Daily Briefing 10.08.2026, 10:10 (CEST)

Rhine could be split in two for shipping amid record low water levels
German inland waterway operators are sounding the alarm due to the persistently low water levels on the Rhine, which are threatening to divide the river into two navigable regions.
Read TextGerman economy minister sees potential in industrial AI
Germany is unlikely to win the race to develop large language models but has a strong chance of becoming an international leader in industrial artificial intelligence (AI), Economy Minister...
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German transport minister to tie Deutsche Bahn bonuses to punctuality
Germany's new transport minister, Steffen Bilger, is stepping up pressure on the leadership of the national railway operator Deutsche Bahn, announcing plans to tie bonuses for management to...
Read TextSocial Democrats calls Germany's refugee rules on families too strict
A measure restricting family reunification for refugees, which was passed by Germany's coalition government more than a year ago, was criticized as too restrictive from the junior coalition...
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Berlin's Altes Museum up for refurbishment after Pergamon Museum
Berlin's Altes Museum, housing the antiquities collection on Museum Island in the centre of the city, is in need of refurbishment, the head of the organization that runs many of the German ...
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Shots fired in Berlin amid rise in gun crime in German capital
Berlin police were on Sunday investigating two incidents involving gunshots, following a recent rise in shooting incidents in the German capital.
Read TextFour German states suspend Sunday lorry ban amid low river levels
Lorries were permitted on the roads in parts of Germany on Sunday after four states temporarily eased restrictions on Sunday lorry traffic in response to transport problems on the country's...
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World Naked Bike Ride makes its Berlin debut
The World Naked Bike Ride set off in Berlin for the first time on Sunday, with hundreds of people cycling naked, or partially so, through the capital's streets on a very sunny day with temp...
Read TextFreigang 'optimistic' things will turn out well in doping saga
Germany and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Laura Freigang is "optimistic that everything will turn out well" amid allegations of doping.
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'Chickening out' no option for Rheinmetall boss Papperger amid threats
The head of German arms giant Rheinmetall is refusing to be intimidated despite round-the-clock security due to a litany of threats to his safety.
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