Finance news

Controversial topic in retail: Should shops be allowed to open more often on Sundays?

Trade associations are pushing for more Sunday openings, but the Verdi union is opposing this. A survey shows what people in Germany want.

NATO summit: Trump escalates dispute with Spain at NATO summit

The US President is not letting up in the dispute with Spain. At the NATO summit he spoke of a “terrible partner” - and threatened consequences.

Apple commits $30 billion to Broadcom for U.S. chipmaking push

Apple is expanding its Broadcom partnership in a $30 billion-plus chipmaking agreement, its largest American manufacturing commitment to date.

◇ unclassifiedusa

Health insurance: Opposition wants to stop cash savings package in Karlsruhe

A central part of the Union and SPD's reform roadmap is in jeopardy. The opposition is turning to the Constitutional Court because of the controversial black-red austerity plans.

Delays in construction: Deutsche Bahn wants to review the renovation program for main lines

After delays in the general renovation of Nuremberg-Regensburg, the railway is examining its renovation program for important routes. Basically, the concept should be stuck to.

◇ unclassifiedusa · middle-east · iran

Trump says Iran ceasefire is 'over' after latest round of strikes

The president was asked about the ceasefire after an escalation of fighting in the Middle East.

◇ unclassifiedmiddle-east · russia · usa

Oil Prices Surge 6% Even as Tankers Push Through Hormuz

Thin tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued early on Wednesday despite the fresh flare-up in the Middle East, but more vessels appear to be reconsidering moving toward the chokepoint after the U.S. and Iran traded new attacks overnight. At the time of writing, oil prices had spiked 6% on fears of a significant disruption, with Brent futures trading at $78.58 and WTI futures climbing to $74.76. Six tankers were observed to be either completing or starting to move toward the Strait

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia

Clips of flooded Hong Kong rivers, streets go viral online after heavy rain

Videos of flash-flooded rivers and overflowing pavements went viral on social media on Wednesday as residents in parts of Hong Kong grappled with more than 70mm of rainfall in 24 hours. The intensity of the floods prompted some users online to claim a picture of the extreme was outdated or even AI-generated, only to be proved wrong when a clip was shared by another person. “I actually live in the village houses right above that spot, so I wanted to post the video I took this morning to prove...

◇ unclassifiedmiddle-east · usa · iran

Oil Rockets Higher as Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire Over

'To me, I think it's over', Trump said during a press meeting in Ankara.

Past: Klöckner calls GDR comparisons to the situation today absurd

The Presidium of the Bundestag visits the former Stasi prison in Hohenschönhausen and receives the report from the SED victims' representative. An appointment in an oppressive place.

NATO summit: Trump escalates dispute with Spain at NATO summit

The US President is not letting up in the dispute with Spain. At the NATO summit he spoke of a “terrible partner” - and threatened consequences.

Trump opposes Carroll getting $5 million damages verdict, cites last-ditch Supreme Court bid

Trump has been found liable in two trials for defaming E. Jean Carroll when he denied her claim he sexually abused her in a New York department store.

◇ unclassifiedusa

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · uk

Tourist arrivals in Hong Kong jump by 13% to 26.7 million in first half of year

Hong Kong welcomed 13 per cent more visitors in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2025, as it hosted more mega-events and the Airport Authority stepped up efforts to add destinations to boost tourism. Tourism minister Rosanna Law Shuk-pui revealed on Wednesday that visitor arrivals reached about 26.71 million in the first six months of 2026, representing an annual increase of 13 per cent. Visitors from mainland China and foreign tourists increased by 16 per cent and 5..

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · usa

Hong Kong records surge in disciplinary cases among intern and resident doctors

The number of disciplinary cases involving intern and resident doctors in Hong Kong’s public hospitals has nearly tripled over four years, with lawmakers calling for stronger safeguards to uphold professional standards. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau revealed on Wednesday that the Hospital Authority recorded 35 disciplinary cases involving intern and resident doctors for poor performance or breaches of professional conduct during 2025-26. The figure rose from 23 recorded in 2024-25, 20 in...

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · usa

Nato, Indo-Pacific 4 pledge defence, tech boost as deeper China-Russia ties spark alarm

Nato and its Indo-Pacific partners have pledged to expand cooperation in defence industry and advanced technology as the transatlantic security alliance boosts its military build-up in the face of deepening Russia-China ties. Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday met with top officials from the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) partner nations – Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea – on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Ankara. The talks featured South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and...

