Kyiv: Russia Strikes Bridges as City Seeks Ways Out
Since July 2026, Russia has stepped up attacks on Kyiv, targeting the Dnipro bridges. Experts warn of a traffic collapse if key crossings fail.
Day 8. October 2026
Bundestag backs monitoring of prenatal blood tests
The Bundestag has voted by a large majority for monitoring of non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT). 529 MPs voted for the cross-party motion, 18 against, 23 abstained. An expert panel is to review statutory insurance coverage.
US opens direct contact with Myanmar’s junta after years
A senior US government representative met junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw in mid-September. It was the highest-level meeting since the 2021 coup.
Munich Ferienpass now digital only
Since 5 October Munich's holiday pass is sold online only: €14, five pool entries and Hellabrunn Zoo. What families should know before the autumn break.
Free trauma therapy in Munich: register by 31 October
Refugio München offers refugees from Ukraine free psychotherapy with Russian and Ukrainian interpreters. Its twice-yearly registration window closes at the end of the month.
Rubio warns Ukraine war could widen into regional conflict
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned in Lisbon that Russia's war against Ukraine could become a broader regional conflict. The US is pressing for negotiations.
Zelenskyy: 78 killed and 215 injured in Russian attacks
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 78 people have been killed and 215 others injured in Russian attacks on several Ukrainian cities in recent days. Zelenskyy called the attacks a "harsh Russian escalation – terror against people and life".
Munich with kids this weekend: free concert, space suits, €1 museum
A Beethoven concert free for under-14s, a space-suit exhibition and a €1 museum on Sunday: what families can do in Munich on 10–11 October, with prices and times.
Greens push for sweeping reform of care insurance
The Green parliamentary group has tabled a motion for a fundamental overhaul of statutory care insurance and criticises the cabinet draft as inadequate. Meanwhile, the government is postponing the appointment of the care commission.
Ukraine: 2,665 deported children brought back
The secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament's Human Rights Commissioner documents 20,651 cases of deportation or forced displacement of Ukrainian children. So far, 2,665 children have been returned.
Wohngeld 2027: Why applying this year matters
Heating component halved, increase scrapped: the Bundestag debates the housing benefit reform today. Which deadlines now decide your payment.
Ukraine’s negotiators head to Washington
Zelenskyy has announced a US trip by Ukraine's negotiating delegation this week, calling for tougher sanctions and more air-defence aid against Russia.
UK Sanctions Russia’s Shadow Fleet and Oil Giants
Britain has imposed a new sanctions package against Russia. It targets 38 individuals and companies, the oil firms Zarubezhneft and INK Capital, and twelve more shadow tankers.
Quantum Systems: tens of thousands of interceptor drones for Ukraine
Munich-based manufacturer Quantum Systems plans to supply Ukraine with tens of thousands of SPYS interceptor drones. An LOI was signed at the weekend, with funding expected to come from Germany.
Germany moves to speed up Bundeswehr construction
The German government wants to accelerate planning and approval procedures for the Bundeswehr. The draft provides for exemptions in environmental and nature conservation law – and up to 210 million euros for accommodation.
Bundestag debates 30th Bafög reform: rates to rise in two stages
The German government has presented the draft of the 30th Bafög amendment act. The housing cost allowance for students living away from home is to rise by around 16 per cent to 440 euros in the summer semester 2027.
Court Overturns Network Agency Ruling on Deutsche Bahn
The Cologne Administrative Court has ruled the Federal Network Agency's competition clause unlawful. For now, Deutsche Bahn does not have to free up tracks for rivals.
NATO: $10bn in US weapons delivered to Ukraine via PURL
NATO Military Committee chief Dragone calls PURL the fastest aid instrument. Ukraine has received $10 billion worth of US weapons through it.
Deutschlandticket rises to €66.80 in January: what to do now
A formula, not political haggling, now sets the price for the first time. What it means for subscriptions, Jobticket and student tickets – and the cancellation deadline.
German government lifts 2026 growth forecast to 1.3%
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs expects GDP growth of 1.3% in 2026 – significantly more than in spring. The upturn is driven by state investment, while private consumption remains weak.
Glide-bomb attack on buses in Kramatorsk kills at least 30
A Russian glide-bomb attack on two civilian buses in Kramatorsk has killed at least 30 people and injured 18, according to authorities. The governor of the Donetsk region is urging the population to flee.
Thuringia expands pre-deportation detention to 15 places
Migration Minister Beate Meißner (CDU) announces more pre-deportation detention places, centralised skilled-worker immigration and federal assistance with passport procurement in her government statement.
Russian strikes cause fresh blackouts in four Ukrainian regions
After Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, Ukrenergo reports fresh outages in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia. Emergency shutdowns apply in parts of Kyiv.
EV grant in Germany: up to €6,000 — who qualifies and how to apply
A new plug-in car can bring up to €6,000 from the state — but you need a BundID, recent tax assessments and must keep the car for 36 months.
Kyiv: Four killed in Russian drone attack
Four people were killed and twelve injured in a Russian drone attack on Kyiv on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning, drones attacked the city again.
Child benefit 2027: €267 and less paperwork
Child benefit is set to rise to €267 in 2027, sometimes without an application. What the tax reform means for families, who pays, and what is undecided.
Coalition committee of SPD and CDU meets without all-nighter
The coalition committee of the SPD and CDU met at the Chancellery on Wednesday evening. The top-level meeting wrapped up without an all-night session.
Cosco and Zippel: Berlin appears set to say no
China’s Cosco wants 80 per cent of a Hamburg haulier. Five ministries are reportedly opposed, but nothing has been officially decided and no ban is confirmed.
Retirement at 67.5? The case against linking pensions to lifespan
A commission wants Germany’s retirement age to rise with life expectancy after 2031. Government data show why the average is a shaky yardstick for everyone.