Second-largest German city-state, a Hanseatic hub and EU economic powerhouse
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.
Six adults have died after a shooting at a youth centre in Stade, near Hamburg. Five died at the scene and one died later in hospital. A suspect has been detained, and police are investigating a custody-dispute motive while confirming the incident is not publicly dangerous at large.
The EU has introduced a 3-euro duty on small packages and tightened steel import rules to curb a flood of low-value online orders and protect European producers. The move follows years of rising Chinese exports and a broader push to safeguard EU industry and consumers. The changes include tariff-free quotas, out-of-quota duties, and transparency requirements for origin tracing.
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.
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 national, Abdul Ballout, has driven a van into crowds near Berlin's Pride festival, then stabbed others. One woman has died and numerous people are injured as authorities investigate an Islamic State link. Ballout has been killed in a police confrontation; prosecutors say he sought to join IS and had prior convictions. Investigations focus on how he moved freely after prior sentences.
Record crossings by mega-dinghies have surged across the English Channel, with boats carrying hundreds of migrants. Authorities are reinforcing enforcement and international cooperation as numbers fall overall but risks rise for those onboard.
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 Friday deadline for offers at £120m for Enzo Fernandez, with Manchester City’s interest tied to Rodri’s potential exit. City have already signed Elliot Anderson, and Rodri’s future and Fernandez’s deal appear interconnected as both clubs reassess midfield options ahead of the new season.
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.
Arthur Fery’s US Open campaign ends in a first-round defeat after a strong Wimbledon breakthrough. Musetti advances, setting up a second-round clash with Sweeny as British hopes shift to the North American hard-court season.
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.
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.
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.
Elif Eralp’s Die Linke has won Berlin’s state election, placing her on track to become the city’s governing mayor. The victory marks the Left’s strongest Berlin showing and comes as the far-right AfD makes gains in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Eralp, a migrant from a Turkish family, pledges housing reform, rent controls, and rules to boost social inclusion while facing coalition hurdles.