Bild: Boris is going to be a dad / Boris wird Papa
FAZ: SPD unanimously supports preparing proceedings to ban the AfD / SPD einstimmig für Vorbereitung eines AfD-Verbotsverfahrens
Funke: Tougher approach at protests: Police to change strategy in Berlin / Hartes Durchgreifen bei Demos: Polizei soll Strategie in Berlin ändern
Handelsblatt: IBM warns of AI bubble / IBM warnt vor KI-Blase
RND: Special case Svalbard: Where Norway is phasing out coal — and Russia continues / Spezialfall Spitzbergen: Wo Norwegen den Kohleausstieg vollzieht – und Russland einfach weitermacht
SZ: Nuclear deterrence as a provocative issue / Nukleare Abschreckung als Reizthema
Tagesspiegel: „Evidence is overwhelming“ – SPD wants to prepare AfD ban proceedings / „Beweislage erdrückend“ – SPD will Vorbereitung von AfD-Verbotsverfahren
taz: Full Pride page against Orbán / Volle Prideseite gegen Orbán
Welt: In fight against AfD, SPD presents united front / Im Kampf gegen die AfD zeigt sich die SPD geschlossen
SPD begins preparations for proceedings to ban the AfD. At the SPD party congress in Berlin, Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier stated that the AfD is an ethnonationalist, inhumane party whose goal is to eliminate democracy. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil advocated using legal means to combat the AfD, emphasizing that Germany’s constitution provides the necessary tools. The motion describes the AfD as „clearly right-wing extremist.“ The SPD is proposing a federal-state working group to begin gathering evidence for a potential party ban. The Greens and Left Party are also calling for such proceedings. However, CDU and CSU politicians remain skeptical. CDU parliamentary secretary Steffen Bilger told Funke newspapers that the current findings are not sufficient to justify a ban. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner warned against filing a ban request lightly. n-tv.de, tagesschau.de, zdfheute.de
- Olaf Scholz urged his party to keep the core social democratic value of „respect“ at the center. Scholz highlighted legislative progress during his term, including reforms to self-determination and citizenship law, and called on the SPD to protect what has been achieved. zdfheute.de
Israel calls for evacuations in northern Gaza. The Israeli military announced plans to intensify operations against the Hamas terror organization in areas including Jabalia and most districts of Gaza City.br.de
- According to civil defense authorities controlled by Hamas, 35 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since Sunday morning. Eyewitnesses reported 11 additional deaths from an evening strike on a residential building in Jabalia.
US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire in Gaza. Trump recently expressed hope for a new ceasefire. A US official told the AP that Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer will travel to Washington in the coming days for talks on Gaza, Iran, and other issues.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt wants closer cooperation with Israel on cybersecurity. During his visit to Tel Aviv, Dobrindt emphasized that Israel is ahead of Germany in cyber defense and civil protection. He argued that military defense alone is not enough to mark a true shift in Germany’s security posture. Reports say Dobrindt is planning a German-Israeli cyber research center. He also aims to expand cooperation between German and Israeli intelligence and security agencies in the field of cyber defense. Germany, he said, needs a digital shield against espionage, sabotage, and to protect critical infrastructure. n-tv.de
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again calls for stronger air defense support. Following recent Russian air attacks, Zelenskyy posted on X that the Russian government will not stop as long as it can continue large-scale assaults. He stated that in the past week alone, Russia launched about 114 missiles, 1,270 drones, and 1,100 glide bombs.
Russia carried out massive airstrikes on Ukraine over the weekend. An F-16 fighter jet crashed while intercepting attacks, killing the pilot. Air raid sirens sounded across regions far from the front lines, including Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Cherkasy. Explosions were also reported in Kyiv. spiegel.de
BamS Sunday Trend by Insa:
CDU/CSU 28%, AfD 24% (+1), SPD 16%, Greens 11%, Left 9%, BSW 5% (+1), FDP 3% (−1), Others 4%. bild.de
ZDF Politbarometer by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen:
CDU/CSU 29% (+1), AfD 22% (−1), SPD 15%, Greens 12%, Left 10% (−1), BSW 3%, FDP 3%, Others 6%. zdf.de
- Support for increased defense spending:
In favor: 65%, Against: 30%. - Does the USA under Trump still guarantee Europe’s military security?
