Der Spiegel
Ukrainian troops are strengthening their positions in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone by setting up checkpoints, trenches, and anti-drone nets. This is related to its proximity to Belarus and the risk of new attacks.
In the Netherlands, near the border with Germany, a forest fire has engulfed about 100 hectares, and a campsite was evacuated due to smoke. Train traffic on one section was suspended, and helicopters were deployed to fight the fire.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has decided to withdraw the military ships Fulda and Mosel from the Red Sea due to the escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran. The ships will remain in the Mediterranean Sea on standby.
In Berlin, a suburban train with 100 passengers collided with a tree, no one was injured. In Saxony-Anhalt, 70 incidents were recorded due to flooding and fallen trees.
The Truth in the “Eyes of War. ” Supported by PUMB, a book by Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov is being released: a collection of documentary photographs that speak honestly about the war.
In the center of Leipzig, a car drove into a crowd, resulting in two deaths and approximately 20 injuries. The driver was detained after attempting to flee.
The German Minister of Defense plans to increase the size of the army to 460,000 personnel. The main goal of the strategy is to counter threats from Russia.
Boris Pistorius has restricted the use of private phones and smartwatches in the Bundeswehr. Devices are prohibited from being brought to meetings with classified information.
In a forest near Flensburg, a 30-meter tree fell on a group of people during an Easter egg hunt. Two teenagers and a child died, and another young man was seriously injured.
The Essen court sentenced a teenager for the murder of a woman and her daughter in Dorsten. The boy confessed to beating the victims, who were also citizens of Ukraine.
Boris Pistorius has agreed with partners on the transfer of 30 PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine. Germany will provide another 5 units, with delivery expected within a few weeks.
Iran struck the Al-Azraq base, where German and US troops are stationed. German soldiers were in shelters, so there were no casualties.
US intelligence may have known about the preparations for blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines at an early stage of planning. A Ukrainian team allegedly shared its intentions with the CIA, which initially did not object, and then tried to avert the attack.
Germany's highest criminal court has kept a suspect in the Nord Stream sabotage in custody, publicly accusing Ukraine for the first time. The court stated that the explosions were carried out "on behalf of a foreign state," referring to Ukraine.
In 2025, the number of initial asylum applications in Germany decreased by 51% compared to 2024, reaching 113,236 applications. This is explained by increased border controls, the suspension of family reunification, and a change of regime in Syria, as well as a 20% increase in deportations.
Unknown individuals stole approximately 20,000 cartridges intended for the German Armed Forces from a civilian truck near Magdeburg. The theft occurred due to a breach of security requirements during transportation, as the cargo was left unattended.
Two weeks after the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, the administration is introducing restrictions on visits. Tickets are now only available online for a specific time due to the huge influx of visitors.
German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil called for a complete ban on Russian steel imports, including steel billets processed in the EU. He emphasized the need to strengthen European patriotism and support domestic steel production.
The Black Forest Clock Association, which unites over 50 manufacturers, dealers, and collectors, has applied for UNESCO cultural heritage status for the cuckoo clock. This move is aimed at protecting the 175-year-old tradition and symbolism of the Black Forest, as the market is weakening and some businesses have already closed.
Heavy rains caused extensive flooding in Ibiza and Formentera, with Ibiza airport temporarily closed and 24 flights canceled. Authorities urge people to stay home, the military is helping to pump out water, and lightning has cut power to hundreds of households.
The European Commission is investigating allegations of Hungarian espionage against European institutions. An international journalistic investigation uncovered a network of secret agents operating through Hungary's Permanent Representation to the EU.
American actor George Clooney is raising his eight-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, on a farm in France. He aims to protect them from paparazzi and comparisons to celebrity children, providing an analog life without iPads.
Signal messenger head Meredith Whittaker stated that the app is ready to leave the EU if a law is passed that allows authorities to bypass encryption to check private messages. This concerns the fight against the spread of child sexual abuse material, but Signal, WhatsApp, and Threema oppose such measures.
The White House announced that any armed attack on Qatar is a threat to US security, providing the Persian Gulf emirate with far-reaching guarantees. This came three weeks after an Israeli airstrike on Hamas targets in Doha. President Trump signed an executive order authorizing diplomatic, economic, and military measures.
At the Celle airbase in Lower Saxony, unknown individuals fired a pyrotechnic device at a C-130 transport aircraft. The aircraft was not damaged, and the military and local police are investigating the incident.
The number of refugees in Germany decreased by 50,000 people in the first half of 2025, reaching 3. 495 million. The reasons for the reduction were deportations, voluntary departures, and naturalization, including over 83,000 Syrians who received citizenship.
In northern Germany, due to a fire in a distribution board and a car accident that damaged the tracks, train traffic between Hanover and Berlin will be delayed until Monday. The incidents led to the stoppage of an ICE train with 900 passengers, who waited for several hours on the open track.
Robert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor of the Scholz government, announced his resignation from the Bundestag effective September 1, 2025. He plans to pursue research and teaching abroad, aiming to distance himself from Berlin politics.
A Ukrainian citizen, Serhiy K. , has been detained in Italy on suspicion of involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. He was allegedly on board the sailboat used by the attackers.
In Germany, the number of asylum applications has significantly decreased, with 70,011 initial applications registered from January to July. This is almost 50% less than in the same period last year.