German Bundesrat Passes Infrastructure Future Act
The Bundesrat has approved the Infrastructure Future Act, which aims to accelerate the expansion of rail and highway networks. The Bundestag had already given its approval.
Day 10. July 2026
German Parliament Passes Savings Package for Statutory Health Insurance
The Bundestag has voted for savings in the statutory health insurance system. Spending caps and higher co-payments are intended to prevent premium increases.
World Cup Goal Record: Messi and Mbappé in a Neck-and-Neck Race
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are locked in a tight race for the all-time World Cup goal record, leaving Miroslav Klose far behind. Messi has 21 goals, Mbappé 20.
Eisbachwelle in Munich: Surfing Allowed Again
After a botched riverbed cleaning in autumn and months of dispute, surfing on Munich's famous Eisbachwelle at the Haus der Kunst is now permitted again under certain conditions. An amended general decree by Mayor Dominik Krause (Greens) came into force on Friday.
Savings Package: Berlin’s Doctors Warn of Fewer Appointments
The Bundestag is set to vote today on the savings package aimed at stabilizing health insurance contributions. The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Berlin warns of fewer doctors and longer waiting times.
IOC allows Russian athletes to compete in Olympics – criticism from Europe
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has cleared Russian athletes to return to Olympic competitions and qualifying events. According to the Kyiv Post, their status for the 2028 Los Angeles Games remains open.
Daniel Buren Shows ‘Alphabet of Colors’ in Berlin
The French conceptual artist Daniel Buren transforms the Galerie Konrad Fischer in Berlin with his exhibition 'Alphabet of Colors.' At 88, he uses reduced means to generate maximum attention.
Mbappé injured as France beats Morocco 2:0 in World Cup quarter-final
France has beaten Morocco 2:0 in the quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first team to reach the semi-finals. Kylian Mbappé scored a goal and set up another, but suffered an injury.
German relay team fights for world title and Olympic qualification in Hamburg
This weekend, the triathlon elite gathers in Hamburg. The German relay team aims for a podium finish at their home event.
Bayer board member warns: GKV savings plan endangers Germany as a pharma hub
The savings plan for Germany's statutory health insurance funds (GKV) is driving the pharmaceutical industry out of the country, warns Bayer board member Stefan Oelrich in a guest commentary for Handelsblatt. The federal government is thus risking one of the last high-tech sectors in which Europe still leads globally.
DAX opens nearly flat despite US strikes on Iran
Germany's benchmark DAX index is expected to open nearly unchanged, according to initial calculations. Despite ongoing US strikes on Iran and a rally in chip stocks in New York and Asia, the DAX is unable to benefit from the gains.
VW CEO Blume’s Shrink Plan: Supervisory Board Refuses Approval
Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume presented his new 'Group Target Picture' to the supervisory board – a radical downsizing plan involving plant closures and billions in cuts. But the board refused to approve it, as Handelsblatt reports.
VW Works Council Issues Ultimatum to Blume After Supervisory Board Meeting
Volkswagen's supervisory board meeting, the works council has given CEO Oliver Blume until Friday to unequivocally address rumors about potential plant closures, according to NDR.
Trump pushes members out of US election commission
Four months before the US midterm elections, Donald Trump has dismantled an independent election commission.
Liederlauschen am Rand: Festival unites Germans and Poles in the Oderbruch
Dozens of music acts from rock, electropop, and German-Polish bands, as well as a theater piece on the Oder River, await visitors to the 'Liederlauschen am Rand' festival in the Oderbruch. The event aims to bring Germans and Poles together.
Anthony Hopkins Releases Classical Album at Age 88
Actor Anthony Hopkins is fulfilling a lifelong dream: the 88-year-old will release the album "Life Is A Dream" on August 21 with the renowned label Decca Classics, according to the PA news agency.
Eight men charged over assassination plot on Trump’s birthday
Eight men have been charged in the United States for allegedly plotting an attack on a martial arts event on Trump's 80th birthday. The US Department of Justice said a grand jury in Columbus indicted them on charges including conspiracy to murder a government official.
Family doctors urge German states to block health insurance savings package
The German Association of Family Doctors has called on the country's 16 states to stop a planned savings package aimed at stabilizing statutory health insurance contributions. The Bundestag is set to vote on the bill on Friday.
Health Reform: Northern States Threaten to Block in Bundesrat
Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Hamburg are putting pressure on the federal government: they threaten to block the planned health insurance reform in the Bundesrat today, as NDR reports.
Elbjazz 2026: Tom Jones and Jamie Cullum at Hamburg Harbor
Elbjazz festival brings world stars like Tom Jones and Jamie Cullum to the historic Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg Harbor.
