Capital city and state of Germany; EU's largest city by population within city limits.
Two early‑season heatwaves have broken June temperature records across western Europe, pushing many locations above 40°C, triggering red alerts, disrupting transport and power, and causing dozens of deaths in France and other countries. Scientists have said human‑caused warming has made this event far more likely and night‑time temperatures have remained unusually high.
NATO leaders are gathering in Ankara on July 7-8 as the United States has signalled reviews of its force posture in Europe and President Donald Trump has renewed sharp criticism of allies' defence spending and support for the US-Israel war on Iran. European capitals are rushing to show higher defence investment and stronger industrial plans before the summit.
Germany's government has unveiled a broad package of reforms, including €10 billion in annual tax relief for lower-income earners, pension overhauls, tighter sick-leave rules, and reduced bureaucracy. The plan, financed by raising the top tax rate for high earners, aims to boost growth and competitiveness but faces mixed reactions from unions and business groups as it seeks Bundestag and Bundesrat approval.
Reza Pahlavi has been splattered with a liquid outside Germany’s federal press conference building during his visit to Berlin. He has called on European nations to increase pressure on Iran’s regime amid ongoing conflict and stalled negotiations. Several German lawmakers have met with him, but the German government has not scheduled official talks. Pahlavi continues to advocate for a transition in Iran, claiming widespread support among Iranians abroad.
The federal prosecutor's office has identified a suspect, Sergej K., who has been in continuous contact with a Russian intelligence handler since at least May 2025. He is accused of sharing details on German defense contractors, drone tech, NATO convoy movements, and potential sabotage targets, while offering to recruit others. Police have arrested him and will bring him before a judge for pre-trial decisions.
A 55-year-old German postal worker is back on her nine‑metre barge delivering mail and packages along Lehde’s waterways as the spring season resumes. She has been doing this for 14 years, navigating the Spreewald’s canal network and selling stamps, with letters giving way to more packages as shipments rise.
Two-month conflict in Iran is driving higher costs and tighter sourcing in Dubai’s food scene. Chefs are cutting payroll, shrinking orders, and leaning on local and regional ingredients while authorities try to mitigate the impact on tourism and dining.
A series of personal-experience articles chronicles expatriates who have moved between countries seeking better lives. From Berlin to Sonoma, from Malta to Chiang Mai, and from Tuscany to a Tuscan village, the pieces explore how relocations, retirement plans, and family decisions shape their journeys.
A new photo book, Sex, Clubs, Dissent: Visualising Queer Nightlife, edited by Amelia Abraham, surveys decades of queer nightlife photography from the 1960s to today, highlighting its political and community roles and the diversity of scenes and identities.
A cross-section of recent reports shows infrastructure strains—from crumbling bridges in New York to parking crackdowns in Tahoe and traffic-adaptation debates in Berlin—driving policy responses and public safety concerns around the world.
Prosecutors say Khalaf A. has aided an Islamic State-inspired stabbing in Berlin that left a Spanish tourist severely wounded. Wassim Al M. was convicted of attempted murder and is sentenced to 13 years. The attack was carried out near the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe ahead of a German election.
The war talks have stalled recently as Russia's strikes on Ukraine escalate. Ukrainian officials have indicated a push for a diplomatic path before winter, while Western mediation efforts face competing priorities. Kyiv reports heavy rocket, drone activity with multiple cities hit and civilians killed or injured.
A Berlin exhibition by Forensic Architecture exposes how colonial violence left lasting scars on Namibia’s landscape. Archaeology and community collaboration are documenting burial sites linked to Shark Island and other camps, while developers push an adjacent green hydrogen project that threatens heritage and burial grounds.
Anthropic has confidentially filed for an IPO as it benefits from a fundraising round that valued the company at $965 billion. The move comes as revenue growth remains strong, though questions linger about near-term profitability and the pace of AI deployments across industries.
Airlines and credit-card brands are introducing grab-and-go lounges to ease congestion in premium spaces, while traditional lounges tighten access, issuing fewer passes and shorter stays. New, compact lounges aim to move travelers quickly through hubs without sacrificing convenience.
France and Germany have announced they will end plans to build a joint sixth-generation fighter jet, after industrial deadlock between Dassault and Airbus blocked progress. Leaders say work on associated drones and a shared combat data network will continue, but the core €100bn fighter programme has been abandoned this week.
A string of articles shows AI is transforming junior roles across finance and tech, boosting productivity while prompting debate about job quality and upskilling. Disney, Paramount and Thoma Bravo describe faster coding, more complex tasks for juniors, and government-led training initiatives.
The United States has signalled it will curb its military assets in Europe, prompting NATO allies to fill gaps in long‑range fires, aircraft, and naval support. NATO forces are adapting ahead of a July summit, with Kosovo’s KFOR also being adjusted. Leaders insist the shift does not mean a withdrawal, but a shift in how the alliance will deter potential threats.
The Islamic Republic has survived the war but faces internal pressures as hardliners press for a tougher stance in talks with the United States, while ordinary Iranians seek immediate financial relief and higher living standards after years of sanctions and war.
