News today: damage after storms in southern Upper Bavaria

According to the White House, senators from both parties and the government have agreed on a $550 billion infrastructure package ) agreed. The agreement in principle was preceded by weeks of tough negotiations. The Senate and House of Representatives still have to approve the final package. In the Senate, where President Joe Biden's Democrats are dependent on the support of some Republicans, the first procedural vote could take place on Wednesday (local time).

8:51 p.m .: Stricter corona rules in France valid from August 9th

The law to tighten the corona rules in France comes into force on August 9th. At the beginning there will be a "time of adjustment, of tolerance", said government spokesman Gabriel Attal after a meeting of the Council of Ministers. The new regulations include, in particular, the controversial expansion of the health passport for those who are not vaccinated. The law passed by Parliament on Sunday provides for compulsory testing when entering restaurants and long-distance trains. In cinemas, theaters or museums, proof of a vaccination, a survived infection or a negative corona test has been required since July 21.

Corona infection despite vaccination Jana has been vaccinated twice. Then she gets infected. How did that happen?

8:37 p.m.: Baerbock wants to invest more money in elementary schools

Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock has called for more investment in elementary schools. It's not as if Germany spends little on education, but the money doesn't go where it's most needed, criticized Baerbock at the start of the Southwest Greens' election campaign in Heidelberg. "In the primary area, with the little ones, in the day-care centers, but above all in the elementary schools - that's where the key to a good education is laid." Every child can be reached in elementary schools – regardless of their origin and regardless of the income of their parents. "So that's where our priority has to be."

7.57 p.m .: Scholz – charge for corona tests, but make them cheap

SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz has spoken out in favor of making corona tests chargeable for many citizens in the foreseeable future. If everyone could have been vaccinated, at some point you would have to pay for the tests yourself, said the Vice Chancellor in the "Brigitte live" series of talks. However, this should not apply to those who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons or for whom - like for children - there is no vaccination recommendation. Tests should continue to be free in schools and companies, said Scholz. For everyone else, the tests would have to be "as cheap as possible".

"Brigitte Live" Olaf Scholz wants paid corona tests for the unvaccinated

7:21 p.m.: President Biden met Belarusian opposition leader in the White House

US President Joe Biden met with Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya at the White House. The US government supports the people of Belarus in their quest for democracy and human rights, Biden wrote on Twitter. Biden is more likely to receive foreign leaders at government headquarters. The meeting with Tichanovskaya should therefore be seen as a sign of support for the Belarusian opposition. The encounter had not previously been publicly announced.

5.47 p.m .: Forest fire broke out in the Turkish holiday region of Antalya

A violent forest fire broke out in the Turkish holiday region of Antalya. Three people were hospitalized with burns, according to Turkish media. The fire broke out in a forest in Manavgat, Antalya province, and spread rapidly in strong winds. Because of the advancing flames, four districts of Manavgat have been evacuated. In the district of Kalemler, several houses were destroyed by the fire. The tourist resorts in the region are not threatened, said the mayor of the city of Antalya, about 60 kilometers away, Muhittin Böcek, the state news agency Anadolu. Böcek suspected arson as the cause.

4:58 p.m .: More than five million households in Germany bought pets during the pandemic

According to a survey, around 5.4 million households in Germany bought a pet during the corona pandemic. According to a survey by the opinion research institute Yougov for the comparison portal Check24, 13 percent of those surveyed stated that they had gotten an animal roommate during this time.

Dogs came in first among the most popular pets with 41 percent. This is followed by the cat with 37 percent. Far behind in third place, at nine percent, are fish. Three percent bought exotic pets like snakes. The most unusual entries included pigs, chickens and ferrets. Between July 16 and July 18, 2058 people were interviewed for the survey.

4:23 p.m .: Netherlands: Further sharp decline in new corona infections

In the Netherlands, the number of new infections continues to fall sharply. Most recently, 3513 new infections were reported within one day, almost 500 fewer than the previous day, as the Institute for Health and Environment RIVM announced. In the past seven days, the number of positive test results has decreased by almost 50 percent compared to the previous week. According to the authorities, the reason for the downward trend is the tightened measures, especially for nightclubs and discotheques.

