Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Germany rejects Russian threats over Ukraine support, Meta smart glasses escape German ban, Bundeswehr achieves personnel target for 2026 and more news on Tuesday, August 18th.
On Tuesday, August 18th, Germany firmly rejected Russian threats of increased hostility towards countries supporting Ukraine, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to its ally. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously warned that Moscow would intensify efforts to target Western support sustaining Kyiv's war effort. Germany's Foreign Office spokesperson emphasized that threats against EU and NATO members are not new and will not alter Germany's dedication to Ukraine.
Heightened concern arose following the discovery of an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport, prompting Germany's Defense Ministry to work closely with Ukrainian partners to ensure the security of aid deliveries. The incident followed recent warnings from the European Parliament's Defence Committee chair, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who called for Germany to strengthen its defenses and continue supporting Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Germany's construction industry faced supply bottlenecks due to reduced shipping on the Rhine river, causing material prices to soar. Meta's smart glasses, which previously faced a ban due to privacy concerns, were ruled by Germany's telecoms regulator as permissible for sale and use, as their recording function is visible to bystanders through an integrated LED indicator.
The decision came despite mounting pressure from privacy advocates and regulators, who argue that the glasses resemble disguised cameras and may violate German and European privacy laws.
Written by urgent.news from The Local Germany's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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