Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk: one dead, three injured
Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk region over 50 times on June 12, killing a 60-year-old man and injuring three others, including a 14-year-old boy.
Month 13. June 2026
Taylor Swift knocks Helene Fischer off top of German singles chart
Taylor Swift has taken the top spot on the official German singles chart with her song "I Knew It, I Knew You," pushing Helene Fischer to number two, according to Entertainment.
Trump Rollercoaster: Iran Deal Close as Markets Swing Wildly
US Donald Trump has declared that the United States and Iran are on the verge of a peace agreement. According to the Guardian, oil prices fell and stock markets rose following his statement – just hours after Trump issued a massive threat against Tehran.
IT Degree, 117 Applications, Then Welfare: A Case from Germany
Till Ritzert has an IT degree, sent 117 applications, and now relies on citizen's benefit. The 27-year-old exemplifies the tough situation for many graduates, as Spiegel reports.
Putin announces AI-powered drones and own satellite network
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to develop drones with artificial intelligence and build a satellite network in low Earth orbit, acknowledging that Ukraine has stepped up its drone operations in the war.
Bär Rejects Reform – Students Outraged
Germany's Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) has rejected a reform of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), calling students' situation 'very privileged,' sparking widespread anger among students, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
World Cup 2026: Iran-Linked Activists Threaten Attack
Iran-linked activists have threatened an attack on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, according to a report by Handelsblatt. Details on the nature or target of the planned attack remain unclear.
Putin Threatens Intensified Strikes on Ukrainian Infrastructure
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to step up attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, citing recent Ukrainian operations on Russian soil as justification, the Kyiv Post reports.
World Cup Opener: Germany vs. Curaçao in Team Comparison
Germany, four-time world champion, faces Curaçao, a World Cup debutant with fewer inhabitants than Bielefeld. The Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) compared both squads ahead of Sunday's opening match, rating them with typical local fruits – coconuts for Curaçao, apples for Germany.
EU Migration Pact Takes Effect: What Changes for Asylum Seekers
The EU Migration Pact officially came into force this Friday. According to Euronews, it introduces a central registration system, faster procedures, and a solidarity mechanism – but implementation in member states is lagging behind.
German Parliament Passes National AI Act with Federal Network Agency as Regulator
The Bundestag passed the national implementation law for the EU AI Act on Thursday. The Federal Network Agency will serve as Germany's central market surveillance authority for artificial intelligence, according to Heise.
Klingbeil Plans New Taxation of Cryptocurrencies
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) plans to tax Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies differently in the future. Whether he has a majority in the Bundestag for this remains unclear.
Günther Jauch receives Brandenburg’s highest honor
TV host Günther Jauch has been awarded the Order of Merit of the State of Brandenburg for his commitment to restoring historic buildings in Potsdam.
E-Car as Power Storage: Charging Starts
Electric cars can soon not only charge but also feed electricity into the home grid. According to Handelsblatt, first offers for bidirectional charging are on the market, with more to follow.
Latvia Tightens Immigration Law for Non-EU Citizens
The Latvian parliament has passed a new immigration law that significantly tightens the rules for entry, stay, and employment of non-EU citizens. According to Latvian public broadcaster LSM, the law aims to increase security and make migration more transparent.
SpaceX IPO: Record Debut on the Nasdaq
SpaceX shares opened nearly 30 percent higher on the Nasdaq on Friday – the largest IPO in history. According to Zeit, the stock was indicated at more than $174.
Alaska: Senator Dan Sullivan Faces Namesake in Primary
Incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan will face a challenger who shares his name in the August 2022 primary election for Alaska's US Senate seat, according to Spiegel.
DFB picks ‘Major Tom’ as goal song for World Cup
The German national team will celebrate goals at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada with the song 'Major Tom' by Peter Schilling. The DFB has submitted the classic to FIFA, as the association announced.
World Cup 2026: Referee Expert Expects More Red Cards for Denying Goal-Scoring Opportunities
Referee instructor Lutz Wagner expects an increase in red cards for denying goal-scoring opportunities after the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. He also has a tip for stadium announcements, as he told the FAZ.
EU Reform: BAMF Sees Itself Well Prepared
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is approaching the implementation of the new Common European Asylum System (GEAS) with confidence, as Bavarian Broadcasting reports.
Sexual Criminal Law: Why the Reform Doesn’t End at the Bedroom Door
The reform of sexual criminal law is not about bureaucratic hurdles but about ensuring that victims of sexual violence no longer have to justify their silence. It's about a clear boundary: Only an explicit yes makes sex legal.
