Daily Briefing 19.09.2026, 17:15 (CEST)

Oktoberfest opens as Munich's new mayor taps keg with two blows

The 191st Oktoberfest has opened in the southern German city of Munich, with more than 6 million visitors from around the world expected at the famous beer festival.

Minister F-35 deal does not make Germany more dependent on US

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has dismissed fears that Germany is making itself dependent on the United States by purchasing the US F-35 combat aircraft.

German start-up DeepL offers translations in your own voice

German AI start-up DeepL is significantly expanding its real-time language translation technology with new language models for its DeepL Voice application.

IAA fair: China's electric trucks take on European giants

The buzz at the current IAA transportation show in Hanover surrounds the final European production version of Tesla's electric-powered cargo truck, but it is only one of many important newcomers.

Cologne's theatre and opera reopen after €800 million renovation

After 14 years of refurbishment work, repeated setbacks, and a price tag more than three times the original what was initially foreseen, Cologne's cultural complex, including a theatre, mai...

Putin envoy offers AfD economic cooperation ahead of state vote

A senior Kremlin envoy has openly offered economic cooperation with Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of a key state election on Sunday.

A gingerbread heart for Kane and lots of praise for magical Olise

Bayern Munich should thoroughly enjoy their Oktoberfest visit after a 7-0 demolition of Berlin where Harry Kane secured another record and Michael Olise's magic culminated in a hat-trick.

Bayern bash Union 7-0 as Kane hits record-quick ton, Olise nets three

Bayern Munich's Harry Kane scored his 100th and 101st Bundesliga goals in record time during a 7-0 home thrashing of Union Berlin on Friday, as Michael Olise netted a hat-trick and Jamal Mu...

Nearly half expect Germany's Merz to be replaced by end of year

Nearly half of Germans expect Chancellor Friedrich Merz to be replaced by the end of the year, according to a YouGov poll.

Berlin still grappling for response to soaring fuel prices

The German government is still in the midst of deliberations on how to best combat soaring fuel prices, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Friday, amid growing calls for Berlin to take...