Bild: SPD wants inheritance cap for everyone! / SPD will Erb-Deckel für alle!
FAZ: Israel’s army massively expands attacks on Gaza City / Israels Armee weitet Angriffe auf Gaza-Stadt massiv aus
Funke: Refugee costs: Berlin pays more than 20 million euros per month / Flüchtlingskosten: Berlin zahlt pro Monat mehr als 20 Millionen Euro
Handelsblatt: Audi’s billion-euro problem / Audis Milliardenproblem
RND: The reversal of freedom of speech: How Trump and Europe’s right-wing co-opt the term / Die Umkehr der Meinungsfreiheit: Wie Trump und Europas Rechte den Begriff für sich kapern
SZ: Israel’s army advances into Gaza City / Israels Armee rückt in Gaza-Stadt vor
Tagesspiegel: New threats from Moscow against the West: Russia sees itself at war with NATO / Neue Drohungen aus Moskau gegen den Westen: Russland sieht sich im Krieg mit der Nato
taz: Thomas Krüger: „I’m rather less worried about the young generation“ / Thomas Krüger: “Um die junge Generation mache ich mir eher weniger Sorgen”
Welt: Israel launches „new phase“ of Gaza war / Israel startet “neue Phase” des Gaza-Krieges
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil defends 2025 budget: In the final debate on the budget for the current year, Klingbeil said he especially wants to direct funds into infrastructure, digitalization, and innovation. The budget foresees spending of around 502 billion euros. New borrowing is expected to total almost 82 billion euros. In addition, there will be new debts outside the conventional budget for the armed forces as well as for investments in infrastructure and climate neutrality. On Thursday, the Bundestag is set to pass the budget law. After that, deliberations on the 2026 budget will begin. sueddeutsche.de, zdfheute.de, faz.net, tagesschau.de
- SPD budget politician Thorsten Rudolph defended the additional debt, saying the federal government is investing to enable growth, security, and prosperity. CDU/CSU parliamentary group deputy Mathias Middelberg spoke of a „huge boost for new growth.“
- Speakers from the opposition criticized that funds for investments could be misused; moreover, despite a new record debt, little money is actually reaching the people. Left Party budget spokeswoman Ines Schwerdtner accused the government of „flooding public discourse with lies and pretending that the poorest are the problem for this budget.“ handelsblatt.com
EU Commission approves Germany’s budget plans: The budgets planned for the years 2025 to 2031 are in line with the EU’s budget guidelines. It is expected, however, that Germany will at times breach the rules on new borrowing in the coming years. Essentially, though, the Finance Ministry’s plans comply with the rules and also make economic sense. In addition, Germany may use a special rule for its defense spending. This means the federal government does not have to fear an EU procedure if more debt is incurred for armaments spending than normally allowed. tageblatt.de</a
Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza City could last several months: Israel has begun its announced ground offensive on Gaza City and is advancing from three sides toward the city center. The goal is to take control of the city and destroy the infrastructure of the Hamas terrorist organization. Beneath the streets lies a tunnel network connecting command centers and weapons depots, Israel’s military said; everything was deliberately hidden under residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. This could last several months. Israel’s army again called on all residents to move to the south of the Gaza Strip. Heavy attacks on the city had previously been reported. n-tv.de
- Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul appealed to Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and a hostage deal; the capture of Gaza City was „the wrong path.“
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas sharply criticized the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza City, saying the action would worsen an already desperate situation. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had also repeatedly criticized Israel’s actions in recent days. tagesschau.de
- The EU Commission wants to propose sanctions against Israel on Wednesday to pressure the government into changing course. Whether EU countries will support this remains unclear
- UN commission sees four out of five criteria for genocide in the Gaza Strip as met. Specifically: killings, causing serious physical or mental harm, deliberately creating living conditions aimed at the destruction of the population in whole or in part, and measures to prevent births. From official statements and patterns of behavior, it follows that acts of genocide are being carried out deliberately. handelsblatt.com
Hamas blames Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the fate of the hostages: Hamas consistently refers to the hostages abducted from Israel, many of them civilians, as „prisoners.“ The U.S. government also bears „direct responsibility for the escalation of the brutal war of annihilation in the Gaza Strip,“ a Hamas statement said; the U.S. is supporting a „policy of deception aimed at covering up the war crimes of the occupying power, which the world has witnessed for almost two years.“ Hamas is said to have moved several hostages previously held in tunnels into tents and houses to prevent Israeli army operations in certain areas.
- Benjamin Netanyahu strongly warned Hamas not to harm the hostages abducted from Israel. If the captors harm the hostages, Israel will hunt them down for the rest of their lives, Netanyahu threatened.
- U.S. President Donald Trump warned Hamas that it would pay dearly if it used hostages as human shields. The extremist organization would be in „big trouble“ if it did so.
