Bild: How to defend yourself against the utility cost shock / So wehren Sie sich gegen den Nebenkosten-Schock
FAZ: Merz on military service: Coalition „united in direction“ / Merz zu Wehrdienst: Koalition „in der Zielrichtung einig“
Funke: From this afternoon: 3.2 kilometers more highway in Berlin / Ab heute Nachmittag: 3,2 Kilometer mehr Autobahn in Berlin
Handelsblatt: China expands lead in raw materials / China baut Vorsprung bei Rohstoffen aus
RND: Grenades in mass production: the 155-millimeter bestseller / Granaten in Massenproduktion: Der 155-Millimeter-Bestseller
SZ: Merz criticizes attack on hospital / Merz kritisiert Angriff auf Klinik
Tagesspiegel: „United in direction“ – Merz defends draft law on new military service / „In der Zielrichtung einig“ – Merz verteidigt Gesetzentwurf zum neuen Wehrdienst
taz: Berlin opens memorial for failed Greens / Berlin eröffnet Gedenkstätte für gescheiterte Grüne
Welt: Berlin allows Afghans to enter from Pakistan / Berlin lässt Afghanen aus Pakistan einreisen
Shelling of Nasser Hospital in the Gaza Strip targeted a Hamas camera: troops had identified a camera that „was positioned by Hamas“ to observe their forces, the military said. The incident is still under investigation. At least 20 people were killed in the attack in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday, including five journalists. tagesschau.de
- Israel’s army chief Eyal Zamir expressed regret over civilian casualties. At the same time, he accused Hamas of misusing the hospital for military purposes. Six of the dead were said to be terrorists.
- Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid is urging the right-wing religious government to reach an agreement. Israel still owes a response to the most recent proposal. This reportedly contains 98 percent of the proposal by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
- Protests in Israel: hundreds of thousands put pressure on the government. tagesschau.de
- Egypt increases its military presence along the border with the Gaza Strip. Cairo fears that Israel’s planned capture of Gaza City could trigger a mass exodus of Palestinians and chaos in the border area.
- Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan has pledged further aid for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. Plans include building temporary shelters and repairing water pipes and schools. Alabali Radovan is calling for an immediate ceasefire.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz made clear in a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that Germany, unlike other countries such as Canada or France, will for the time being not recognize a Palestinian state.
- Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar sharply criticized the announcements of several Western countries to recognize Palestine as a state. Israel will not allow such a step, as it would mean an „act of suicide“ for the country.
Israeli raid in Ramallah in the West Bank: the target of the operation was money-changing businesses. Confrontations with residents broke out, with soldiers reportedly using live ammunition and tear gas, eyewitnesses said. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service, around 20 people were injured. n-tv.de
- Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan met, among others, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Mustafa in the West Bank. She sharply condemned the activities of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Unfortunately, „Germany has turned a blind eye in recent years“ regarding settlement construction, said SPD MP Adis Ahmetovic, who accompanied her on the trip.
Lebanon relies on Hezbollah’s voluntary disarmament: the government will present a plan on Sunday to persuade the Iran-backed group to give up its weapons, announced U.S. special envoy Thomas Barrack. At a press conference at the presidential palace in Beirut, Barrack urged journalists present to behave „civilized“; if things became chaotic, he and his team would leave. That is the problem in the region, Barrack added. The presidency later said it regretted the words „that one of his guests accidentally said on his stage today.“ spiegel.de, welt.de
UKRAINE WAR
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging speed on security guarantees: work must be intensified to the maximum to create clarity and transparency, he said after a meeting with Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff Tony Radakin in Kyiv. A meeting with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin could also take place in the Gulf states; summits would also be possible in Turkey and European countries. Talks with all these states are planned for this week.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet with representatives of Ukraine this week.
- According to the Financial Times, the U.S. is prepared to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine. This includes providing intelligence, monitoring the battlefield, and contributing to a Europe-led air defense shield.
- The U.S. and Russia have, according to insiders, discussed possible energy deals on the sidelines of Ukraine talks. These are said to be intended as an incentive for Russia to agree to peace, several people familiar with the talks told Reuters. In return, the U.S. could ease sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine confirms Russian advances in the Dnipropetrovsk region: Russian troops have advanced in the eastern part of the country; however, a spokesman rejected Moscow’s claims that two villages were under Russian control. rnd.de
- After Russian attacks in the Donetsk region that trapped 148 miners underground, the miners have been rescued. According to energy company DTEK, one worker was killed and three others injured. The attack occurred in the Dobropillia community.