On the other hand, the number of Covid patients in hospitals continued to rise. 629 people are currently being treated, 13 more than the day before. On average, four people had died of Covid-19 in the past seven days, compared to two a day in the previous week.

Out for nightlife Infection numbers explode after easing - Netherlands pulls the ripcord

3:58 p.m.: Archaeologists report "significant" Stone Age find in Morocco

During excavations in Morocco, archaeologists have found evidence that the Acheulean Age in North Africa began much earlier than previously assumed. This "significant discovery enriches the debate on the formation of the Acheulean in Africa," said Abderrahim Mohib, one of the leaders of the Franco-Moroccan research program "Prehistory of Casablanca". The Acheulean is a Stone Age stone tool culture dating back 1.8 million years in East Africa and 1.6 million years in the south of the continent. A feature of the culture is the invention of stone tools such as the hand axe. Early humans, Homo erectus, lived during the Acheulean period. Until now, scientists have assumed that the Acheulean period in this part of North Africa only began 700,000 years ago.

3:56 p.m .: Damage after storms in southern Upper Bavaria

Storms with heavy rain and hurricane gusts have covered roofs in southern Upper Bavaria, damaged buildings and flooded streets. The integrated control center in Rosenheim reported 119 operations in the district, said a spokeswoman for the district office. The municipality of Halfing was particularly affected, where several covered house roofs and full basements were reported. In the neighboring district of Traunstein, trees fell due to the storm, streets were flooded and several cellars were under water. According to the integrated control center in Traunstein, around 180 storm operations were reported in the region.

3.50 p.m.: All districts of Erftstadt reconnected to the power grid

In Erftstadt, which was severely affected by the flooding, all districts are reconnected to the power grid. This was announced by the North Rhine-Westphalian Rhein-Erft district. However, this does not automatically give the citizens electricity again: the majority of house connections have not yet been reconnected and must first be checked by specialist companies. Erftstadt was partly massively devastated by flood and high water two weeks ago.

3.48 p.m .: Agreement at Meyer-Werft about job cuts: 450 have to go

At the cruise ship builder Meyer-Werft, 450 jobs are to be cut in the corona crisis. The management, works council and IG Metall presented this agreement to the workforce in Papenburg an der Ems. After the fronts in Germany's largest shipbuilding company had hardened for months, Lower Saxony's former finance minister, Jürgen-Peter Schneider (SPD), reportedly successfully moderated the negotiations. Because of the standstill in the cruise industry, the shipyard has 40 percent less work and has to save 1.2 billion euros.

3:18 p.m .: Munich theater boss acquitted in abuse process

The theater boss Thomas Pekny has been acquitted by the Munich I district court of the allegation of serious sexual abuse. Ultimately, no evidence could be provided, said the presiding judge Nikolaus Lantz. The board had doubts about the accusation. Judge Lantz emphasized that the acquittal for the 69-year-old director of the comedy in the Bayerischer Hof in Munich was "a short story". Everything may have been "as harmless" as Pekny said it was, Lantz said. "If not, then you are very lucky." Nevertheless, it is an acquittal. The verdict is not yet legally binding.

Oliver Krischer Suddenly right in the middle: How a Green Party climate politician experiences the flood in his home country

3:16 p.m.: Schalke 04 ends season ticket sales early

Football Second division club FC Schalke 04 has prematurely ended season ticket sales. The tickets that were still available were issued earlier than expected, said the Bundesliga relegated. At the end of June, the traditional club had already announced that despite the sporting relegation and the exclusion of spectators last season due to the corona pandemic, only two percent of the season tickets had been cancelled. Before the 2019/2020 season, 43,935 had been sold. Schalke also announced that due to the pandemic, it was still unclear when the season tickets could be activated.

3:04 p.m .: Bundeswehr with 2000 forces in flood areas

After the storm disaster, the Bundeswehr is currently helping with around 2000 forces in the affected areas of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. This number was given by the outgoing head of the NRW state command, Brigadier General Torsten Gersdorf. The particularly affected Ahr Valley in Rhine-Palatinate was named as a focus of the operations. According to the information, more than 500 emergency services with around 100 vehicles from heavy equipment to cars are in action in the storm regions of NRW. Since July 14, there have been 73 requests for help from the municipalities in NRW in the wake of the disaster. Of these, 27 were running, almost 40 were completed.

