EU summit: Ukraine moves ahead, the budget holds back
Two more accession clusters are open, yet the fight over a near-€2 trillion EU budget could slow the timetable for clusters 4 and 5 before December.
Day 14. October 2026
Integration courses reopen to Ukrainians: how to apply
Since 1 August BAMF is admitting voluntary participants again, with Section 24 holders first in line. What the course costs and how to apply.
Bahn family ticket: €99.99 for five, from 26 October
Deutsche Bahn’s family ticket returns as a permanent offer. Who can travel, what it costs and who benefits, plus monthly passes 25 per cent cheaper.
Kids online: what Berlin’s new plan means for parents
No social media under 13, age checks from 2027, an online police desk for children: the cabinet adopted key points. What applies now, and what is still open?
German cabinet approves sugar tax: two tiers from July 2027
The German government has cleared the compromise on the sugar tax. From 1 July 2027, 26 cents per litre will be due from five grams of sugar, 32 cents from eight grams.
Care commission launched: what families will pay now
The federal cabinet decided to set up a care structure commission. It is to present proposals for care in the 2030s by the end of January.
US pressure on Kyiv: what Washington is demanding
Stop hitting refineries or lose intelligence and PURL: what is known about the US threat, how it links to the Russian diesel licence, and what could happen next.
SpaceX limits Starlink for Ukraine’s military
According to Ukrainian reports, the military version of Starlink no longer works at high speeds. This has interrupted several combat missions, says presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov.
Zelenskyy: Russian Attack Leaves People Without Power
Russia attacked energy facilities in Kyiv, the Kyiv region and Kharkiv overnight into Wednesday. According to President Zelenskyy, people are without electricity and larger outages are possible.
Licence fee: how benefit recipients get an exemption in Germany
People on Grundsicherungsgeld or asylum-seeker benefits do not have to pay the €18.36 broadcasting fee, but only if they apply. Who qualifies, what to enclose and what is refundable.
Ukraine downs 119 of 167 aerial targets
During a massive Russian attack overnight into Wednesday, Ukraine's air defence intercepted 119 targets according to preliminary figures. The main targets were Kyiv and the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions, with many missiles aimed at energy facilities.
Russian strikes destroy Epizentr warehouse in Khmelnytskyi
A logistics centre of the Ukrainian retail chain Epizentr in Khmelnytskyi was attacked ten times by Russian forces on Tuesday. According to the company in a Facebook post reported by Ukrinform, the fire destroyed around 85 per cent of the goods.
Heating season: the minimum temperature your landlord owes
Heating must be on since 1 October: 20 to 22°C by day, about 18°C at night. What applies when it's cold, what saving brings and where back payments loom.
Merz to Address Bundestag as Nord Stream Trial Opens
Friedrich Merz will give a government statement on Wednesday. In Hamburg, the first trial against an alleged Nord Stream saboteur begins.
Russian missile strike on Kyiv kills two people
During a night-time attack with ballistic missiles on Kyiv, two people were killed and 21 injured.