Tuesday's top story: Germany to play 'decisive role' in US-NATO weapons deal for Ukraine
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said Germany would play a "decisive role" in a new deal struck between NATO and the United States to supply Ukraine with weapons to fight Russia's invasion.
US President Donald Trump has "taken an important step today", Merz said in a statement from his office.
"President Trump and I have discussed this several times over the past few days. I assured him that Germany will play a decisive role," Merz said.
Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte unveiled a deal on Monday under which NATO countries will buy arms from the United States -- including Patriot anti-missile batteries -- and then send them to Ukraine.
Rutte said Ukraine would get "massive numbers" of weapons under the deal, which is aimed at placating Trump's long-held complaints that the US is paying too much to aid Ukraine.
"We are doing this in our own interests," Merz said, adding that Germany was still working with its allies to "clarify the details" of the plan.
"Only in this way will pressure on Moscow grow to finally negotiate peace. Ultimately, we are showing that we are acting in unison as security partners," he said.
Speaking during a visit to Washington, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany had offered to buy two Patriot systems under the deal.
READ ALSO: German Chancellor urges Trump to 'stay with us' Europeans on Ukraine
Poland denies entry to 24 people from Germany
Polish border guards denied entry to 24 people during checks at the border with Germany in the first week, according to the spokesman for the Polish Border Guard, Konrad Szwed, as reported by the PAP news agency in Warsaw.
According to the report, 67,000 people and more than 28,500 vehicles were checked at the German-Polish border between July 7th and 13th.
Last Monday, the centre-left Polish government ordered random border checks on the border sections with Germany and Lithuania. While it justified the move with reference to a rise in irregular migration, it was widely seen as a response to heightened German border controls.
Poland has 52 border crossings with Germany and 13 with Lithuania. According to the latest information, checks are being carried out continuously at 13 crossings with Germany and three with Lithuania.
The Polish checks are initially scheduled to last until August 5th.
READ ALSO: Schengen hits 40 - What problems lie ahead for Europe's border-free zone?
300 legal scholars criticize treatment of candidate Brosius-Gersdorf
After the failed election of constitutional judges, around 300 legal scholars have massively criticized the public treatment of candidate Brosius-Gersdorf.
In an open letter, it says that they protest emphatically: To first confirm a candidate, only to then row back with campaigns peppered with untruths and defamation, testifies to a lack of political backbone and a lack of internal preparation.
Brosius-Gersdorf was expected to be elected to the Federal Constitution Court last Friday until the election was called off due to resistance by several Union party leaders. An alleged case of plagiarism in her history was cited as one reason for their resistance.
The open-letter by the group of legal scholars confirmed that Brosius-Gersdorf is a highly respected constitutional law teacher, and that all statements that questioned her reputation were inaccurate and unobjective.
The Greens in the Bundestag are urging the coalition to enable a special session to elect three constitutional judges this week, including Brosius-Gersdorf.
German customs find tarantulas in cookie shipment
German customs officers have discovered a massive haul of about 1,500 tarantulas hidden inside a shipment disguised as cookies, authorities said Monday.
The seven-kilogramme (15-pound) shipment from Vietnam was intercepted at Cologne-Bonn airport and emitted a strange smell when opened, customs officials said.
Inside the found the venomous arachnids packed into plastic tubes and said that many had not survived the flight, with the remaining spiders placed into professional care.
"This unusual discovery left even the most experienced officers speechless," customs spokesman Jens Ahland said.
It was "deeply troubling what some people do to animals purely for profit", he added.
A criminal investigation has been launched into the package's intended recipient for failing to pay duties and make the proper declarations.
In 2020, customs officers at the same airport found 16 live and ten dead reptiles smuggled inside toys, sweets and dolls from Mexico.
With reporting by DPA and AFP.
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