Daily Briefing 21.08.2026, 16:43 (CEST)

Germany's Merz to return from holiday with visit to wildfire-hit area

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will make his first public appearance after his return from holiday on Saturday, visiting the area affected by a massive forest fire.

Almost one in four German companies face shortage of skilled workers

Almost one in four German companies are facing a shortage of skilled workers, a top economic institute said on Friday. 

Germany probes suspected attack plot after weapons found near Berlin

German federal prosecutors are investigating a suspect after a weapons cache was found near Berlin last year, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced on Friday.

Low German gas storage levels trigger backlash from political fringes

Germany's gas storage facilities are currently less full than at any point at this time of year since records began in 2011, according to gas storage group INES.

German firms pocket massive refunds after US tariffs overturned

German companies have recouped hundreds of millions of euros in overpaid tariffs following February's landmark US Supreme Court ruling, the Wirtschaftswoche business magazine reported on Fr...

Germany aware of Ukrainian soldiers deserting during training

The German Defence Ministry confirmed on Friday that it is aware of cases of Ukrainian soldiers who have deserted whilst undergoing training in Germany. 

June exports give needed boost to German mechanical engineering sector

Strong exports in June gave a boost to Germany's struggling mechanical engineering sector, limiting losses in the first half of the year, the VDMA industry association said on Friday.

Musiala to miss Super Cup match after recent health issues

Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala will miss the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday due to side effects after a change in his treatment for absence seizur...

Several injured after car ploughs through German pedestrian zone

Several people were injured when a car drove at high speed through a pedestrian zone in the German town of Hofgeismar on Friday morning, police said.

Berlin losing its appeal for many Germans, survey finds

Berlin has lost much of its appeal among Germans, according to a new survey.