German city-state, port capital of the Elbe
Muna has built a reputation as a fierce live act with support from major stars. Their early setback at Pet-A-Palooza became a comic memory, while moves by RCA and Phoebe Bridgers helped them find direction. Today the trio balances punk-energy, electronic textures and personal songs that resonate with diverse fans.
Kevin Keegan has died at 75 after battling cancer. The former England manager and star, who won two Ballon d’Or awards and led Newcastle to top-flight success, has been mourned by clubs and fans. The family says he passed away in the company of his wife and daughters.
Deutsche Bahn has announced a step-by-step nationwide ban on drinking at all 5,400 train stations by Oct. 15, with Berlin’s central and Gesundbrunnen stations following on Sept. 1. The measure aims to curb violence linked to alcohol, after a recent assault on a security staffer during a ticket check. The ban excludes on-board trains and caters will be exempt from restrictions.
A 21-year-old German citizen with Lebanese roots has been identified as Abdul Ballout. After attempting to join ISIS abroad, he carried out a vehicle ramming and machete attack near Berlin's Pride celebrations in Tiergarten, killing one and injuring 29. Ballout was shot dead by police as he approached officers; prosecutors say he was on the radar for radicalization.
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.
Teenagers and young adults were convicted in Hamburg for planning and carrying out arson, bomb attacks and assaults on asylum shelters and left‑wing facilities. Sentences range from 1.5 to 5 years under juvenile law; some cases involved earlier raids and a “last line of defense for the German nation” group name. The rulings follow investigations into a surge of neo‑Nazi activity and radicalization among youths.
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 in the 2022 Nord Stream sabotage. Prosecutors have accused a 50-year-old former Ukrainian special forces officer of leading divers and an explosives expert to plant timed charges under the Baltic Sea and of committing a war crime. The defendant denies involvement and Kyiv has rejected the allegations.