Energy Security: Germany plans a strategic gas reserve equal to 10% of storage capacity, to be filled in 2027-28, costing €1.5bn to set up and up to €310m a year to maintain, with funding via consumer levies that could add about €42 per year to household bills. Cars & Industry: EVs hit a milestone in Germany as battery-electric vehicles outsold petrol and diesel for the first time in June, with 84,057 new EV registrations (+78% year-on-year) and a 28.4% EV share. Trade & China: Imports from China rose 6.2% in Jan-May 2026 to €72.4bn, widening Germany’s import surplus to €42.8bn. Politics & Trust: Chancellor Merz admits Germany faces a “crisis of confidence in democracy,” as public disapproval of the government and his performance remains high. Business & Tech: Merck KGaA opened a €25m BioReliance testing facility in Darmstadt to speed up biopharma drug release and stability testing in Europe. Local Life: A Berlin café owner sparked backlash after saying she refused service to an AfD supporter. Sports: A Magdeburg fan violence trial begins over alleged attempted murder of a police officer.