- NATO scrambled German Eurofighters because of a Russian reconnaissance aircraft approaching over the Baltic Sea. The Russian aircraft was flying without signals or clearance but remained in international airspace. It was already the tenth alert launch by the German Air Force over the Baltic Sea this year.
- A misdirected Ukrainian combat drone crashed in Estonia, leaving an explosion crater in a field. The aircraft was likely manipulated in its course by Russian electronic countermeasures.
- Ukraine is allowing young men aged 18 to 22 to cross borders without restrictions for the first time since the start of the war. The decision also applies to men currently abroad. zdfheute.de
- In Kyiv, a prosthetics center has opened. Wounded soldiers and civilians who have had arms or legs amputated will be fitted with prostheses here. The center was set up with support from the partner city of Berlin. n-tv.de
RTL/ntv trend barometer by Forsa: CDU/CSU 25 percent, AfD 26 percent, SPD 13 percent, Greens 12 percent, Left 11 percent (-1), BSW 3 percent, FDP 3 percent, others 7 percent. n-tv.de
Political debate on „top earners“. The current debate was sparked after SPD leader Lars Klingbeil suggested raising taxes for Germany’s highest earners. The CDU/CSU immediately rejected the idea, pointing to the coalition agreement and warning that even moderate professionals would be hit by higher brackets. CDU budget experts say reforms in social spending should come first, while SPD and Greens argue that those with very high incomes should contribute more. FDP also firmly opposes tax hikes. spiegel.de, tagesspiegel.de, faz.net
Statistically, the top 10 percent of employees earn from about €68,000 a year, and the top one percent from about €110,000–120,000. In tax law, the highest regular rate of 42 percent already applies from €66,000 a year. The so-called „rich tax“ of 45 percent only starts much higher, at €277,000. In practice, this means that someone earning a little over €70,000 is taxed as if they were a top earner, even though in cities like Munich, Hamburg, or Berlin that income is considered closer to the upper middle rather than truly wealthy.
The SPD and Greens usually mean incomes above €150,000–200,000 when they talk about „top earners.“ Conservatives counter that raising taxes at any level risks discouraging investment and overburdening professionals. The political battle is less about statistics than about where to draw the line between the middle class and the truly wealthy.
Scientific Advisory Board of the BMWE criticizes the patchwork of subsidies: the expert panel warned against excessive subsidies for companies. With the multitude of support measures, there is a risk of industrial policy without an economic compass. Another problem is that companies are orienting their investments more toward political developments than toward market opportunities. Only a few targeted subsidies, for example, considering new global challenges or the transformation of the economy toward climate neutrality, are justified. Instead, the experts called for less regulation and consistent de-bureaucratization. tagesschau.de
10,000 rejections at German borders since the introduction of stricter border controls in May: among them were around 550 people with asylum applications, reports „Stern.“ Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt praised the rejections as a „highly effective measure.“ Worldwide, it is being noticed that the migration policy in Germany has changed. Dobrindt emphasized that all measures were within national and European law. tagesschau.de
Germany allows Afghans to enter: Berlin is ending a halt on admissions for vulnerable former local staff who had been promised entry. This applies to those for whom Germany is legally obligated by court rulings to issue visas and permit entry. Various review procedures are now being resumed. After the Taliban takeover, the then German government had promised the so-called local staff and their families that they could come to Germany. Those affected had sued against the suspension of the program. It is not known how many people are affected. They are to be flown to Germany in the coming days. welt.de, zeit.de
Seaports demand money from the defense budget: as logistical hubs, they are of central importance for military deployment scenarios, argues the Central Association of German Seaport Operators. In an emergency, Bundeswehr and NATO partners’ material and soldiers would have to be transported through the seaports. Around three billion euros would be needed to prepare for a defense case. spiegel.de, butenunbinnen.de
Raw materials partnership between Germany and Canada: Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney announced at a meeting in Berlin the signing of a corresponding memorandum of understanding. Carney pointed to his country’s vast wealth of raw materials, including lithium and rare earths. The background is the goal of creating value chains outside of China. In April, the government in Beijing had caused concern with export controls on seven rare earths. Economics Minister Katherina Reiche spoke of a signal for supply security and competitiveness. tagesschau.de, sueddeutsche.de
Germany exported more arms in 2024 than ever before. welt.de
Berlin: Governing Mayor Kai Wegner assures the union of support in limiting the maximum weight of parcels in single-person delivery. tagesspiegel.de
NRW: Seven parties sign a „fairness agreement“ for the local elections in Cologne; without the AfD. welt.de
Saxony-Anhalt: Member of the Bundestag Martin Kröber still expects continuation of construction on the A14 and A143.
