Daily Briefing 29.09.2026, 16:40 (CEST)

Merz announces sustainability plan, stresses risks of climate change

The German government plans to adopt a sustainability action plan on Wednesday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said, stressing that climate change poses a concrete risk to people's lives.

NATO draws on Ukraine lessons in major European exercise

NATO and the US military are seeking to improve cooperation across Europe with a large-scale exercise stretching from northern Norway to the Black Sea, a German military official said on Tuesday.

Germany urges Slovakia for more solidarity on Russian sanctions

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called on Slovakia to be more supportive of EU measures targeting Russia over the war on Ukraine, as he visited Bratislava on Tuesday.

Low water strands cargo ship carrying Mercedes vans in Dusseldorf

A cargo ship loaded with Mercedes-Benz vans has run aground in Dusseldorf's harbour, with low water levels preventing it from reaching the Rhine, police said.

Berlin Philharmonie renovation could cost €800 million

Refurbishing the Philharmonie, a gleaming gold landmark in the German capital that is home to the Berlin Philharmonic, could cost around €800 million ($910 million), according to a feasibility study.

Several arrests across Europe in suspected phone fraud worth €300m

Police were carrying out raids in 19 European countries on Tuesday over suspected fraud involving mobile phones sold online, resulting in damages of around €300 million ($340 million), EU prosecutors say.

Report: UniCredit to oust Commerzbank CEO, board members in takeover

Italian lender UniCredit plans to replace Commerzbank chief executive Bettina Orlopp along with 10 supervisory board members after completing its takeover of the German banking rival, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

Germany's Wolters brewery to close after 400 years as beer sales fall

Germany's Wolters brewery is to shut down after four centuries of operation, becoming the latest German brewer to close its doors in the face of falling demand.

Berger sits out Germany games as Wück names six from English league

First-choice goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is being rested for Germany women's friendlies against Australia and Japan next month as coach Christian Wück named six players from the English Women's Super League for the first time.

Berlin to review hosting Tour de France start after ending Olympic bid

Berlin's prospective new city government will review plans to host the start of the 2029 Tour de France having already forced the German capital to withdraw its Olympic bid.