3.01 p.m .: Environmental Agency assumes smoke after explosion of dioxin compounds

The North Rhine-Westphalian State Environment Agency (LANUV) assumes "dioxin, PCB and furan compounds" after the explosion in the Chempark in Leverkusen carried over the cloud of smoke into surrounding residential areas. According to information from the office, chlorinated solvents were also stored in the affected tanks, a spokesman said. The concentration in which the compounds were released is still being investigated. The investigations are quite complex.

2:58 p.m .: Several fires broke out in the Turkish holiday region of Antalya

Several forest fires broke out in the Turkish holiday region of Antalya. Winds drove the flames toward residential areas, Manavgat District Administrator Mustafa Yigit told CNN Türk. Three quarters have been evacuated. Dark plumes of smoke and meter-high flames could be seen in the pictures. Tourists are not currently at risk, Yigit said. The forces fought the flames from the air and from the ground. According to the governor's office, two firefighting aircraft and 15 helicopters are in use. No injuries or fatalities were reported. The cause of the fires was initially unclear.

2:58 p.m .: Several fires broke out in the Turkish holiday region of Antalya

The emergency services fought the flames from the air and from the ground. According to the governor's office, two firefighting aircraft and 15 helicopters are in use. County Administrator Yigit said reinforcements had been requested from other provinces. No injuries or fatalities were reported. The cause of the fires is still unclear.

2.41 p.m .: Number of dead after flood in Rhineland-Palatinate has risen to 134

The number of fatalities after the flood disaster in Rhineland-Palatinate has risen to 134. In the past 24 hours, two other people have been found dead, said Florian Stadtfeld from the Koblenz police headquarters in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. So far, 76 dead have been identified. 73 people are still missing. Stadtfeld gave the number of people injured after the heavy rain on July 14 and the resulting flash floods as 766.

Audiostory

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2.40 p.m .: German who has been missing in Mallorca for more than a week is dead

A German holidaymaker who has been missing in Mallorca for more than a week is in the found dead in a hiking area north of the island, police confirmed. The 63-year-old from Upper Franconia went on a hike alone last Tuesday. When he did not return, the relatives called the police.

The man's rental car was found in a parking lot on the La Victòria peninsula on Saturday. Since then, the mountain rescue team has been looking for the German with the support of a dog unit and a helicopter. A sniffer dog found the man's body this morning. An autopsy should clarify the cause of death. Since the man was found on level ground, a fall can be ruled out as the cause of death. However, there was no evidence of third-party debt.

2:16 p.m.: US warns Taliban against taking over Afghanistan by force

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned the militant Islamist Taliban against taking over Afghanistan by force. The Islamists' goals, such as international recognition, free travel for the Taliban leaders or the lifting of sanctions, could not be achieved in this way, he said after a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in India's capital New Delhi.

After 20 years of military presence, the US is withdrawing its soldiers from Afghanistan, and the Taliban are increasingly taking over territories. United Nations sanctions are currently in place against the Taliban, including asset freezes, travel bans and an arms embargo. The US has also imposed bilateral sanctions on the Islamists.

2.10 p.m .: Man bitten by off-leash dogs and seriously injured

A pedestrian was attacked by two loose dogs in the east of Munich and seriously injured. According to previous knowledge, the 45-year-old from Munich was suddenly bitten by the dogs yesterday, as the police announced today. According to the police, the 59-year-old dog owner, who was walking the animals, already had a leash for his dogs due to previous incidents. The attacked man was able to get to safety after the incident and then had to go to the hospital. The dogs were taken away from the owner and are now in the shelter.

According to the information, the animals belong to a South African protection and guard dog breed. They are not listed as fighting dogs in Bavaria. The further investigations should show how exactly the incident happened and what should happen to the dogs.

1:57 p.m .: Sinabung volcano in Indonesia erupted – column of ash kilometers high

Sinabung volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumatra erupted and spewed a column of ash 4.5 kilometers high into the air. There were no dead or injured in the eruption at noon (local time), according to the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Prevention. However, residents were asked not to approach the danger zone of the Feuerberg. The eruption lasted more than 12 minutes.

The approximately 2460 meter high Sinabung last rumbled vigorously in March and May. The volcano is around 50 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital Medan. After staying quiet for centuries, it has erupted on and off since 2010.

