Second-largest German city-state, major port and Hanseatic hub
A boat carrying about 157 people has caught fire during an attempted Channel crossing and French and British authorities have rescued everyone on board and taken them to Boulogne-sur-Mer. No deaths have been reported. The incident has come as UK politicians renew calls to curb small-boat crossings and as crossings remain down year‑on‑year so far in 2026.
Traders have participated in Tuesday’s tenders with Bunge, CHS and Olam. A new wheat tender is expected to close on August 18, with shipments planned for September-October. Russia’s export tax changes and congestion at Black Sea ports have shaped a cautious market, while forecasts point to a potential fall in August grain exports.
Chelsea has set a 17:00 BST Friday deadline for offers of £120m or more for Enzo Fernandez. The Argentina midfielder is central to Chelsea’s plans after a season with uncertainty; Real Madrid have ruled out a move, while Manchester City’s interest remains contingent on broader midfield reshuffles.
Harry Kane has won the Kicker magazine Player of the Year award after a 61-goal season with Bayern Munich, aiding a Bundesliga title, German Cup, and a run to the Champions League semi-finals. He leads the England captaincy into a Ballon d’Or conversation as Bayern open the new season.
Fery has claimed a 3-6 7-5 6-3 win in the North Carolina quarter-final, earning a first US Open semi-final berth since Wimbledon. He will meet James Duckworth in the last four after Duckworth defeated Fabian Marozsan.
The AfD has topped voting in Saxony-Anhalt and is forming talks to lead the state government, while about 150,000 demonstrators across 20 cities protest calls to ban the party. Berlin hosts a counter-rally as mainstream parties face pressure over the rise of Germany’s far right.
Joanna Wietrzyk has faced backlash after competing in Beijing while fecal matter ran down her legs. Hyrox has apologised and introduced rule changes to address bio-contamination and safety. The incident has reignited debate about extreme training culture and athlete welfare at hybrid fitness events.
Dortmund has won 1-0 away at Stuttgart, extending their 4-0 start to the season. Kovac’s side show defensive resolve and clinical finishing from Beier off the bench, hinting at a potential title push. Bayern remain top contenders with a narrow gap; Dortmund’s improvement signals a possible challenge this season.
Argentina has escalated its sovereignty push around the Sea Lion oil field near the Falkland Islands. Milei’s govt has filed sanctions and legal actions against firms involved, threatens the UN-backed tribunal, and vows to defend sovereignty. The UK asserts islanders’ self-determination and resources rights.
NATO’s military committee chair will be General Carsten Breuer, elected by 17 of 32 chiefs in Copenhagen. He will take up the post next summer, succeeding Admiral Dragone amid ongoing shifts in European defense spending and alliance strategy.
Berlin’s state election has put Elif Eralp of Die Linke on track to become the city’s governing mayor. Her victory signals a potential historic shift and faces coalition hurdles as pro-poor housing plans meet resistance from other parties.
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.
Rui Pinto’s protection status is being reassessed amid continued scrutiny of Manchester City’s finances and Football Leaks documents. City maintain their innocence while authorities weigh further inquiries across Europe; Pinto has been a protected witness since 2020, with new risk assessments pending.
Germany has arrested former BND president August Hanning on suspicion of treasonous espionage after prosecutors say he obtained roughly 2,000 mostly classified documents from a former chief of staff, identified as Manfred D., and used them in private consulting, including at least one analysis prepared for an officer of a foreign intelligence service.
A Hamburg court has opened the first public trial over the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions after German police have extradited a former Ukrainian special forces soldier. Prosecutors have charged him with causing explosions and a war crime for allegedly leading a team that planted timed charges beneath the Baltic Sea; he and Kyiv have denied involvement.
Argentina has filed a request with the Hamburg-based International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to halt the Sea Lion oilfield project north of the Falkland Islands, arguing it threatens Argentina’s sovereign rights. The UK defends the field as lawful and regulated by the Falkland Islands government. The move follows Milei’s hard line on Falklands oil and signals a sharp diplomatic escalation between Buenos Aires and London.
France has seen a third consecutive weekend of large protests over the cost of living and school conditions, with authorities reporting about 320,000 demonstrators nationwide and 70,000 in Paris. Most marches were peaceful; clashes later erupted in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse, where police used tear gas and water cannon and arrested hundreds.
Germany has convicted two men for planning assassinations and arson against Jewish and Israeli targets, linking the plot to Iran. Berlin has summoned Iran’s ambassador and pledged legal consequences as officials stress Germany’s openness and safety for Jewish life.
Authorities say rebel forces are collapsing and urge fighters to enter a disarmament program, while government troops and allies conduct security operations. A drone strike near Mekelle has killed several civilians as fighting continues three weeks after rebels lost the regional capital.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reports at least 60 deaths across Merti and Shirka in Oromia’s Arsi Zone, with more than 20 wounded and homes burned. The Oromia regional government blames the Oromo Liberation Army, while Amnesty International and UN investigators have documented abuses by both sides. Authorities pledge action and relief for the displaced.
German-born film star Elke Sommer has died at 85 in Bel Air, Los Angeles. Her Hollywood breakthrough came with The Prize, and she starred in A Shot in the Dark. Across Europe and Britain she built a multilingual career, later turning to painting. Her public image bridged glamour and a restless insistence on range.
Hyrox world champion Joanna Wietrzyk has apologised for continuing to race in Beijing after falling ill, and organisers have updated rules to allow removal of athletes for contamination risks. She is preparing to return to competition in Hamburg amid ongoing backlash and calls for accountability.
Protests led by Gen Z regelt have intensified this weekend, with thousands taking to streets in Germany, France and beyond. Authorities report injuries and arrests as demonstrations challenge living costs and policy, while some cities faced clashes after dark.
Youth-led protests have swept France and Germany this weekend over the cost of living, school funding and military policy. Large daytime marches were mostly peaceful, but night-time violence has broken out in Paris and several German cities, notably Frankfurt, where shops were looted and police reported arrests and injuries.
Gen Z regelt-led demonstrations across 34 German cities have turned violent, with Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg witnessing clashes as protesters target shops and police. Organizers claim demonstrations focus on rising living costs and education funding, while authorities warn of extremist attempts to exploit the unrest. The latest events follow a Europe-wide wave of protests against austerity and housing costs.