A new poll suggests that only 15% of Germans believe coach Julian Nagelsmann's team will become world champions. The survey by public broadcaster ZDF found that the largest group (33%) expects Germany to be eliminated in the quarterfinals, where they could face France. 15% predict a round-of-16 exit, another 15% see a semifinal loss, and 2% expect defeat in the final. 3% anticipate another group-stage elimination.
US fast-food chain Taco Bell is set to open its first locations in Germany, according to local franchise owner Christian Lehmann. Contracts have been signed for two outlets in Munich, with plans for 15 restaurants across Munich, Nuremberg, and Passau. The arrival, originally scheduled for summer 2025, was delayed.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) canceled an event in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, ahead of state elections on September 6. Polls indicate the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) could become the largest party with around 40% support, while the CDU trails by about 15 percentage points.
Germany and Mexico have agreed to strengthen cooperation against organized crime and drug trafficking. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and his Mexican counterpart Roberto Velasco co-chaired a meeting of the German-Mexican Binational Commission, discussing economic ties and security concerns.
More than half of German companies (54.5%) have integrated artificial intelligence into their operations, according to a poll by the Ifo Institute. This marks a rise of 13 percentage points from last year's 40.9%. AI is most prevalent in manufacturing (58.7%) and services (56.2%).
Only 26% of Germans believe the current coalition government can solve the country's social security issues, a ZDF poll found. 52% think the coalition will last until the next federal elections in 2029, while 43% expect it to collapse earlier. Support for the AfD remains high at 27%, ahead of the CDU/CSU bloc.
A German serial killer has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2004 murder of a 10-year-old boy in France. The 55-year-old, known as the "masked man," abducted the child from a holiday camp in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. He is already serving time in Germany for three other child murders and dozens of sexual assaults.
Source: www.dw.com