Cameras Found in Women’s Restrooms at Berlin
Two cameras were discovered in women's restrooms at the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR) in Berlin-Lichtenberg. Police are investigating on suspicion of violating personal privacy.
No ICE Connection for Munich Airport in Sight
Deutsche Bahn sees no possibility of connecting Munich Airport to the ICE network. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the project fails due to technical hurdles and lack of capacity on the existing S-Bahn line.
Ukraine: Longest-serving soldiers to be gradually demobilized in 2026
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a gradual demobilization of soldiers who have served the longest in the armed forces. The reform is to be implemented by the end of 2026, as reported by 24tv.
German Army Wants to Deploy More Drones Quickly
The German Army plans to significantly expand its use of drones and unmanned weapon systems, according to its chief, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, speaking at the "Freedom Shield 2026" military exercise in Lithuania, as reported by the Abendzeitung München.
Curacao vs. Germany: Smallest World Nation Ever
Curacao, with a population of just 150,000, has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. The Caribbean island will face four-time champions Germany in its opening match, reports Deutsche Welle.
Police allowed to continue surveillance of Maddie suspect Christian B.
A court has granted the police appeal to extend surveillance of the German suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, Christian B., after an earlier extension was rejected.
Microsoft Loses Trust of Security Researchers Over Zero-Day Dispute
A security researcher publishing under the pseudonym "Nightmare Eclipse" has disclosed several Windows zero-day vulnerabilities. Instead of fixing the bugs, Microsoft deleted the researcher's accounts, undermining trust in the security community.
Cyclists demand better bike lanes in Munich demo
Around 5,000 cyclists took part in a star-shaped ride through Munich on Sunday, demanding a safe and complete network of bike paths. The protest, organized by the German Cyclists' Association (ADFC), caused temporary road closures including a section of the A95 motorway.
German regulator investigates Steam over racist game
Germany's Federal Network Agency has initiated proceedings against Valve, the operator of the gaming platform Steam, over the racist game "Plantation Simulator." Digital Services Coordinator is examining whether Valve violated legal reporting obligations under the Digital Services Act.
Iranian artist wins prestigious art prize in Hanover
Farzane Vaziritabar has been awarded the 'Hannes Malte Mahler – it is art' prize. The award ceremony takes place at the Sprengel Museum in Hanover.
Zelenskyy Announces Higher Military Pay and New Contracts
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a significant increase in military salaries, UNIAN reports. Soldiers on the front line will receive an average of 300,000 hryvnias, while rear-area personnel will get at least 30,000 hryvnias.
First Men’s World Cup in Canada: Fans Between Excitement and Frustration
Canada is hosting its first men's FIFA World Cup. According to Tagesschau, the tournament is uniting the nation, but high ticket prices and strict FIFA rules are angering many fans.
No ICE Connection at Airport: Rail Hope Dashed
Airport will remain without a direct ICE connection. As Tagesspiegel reports, hopes for a temporary solution have been dashed. Since the airport opened in 1992, it has lacked a long-distance train station that would connect travelers quickly and directly to the high-speed rail network.
Ukrainian journalist held in Russian custody for nearly three years
Ukrainian journalist Anastasiia Glukhovska has been held in a Russian pre-trial detention facility for nearly three years, according to Ukrainska Pravda, citing regional outlet RIA-Piwden and Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech.
Merz sends video message of support to German national team ahead of World Cup opener
Friedrich Merz (CDU) has wished the German national football team success in a video call ahead of the World Cup. The government spokesman announced this on Friday.
Justice Ministers Want to Remove Special Status for Top Politicians in Insult Cases
Germany's state justice ministers have voted to abolish the special protection for top politicians against insults, while keeping it for local officials.
CSU board member Reichhart opposes increase in mothers’ pension
Hans Reichhart, a member of the CSU board, has spoken out against the planned increase in the mothers' pension. According to Deutschlandfunk, he considers the benefit unaffordable.
Bovenschulte warns against excessive reforms
Bundesratspräsident Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) has warned against an overload of reforms. The Bremen mayor expressed criticism of the current reform dynamic, according to Deutschlandfunk.
Ukraine: Ombudsman uncovers abuses at Ternopil recruitment center
During an inspection of the military recruitment center (TCC) in Ternopil, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets found serious human rights violations. According to Ukrainska Pravda, people with disabilities and mental disorders were among those detained there.