E-Scooter: Rental Companies Now Liable for Accidents
The Bundestag has passed a law change expanding liability for e-scooter rental companies. Victims will now find it easier to claim compensation.
German Parliament Approves Billion-Euro Aid for States and Municipalities
The Bundestag has passed a law to provide financial relief to Germany's states and municipalities, allocating one billion euros annually from 2026 to 2029.
Pogacar wins Pyrenees stage and reclaims yellow jersey
Tadej Pogacar won the sixth stage of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees and reclaimed the yellow jersey. According to Zeit, citing dpa, the Slovenian triumphed after a solo ride over the Col du Tourmalet, finishing 2:38 minutes ahead of Jonas Vingegaard.
Lviv: Participants in TCC Attack Apologize and Promise to Serve
Participants in a violent confrontation with staff of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCC) in Lviv have apologized on video and pledged to begin their military service, Ukrainska Pravda reports, citing footage from Anton Petrivskyi.
Russian drone attack on Odesa: fire at industrial facility
Russia attacked Odesa with drones on the evening of July 9. A non-residential building caught fire, according to Oleh Kiper, the head of the regional military administration.
Kreml Nervous: Trump Didn’t Call Putin – Podoljak Speaks of ‘Strategy of Indifference’
Donald Trump had announced he would call Vladimir Putin after meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit. But the call never happened, causing nervousness in the Kremlin, according to 24tv.ua.
Dynamo Kyiv start Europa League qualification with draw
Dynamo Kyiv began their Europa League qualification campaign with a goalless draw against Romanian side Universitatea Cluj. The match was played in Lublin, Poland.
300 million Europeans exposed to harmful ozone levels
According to a report by the non-governmental organization Global Witness, around 300 million people in the EU were exposed to dangerous ozone levels during the heatwave in June.
Zelenskyy Announces Investigation into Explosion
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised to provide the public with additional reports on the "resonant situation in Monaco" in the coming days, following an explosion that injured a sanctioned Ukrainian businessman.
Trade Republic settles legal dispute over interest rates
The neobroker Trade Republic has reached an out-of-court settlement with the consumer advice center of Baden-Württemberg over its interest rate offering. According to WirtschaftsWoche, Trade Republic agreed to stop using certain advertising claims.
MV Poll: Red-Red-Green Would Have Narrow Majority in State Election
Just ten weeks before the state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AfD remains the strongest force, but according to an NDR poll, a red-red-green coalition could achieve a razor-thin majority.
Welfare State: Cuts Would Push People into Hardship
A journalist warns in an opinion piece for Zeit Online against sacrificing the welfare state for the defense budget. She credits her own career to the social benefits now at risk.
After Migrant Deaths: Mexico Announces Lawsuits Against US
Following the deaths of several Mexican migrants during operations by the US immigration agency ICE, Mexico plans to take legal action. Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco reported that three Mexicans have died in deportation raids and 14 more in detention centers.
World Cup 2026: Michael Olise Chases Pelé’s Assist Record
Ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals, France's Michael Olise is on the verge of breaking a legendary record held by Pelé. Bayern Munich star has already provided five assists, reports 24tv.
Kazakhstan Rejects Claims of Drone Launch for Omsk Refinery Attack
Kazakhstan's foreign ministry has dismissed Russian media reports alleging that drones used in an attack on the Omsk oil refinery were launched from Kazakh territory, calling the claims unsubstantiated and provocative.
Court temporarily stops fee cut for psychotherapists
The Berlin-Brandenburg State Social Court has temporarily halted the fee reduction for psychotherapists that was introduced in April. The ruling is final.
Bundestag approves construction of new gas-fired power plants – opposition votes against
The Bundestag has approved the construction of new gas-fired power plants. The opposition voted against the law, which will impose additional costs on consumers starting in 2031.
Selenskyj: Political Agreement with Trump on Patriot License
Ukraine has reached a political agreement with the United States on a license to produce Patriot missiles, President Volodymyr Selenskyj announced. Technical teams are now to push ahead with implementation.
Darmstadt: Flatter Arches Planned for Rheinstraßenbrücke
The dilapidated Rheinstraßenbrücke in Darmstadt is set to be replaced by a new bridge in 2030. According to the FAZ, the city has received approval from the Hessian Ministry of Transport for a revised design.
Lawrov: Russia no longer believes in Western willingness to negotiate
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lawrov said Moscow will no longer trust that the West seeks a negotiated solution to the war against Ukraine, accusing Western nations of merely feigning readiness for talks while issuing ultimatums.