Yes: 21%, No: 73%. - Reintroduction of conscription: For men only: 17%, For men and women: 35%, Against conscription: 35%.
- Approval of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s work: Rather satisfied: 57%, Rather dissatisfied: 34%.
Union politicians call for expansion of military defense systems. CSU leader Markus Söder told Bild am Sonntag that Germany needs a protective shield with precision weapons, including an arsenal of 100,000 drones and a missile defense system modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome. CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn called for a European nuclear missile defense system, saying in Die Welt that the debate should take place at the European level under German leadership. „Those who cannot deter with nuclear weapons become a plaything of world politics,“ he said. SPD foreign policy spokesman Rolf Mützenich accused Spahn in the Süddeutsche Zeitung of „playing with fire“ by suggesting European — or even German — nuclear weapons. spiegel.de, faz.net
Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for greater defense efforts. During a visit to the Bundeswehr’s Operational Command at Schwielowsee, Merz referenced Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and stressed that Germany’s security should not be taken for granted. He said more must be done to ensure peace and freedom. Merz thanked the soldiers for their service and emphasized the importance of recognizing the value of their work. He also announced plans to visit Bundeswehr sites regularly. n-tv.de, tagesschau.de
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomes the debate on conscription, but warned that it is unfolding too hastily. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, Steinmeier pointed out that the country currently lacks the necessary barracks, instructors, and personnel to support conscripts. He said the priority should first be to expand voluntary military service. At the same time, Steinmeier reaffirmed that modern equipment and a strong military are essential to prevent war through strength. deutschlandfunk.de
Failure to implement climate protection measures could become costly for Germany. According to a study by the Öko-Institut, if the country fails to meet the EU’s climate targets, it will have to purchase emissions allowances from other EU member states. Based on current shortfalls, the resulting costs could amount to up to 33 billion euros by 2030. The transport and building sectors in particular still lack effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. n-tv.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz defends the controversial decision on the electricity tax. He admitted that the reduction is not benefiting consumers as much as hoped, but emphasized that the government also has to keep an eye on the federal budget. The debt will ultimately have to be paid by the next generation, he said, so progress is being made in small steps. According to DPA, the issue will be discussed again in the coalition committee. spiegel.de
- Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner and Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister-President Reiner Haseloff are calling for relief for private households as well. „There is an urgent need for corrections,“ Wegner told the Tagesspiegel. tagesspiegel.de
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig wants to stop landlords from circumventing rent control with furnished apartments. The current rules leave many loopholes, she told *Mediengruppe Bayern*. Some landlords, she said, simply place a table and two chairs in the apartment. The government wants to put an end to this tactic, emphasizing that the level of furnishing makes a real difference. tagesschau.de
- The Bundestag approves the suspension of family reunification for refugees with subsidiary protection status. n-tv.de
- SPD ministers are expected to make budget cuts: The CDU/CSU warns that citizen’s income is getting out of control.n-tv.de
- Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder sees major need for improvement at Deutsche Bahn; trains must become more punctual, cleaner, and safer.zdfheute.de
- Pushbacks: President of the Federal Administrative Court Andreas Korbmacher questions Merz’s asylum policy. handelsblatt.com
- Minimum wage to rise in two stages to €14.60 by January 2027. welt.de
- Future financing of the Deutschlandticket remains uncertain.tagesspiegel.de
German Association of Cities and Municipalities wants to limit non-essential watering during major droughts. Managing Director Andre Berghegger told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung that climate change is becoming apparent through major heatwaves and a lack of rainfall. He emphasized that bans must still be a last resort. Nevertheless, he called on municipalities in dry regions to prepare citizens for restrictions on water use — such as for watering gardens and sports fields. noz.de, t-online.de
Other news from Germany:
- Schleswig-Holstein: Minister-President Daniel Günther sees interested investors for Northvolt battery factory. n-tv.de
- Schleswig-Holstein: €2,500 fine issued for Nazi salute on Sylt to the tune of „L’amour toujours.“stern.de
- Bremen: Bremerhaven Youth Council calls for more full-time staff to support volunteer work. butenunbinnen.de
France requests more time for trade agreement with the U.S. Finance Minister Eric Lombard stated he would prefer a good agreement reached through an extension over a bad one finalized by July 9. He suggested that energy could be part of the deal, noting the possibility of the EU increasing its imports of American natural gas to replace Russian supplies. U.S. President Donald Trump had set the deadline and warned that failure could trigger higher U.S. tariffs on goods ranging from cars to pharmaceuticals.
