Picture of the day – July 4
Jens Lehmann watches helplessly as Fabio Grosso’s extra-time shot hits the back of the net in the World Cup semi-final between Germany and Italy.
Germany
Germany agrees plan to phase out coal as energy source
German politicians have finalised the country’s long-awaited phase-out of coal as an energy source, backing a plan that environmental groups say is not ambitious enough and free marketeers criticise as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Local coronavirus restrictions under consideration in future to prevent ‘blanket lockdowns’
The First Minister has revealed the country could move to more localised coronavirus restrictions to avoid "longer, more general lockdowns" across Scotland.
Pentagon chief seeks to reassure Nato over US troop plans
The US Defence Secretary has sought to reassure allies at Nato that Washington will consult them on any future troop movements, after President Donald Trump surprised the military alliance by announcing the withdrawal of thousands of personnel from Germany.
German Cabinet agrees to ban sale of single-use plastic items
Germany is banning the sale of single-use plastic straws, cotton buds and food containers, bringing it in line with a European Union directive intended to reduce the amount of plastic waste that pollutes the environment.
Scotland ‘not going to be very far behind’ UK in publishing two-metre rule advice
The Scottish Government will "pay attention" to advice published tomorrow by the UK Government on the two-metre social distancing rule, the First Minister has said.
Nato chief plays down concerns over Trump move to pull troops out of Germany
Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has played down concern that the US will rush to pull thousands of troops out of Germany, saying Washington has made no final decision on when such a withdrawal might take place.
Donald Trump announces major cut of US troops in Germany
President Donald Trump said on Monday he is ordering a major reduction in US troop strength in Germany, a move widely criticised by members of his own party as a gift to Russia and a threat to US national security.
Coronavirus: Europe reopens while Beijing rushes to control new outbreak
European countries have reopened their borders after a three-month coronavirus shutdown.
Europe’s borders reopen for ‘summer unlike any other’
Borders have opened up across Europe after three months of coronavirus closures that began so chaotically in March.
Thousands offered as reward in appeal over 1993 murder of teenager in Germany
A former soldier whose teenage daughter was found murdered near a British military base in Germany has offered a five-figure reward in the hope of finding justice.
Lufthansa warns 22,000 jobs at risk despite bailout
German airline Lufthansa has said 22,000 full-time jobs may need to be cut worldwide due to the drop in demand for flights caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Council bin thrown off Sussex pier washes up on German island
A council bin went on an amazing six month adventure before washing up on a German island 450 miles away.
‘Some evidence’ Madeleine McCann dead, say German authorities
German authorities have said they have “some evidence” that Madeleine McCann is dead but are appealing for more information to bring a suspect to court.
New suspect in Madeleine McCann case now linked to missing German girl, 5
The new suspect in the Madeleine McCann case is being investigated over the disappearance of a five-year-old girl in Germany.
Covid-19 toll on German economy revealed in factory orders figures
Factory orders in Germany plunged even more than anticipated in April, underlining the effect the Covid-19 pandemic has had on Europe’s largest economy.
German court ruling clears way to settle VW diesel cases
A German court has ruled that Volkswagen must buy back diesel cars from their owners which were equipped with software that evaded emissions testing.
Fundraising page for railway worker who died of coronavirus tops £40,000
A campaign to raise funds for the family of a railway worker who died of coronavirus after being spat at while on duty has raised over £40,000.
Young adults from five nations on different governments’ Covid-19 responses
Young adults from five different nations have shared their thoughts on lockdown and their governments’ approaches to tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
World leaders warn that waiting for coronavirus vaccine is not an option
Global leaders have said the world needs to adapt to living with coronavirus and cannot wait to be saved by a vaccine.
Germany’s economy goes into recession as lockdown measures inflict pain
The German economy shrank by 2.2% in the first quarter compared with the previous three-month period as shutdowns in the country and beyond started to bite, official data showed.
Aberdeen family share mum’s wartime diary as nation celebrates 75th anniversary of VE Day
An Aberdeen family has shared entries from the wartime diaries of a woman who had a front-row seat when the guns fell silent in the European theatre of the Second World War.
Worldwide Covid-19 policy differences ‘should not prevent lessons being learned’
Differences in coronavirus policies across the world should not be used as an excuse to not learn lessons from other nations, an expert has said.
Smartphone apps being used to fight coronavirus
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has described smartphone apps for tracing the spread of coronavirus as the “best possible way to help the NHS” as a pilot programme begins in England.
Covid-19 apps around the world
Millions of people in the UK are to be asked to use a phone app to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Ford to restart European production on May 4
Ford has announced that it plans to restart production at its main manufacturing sites in mainland Europe via a phased approach from May 4.
England not so bad at penalties after all, study suggests
English footballers are not as bad at taking penalties as many people assume, according to new research from an unlikely source: Germany.
Nations each chart their own path on reopening
Some nations have started easing coronavirus lockdowns, each pursuing their own approach but all with a common goal to restart their economies without triggering a new surge of infections.
Germany and Britain call for ‘green recovery’ from pandemic
Germany and Britain have said that efforts to revive the global economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic must ensure a “green recovery” that helps the world tackle climate change.
Two Syrians face trial in Germany accused of crimes against humanity
Two former members of Syria’s secret police have appeared in court in Germany accused of crimes against humanity for their role at a government-run detention centre where large numbers of opposition protesters were tortured.