Egypt calls Israel an „enemy“: For the first time in decades, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi publicly referred to Israel as an „enemy.“ In a speech at the Arab-Islamic summit in Qatar, al-Sisi stressed: „The enemy“ must recognize that the countries of the region are united in their position toward Israel. The summit sharply condemned Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
Houthi rocket triggers alarm in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv: Earlier, Israeli forces had attacked the Yemeni port city of Hudaida from the air. The targets were militia infrastructure facilities in the port, the army said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reports another invitation to the White House: U.S. President Donald Trump asked him to visit Washington on September 29, after his speech at the UN General Debate. It would already be his fourth White House visit since Trump took office in January. Several European countries and Canada have announced they will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Debate. The U.S. and Israel reject this.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to attend Palestine Conference in New York: The conference on recognizing Palestine as an independent state is being organized, among others, by France and will take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 22. Wadephul announced his participation during a meeting with his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard in Berlin, as a reaction to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Wadephul emphasized at the same time: „We maintain the position that a Palestinian state is not to be recognized now, but that a two-state solution must be possible.“
UKRAINE
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promises U.S. President Donald Trump a faster phase-out of Russian oil and gas: The EU wants to increase economic pressure on Russia. After a phone call with Trump, von der Leyen announced that the Commission would propose an accelerated exit from imports of gas and oil from Russia. zeit.de, focus.de, rnd.de
- EU talks on new Russia sanctions postponed. The issue was removed from Wednesday’s agenda of the EU ambassadors’ meeting at short notice, diplomats in Brussels said. No new date has been set.
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Donald Trump in a Sky News interview for a „clear position“ on a sanctions package against Russia and for security guarantees for Ukraine; the only way to end the fighting, he said, is the introduction of clearly defined security guarantees.
- The U.S. government under Donald Trump has, according to Reuters, for the first time approved new arms deliveries for Ukraine. NATO states are financing the weapons from U.S. stockpiles; Trump had insisted on this.
- Russia aims for new talks with the U.S. in the fall, said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, according to the Tass news agency.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sees no momentum for a quick end to the Ukraine war following last month’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
ntv trend barometer by Forsa: CDU/CSU 25 percent, AfD 25 percent (-1), SPD 14 percent, Greens 12 percent (+1), Left Party 11 percent (-1), BSW 4 percent (+1), FDP 3 percent, Others 6 percent.n-tv.de
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rejects renewed reparation demands during Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s visit: This issue is „legally settled from Germany’s perspective,“ Steinmeier declared. The shared concern, however, remains the promotion of remembrance and commemoration. Ahead of his visit to Berlin, Nawrocki had reaffirmed the demand for German reparations for the damage his country suffered in World War II. Nawrocki was received with military honors by Steinmeier. He then held talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who assured the EU neighbor and NATO partner of Germany’s solidarity in protecting against threats from Russia.spiegel.de, n-tv.de
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda says construction of military infrastructure for Bundeswehr brigade in the Baltics is on track: „We are fulfilling our obligations to our allies and are ready to complete the work on time and welcome our German brigade,“ Nausėda said during a site visit in Rudninkai. The brigade is to be operational by 2027, with a permanent presence of up to 5,000 soldiers. watson.ch
Pharmacies to offer more services, says Health Minister Nina Warken: This could also ease the burden on doctors’ offices, Warken explained at the German Pharmacy Day; the potential of pharmacies should be strengthened and better utilized for healthcare. The plan is for pharmacies to be allowed to offer early detection tests for cardiovascular diseases. In addition to flu vaccinations, all inactivated vaccines, such as those against tetanus, diphtheria, or whooping cough, should be made available. Warken also wants pharmacies to dispense certain prescription-only medicines without a doctor’s order, for example, to chronically ill patients in urgent need or with long-term treatment. The increase in pharmacy remuneration promised in the coalition agreement will not be implemented this year, Warken said. heise.de, n-tv.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks trust for economic reforms: „We know that we have to solve problems from the political center of our country,“ Merz said at the Mechanical Engineering Summit in Berlin. He appealed to the engineering association to critically monitor the government, but also to show the necessary confidence. The black-red coalition wants to make Germany a competitive location again. Merz promised to cut regulations. VDMA President Bertram Kawlath had urged the government to act with strong words. Among the key steps, Kawlath named fewer regulations and faster approval procedures. zdfheute.de