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia

China Molly Tea’s US$1.5 million Louis Vuitton fine sparks fierce debate, customer support

After a Chinese milk tea brand was ordered by a Suzhou court to pay Louis Vuitton 10.3 million yuan (US$1.5 million) for trademark infringement, many internet users expressed their support for the mainland company, with some claiming they have lost their positive impression of the luxury brand following the case. The news of the verdict, announced in early July, has been viewed 400 million times on Weibo, alongside a hashtag “Molly Tea lost the lawsuit but won the public’s heart,” which...

Social◇ unclassifiedeurope

How would you live a "boring" life for a few months to build up savings?

Half of 2026 has passed, and apart from some necessary extra expenses, I feel that there has been quite some lifestyle inflation for me that has resulted in me growing my savings by only about 1500€ over these 6 months. And more than 500 of it came from stocks growing anyway. Not only have I taken (past and upcoming in August) about 25 days of holidays in total, I have also splurged a bit on experiences and nice things, apart from going out etc. After my holiday in August, I'd like to return to

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · usa

Business ticker: Mercedes sells fewer cars

Deal with Broadcom: Apple has over 15 billion chips produced in the USA +++ OpenAI wants to release new AI models to the public +++ Apple fails in EU court with lawsuit against stricter rules +++ News in the company live blog.

Health care reform: Speed prevents tedious debates - and possibly good laws too

The Green health politician Janosch Dahmen wants to stop the health insurance austerity law. 300 pages of changes cannot be checked so quickly.

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · russia

Russia deploys powerful jammers to disrupt Starlink in war against Ukraine’s drones

Russian forces are trying to counter Ukrainian “mid-strike” drone attacks by camouflaging cargoes ⁠and installing powerful jamming systems to disrupt Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, Ukrainian drone commanders and pilots have said. Kyiv’s development of “mid-strike” drones that can hit targets dozens of kilometres behind front lines accurately and cheaply, and are often flown via Starlink, has transformed the war in Ukraine. In a concerted mid-strike campaign this year, Ukraine...

Current oil price: Oil prices are increasing significantly after Trump's statements about the Iran war

Oil prices are reacting with gains to Trump's new statements about the Iran war. US attacks, new sanctions and Iran's threatening backdrop are driving up prices.

Played: Pirate on a pirate trip: “Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced”

Treasure hunts in the Caribbean, forays over the rooftops of Havana, jumping off ship masts and looting: there's no question that the fan favorite of the "Assassin's Creed" series is back. Is the remake worth it?

+++ Iran War +++: Israel is apparently attacking in the south of Lebanon despite a ceasefire

Thousands accompany Khamenei's funeral procession in Iraq +++ Trump declares peace plan with Iran invalid - markets react immediately +++ The news blog.

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · europe

Apple loses challenges against EU rules to curb Big Tech

Apple lost its challenge on Wednesday against landmark EU rules that designate its app stores and operating system iOS as gatekeepers subject to obligations aimed at giving rivals more room to compete. The EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), which sets out a list of dos and don’ts ‌for Big Tech with the threat of fines of as much as 10 per cent of a company’s global annual turnover, has triggered legal challenges by Apple, Meta and ByteDance since it took effect in May 2023. The ruling by the...

Health insurance companies: Opposition appeals to the Constitutional Court about Warken's austerity law

The coalition wants to pass the GKV savings law before the summer break. But the opposition is considering going to Karlsruhe. She questions the parliamentary procedure.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · usa

Strait of Hormuz conflict: Trump on ceasefire with Iran: “I think it’s over”

After the recent escalation in the Persian Gulf, the future of negotiations between Iran and the US is uncertain. The US President says he no longer wants to have anything to do with Iran.

Saxony-Anhalt: Schulze and the Left - or deadlock after the election?

Prime Minister Schulze is keeping a low profile on the question of possible tolerance by the left after the election. Party friends warn him about this scenario. What's next in Saxony-Anhalt?

NATO summit: “I don’t want to do business with them” – US President Trump wants to stop trade with Spain

The US President announces a trade embargo against Spain at the NATO summit, also because the country criticized the Iran war. Brussels and Madrid protest.

NATO summit: “Absolutely necessary” – Rutte defends new US attacks on Iran

At the NATO summit in Ankara, the European member states want to convince US President Donald Trump of the sense of the military alliance. However, the meeting is overshadowed by new tensions over Greenland and Iran.