Trump suspends Russia sanctions days before deadline
US President Donald Trump has frozen by decree the tariffs and sanctions against Russia provided for in the Lindsey Graham Act – two days before the congressional deadline expires.
Month 17. October 2026
Who throttled Starlink for Ukraine’s drones?
Since 14 October, Starshield for Ukrainian drones has been capped at 160 km/h. Musk points to Washington, Washington to a glitch, Reuters to the White House.
Cheaper-building law Gebäudetyp E is stuck in government
In July the draft was declared finished; now ministries talk of “very different views”. What the delay means for builders and renters in Germany.
Russian drone strikes cut power to 370,000 in western Ukraine
After new Russian drone attacks, 370,000 people in western Ukraine are without power. According to the governor, Volyn region on the border with Poland is mainly affected.
Zusatzbeitrag 2027: average stays at 2.9 per cent
The official forecast keeps the average supplementary health contribution unchanged for 2027, but what you actually pay still depends on your own fund’s rate.
Bamf defends deportation threat against three-month-old baby
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees is standing by its deportation threat against a three-month-old girl. The Wiesbaden Administrative Court had temporarily suspended the notice and sharply criticised the approach.
Bundestag passes early-start pension for children
The Bundestag on Friday approved state-subsidised retirement provision from childhood. Children born from 2020 onwards receive ten euros a month, invested on the capital market.
EU summit: sanctions stay, Kyiv’s money postponed
Backing for Zelensky but no funding decision: what the EU summit settled on sanctions, frozen Russian assets and the 2027 gap – and what it left open.
Russia builds drone launch base near Ukraine in six weeks
Satellite images show a new facility for jet-powered attack drones in the Rostov region, only 3.5 kilometres from Millerovo military airfield. More than 100 drones could launch from there every day.
Drone attack on energy grid: power cuts in Kyiv and eight regions
After a massive Russian drone attack on energy facilities, grid operator Ukrenerho reported new power cuts in Kyiv and eight regions on Friday morning. In some areas, emergency plans for industry apply until the end of the day.
Ukraine plans drone offensive on Moscow airports
According to The Atlantic, Operation M&Ms with AI-guided drones is to directly attack Russian airports. So far Kyiv has only blocked the airspace without bombarding the airports themselves.
669 attacks on Zaporizhzhia region in one day
Russian forces attacked the Zaporizhzhia region 669 times in one day, reports the co-chair of the regional defence council, Ivan Fedorov. There are 78 reports of damage.
Bundestag approves digital wallet from 2027
The Bundestag on Thursday passed the legal basis for the digital wallet "d-you". It is due to launch on 2 January 2027 – older people will then no longer have to renew their identity cards.
Bundestag to vote on state-funded ‘early start’ pension
The Bundestag will decide on Friday on the introduction of a state-subsidised early start pension for children from the age of six. Ten euros per month per child are to go into a retirement savings account.
EU budget: Ireland cuts, Merz still says no
Eight per cent below the Commission’s draft, yet the cuts land where Berlin least wants them. What the presidency’s numbers actually show.
Merz and Macron soften the EU’s 2035 combustion-engine rule
Berlin and Paris agree a weaker 2035 rule for new cars in exchange for “Made in Europe” preferences. Nothing is law yet, and the SPD has set its own red line on the deal.
Munich with kids this weekend: museum night, Dult, gaming
About 100 museums open until 1 a.m. on 17 October and the Kirchweihdult starts in the Au — prices, hours and how to get there.
Breast cancer screening to start at 45 in Germany
The Federal Joint Committee has lowered the age limit for mammography screening to 45. The new rule is set to take effect on 1 August 2027.
Munich to Check Rental Ads for Overpriced Flats
A new city tool will compare online listings with the rent index and write to landlords who ask too much. What it means for tenants and where to get free advice.
Ukraine strikes Ryazan refinery as Zelensky ends pause
After a three-day pause, Ukraine has again attacked Russian refineries. Overnight into Thursday, a fire broke out in Ryazan, and a military airfield is also said to have been hit.
Zelenskyy: Over 850 Shahed drones launched at Ukraine
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia launched more than 850 Shahed drones at Ukraine between Wednesday and Thursday morning. Six people died in attacks in Kropyvnytskyi and the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Kyiv to resume refinery strikes as Europe splits over diesel deal
Zelenskyy says “the block is out”. After the Trump-Putin diesel deal, Kyiv will hit Russian refineries again, and EU leaders disagree on what to make of it.
German parliament passes emergency care reform
The Bundestag has passed the reform of emergency care. Around 750 integrated emergency centres are to relieve pressure on A&E departments from 2027 and steer patients better.
Kindergeld without an application: what changes in 2027
The Bundesrat has approved automatic child benefit. When it starts, who will still have to apply, and whether the rate rises to €267.
Kropyvnytskyi: Three dead in largest drone attack
Nearly 360 Russian drones struck the Kirovohrad region overnight into Thursday. Three people died in Kropyvnytskyi, six were injured.
Merz Leads EU Budget Fight in Brussels
At the EU summit in Brussels, the 27 heads of state and government are wrestling over the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028 to 2034. Germany is demanding cuts of several hundred billion euros, while the Commission wants to increase it.
Bundestag to vote on higher tobacco tax
The Bundestag is expected to pass a legislative amendment on Thursday providing for gradual tobacco tax increases from 2027. A 20-pack of cigarettes could cost an average of 11.78 euros in 2030.
Bundestag votes on emergency care reform
The Bundestag votes this Thursday on the reform of emergency care. Integrated emergency centres and a telephone initial assessment are intended to relieve overstretched emergency departments.
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.
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.