Thursday's top story: Explosive drone at German airport 'a new level of danger': minister
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has described the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig-Halle Airport as a “professional hybrid threat scenario” that represents a new level of danger.
Authorities found, defused and later destroyed the drone after it was discovered near a Ukrainian-flagged cargo aircraft at the airport.
Dobrindt said investigators were examining the drone’s construction, the explosives used, its origin and any individuals or organisations potentially responsible. He stressed that the incident did not appear to be the work of amateurs and suggested that foreign actors could be among the possible sources of the threat, although investigations remain ongoing.
The discovery caused significant disruption at the airport, forcing the diversion of numerous flights.
In a separate incident, an aircraft that had aborted its landing reportedly collided with an unidentified object several kilometres away but was able to land safely.
Leipzig-Halle Airport is strategically important, serving military transport operations for Germany and its NATO allies, while also functioning as a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines.
Berlin marks 65th anniversary of Wall construction with public installation
Berlin will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the Berlin Wall’s construction with a temporary installation and open-air exhibition near the Brandenburg Gate.
Organised by the Berlin Wall Foundation, the commemorations will run from August 13th to 16th.
A 30-metre-long, almost three-metre-high structure designed to resemble the Berlin Wall will be erected close to the Brandenburg Gate. Alongside it, the exhibition Mauerblicke: Berlin 1961–1990 will use historical photographs to document the progressive closure of the city and the experiences of Berliners living under division.
Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Britta Pedersen
The anniversary programme will also include discussions with eyewitnesses, guided tours, concerts and readings across the city.
Full details are due to be announced on August 12th, one day before the anniversary of August 13th, 1961, when the East German government sealed the border with West Berlin.
Number of BAföG recipients falls to lowest level in more than a decade
The number of people receiving BAföG student support in Germany declined again in 2025, highlighting ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of the country’s main student aid scheme.
According to the Federal Statistics Office, 570,000 people received BAföG benefits last year, seven percent fewer than in 2024 and well below the 2012 peak of almost 980,000 recipients.
The findings come as the federal government delays parts of a planned reform, including an increase in the housing allowance for students, which will now take effect later than originally intended.
The German Student Services Organisation criticised the current system, arguing that BAföG reaches too few students and fails to provide sufficient support.
It also highlighted that many eligible students do not apply, calling for reforms and improved access to information about available financial assistance.
Ammonia leak at Iserlohn hotel hospitalises five people
A major emergency response was launched at a hotel in Iserlohn, North Rhine-Westphalia, after a strong odour in a room and reports of respiratory irritation raised concerns about a hazardous substance.
Fire and rescue services detected elevated levels of ammonia, prompting some responders to wear chemical protection suits while investigating the incident.
Authorities identified a defective refrigerator as the source of the leak. According to the fire department and police, the appliance had released ammonia, a pungent gas that can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and is highly toxic in high concentrations.
Emergency medical teams assessed eight people at the scene, with five requiring further treatment in hospital. No details were provided on the severity of their conditions.
Emergency crews removed the refrigerator from the building, neutralised it with water and thoroughly ventilated the hotel.
The incident highlights the potential dangers posed by faulty refrigeration equipment, particularly where ammonia is used as a cooling agent.
Bundestag to review petition opposing cryptocurrency tax reform
A petition opposing proposed changes to the taxation of cryptocurrency gains has successfully reached the required threshold for consideration by the German Bundestag.
Having attracted more than 30,000 signatures, the petition will now be examined by the Bundestag’s Petitions Committee in a public hearing.
The campaign challenges plans by the Federal Ministry of Finance to abolish the current one-year holding period rule, under which profits from the sale of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are tax-free if the assets have been held for more than a year.
Under the proposed reform, gains could instead be subject to a flat-rate tax regardless of how long the assets are held.
The Finance Ministry argues that the measure would generate significant additional tax revenue and align the treatment of cryptocurrencies more closely with that of conventional investments such as shares.
But critics contend that removing the holding-period exemption would undermine Germany’s attractiveness as a location for innovation and digital assets.
They also argue the proposal would represent a departure from the current tax approach, which treats cryptocurrencies similarly to assets such as gold, foreign currencies, art and collectibles, where gains can become tax-free after a specified holding period.
With reporting by AFP and DPA.