Saxony: Arrest warrant issued after knife attack on Dresden tram. tagesschau.de
Bavaria: Murder charges filed over attack on Verdi demonstration in Munich in February. rnd.de
Hesse: Waiver of repayment of corona emergency aid possible in individual cases. faz.net
Bavaria: Pro-Russian hackers suspected after cyberattack on Nuremberg. heise.de
EU Commission rejects new tariff threats from US President Donald Trump: Trump had stated that countries with digital taxes or strict regulations would face higher tariffs and export restrictions. He warned that US technology companies would no longer be the world’s piggy bank or doormat. Brussels emphasized that it would not allow itself to be dictated to on what rules to impose on digital platforms and companies. The EU’s goal is to limit the market power of large technology companies. These companies are to be forced to comply with European competition rules. zeit.de, rnd.de, handelsblatt.com
More News
- Lithuania: Parliament confirms Inga Ruginiene as new prime minister. n-tv.de
- France: Prime Minister calls for vote of confidence. spiegel.de
- Spain: Madrid declares new disaster areas after massive forest fires. faz.net
- Libya: Rescue ship “Ocean Viking” fired upon. zdfheute.de
- Iran: Australia closes Iran’s embassy and expels ambassador; Tehran behind attacks on Jewish community. faz.net
USA News
- US Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook rejects Trump’s request for her resignation. spiegel.de
- Abolished 44 years ago: US President Donald Trump wants to reinstate the death penalty for murders in Washington. rnd.de
- Tourism and the environment are suffering under Trump’s policies. zdfheute.de
- Protest against Trump: Arrest after burning of US flag in Washington. spiegel.de
- Mobility revolution – electric wins: Sustainability of cars throughout their entire life cycle put to the test mdr.de
- Crisis in the German automotive industry: More than 50,000 jobs cut within a year tagesschau.de
- Chatbot dispute: Elon Musk sues Apple and OpenAI – The iPhone manufacturer and the company behind ChatGPT have allegedly joined forces to create an AI monopoly. zdfheute.de
- Risk factors for birth defects are more widespread than expected aponet.de
- Spotify adds direct messaging feature to its app heise.de
- How teacher training prepares students for heterogeneity in schools table.media/bildung
- Netflix could relocate European headquarters to Munich horizont.net
- Activists plan anti-war demonstration in Gaza at Venice Film Festival deutschlandfunkkultur.de
- Ukraine wants to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest again – Israel too deutschlandfunkkultur.de
- German Cultural Council calls for preservation of the Kulturpass wdr.de
- Culture budget: Berlin wants to have potential savings at state-owned theaters reviewed externally rbb24.de
- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged sueddeutsche.de
- Accused of assault: US rapper Lil Nas X charged after walking naked in public n-tv.de
- Podcast appearance: Snoop Dogg speaks out against LGBTQ+ couples in children’s films spiegel.de
- Claudia Schiffer: How the model celebrated her 55th birthday – in Greece web.de
Relatable is a Berlin- and Paris-based relationship app designed to help couples navigate tough conversations and strengthen their connection. Created by Tapas and Katerina, who drew on personal experience and professional expertise in therapy, the app guides users—either alone or with a partner—through real-time, AI-powered conversations that foster reflection, better communication, and emotional clarity.
More than just a digital tool for resolving arguments, Relatable is built to address both everyday tensions and deeper relationship challenges. With a focus on accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and practical guidance, the app empowers couples to manage conflict, reconnect after disagreements, and grow together—making therapy-inspired support available to everyone, anytime.
- Is another Chelsea star on the way? BVB completes transfer of creative player Chukwuemeka n-tv.de
- Borussia Dortmund extends contract with coach Kovač spiegel.de
- ”I may not get the time“: World champion Klose in crisis – his last chance? t-online.de
- Barca coach admits his own mistakes: Honest words from Flick after ter Stegen’s demotion sport.de
- Formula 1: No place for Schumacher again: New racing team announces driver duo – Mexican Sergio Pérez and Finn Valtteri Bottas were presented as drivers for the new US team Cadillac. web.de
- Tour of Spain: Vuelta – Vingegaard loses overall lead to Gaudu sportschau.de
Less than a month from now, the Oktoberfest that (confusingly) starts in September will once again turn Munich into the world’s biggest beer garden. But here’s the quirky twist: the opening ritual isn’t just about tapping the first keg—after the mayor shouts „O’zapft is!“, twelve cannon shots are fired to signal that all tents may start pouring beer. No cannons, no beer. Only in Bavaria could heavy artillery be the green light for your first Maß. Prost!