Germany’s fourth-largest city, a historic cultural hub in North Rhine-Westphalia
The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into the Al‑Khair Foundation after the arrest in the UK of Mohammad Yousef Hasna on US charges alleging he channelled money and supplies to Hamas through a purported humanitarian network. The regulator has restricted some transactions, is examining partnerships and finances, and Al‑Khair says it is cooperating.
El Mala has extended his contract with Cologne to 2031, retaining the No. 10 jersey amid transfer talk. He confirmed his commitment, saying he aims to build on last season’s 13 goals and five assists as the club hopes to fend off interest from Dortmund and others.
Rockstar Games has opened digital-only preorders for Grand Theft Auto VI, offering a $79.99 Standard Edition and a $99.99 Ultimate Edition for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The game has faced repeated delays, an extensive leak campaign, and accusations of union-busting after Rockstar fired more than 30 employees; a Netflix preview event and leaked clips have already circulated.
Germany says a drone with explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport has been linked to Russian hybrid operations. Investigations identify suspects and prompt closures of Russian facilities in Bonn and Berlin, with EU allies pledging solidarity while preparing further sanctions.
Germany has attributed an attempted explosive drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport on Aug. 4 to Russian operatives. EU foreign ministers have convened and are preparing fresh sanctions targeting about 1,600 individuals and entities tied to Russia's military sector, while some member states are tightening diplomatic ties and visa restrictions.
Jellyfish have affected at least three reactors at France's nuclear site, triggering disruptions and labor action as workers are set to strike at a separate Chinon plant. The disturbances add to uncertainty over the fleet’s availability and push month-ahead contracts to their highest since last January.
Cassandra Wilson has died at age 70 in Jackson, Mississippi. The Mississippi-born singer expanded jazz boundaries, blending blues, folk and pop. She won two Grammys and influenced a generation of artists. Tributes have poured in from peers and city leaders.
A 48-year-old man is arrested near the Weisweiler power plant in North Rhine-Westphalia with explosives, amid a string of sabotage incidents across eastern and western Germany targeting high-voltage infrastructure. Investigators are examining letters claiming responsibility and explosive devices found at multiple sites.
The late Yayoi Kusama’s work continues to shape a global art narrative as museums stage posthumous retrospectives. The Amsterdam Stedelijk hosts a tribute installation in a show reshaped by Kusama’s death, highlighting the artist’s themes of infinity, identity and mental health.
Germany has named a 44-man squad split into two groups for Nations League fixtures in September and October. The move marks Jurgen Klopp’s first squad since taking over, with several debutants and notable omissions shaped by fitness and strategy.
A hoard of 934 Roman silver denarii, weighing 3.1 kg, has been unearthed near Wesseling, south of Cologne. Authorities say the find is the largest coin treasure from Hadrian’s era in Germany. The coins were buried in the second quarter of the 2nd century AD; the owner’s fate remains unknown. The collection is on display at Bonns LVR-LandesMuseum.
Heidenau’s town council has halted new Stolpersteine plaques, shifting memorials to a cemetery site amid pressure from AfD and CDU allies. The move has drawn international criticism and intensifies debates over how Germany remembers Holocaust victims. The decision comes as AfD gains polling momentum and mainstream parties wrestle with their approach to remembrance in the east.
Germany has announced Munich as the Olympic candidate city, with Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne out of the race. The DOSB will engage in continuous dialogue with the IOC ahead of a 2027 shortlisting, aiming for a bid decision by mid-2029. Munich’s bid centers on the Olympic Park and follows a 2025 referendum showing broad local support.
Police in Cologne have confiscated a red-and-gold robot and two mobile phones after a 16-year-old owner and a 19-year-old companion allegedly filmed the assault of a teenage girl and livestreamed it over the weekend. Investigators are examining whether the robot’s movements were preprogrammed or controlled in real time.
Foreign nationals have been detained by Russia’s FSB on mercenary or espionage charges amid a string of arrests linked to Ukraine conflicts. A German veteran says he joined Ukraine in 2025, claiming pay issues led to desertion. Other cases include a Swedish national and a Japanese journalist; Washington and Moscow discuss prisoner exchanges.
Hundreds of thousands have marched across France in fresh protests against the rising cost of living and poor school conditions. Demonstrations have been largely peaceful by day but have produced clashes, arson and looting in several cities as masked groups attacked police and shops. Authorities have deployed tens of thousands of officers to restore order.
Protests led by youth groups in Germany and France have escalated amid rising living costs and concerns over education, housing, and public services. Authorities are mobilising security and preparing to manage large demonstrations across several major cities this weekend.
France has seen mass protests nationwide, with about 320,000 demonstrators and tens of thousands in Paris. The government reports calmer scenes than previous weeks, but clashes and arrests persist after demonstrations triggered by cost-of-living concerns and education issues. Police deploy high numbers and prepare for potential nighttime unrest.