Daily Briefing 18.07.2026, 17:03 (CEST)

Senior German conservative resigns following backlash over surrogacy

Jens Spahn, the leader of the conservative bloc in the German parliament and a key ally of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is stepping down amid a controversy surrounding his decision to have a child via a surrogate mother in the United States, according to a letter by Spahn seen by dpa on Saturday.

Fire in German park spreads to 388 hectares as wind fans flames

A wildfire in Müritz National Park in north-eastern Germany has spread to around 388 hectares, with some 370 firefighters, police officers, forestry workers and soldiers now deployed, a spokesman for the Mecklenburg Lake District said on Saturday.

German interior minister warns of increased attack threat

Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has warned of possible attacks on German soil, saying the country was in a "high-threat situation."

Germany and France to strengthen technology alliance

Germany and France agreed to expand their cooperation on key technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), space exploration, nuclear fusion and quantum technology, and agreed to strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty overall.

Opel plans to build engines in Algeria

Carmaker Opel wants to build engines at a planned plant in Algeria.

Salzgitter steel boss criticizes plan to relax emissions trading rules

The chief executive of German steelmaker Salzgitter AG, Gunnar Groebler, has criticized the European Commission’s proposal to reform the EU’s flagship emissions trading system (ETS).

Lahm on Germany crisis: 'We have been falling behind for 10 years'

Germany's football crisis has deeper and more long-term causes than the recent last-32 exit at the World Cup, former national team captain Philipp Lahm has said.

Tesla leads early uptake of Germany's new EV subsidies

Tesla vehicles have so far received the largest number of approvals under Germany's new electric vehicle (EV) subsidy programme, according to preliminary government figures.

Security guard critically injured in fall from moving train in Germany

A security guard working for German rail operator Deutsche Bahn was critically injured after falling from a moving train during a violent confrontation with a passenger, police and prosecutors said on Saturday.

Midfielder Engelhardt returns to Freiburg, now in first team

Midfielder Yannik Engelhardt is returning to Freiburg in a transfer from Italy's Como and will now play in their first team, the Bundesliga club said on Saturday.