1.50 p.m .: Sarrazin does not want to appeal against being kicked out of the SPD

The author and ex-politician Thilo Sarrazin does not want to challenge his being kicked out of the SPD in court after all. Sarrazin said in Berlin that he had asked himself whether he would have joined today's SPD as a young man. "The answer is a resounding and unequivocal no." That's why he decided not to take any further action against the exclusion.

Sarrazin, Kalbitz, Palmer Why is it so hard to kick someone out of a party?

Almost exactly a year ago, the Supreme Arbitration Court of the SPD confirmed the expulsion of the former Berlin Finance Senator. This serves to "protect the reputation and credibility of the SPD". The party had accused him of spreading racist and anti-Muslim theses under the guise of being an SPD member.

1.45 p.m.: Announcement overheard: Passenger ends up in a siding with the train

A rail passenger watched a film during the train journey from Hamburg and obviously missed an important announcement. It was only when his train was driven into the parking lot in Neumünster in Schleswig-Holstein that the 49-year-old noticed the inattention and asked the federal police for help by phone, the authority said. He called the officials and stated that he was in the parking group on a parked train and did not dare to go out. Accompanied by the federal police officers who rushed to the scene, he was then able to exit the train safely.

1:21 p.m .: Woman wins 32.8 million euros in the lottery and does not notice it at first

A woman from Lower Franconia won around 32.8 million euros in the lottery – and did not notice it at first. As Lotto Bayern announced, the 45-year-old was the only player nationwide to choose six correct numbers in the draw on June 9 with 1, 7, 17, 22, 41 and 49 and the correct super number with 3. However, she only noticed the value of her lottery ticket the next time she placed a bet. "I still get dizzy at the thought of having carried around almost 33 million euros in my wallet carefree for several weeks," Lotto Bayern quoted the winner as saying.

To play along, the woman only invested 2.40 euros and chose the numbers "freely from the gut". The win of exactly 32,842,219.80 euros is the second highest sum ever in the game "6aus49" in Bavaria, said Lotto Bayern. The highest prize paid out to date was 33.3 million euros.

12.53 p.m .: Leverkusen residents should remain cautious because of soot after the explosion

After the explosion in a Leverkusen waste incineration plant, the city continues to urge its citizens to be cautious because of the soot particles that have fallen. The recommendations from the previous day are still up to date, said a spokeswoman. There are still no precise analysis results from the State Environment Agency on the substances observed.

As a precaution, Leverkusen residents should not eat any fruit or vegetables from the garden in places where soot had fallen after the accident. It is also better to avoid affected garden furniture or pools. If you urgently need to work in the garden, you should wear gloves as a precaution. "Please don't take soot into the apartment, that means take off your shoes and leave them in front of the front door," the city's appeal said.

12.47 p.m .: Man killed in bear attack in Siberian nature park

A 42-year-old man was killed when a bear attacked a group of Russian tourists in the Siberian region of Krasnoyarsk. The incident happened in the Jegarki nature park, according to the investigative authority in Krasnoyarsk. Accordingly, the group of four tourists from Moscow was attacked by the predator the day before during a hike in the wooded mountain and lake region. The other people could have escaped and taken refuge at a civil defense point.

According to the nature park administration, this was the second death this summer. In June, a 16-year-old boy was fatally injured in a bear attack. The bear was then shot.

12.44 p.m.: Question portal for the federal election launched

Until the federal election, voters can question more than 2500 direct candidates from all 299 constituencies online. To this end, the organization parliamentwatch.de launched a question portal today. The aim is that, as in the election four years ago, around one million visitors to the website ababdatenwatch.de/bundestag should ask around 9,000 questions. A rate of 80 percent is targeted for the answers.

Since 2004, it has been possible to contact members of the Bundestag, the European Parliament and the state parliaments directly via the portal. Before elections, this question option is regularly extended to all candidates who are applying for a parliamentary seat. The site is operated by the Parlamentwatch e.V. association, which claims to be financed exclusively through donations.