Municipalities demand relief on social and care costs: German Association of Cities president Burkhard Jung said after a presidium meeting in Potsdam that municipalities no longer had time for „baby steps.“ Cost drivers include citizens’ income, childcare, youth welfare, integration assistance for people with disabilities, and subsidies for care costs. Such responsibilities should not rest solely with municipalities, especially when federal and state governments have created legal entitlements and then left local authorities to shoulder rising costs. The association also called for nationwide digitization and centralization of uniform administrative tasks without discretionary leeway, such as vehicle registrations and applications for housing benefits, parental allowance, and student grants. spiegel.de
Journalists track down fugitive Wirecard manager Jan Marsalek in Moscow: The 45-year-old is reportedly working there for the Russian intelligence service, according to ZDF and Spiegel; unnamed sources in the Russian capital confirmed this. Marsalek uses several false identities. The media published several photos of the Austrian-born man in Moscow. Marsalek has been on the run since the insolvency of payment company Wirecard in 2020 and is internationally wanted. zdfheute.de, spiegel.de, sueddeutsche.de
Deutschlanticket ticket could cost 64 euros next year. The price of the Deutschlandticket could rise again in 2025 to 62–64 euros per month (currently 58 euros). Federal and state governments are negotiating how to cover billions in additional costs for transport companies beyond the 3 billion euros already budgeted annually. A long-term financing mechanism is still unresolved. rnd.de
Commission on tenancy law begins work. A new expert commission on tenancy law, appointed by Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD), has begun work. It will examine how to better tackle excessive rents, including possible fines for violations of the rent cap. The commission, made up of landlords’ and tenants’ groups, academics, and legal experts, is to deliver proposals by 2026. Critics from the opposition call the process too slow, demanding quicker political action. taz.de
More News
- Active pension to start in January 2025, says Chancellor Friedrich Merz; pensioners can earn up to 2,000 euros tax-free per month. spiegel.de
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants to continue expanding renewable energies.n-tv.de
- Fight against food waste: SPD announces new attempt to abolish the best-before date. tagesspiegel.de
Raids in three federal states against suspected right-wing extremists: During house searches, investigators found numerous pistols and rifles, though not subject to the War Weapons Control Act. They also discovered ammunition, cash, and items suitable as explosives, the Celle prosecutor general’s office said. With support from special forces, police searched 14 properties in Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. spiegel.de
Other News:
- Berlin: Black-red coalition far from majority; SPD only fifth place. tagesspiegel.de
- Baden-Württemberg: Life sentence in Mannheim police murder trial. zdfheute.de
- Saxony-Anhalt: State government and municipalities agree on distribution of special infrastructure funds. mdr.de
- Baden-Württemberg: Interior Minister Thomas Strobl warns of left-wing extremist terror. welt.de
- Berlin: Governing Mayor Kai Wegner favors exceptions to BER night flight ban. inforadio.de
- Brandenburg: Online harassment to be addressed in schools. heise.de
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Number of EHEC cases in the northeast rises sharply. n-tv.de
- Berlin: Construction begins on a center for gene and cell therapy. rbb-online.de
- Baden-Württemberg: Science Minister Petra Olschowski wants to attract international researchers to Germany.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Teacher on sick leave for five years holds two school leadership posts. . welt.de
- Berlin: Bailiffs to be equipped with protective vests. morgenpost.de
Europe: EU states agree on a return scheme for Ukrainians — they may visit Ukraine without losing protection status; voluntary return programs and integration options are also planned, though the deal is non-binding. Over 4.3 million Ukrainians have fled to the EU since 2022, most of them to Germany.n-tv.de
EU opens *accession talks with Albania* in five of six reform clusters; PM Rama hopes for EU entry by 2030, though rule of law remains a concern. n-tv.de
USA: Suspected Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson charged with murder in Utah — prosecutors seek the death penalty. Kirk, who had supported Trump, was shot last week. zeit.de, zdfheute.de, rnd.de, handelsblatt.com
Donald Trump sues the *New York Times* for \$15 billion, threatens journalists with prosecution, delays TikTok ban deadline, and rails against social housing in luxury areas. (t-online.de, spiegel.de, zeit.de, n-tv.de)
Latin America: Colombia’s special court convicts ex-FARC leaders of war crimes; they must help locate victims. President Petro rejects U.S. criticism over drug fight. n-tv.de
Brazil’s ex-president *Jair Bolsonaro* hospitalized for health problems. spiegel.de
Economy & Society: Germans are becoming less tolerant: 45% now see diversity as enrichment (2019: 63%), with most rejection based on ethnicity, religion (especially Muslims), poverty, and sexual orientation. spiegel.de
Germany drops out of the global top 10 innovative countries, ranking 11th in 2025 (after 8th in 2023). spiegel.de
Other business news:
Millions of households cannot pay energy bills on time zdfheute.de·
One in three firms uses AI heise.de ·
Indian group Jindal wants Thyssenkrupp’s steel unit tagesschau.de ·
Ford cuts 1,000 more jobs in Cologne handelsblatt.com ·
Former Eon CEO Johannes Teyssen to chair Lufthansa’s supervisory board welt.de
Did you know that at Oktoberfest, there’s a strict „no music before noon“ rule for brass bands in the big tents? In the mornings, they’re only allowed to play traditional Bavarian marches and folk tunes, keeping the atmosphere gemütlich. It’s not until after midday that they switch to the rowdy sing-along hits (think Schlager and pop classics) that get everyone dancing on the benches. So if you want a calmer, more authentic vibe, go early—before the „Ein Prosit“ marathons begin!