Germany

Munich – September 13, 2026 -- A new YouGov survey commissioned by Air Doctor finds that 37 percent of Germans consider reliable WiFi or mobile data access essential to a stress-free vacation, ranking it above travel insurance (31 percent) and round-the-clock access to medical help abroad (29 percent).

The poll surveyed 2,182 people in Germany between June 26 and 28, 2026, with results weighted to be representative of the population aged 18 and over.

Safety and health top the list, but priorities shift fast

Sixty-two percent of respondents said feeling safe abroad matters most for a relaxed trip, and 56 percent cited the health of all travelers. Yet immediately after these basics, attention turns to logistics: 33 percent value flexible rebooking or cancellation options, and 29 percent prefer a fully pre-planned itinerary.

Munich – September 13, 2026 -- Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) will broadcast live coverage of the 191st Oktoberfest from September 19 through October 4, 2026, across BR Television, radio, online platforms and the ARD Mediathek streaming service.

The traditional keg-tapping ceremony opens live coverage on September 19

"O'zapft is!" airs live starting at 11:15 a.m. on BR Television, Das Erste and ARD Mediathek, with radio coverage on Bayern 1 and BR24 beginning at noon. Hosts include Susanne Wiesner, Michael Sporer, Dominik Glöbl, Sophie Grund and Andi Christl, with guests Mitsou Jung and Alessandro Capasso.

Germany – September 13, 2026 -- Drivers across Germany are paying significantly more for fuel this week, with the ADAC's latest weekly survey showing Super E10 up 7.6 cents per liter to a national average of 2.259 euros. Diesel climbed even faster, rising nearly 9 cents to 2.321 euros per liter.

Oil prices rose, but only partly explain the jump

The ADAC links the increase to a higher oil price, with Brent crude currently trading just under 100 US dollars per barrel. However, the association says the oil price and the euro-dollar exchange rate only partially justify current pump prices.

Lozen – September 12, 2026 -- Bulgarian supplier Victoria Nuts Ltd. has recalled its "Deluxe Strawberries in White Chocolate, 120g" product after an in-house inspection found the pesticide chlorpyrifos exceeding legal limits.

The recall covers two specific batches sold nationwide at Lidl in Germany.

Affected products carry the best-before date of April 16, 2027, and batch codes 12 L160426-1 and 13 L160426-1. No other Victoria Nuts Ltd. products sold at Lidl, and no other items under the Deluxe brand, are affected.

Customers can return the product to any Lidl store for a full refund.

Lidl confirmed that reimbursement will be issued even without a receipt. Consumers who purchased the affected batches are advised not to eat the product and to bring it back to a store.

Mainz – September 12, 2026 -- German public broadcaster ZDF has confirmed a series of last-minute schedule swaps affecting its documentary lineup over the coming weeks, replacing several previously announced titles with different films at the same air times.

Terra X episodes get bumped for other documentaries

On Thursday, September 24, the 7:45 a.m. slot will air "Raubbau auf den Philippinen" (USA, 2024) instead of the planned "Terra X Harald Lesch: Der Wald - Wunderwelt im Wandel," with the rest of the day's schedule continuing as originally planned from 8:15 a.m.

On Friday, September 25, "Terra X: Albrecht Dürer - Superstar" (Germany, 2019) will replace "Terra X: Gustave Eiffel: Der Mann, der den Eiffelturm erfand" at 2:45 a.m., with programming resuming as scheduled from 3:45 a.m.

Bonn – September 12, 2026 -- A precast concrete garage can shield cars, e-bikes and tools from break-ins, storm damage and summer heat, according to the Fachvereinigung Betonfertiggaragen e.V. (Association for Precast Concrete Garages). The group notes that nearly half of all burglary attempts fail, and that resistance time is the key factor deterring intruders.

Doors and gates should meet resistance class RC 2

Police recommend doors and windows meet at least resistance class RC 2 under DIN EN 1627, while garage doors should be tested and classified under DIN/TS 18194. "RC-2 elements are tested with simple tools in a standardized procedure and must withstand at least three minutes of resistance. It is important that the entire element is installed correctly," says Matthäus Moser of the association.

Munich – September 12, 2026 -- The ADAC is adding plug-in balcony solar systems to its product lineup through a new partnership with kleines kraftwerk, a solar company based in Achim, Lower Saxony. ADAC members now receive a price discount of at least ten percent on the complete solar kits, which are designed for balconies, terraces, garages, and carports.

The offering targets households that want to generate their own solar power but cannot or do not want to install a traditional rooftop photovoltaic system.

Hamburg – September 12, 2026 -- German supermarket chain EDEKA has launched a campaign called "Survival of the Frischest" to challenge the common belief that frozen fruit and vegetables are less fresh or healthy than fresh produce.

A five-meter T-Rex made of broccoli appears at Potsdamer Platz

From September 10 to 13, EDEKA installed a roughly five-meter-long, three-meter-high sculpture depicting a prehistoric creature encased in ice at Das Center (formerly Sony Center) in Berlin. The centerpiece is a T-Rex shaped from broccoli, meant to illustrate how shock-freezing preserves produce. Visitors can also sample smoothies made from various frozen fruits and vegetables at an EDEKA food truck on site.

Munich – September 12, 2026 -- "Love Island VIP" kicks off its new season on September 23, airing every Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. on RTLZWEI, with episodes available a week earlier on RTL+.

Known reality stars now share the villa with total newcomers

For the first time, the Greek villa mixes established reality personalities with previously unknown singles looking for love on camera. Host Sylvie Meis says the format promises a new dynamic, as viewers watch how experienced reality stars react to first-time daters -- and vice versa.

Berlin – September 12, 2026 -- PrimeBOT took home two IFA Innovation Awards at IFA 2026, with its T1 and Q1 robots drawing crowds at Messe Berlin and the ShowStoppers event.

PrimeBOT T1 wins in the Content Creation Technology category

The T1 model was named winner of the IFA Innovation Award for Content Creation Technology, recognized for its multi-scenario mobility and creative-use design. The Q1 model was separately selected among the IFA NEXT award winners for its focus on personalized interaction, programmability, movement, and long-term companionship.