12.41 p.m .: Shark attacked while deep sea fishing: Australian seriously injured Perth

Off the west coast of Australia, a man was attacked by a shark and seriously injured. He was attacked by a lemon shark and wounded in the leg while on a deep-sea fishing trip near the remote Varanus Island, the Brisbane Times reported. The approximately 30-year-old man received first aid on the boat after the attack last night and is now being treated in a hospital in Exmouth. However, the doctors wanted to fly him to Perth, the capital of the state of Western Australia, later that day. Lemon sharks can grow to over ten feet in length.

12.33 p.m .: Berlin police are searching corona test centers on suspicion of fraud

The police in Berlin have been searching corona test centers on suspicion of billing fraud since the morning. More than 150 places are on the investigators' list. As the Attorney General announced, there are more than 50 suspects. According to the police, more than 200 officers from the State Criminal Police Office and the State Police Headquarters searched the test sites. It is still unclear whether evidence was secured. "The starting point was suspicion of billing fraud in connection with rapid corona tests in the Neukölln district," says the spokesman for the public prosecutor's office, Martin Steltner. Then, in June, a city-wide check was carried out to determine whether the accounts for corona tests were plausible. "Further suspicions have arisen that we are investigating."

12.24 p.m .: Start of the general obligation to test when entering the country is open for the time being

The federal government has not yet made a final decision on a general obligation to test for people returning from travel. "The current state of affairs is that there is an ongoing voting process," said Deputy Government Spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer in Berlin. She did not confirm information from Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) about a guaranteed start of mandatory testing on August 1st. Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) wants to expand the test requirement for those returning from travel as quickly as possible, as a spokeswoman confirmed. If it were up to his house, there would have been a corresponding regulation long ago, she said. Federal Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht (SPD) sees a need for discussion about the design of the test obligation. Compulsory testing is planned for all those who can present neither proof of vaccination nor proof of recovery – regardless of which country they are traveling from and what means of transport they are using.

11.39 a.m .: Charges against suspected Syrian torture doctor from Hesse

The federal prosecutor’s office has brought charges of murder and crimes against humanity against a suspected Syrian torture doctor. The man who last lived in Hesse is said to have tortured and severely abused people in 18 cases in two Syrian military hospitals and a military secret service prison between 2011 and 2012, according to the supreme prosecutor in Karlsruhe. Two victims died. The doctor is also accused of serious bodily harm, attempted serious bodily harm and dangerous bodily harm before the State Protection Senate of the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt.

The man left Syria in 2015. Since then he had lived in Germany and worked as a doctor. He was arrested in June last year and has been in custody ever since.

11.35 a.m .: No more missing people in NRW after the flood

Two weeks after the flood disaster, no more people are missing in the affected areas of North Rhine-Westphalia. Interior Minister Herbert Reul said in the state parliament interior committee. There are 47 fatalities to be lamented. According to current knowledge, 23 people were probably hit by the water masses on the street and killed, according to the CDU politician during the special session in Düsseldorf. 23 people were rescued lifeless from their living quarters or cellars. In one case, the cause of death could not be determined. Four of those who died were firefighters. Reul emphasized that it was the biggest natural disaster that NRW had ever suffered.

11.10 a.m .: BGH confirms conviction of stock exchange traders for cum-ex transactions

The first nationwide criminal judgment for "cum-ex" stock transactions at the expense of the tax office is final. The Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe rejected the appeals of the two accused ex-stockbrokers from London and the public prosecutor's office. The judges also confirmed that the private bank involved in the scandal, M.M. Warburg is to collect a three-digit million amount.

With cum-ex deals, investors, banks and stock traders had cheated the German tax authorities out of billions of euros for years. Shares with ("cum") and without ("ex") dividend entitlements were shifted back and forth around the key date. For these transactions, those involved claimed capital gains tax that they never paid. With the BGH ruling, it is now finally clear that not only a tax loophole was used here.

11.08 a.m .: Union and Laschet drop in survey after flood disaster – Greens win

After the flood disaster in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, the Union parties CDU / CSU in the RTL / ntv trend barometer from Forsa the previous week again lost two percentage points and only come to 26 percent. The Greens, on the other hand, increase by two percentage points to 21 percent. The SPD loses one percentage point and is at 15 percent, the FDP improves by one point to 13 percent. The AfD reaches ten percent, the left seven.

