB goalkeeper Berger: Carter and England take a stand against racism kicker.de
- Ekitikés and Rashford’s role: Bayern’s hope lies with Luis Diaz kicker.de
- German volleyball players miss knockout round in Nations League web.de
- Prize money and cruise: Boisson wins tennis tournament at Hamburg’s Rothenbaum sportschau.de
- McIlroy golfs his way into the top group at the British Open sport.de
- World Rally Championship: Solberg extends lead at Rally Estonia sport.de
- Marc Márquez cements his exceptional position in MotoGP sport.de
- World Swimming Championships in Singapore: Wellbrock wins his fourth gold medal in the relay sportschau.de
- European Equestrian Championships in La Coruña: With a record result, show jumper Vogel is European champion sportschau.de
Germans are the world champions of recycling — and it all started with a yellow bin! Germany recycles more than 65% of its waste, making it one of the top recycling nations on Earth. The famous „Gelber Sack“ (yellow bag) or „Gelbe Tonne“ (yellow bin) was introduced in the 1990s as part of the Green Dot system, a pioneering recycling initiative that inspired similar systems across Europe.
The rules can be hilariously complicated — so much so that many expats joke you need a PhD to sort your trash correctly. Glass has its own bins (sorted by color!), compost has its own rules, and paper goes in blue bins — but not if it’s greasy! So yes, in Germany, taking out the trash is practically a civic ritual.