- yesterday
Poland summons Russian ambassador after cruise missile lands in Lublin region, producing a 10-metre crater
The Russian Kh-101 missile, produced near Moscow in the second quarter of 2026, exploded in a field near Tarnawa Kolonia on Thursday, 80 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, during a large-scale Russian air assault on Ukraine.
- 2d ago
Russian ballistic missile barrage kills nine in Kyiv, damages Lithuanian embassy; Ukraine intercepted only one of 27 Iskanders
Overnight strikes on 1 August hit five districts of the Ukrainian capital with 35 missiles and 185 drones, killing nine people and wounding more than 30, including four children. President Zelensky said a single ballistic missile was intercepted, citing a lack of Patriot systems.
- 2d ago
Rhine water levels plunge to historic lows, disrupting shipping and threatening fuel supply
Water levels on the Rhine have plunged to historic lows at Cologne, Duisburg, Düsseldorf and Bonn, forcing ships to lighten loads and raising fears of fuel shortages in Germany.
- 4d ago
Hungary shuts down Paks nuclear plant as Danube hits record low, triggering energy crisis
The Soviet-built Paks station, which provides around 40 percent of Hungary's electricity, was fully halted on Sunday after the Danube fell to minus 124 centimetres, smashing a 2018 record. Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned of five critical days ahead and urged drastic power savings.
- 4d ago
Glen Hansard, Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter, dies in Dublin motorbike crash at 56
The Frames frontman and Once star was found on a road near Lucan in the early hours of Wednesday after a member of the public raised the alarm. Gardaí are preparing a file for the coroner.
- 5d ago
Cologne appeals 5,000-euro fine over party noise at Brüsseler Platz
The city of Cologne has asked the Higher Administrative Court in Münster to overturn a 5,000-euro coercive penalty imposed for failing to curb late-night noise at the popular Brüsseler Platz nightlife district.
- Jul 24
Climate change makes Europe's drought five times more likely as heat, not rain, drives evaporation
A World Weather Attribution analysis finds that high temperatures, not precipitation deficits, are the primary driver of the severe drought gripping Europe, with evaporation conditions in the west made 80 times more likely by climate change.
- Jul 22
German rental growth loses momentum as Berlin sees first decline in years, Cologne surges 6%
The Kiel Institute's Greix index shows asking rents up just 0.3% in real terms year-on-year, with Berlin posting a 0.8% drop while Cologne jumped 6.0%.
- Jul 20
German asking rents jump 4% in Q2, outpacing inflation as Cologne leads with 7.9% surge
Asking rents across Germany climbed 4.0% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, far exceeding the 2.6% inflation rate, according to a new study by the German Economic Institute (IW).
- Jul 18
Italo orders 26 Siemens Velaro trains in €3bn deal to launch German high-speed rail service by mid-2028
Italian rail operator Italo Holding has signed a €3 billion contract with Siemens Mobility for 26 high-speed Velaro trains, with an option for 14 more, as it prepares to challenge Deutsche Bahn on Germany’s main long-distance corridors from mid-2028. The total investment package reaches €3.6 billion, including 2,500 new jobs.
- Jul 17
Germany to join French nuclear drill for first time as Merz and Macron pledge deeper defence and tech cooperation
German forces will take part in a French nuclear exercise before year-end, a first, as the two governments also pledged to build a European sovereign digital backbone and counter Chinese trade practices.
- Jul 15
German retailers run out of fans and mobile AC units as heatwave pushes temperatures past 30°C
A prolonged heatwave with temperatures exceeding 30°C has emptied shelves of fans and portable air conditioners at major German retailers, with many chains warning no further deliveries will arrive before autumn.
- Jul 11
German police suspect sabotage after fire closes key Cologne-Düsseldorf rail line, left-wing group claims responsibility
A fire damaged signal cables on the Cologne-Düsseldorf line Friday, halting trains for over a day. Authorities suspect arson after a confession letter surfaced online from a group calling itself 'Kommando Angry Birds'.
- Jul 9
Volkswagen CEO reveals up to 100,000 job cuts and four plant closures as costs run 20% above rivals
Oliver Blume confirms a second wave of layoffs may be needed, adding to 50,000 positions already agreed, in a leaked internal interview that puts four German plants at risk.
- Jul 8
AI adoption in German firms surges 118% since 2024, but global digital market share slips, studies show
Two new studies reveal rapid AI uptake across German industry, with 40% of firms now using the technology, while Bitkom warns the country's share of the global IT market is shrinking.
- Jul 7
EU Parliament launches review of AfD's European party family over values compliance
The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to initiate a formal review of the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party, which includes Germany's AfD, over possible breaches of EU fundamental values. The procedure could strip the party of millions in EU funding.
- Jul 5
Cologne Pride draws 1.5 million in record CSD turnout as politicians warn of rising queer hostility
Around 1.5 million people celebrated Christopher Street Day in Cologne on Sunday, making it the largest edition of the parade in the city's history. Politicians used the occasion to voice alarm over growing hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community.
- Jul 5
Benfica close to signing Polish winger Jakub Kaminski from Köln for €20 million
Portuguese club Benfica is finalising the transfer of Polish international Jakub Kaminski from 1. FC Köln, with a fee around €20 million and a long-term contract agreed.
- Jul 5
Hollick overcomes four-shot deficit to win BMW International Open; Rosenmüller sixth
South Africa's Michael Hollick birdied and eagled the final two holes to overtake Hennie du Plessis and win the 37th BMW International Open near Munich. Local favourite Thomas Rosenmüller, who started the day two shots off the lead, carded a level-par 72 to finish sixth.
- Jul 5
ADAC issues ten tips for a relaxed car journey as NRW summer holidays approach
With 2.5 million students in North Rhine-Westphalia about to start summer holidays on 17 July, the ADAC offers advice on avoiding traffic jams and saving on fuel.