The Germans' preferences for chancellor have also changed significantly this week. If citizens could elect their chancellor directly, 17 percent would vote for Union chancellor candidate Armin Laschet this week - that's six percentage points fewer than a week ago. He slipped from first to last place in the candidate race, behind the Green candidate Annalena Baerbock with 19 percent and the SPD candidate Olaf Scholz with 18 percent.

10.41 a.m .: AfD criticizes planned compulsory testing for travelers returning

The AfD top candidate Alice Weidel has spoken out against the planned compulsory corona testing for travelers returning. This would be a "disproportionate burden on travellers, border authorities and the tourism industry". Weidel spoke of an uncertainty among vacationers that finally had to stop.

The chairwoman of the AfD parliamentary group also criticized the fact that the same quarantine rules do not currently apply to those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered after a stay in a foreign area with a high number of infections as to all other travelers. "The quarantine exemption of vaccinated and recovered disadvantages healthy people and exposes them to further vaccination pressure."

Holidays in Corona times Those returning from travel must expect to be required to test as early as August 1

10.31 a.m.: Suspected license holder of Bylock app arrested in Turkey

Five years after the attempted coup, the alleged licensee of the communication app Bylock in Turkey has surrendered. The Turkish authorities are of the opinion that the putschists at the time had come to an agreement with the Bylock application. Suspect David K. turned himself in at Istanbul Airport on July 9 and was arrested, the state news agency Anadolu reported. He is accused of membership in the Gülen movement, which is considered a terrorist organization in Turkey.

The Turkish leadership blames the movement around US-based preacher Fethullah Gülen for the July 2016 coup attempt. According to Anadolu, David K. has taken on US citizenship and was previously called Alpaslan D. Prosecutors are demanding up to 15 years in prison.

10.27 a.m .: The number of new corona infections in the USA is increasing significantly

In the USA, the number of new corona infections recorded in one day is increasing. Authorities reported 70,740 new cases yesterday, according to data from Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University earlier this morning. That's about 28,000 more than exactly a week ago. The number of deaths with a confirmed corona infection rose from 286 to 533 in a weekly comparison. According to estimates by the CDC health authority, more than 83 percent of all infections recorded in the country can be attributed to the particularly contagious delta variant.

So far, according to CDC data, more than 56.9 percent of people in the US have received at least their first vaccination, and around 49 percent are fully vaccinated.

9.59 a.m .: Three police officers, some seriously injured, in a traffic accident in Berlin

In Berlin three police officers sustained some serious injuries in a traffic accident yesterday. An officer from the State Criminal Police Office, who was traveling with two colleagues in a civil emergency vehicle in the Spandau district, collided with a Ford when changing from the right to the middle lane, the police said. The driver of the Ford waited in the middle lane due to traffic.

9.47 a.m .: More than half of the people in Germany are fully vaccinated

More than half of the people in Germany have full vaccination protection against the corona virus. Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) announced on Twitter in the morning that 50.2 percent of the citizens had full protection. In addition, 61.1 percent of the people in the country have been vaccinated at least once.

9.34 a.m .: After the death of a 26-year-old: the police arrested an ex-boyfriend

After a dead 26-year-old was found in a Nazi-era bunker in a forest area north of Berlin, the police in Brandenburg arrested a man. The 29-year-old from Oranienburg is said to be the ex-boyfriend of the dead, as the Neuruppin public prosecutor confirmed. The man was reportedly arrested late Tuesday evening. He is to be brought before the investigating judge today.

At the beginning of last week, visitors to a bunker in a forest near Oranienburg found the lifeless body of the young mother in the facility and alerted the police. A short time later, the police announced that the dead woman was from Oranienburg, who had been missing for a few days.

9.10 a.m .: According to the fire department, the search for missing people in Leverkusen can take longer

According to the fire department, the search for the five missing people in Chempark Leverkusen can take even longer. "It was searched all night and then extinguished and that will continue today during the day," said the head of the Leverkusen fire brigade, Hermann Greven, the WDR in the morning. "It will take a while before there is final clarity." There is currently no danger from the site. Around 360 emergency services were deployed during the day after the explosion and fire.

The massive explosion and fire occurred yesterday morning in the tank farm of a disposal center in Chempark Leverkusen. The cause is not yet known.

