The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup kicked off on Thursday in Mexico City with an opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium, followed by the first match between co-host Mexico and South Africa, according to Deutschlandfunk.
In the past winter semester, German universities registered eight percent more guest students than the previous year, as reported by Deutschlandfunk. However, pre-pandemic levels have not yet been reached.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its deposit rate by 0.25 percentage points to 2.25 percent. ECB Christine Lagarde said the rate step is robust in three scenarios, as reported by Euronews.
Ukraine is targeting bridges leading to occupied Crimea, disrupting key supply routes. According to 24tv, this has caused fuel shortages and growing dissatisfaction among Russian occupiers on the peninsula.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that private individuals in the EU have a right to a basic bank account even if they are on a US sanctions list, as reported by Tagesschau.
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the world continues to rely on natural gas despite the Iran war – and Siemens Energy supplies the technology. The company is benefiting enormously, but must transport its turbines through the Saudi desert.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has drawn red lines for the next multiannual financial framework ahead of the EU summit on June 18-19. According to Euronews, she rejects rebates for individual countries and demands equal special treatment for Italy if the practice continues.
Siemens Energy's stock has fallen from a record high in April, as reported by the FAZ. Nevertheless, the group sees its wind power subsidiary Siemens Gamesa on a promising path.
Ukraine's National Police has uncovered at least seven cases of military personnel being poisoned, with teenagers suspected of acting on orders from Russian intelligence services, the BBC reports.
The commander of the German army, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, has warned that Russia could attack NATO territory as early as 2029 or sooner. Speaking at the ILA aerospace exhibition in Berlin, Freuding said NATO allies broadly agree that Moscow could have the capability to attack by the end of the decade, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
According to Handelsblatt, US stock exchanges rose on Thursday despite renewed attacks in the Middle East and new threats from US Donald Trump against Iran. The three leading indices were in positive territory, while oil prices fell.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has enacted the Concept of Counterterrorism in Ukraine, approved by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) on April 6, 2026, Ukrainska Pravda reports.
US Donald Trump has announced preparations for heavy strikes on Iran for the evening, amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyj sees Ukraine as having the upper hand in drone warfare, according to Ukrinform.
The German government released around 600,000 tons of oil from the national reserve three months ago. According to the ARD capital studio, this amount has now been almost completely absorbed by the market.
According to Deutschlandfunk, approximately 740 churches and other religious sites in Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged as a result of Russia's war of aggression.
Friedrich Merz delivered a government statement in the Bundestag on Thursday, emphasizing the need for reforms in Germany. Ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, he focused on domestic issues and announced measures in labor market, tax policy, and the welfare state.
German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) is pushing to extend the statute of limitations for rape from five to 20 years. She also advocates for a "only yes means yes" principle in sexual criminal law.
The Rosengarten excursion restaurant in Munich's Westpark is reopening. A young trio is taking over the business, focusing on a new concept with fewer seats, regional cuisine, and a cultural program.
The exhibition 'Leonardo da Vinci: Genius of the Renaissance' has opened in Astana, featuring over 40 models reconstructed from his original drawings, as reported by Euronews.
German defense company Diehl Defence has presented its new combat drone, the Cobra 600, which closely resembles the Shahed drone in appearance. The system is designed as a novel drone-based air defense platform.
A Toronto police officer was shot early Thursday morning while executing a search warrant related to the March attack on the US consulate. The officer was taken to hospital, according to The Guardian.
US producer prices rose more than expected in May, increasing by 6.5 percent year-on-year, according to the Labor Department. Economists had forecast a 6.4 percent rise.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming Germany's labor market, putting university graduates at particular risk. The German Confederation of Skilled Trades (ZDH) has proposed a four-point plan to strengthen vocational careers.
The Munich S-Bahn has opened a new training center in Steinhausen to address the growing need for train drivers, as the previous facilities were no longer sufficient.
The president of the World Congress of Ukrainians, Pavlo Grod, said Ukraine must compete not only with European labor markets but also with the lifestyle abroad to bring back its citizens. Millions of Ukrainians who fled should not be branded traitors but could become the key resource for rebuilding the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named a special forces unit after the controversial Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The decision has drawn sharp criticism in Poland, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk speaking of wounded historical sensitivities.
Ukrainian forces are intensifying strikes on Russia's R-280 'Novorossiya' supply route, which connects Russia to occupied Crimea. According to the Kyiv Post, citing commanders, military traffic on the route has dropped by up to 71% amid sustained drone attacks.
Thuringia's Minister Mario Voigt (CDU) reportedly had speeches written by artificial intelligence. A commentary in Die Zeit criticizes that politicians thereby rob themselves of their most important resource: their own voice.
Promoted side Energie Cottbus has signed Leonardo Bittencourt on a free transfer from Werder Bremen. The 32-year-old midfielder returns to Lusatia after 14 years, the club announced.
The Festival kicks off with 120 concerts, featuring performances by Rolando Villazón, Hilary Hahn and Wollny. The Armida Quartet opens the festival on Saturday at the Neubrandenburg Concert Church, as reported by NDR.
Russia has canceled its annual Russia Day concert on Red Square in Moscow for the first time since 2003. According to the Kyiv Post, the event scheduled for June 12 was moved to a smaller cultural center and the program was significantly scaled back.
John Healey resigned as UK Defence Minister on 11 June 2026, citing insufficient defence spending by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government, Ukrainska Pravda reports.
Berlin CDU faction has traveled to the Palatinate for a closed-door retreat to discuss tenant protection, public transport safety, and a ban on street prostitution. The meeting takes place 100 days before the state parliament election.
The Bundestag held its first debate on Friday over the new Building Modernization Act. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) wants to scrap the old heating law from the traffic-light coalition, while the opposition considers the plan a failure.
The US Supreme Court is set to release multiple opinions on Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, while former Donald Trump escalates rhetoric against Iran, threatening an immediate military strike.
Red Bull Munich has signed Czech-German defenseman Lukas Klok from Swiss top-division club Kloten, the team announced.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa. For the first time, 48 teams and 1,248 players are taking part in the tournament across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Only about half of employees in Germany work in companies bound by collective bargaining agreements. According to Tagesschau, the federal government has yet to submit an EU-required action plan to strengthen collective bargaining coverage.
Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking another term in office. According to Deutschlandfunk, he intends to run again in the next parliamentary election.