Daily Briefing 21.07.2026, 11:50 (CEST)

Italo signs €3bn Siemens deal for expansion into German rail market

Italian rail operator Italo has signed a €3 billion ($3.4 billion) contract with train manufacturer Siemens Mobility, bringing it a step closer to entering the German long-distance rail market.

Germany's Wadephul expects UK to remain committed to E3 under new PM

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday he expected the United Kingdom to remain fully committed to the E3 diplomatic format with Germany and France under newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Waste from Denmark caused 2021 blast at German plant that killed seven

Waste from Denmark was the trigger for the devastating 2021 explosion at an incineration plant in western Germany that killed seven people, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Banned skier Carl set to return to racing from end of November

German cross-country skier Victoria Carl is set to be reintegrated into the team in the upcoming World Cup once her doping ban expires.

Germany records over 17,000 cases of child sex abuse in 2025

The number of registered cases of child sexual abuse in Germany has risen significantly over the past five years, with police recording 17,126 instances in 2025, authorities said on Tuesday.

Pretzels and white sausage - Japan star Tanikawa likes German food

Bayern Munich's Japan international Momoko Tanikawa says she is fond of the cuisine in Bavaria but often sticks to her roots when it comes to food.

German foreign minister heads to Africa on three-nation trip

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is to travel to Africa on Monday on his third visit to the continent this year, beginning in Mauritania and then moving on to Nigeria and South Afric...

German commander says homeland security division to top 10,000 troops

Germany's Homeland Security Division is set to expand significantly, growing from a planned strength of 6,500 troops to well over 10,000 by 2035, its commander said in remarks published on ...

German median pay rises 5.1% in 2025, outpacing inflation

Median monthly pay for full-time employees in Germany rose by 5.1% in 2025, outpacing inflation, according to data published by the Federal Employment Agency.

German rents up 4%, report says

German housing rents rose 4% year-on-year in the second quarter, the German Economic Institute (IW) reported on Monday.