9.09 a.m .: Man in North Rhine-Westphalia threatens police patrol with chainsaw

A man in Kamp-Lintfort in North Rhine-Westphalia yesterday evening threatened a police patrol that he himself had called with a chainsaw. The 42-year-old had previously called the police under a false name, as the police in Wesel announced today. He stated that "a man with a chainsaw turned on was walking in the direction of Schulstraße". A patrol met the suspect at the scene. He suddenly ran towards her with his chainsaw raised.

Shortly thereafter, the man disappeared into an apartment building. However, officers were able to identify the man's name and whereabouts. When he left his apartment again shortly afterwards, he was overpowered by the patrol. According to the police, he was the original whistleblower. As a police spokeswoman in Wesel said, the suspect is mentally ill. Nobody was injured during the operation.

9.04 a.m .: Per capita debt has risen to a good 26,000 euros

Public debt continued to rise last year, mainly due to the Corona measures. Per capita debt increased to EUR 26,141 at the end of 2020, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office based on the final debt results. This was 3281 euros more than at the end of 2019. At the end of last year, the total public budget in the non-public sector owed 2172.9 billion euros.

The figures refer to the debts of the federal government, states, municipalities and municipal associations as well as social security including all extra budgets, for example at banks or private companies.

8.13 am: 18 migrant workers die in highway accident in north India

18 migrant workers have been killed on a highway in north India as they slept on the side of the road next to their bus after a car broke down. According to the police, a truck rammed the bus from behind. 19 other workers were injured in the accident in the state of Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, the passengers got off the bus because the axle shaft of the vehicle was broken and lay down next to the bus to sleep. The workers were therefore on their way home to the eastern state of Bihar. The rescue workers recovered several bodies under the vehicle wreck.

7.57 a.m.: Tropical storm "Nepartak" reaches mainland Japan

Tropical storm "Nepartak" made landfall in northern Japan today. Authorities in the affected Miyagi region issued non-mandatory evacuation orders and set up emergency shelters. However, the Olympic Football Games, which will be played in the region today, can go ahead as planned, according to the organizers. According to the meteorologists, the storm is expected to pass south of the city of Morioka in Iwate Prefecture. "Strong" winds of up to 90 kilometers per hour are to be expected, the Japanese weather agency said.

7.12 a.m .: US President accuses Russia of interfering in 2022 congressional elections

US President Joe Biden has accused Moscow of interfering in the 2022 US congressional elections by spreading misinformation. "Look at what Russia is already doing in view of the 2022 election," Biden said yesterday (local time) at a meeting with US intelligence coordinator Avril Haines. "This is a pure violation of our sovereignty." Biden attacked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin with sharp words: Putin has "a real problem, he sits at the top of an economy that has nuclear weapons and nothing else," said Biden. "He knows he's in trouble, which I think makes him even more dangerous."

6.03 a.m .: Search for missing persons after explosion in Leverkusen continues

After the explosion in a waste incineration plant in Leverkusen, the search for the missing persons continues. As on the previous evening, five people were still missing in Chempark, said a spokesman for the DPA news agency early in the morning. The post-extinguishing work also continued. "There is no new development there." According to Chempark manager Lars Friedrich, at least two people died in the accident the previous day. The number of injured was therefore 31. One of them was said to be in mortal danger.

5.01 a.m .: Extended testing requirements for vacationers will probably come earlier

Vacationers will have to prepare for extended testing requirements when returning to Germany from next month. The federal government has promised that it will try everything by August 1 to introduce a uniform test obligation, "not only for air travel but also, for example, for everything that comes by normal car or train," said Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) on yesterday evening in the ARD "Tagesthemen". In the afternoon he was informed that a legal basis would be created so that the implementation would work on August 1st. Söder said: "The rule is relatively simple, everyone needs a test that comes back, so to speak, whether they come by car, train or plane." He believes that this is now more understandable, clearer and safer. At present, the obligation to test only applies to people who travel to Germany by plane.

4.35 a.m .: RKI registers 2768 new corona infections

In Germany, the seven-day incidence has been increasing for three weeks. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) from the morning hours, it was 15.0 – the previous day it was 14.5, and the most recent low on July 6 was 4.9. The health authorities in Germany reported 2,768 new corona infections to the RKI within one day, as can be seen from the figures, which reflect the status of the RKI dashboard at 4:28 a.m. A week ago, the value for Germany was 2203 infections.