A Russian critic-artist known as Semyon Skrepetsky has been shot dead in Biała Podlaska, Poland, close to the Belarusian border. Two Belarusian suspects are detained; authorities say the victim expressed anti-Russian views through provocative art. The incident follows his Berlin protest on Russia Day and amid ongoing tensions around Ukraine.
A weekend of shootings in Chicago has drawn renewed calls for federal intervention. President Trump has urged Gov. Pritzker to request federal help, while local officials defend policing strategies. The city is suffering a surge in shootings and has reported multiple fatalities during Juneteenth weekend.
Taleb al-Abdulmohsen has been found guilty of six murders and attempted murder in Magdeburg. The court rules the crime as of particular severity, making release unlikely after 15 years. The rampage occurred on December 20, 2024, targeting a Christmas market and leaving multiple dead and injured.
Trains across Germany have halted due to a nationwide GSM-R digital-communication fault. Service is resuming after a two-hour disruption; Deutsche Bahn is investigating the cause as it overhauls major routes amid underinvestment.
A spike in Chicago gun violence has intensified a clash between political leaders. Independent reports crime is up year-to-date with 198 homicides in 2026, while New York Post depicts the mayor’s transfemicide emergency as a distraction from broader city woes as shootings continue.
Ten years after Brexit, Europe has moved on while the UK contends with its legacy. EU states see Britain as an ex-partner navigating a changed landscape; the UK faces ongoing questions about economic model, immigration rules, and future ties. Readers are guided through how this shift shapes politics and daily life.
UK Labour braces for a leadership transition as Andy Burnham moves to consolidate support after Labour leader Keir Starmer announces his resignation. Nominations open July 9; coronation could occur July 17 if uncontested. Burnham pledges market-friendly policies while addressing public spending and defense questions.
Prosecutors have filed a formal case in Berlin, linking a Russian suspect to suspected violations of Germany’s foreign-trade rules and attempted anticonstitutional sabotage. The investigation follows Gazprom Germania’s controversial liquidation and the government’s 2018-2022 nationalization to safeguard gas supplies amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Italy has reframed NATO chief Mark Rutte’s remarks on US flights from Italian bases, saying authorisation covered only technical and logistical support for Epic Fury. Ministers say Italy complied with existing treaties and rejected broad characterisations of Italy’s role, as tensions with the US and the EU grow.
The Guardian reports that Ireland has begun its rotating EU presidency with a ceremony at Dublin Castle attended by Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy and top EU figures. Leaders discuss Ukraine’s EU bid on a merit-based timeline and budget priorities, with emphasis on ending the war and shaping the next EU budget.
A historic heatwave has swept across Europe, setting temperature records and stressing infrastructure and health systems. Scientists say climate change has doubled the odds of such events, with millions affected as cities grapple with heat-related disruptions and rising energy demand.
A roundup of how restaurants worldwide are adapting to rising costs, supply challenges and changing consumer tastes, with chefs reinterpreting regional dishes using local produce, new immigrant cuisines gaining traction, and independent venues thriving amid market pressures.
Two separate firefighting operations are underway after a naphtha-pipeline blaze in West Bengal and a large forest fire near Müritz National Park, Germany, driven by record heat. Firefighters report injuries in the West Bengal incident, while German teams are battling a wildfire in a contaminated site with a 1,000-metre security perimeter.
Cattle on the West Coast Main Line have blocked tracks near Rugeley, causing widespread delays and cancellations for Avanti West Coast, Lumo, London Northwestern and West Midlands services. The line has been blocked for more than three hours, with disruption expected to last until 4pm. Tickets are being accepted on alternative routes.
The Tata Electronics leak has exposed hundreds of parts and supplier mappings for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, with files posted on the dark web by the World Leaks group. Apple and Tata are investigating, while the breach risks disrupting supply chains and revealing confidential partnerships.
The David Bowie: On Tour exhibition has begun its national run, starting at V&A Dundee and touring to Blackpool, County Durham, Hull and Bristol. It features more than 100 artefacts, including Ziggy Stardust costumes, Berlin-era keys, Low-era art and a rare Simpsons-related item, drawn from Bowie's stored archive.
Drone attacks on El Obeid have escalated, targeting fuel depots, water points and aid trucks. Civilians face critical shortages as electricity outages hamper water supplies; humanitarian groups warn of a potential Darfur-style crisis.
German prosecutors are investigating alleged unauthorised favours linked to Euro 2024, with searches conducted at the DFB headquarters and host-city offices. Officials say tickets and other benefits may have been allocated to preferred guests, prompting questions about public trust in major events.
Prosecutors have charged a Ukrainian former officer identified as Serhii K. with directing an attack on the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022. The suspect has denied involvement. The indictment accuses him of leading a team that planted explosives to permanently halt gas deliveries to Germany. The case ties Kyiv to the sabotage under international sanctions and energy security concerns.
Protests have disrupted Erfurt as tens of thousands gather to monitor the AfD congress. Police report blockades and clashes with some protesters, while AfD delegates reach the conference on schedule. The demonstration highlights Germany’s ongoing debate over far-right politics as Saxony-Anhalt’s state elections loom.