In brief | 24 July ‘26

Reuters: Germany's Merz picks first woman chief of staff in shake-up before state electionsGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz also said more changes were to come. Two sources familiar with the matter said he was set to replace his transport minister, but that will take longer as Merz's pick pulled out after initially agreeing to take the role.Reuters: Rhine river water falls again, freight vessels sailing part loadedThe river Rhine in Germany has fallen again, with shallow water hindering cargo shipping and ​increasing costs for freight transport, commodity traders said.Montel: First 4.5 GW German power tender set to be oversubscribed – pollThe first 4.5 GW tendering round for Germany’s plan to expand power generation capacity due on 8 September is likely to be oversubscribed, based on a Montel poll of power companies this week.Reuters: Volkswagen abandons hopes for 2026 sales growth as restructuring loomsVolkswagen no longer expects revenue to grow this year, after ​the German carmaker dropped its previous forecast, setting the stage for a ‌radical overhaul in response to costly tariffs and intensifying competition from China.DW: Germany seeks energy and trading partners in AfricaGerman foreign minister Johann Wadephul has promoted cooperation on energy, infrastructure and the economy.France24: France orders total evacuation of Cap Ferret peninsula as wildfires sweep western EuropeWildfires also triggered a state of emergency in Spain's Madrid region and prompted Paris to seek emergency assistance from the European Union.Table.Briefings: Sweden: New strategy for critical raw materials with a focus on security policyStockholm wants to ensure greater security of supply for critical raw materials. The goal is to reduce dependence on China.Bloomberg: Heat wave in June cost the UK economy $1.5 billionScorching temperatures exposed shortcomings in Britain’s homes, workplaces and public transport.

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