Daily Briefing 13.08.2026, 16:37 (CEST)

Merz upholds fight for democracy, 65 years after Berlin Wall built

On the 65th anniversary of the construction of the Berlin Wall, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Thursday for the defence of freedom and democracy.

EU allows VW sale of majority share of Everllence to US investor

The European Commission has allowed German carmaker Volkswagen to sell a majority stake in its large-scale engine subsidiary Everllence.

Left-leaning bloc gains ground ahead of eastern German state election

The chances of a left-wing coalition in the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are growing despite gains for the far right, according to a poll published on Thursday - just over...

Estimate: Drought leading to significantly smaller harvest in Germany

A prolonged drought across large parts of Germany has dealt a heavy blow to this summer's harvest, with around 3 million metric tons of grain and rapeseed lost since mid-June, according to ...

Study: Germany's top executives earn 42 times average worker

Pay for managers at Germany's top listed companies rose again in 2025, with executives at the 40 companies in the DAX stock index earning an average of just over €3.9 million ($4.5 million)...

German far-right leader offers to back left-wing populist as premier

Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) firebrand Björn Höcke has offered to back left-wing populist Sahra Wagenknecht as premier in the central state of Thuringia, in a move that could cha...

Ships shun Rhine as water level plummets near Cologne

River traffic had almost petered out on the Rhine by the German city of Cologne on Thursday due to historic low water levels in the current drought.

Germany commemorates construction of Berlin Wall 65 years ago

The German capital marked the 65th anniversary of the construction of the Berlin Wall with a commemorative event on Thursday at the former death strip dividing the city into East and West.

Thyssenkrupp lifts profit outlook after strong third quarter

Thyssenkrupp on Thursday reported a sharp improvement in third-quarter results, helped by higher sales, stronger operating performance and positive one-off effects, and raised the lower end...

Perseid meteor shower lights up skies after solar eclipse

Just hours after Wednesday's solar eclipse, sky watchers in Germany were treated to another celestial spectacle as the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular of the year, reache...