4.21 a.m .: Corona lockdown in Sydney is extended by another four weeks

Because the number of corona infections in Sydney is increasing despite the lockdown, the exit restrictions for the Australian metropolis of millions will remain in place for another month. The measures that have been in place for five weeks will be extended until August 28, according to the authorities. So far, 177 cases have been registered in connection with a corona outbreak registered in mid-June. People were asked not to leave their neighborhoods. However, single people are allowed to form a "single bubble" with another person.

Worldwide demonstration German conspiracy group is said to have coordinated lockdown protests in Australia

3.43 a.m.: Researchers expect lower participation in federal elections due to pandemic

Bertelsmann scientists -Foundation expect a lower turnout in the federal election due to the corona pandemic, which reflects a deepening social division. The study, which is being published today and was previously available to the "Tagesspiegel", predicts a socially even more unbalanced voter turnout than in previous years, which reflect the composition and political interests of the electorate even less.

3.18 am: Wikileaks founder Assange loses Ecuadorian citizenship

A court has revoked the Ecuadorian citizenship of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. When the native Australian was granted citizenship in 2017, administrative errors were made, the newspaper "El Comercio" reported yesterday, citing an administrative court in the capital Quito. Assange's lawyer Carlos Poveda announced that he would appeal the first instance decision. Assange is currently awaiting a decision on the US government's extradition request at Belmarsh maximum security prison in London.

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2.01 a.m .: UNHCR chief alarms about violations of refugee convention

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has called on numerous countries to defend the principles of the Geneva Refugee Convention. On the 70th anniversary of the signing of the convention (July 28, 1951), Grandi said he was alarmed because European and other countries were increasingly trying to evade their obligations. The document is the cornerstone of the global asylum system. Signatories must grant protection to people who ask for it because they are being persecuted in their homeland. Asylum seekers must not be sent back to places where they are threatened with persecution. "Thanks to the convention, millions of lives have been saved," said Grandi.

1.03 a.m .: Public health officers advocate corona vaccination for children over the age of twelve

In view of the rapidly increasing number of corona infections, the German public health officers are in favor of all children over the age of twelve being vaccinated vaccinate. "If the vaccines have been tested, checked and approved, I see no reason not to recommend them for vaccination, even for younger people," said the chairwoman of the Federal Association of Doctors in Public Health Services, Ute Teichert, to the newspapers of the Funke media group. "If vaccines against Covid-19 are also approved for children and adolescents, I am in favor of people being vaccinated with them," said Teichert. The incidences are already particularly high in the lower age groups. "That will soon shift to the even younger groups. Why shouldn't we protect these age groups from Corona?" Teichert pointed out. "Especially since the boys have many contacts. So it makes sense to vaccinate them."

0.17 a.m .: Ennahdha party calls for early elections after the government in Tunisia was ousted

After President Kaïs Saïed ousted the government in Tunisia, the largest deposed government faction has declared itself ready for early elections. The Islamist-leaning ruling party Ennahdha said it was ready to hold early parliamentary and presidential elections "for the sake of democracy." She warned against using delay as "an excuse to maintain an autocratic regime". Before the elections, however, "parliament must resume its work and the military must end its control," senior party official Noureddine B'Hiri told AFP.

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0.13 a.m .: US government is examining compulsory corona vaccination for employees

The US government is considering for its more than two million employees to introduce a corona vaccination obligation. "This is currently being examined," said US President Joe Biden when asked by a journalist about compulsory vaccination for federal employees. "But if you're not vaccinated, then you're not nearly as smart as I thought you were," Biden said yesterday (local time) during a visit to the Office of the Intelligence Coordinator (ODNI). Democrat Biden has spoken out against universal vaccination. However, the vaccination campaign in the USA is now stagnating – despite a plethora of vaccines and many vaccination incentives.

0:01 a.m.: Change in corona quarantine on entry

As of today, there are minor changes to the quarantine requirements in the corona rules for entry into Germany. Anyone who comes from an area with new, more contagious virus variants can now end the prescribed 14-day quarantine early with a negative test if the region is downgraded during the quarantine period - to a risk area or high incidence area with high infection rates. In principle, premature "free testing" is otherwise not possible for people entering the country from virus variant areas.