Other updates:
- G7 countries reach a compromise: U.S. companies will get an exemption from the global minimum tax. tagesschau.de
- China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to meet with EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday. bloomberg.com
- ESA mission “Biomass”: Satellite monitors shrinking forests. zdfheute.de
Tens of thousands attend Pride Parade in Budapest. Following the large turnout, Hungary’s government criticized what it called political interference from the EU. A government spokesperson claimed the opposition was attempting, under Brussels‘ orders, to impose a “woke culture” on the country — mocking its sovereignty. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had earlier urged Hungarian authorities to lift the ban on the LGBTQ parade, so organizers would not fear punishment. According to organizers, around 200,000 people gathered in Budapest to demonstrate for the rights of gay, lesbian, and other sexual minorities. Around 70 members of the European Parliament joined the march. zdfheute.de
Heat warning and nearly 40 degrees: In the coming days, extreme heat is expected across many parts of Germany. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), temperatures could reach up to 39°C on Wednesday. On Monday, highs will be around 35°C in the south, 30°C in the central-north, and 25°C in the north. Tropical nights are also expected, where temperatures won’t drop below 20°C. tagesschau.de
Other economic news:
- Industries with minimum wage agreements warn of a potential wage-price spiral. handelsblatt.com
- Telefónica CEO Markus Haas: “We haven’t made a single euro from fiber optics yet.” heise.de
- New night train operator Nox reaches capacity limits right at launch. wiwo.de
- Aging out: The bone marrow donor registry loses more registered donors every year due to age limits. n-tv.de
- Ingeborg Bachmann Prize awarded to Austrian author Natascha Gangl. tagesschau.de
- Literature competition: Austrian Gangl wins Bachmann Prize. tagesschau.de
- Stage in the bunker – Ukrainians perform theatre underground. n-tv.de
- Family concert with Katja Riemann at JazzBaltica. ndr.de
- Karl May Play 2025: Why „Half-Blood“ is one of the best plays ever staged at Kalkberg. kn-online.de
- Theatre review of Gil Mehmert’s „The Robbers“: A rollercoaster ride of emotions. hna.de
The Germany List is a business portal created by longtime American expats Lindsey Küster and Eleanor Mayrhofer to make life easier for internationals living in Germany. Frustrated by the scattered, time-consuming search for everyday services, they built a centralized platform where immigrants can easily find trusted businesses — from therapists and dog walkers to photographers, coaches, stylists, and specialty foods. Unlike traditional expat services that focus mainly on tax advice and relocation, The Germany List addresses the broader needs of everyday life.
- ‚Not all cups in the cupboard‘ – Hoeneß attacks Matthäus. spiegel.de
- Merciless first half: Paris Saint-Germain shred Messi and Inter Miami at Club World Cup. n-tv.de
- European League of Football: Frankfurt Galaxy also without a chance against Prague. hessenschau.de
- Georg Zimmermann crowns wild race to catch up with German Cycling Championship title. n-tv.de
- F1 world champion Verstappen flies out in turn three in Austria. n-tv.de
Germany is home to the world’s narrowest street: In the town of Reutlingen, Spreuerhofstraße holds the Guinness World Record for the narrowest street in the world — it’s only 31 centimeters (about 12 inches) wide at its narrowest point. Just enough room for one slim person to squeeze through!