Daily Briefing 08.07.2026, 17:12 (CEST)

IMF drops German growth forecast as uncertainty hampers global economy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday lowered its forecast for economic growth in Germany this year, even as the global economy appears to be recovering from the war in the Mid...

Italy's UniCredit nears majority of Commerzbank shares in takeover bid

Italy's UniCredit is nearing a majority stake in its German rival Commerzbank, the lender said on Wednesday, in the latest step of its takeover bid. 

Merz promises more support for Ukraine after overnight strikes on Kiev

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reiterated his support for Ukraine, after Russia launched a series of overnight ballistic missile attacks on the capital Kiev.

Former East German athletes not yet compensated for forced doping

Former East German athletes subjected to forced doping are still in need of compensation, decades on from the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification, a government official stresse...

Germany's Wadephul believes in US-Iran ceasefire as strikes resume

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul does not believe diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between the United States and Iran have failed, even as attacks resumed overnight. 

Matthäus: Klopp needs 'time and authority' as Germany coach

Germany icon Lothar Matthäus hopes Jürgen Klopp receives plenty of creative freedom if he is appointed as the new national team coach following another World Cup debacle.

German minister 'optimistic' on securing Tomahawk missiles from US

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius says progress is being made at a NATO summit in Ankara on German efforts to purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US.

Bayern's Karl back on pitch for first time since World Cup injury

Bayern Munich's Germany winger Lennart Karl returned to the training pitch on Wednesday, a month after injury ruled him out of the World Cup just before the start.

Concrete support beam at Bremen's Weserstadion cracks

A concrete support beam has broken in a stand at Werder Bremen's Weserstadion.

German Nordic combined team say Olympic axing is 'devastating'

German Nordic combined skiers and officials have been left shocked and fearful for the future after the sport was dropped from the Winter Olympic programme for 2030.