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Germany news: Resistance to Nazi terror commemorated
Germany news: Resistance to Nazi terror commemorated
Louis Oelofse | Kieran Burke with dpa, AP, AFP, ReutersPublished 07/20/2026Published July 20, 2026last updated 07/21/2026last updated July 21, 2026Monday marks 82 years since "Operation Valkyrie," the failed attempt on Adolf Hitler's life in 1944. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Wadephul is heading to Africa on official business.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HPfHWhat you need to know
- July 20, Germany commemorates the resistance to the Nazi reign of terror in Berlin in 1944
- A scuffle occurred over a wreath donated by the far-right AfD during the commemoration event in Berlin
- Germany's top diplomat begins 3-nation Africa visit that includes stops in Mauritania, Nigeria and South Africa
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Below you can read some of the top stories coming out of Germany on Monday, July 20:
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Skip next section Scuffle over far-right AfD's wreath during Stauffenberg commemoration 07/21/2026July 21, 2026Scuffle over far-right AfD's wreath during Stauffenberg commemoration
Bernd Riegert | Wesley Dockery EditorEvery year on July 20th the German government honors the members of a resistance group that attempted to kill Adolf Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime in 1944. This year, the event in the courtyard of the Bendler Block in Berlin did not go exactly as planned.
A family member of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was killed in a Nazi concentration camp in 1945, tried to remove a wreath donated by the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD).
"Descendants like me feel a deep sense of anger when we see the AfD laying wreaths here. We will not accept that," said Tobias Korenke, a grandnephew of Pastor Bonhoeffer.
According to some state agencies responsible for protecting the constitution, parts of the AfD are also home to individuals with ties to Nazi ideology. In a brief scuffle with a security guard, the wreath was destroyed. All groups represented in the German parliament, including the AfD, were invited to lay wreaths or floral arrangements at the memorial service.
German Family Minister Karin Prien did not comment on the incident but said in her commemorative speech that history teaches an important lesson: "Men are not born as heroes. They learn to take responsibility long before freedom and human rights are in danger. The freedom of tomorrow depends on our actions today."
On 20 July 1944, Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Operation Valkyrie, which was designed to overthrow the Nazi government, failed. Stauffenberg and other members of the resistance group were executed on the same day at the Bendler Block, which today is part of the Ministry of Defense.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HSUCSkip next section Former Hamburg and England star Kevin Keegan dies age 7507/20/2026July 20, 2026Former Hamburg and England star Kevin Keegan dies age 75
The family of Kevin Keegan announced on Monday that the former English football star had died.
"It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75," Keegan's family said in a statement. "The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments."
Keegan was a much-loved figure in Germany as well, earning the nickname "Mighty Mouse" during his three-year spell with Hamburger SV from 1977 to 1980.
He helped fire the northern giants to the Bundesliga title in 1979, and to the final of the European Cup the following year.
During his time in Germany, Keegan twice won the Ballon D'Or award as European footballer of the year.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HRfOSkip next section Merz congratulates UK's new Prime Minister Burnham07/20/2026July 20, 2026Merz congratulates UK's new Prime Minister Burnham
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he is looking forward to "working together" with Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
In a social media post, Merz congratulated Burnham on his new role and also stressed that Germany and the United Kingdom are "close partners."
Burnham took up the post after Keir Starmer tendered his resignation to King Charles on Monday.
He is the seventh UK prime minister since 2016.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HRVvSkip next section Prosecutors accuse fan of attempted murder in Magdeburg stadium unrest07/20/2026July 20, 2026Prosecutors accuse fan of attempted murder in Magdeburg stadium unrest
A 29-year-old man appeared in court in Magdeburg, accused of attempted murder after violent clashes at a German second-division football match between Magdeburg and Dynamo Dresden in January.
Prosecutors say he played a leading role in the violence that left more than 70 police officers injured and helped create an aggressive atmosphere during the clashes.
They allege the defendant joined attacks on police at halftime, with fans throwing paving stones and torn-out stadium seats while chanting threats at officers.
According to the indictment, the man threw a paving stone weighing about 15 kilograms (33 lbs), striking an officer above the eye and causing injuries that prosecutors say could have been fatal.
He has been in pretrial detention since his arrest in late January and also faces charges of aggravated breach of the peace, dangerous bodily harm, assault on law enforcement officers and attempted murder.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HRV0Skip next section Cost of renting houses in Germany up 4%07/20/2026July 20, 2026Cost of renting houses in Germany up 4%
The cost of rent has risen 4% year-on year in the second quarter, according to figures from the German Economic Institute (IW).
The IW said that rent continued a significant nationwide rise as it provided statistics on rental prices and stagnating purchase prices.
"Rents rose particularly sharply in Cologne (+7.9%), followed by Hamburg (+5.5%) and Leipzig (+5.4%)," the IW said in a new report.
The IW said that the supply of rental apartments remained below the level seen in 2022 in most major cities.
It added that the rental market was battling with a shortage of available units with dramatic declines seen in a number of cities.
"In Hamburg, the number of rental listings has more than halved, by 57%. Frankfurt am Main has seen a 43% decrease in listings, and Leipzig a 40% drop," the IW said.
The exception was Berlin, where there was a 43% increase when compared to 2022.
Germany's housing crisis: Loopholes for landlords?
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HQXySkip next section WATCH: Why Germany struggles to recruit women soldiers07/20/2026July 20, 2026WATCH: Why Germany struggles to recruit women soldiers
Marie JoslynAs Germany expands its military to meet NATO commitments, attracting more women remains a challenge. Concerns range from military culture to family life and representation.
Why Germany struggles to recruit women soldiers
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HPnySkip next section Teen charged after allegedly planning attack on synagogue07/20/2026July 20, 2026Teen charged after allegedly planning attack on synagogue
German prosecutors have charged a 15-year-old with preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state. The charge relates to a pyrotechnic attack on a synagogue and was filed at the Augsburg District Court.
Authorities say the suspect stockpiled a large amount of pyrotechnic materials that was aimed at carrying out an attack on a synagogue.
The suspect is also alleged to have sympathized with the so-called"Islamic State" and also allegedly was involved in an explosion in October 2025, in which he blew off two of his fingers.
The teenager is in pre-trial detention and his defense lawyer has rejected the allegation of a planned attack.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HQQlSkip next section German's Wadephul heads to Africa for three-nation visit07/20/2026July 20, 2026German's Wadephul heads to Africa for three-nation visit
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul travels to Africa on Monday.
The first destination will be Mauritania followed by Nigeria and then South Africa.
"Especially in times of global geopolitical upheaval, reliable cooperation with African partners is crucial. For Germany and Europe, this is about more than the obvious interest in a stable and prosperous neighboring continent," Wadephul said in comments before leaving.
"It's about making offers to one another. That's why I'm visiting key African countries for the third time in just a few months," Wadephul said.
The German diplomat is being accompanied by a business delegation, with the purpose of the visit trip also aimed at identifying opportunities for German companies and promoting private investment to support economic growth.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HPfJSkip next section Germany commemorates resistance to Nazi terror in Berlin07/20/2026July 20, 2026Germany commemorates resistance to Nazi terror in Berlin
Commemoration events will be taking place in Berlin to remember those who stood up to Nationalist Socialist terror, with ceremonies being held at historic sites of the failed coup of 20 July 1944.
On this day 82 years ago, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler by planting a bomb at the Wolf's Lair headquarters. The device exploded, but failed to kill the Nazi leader.
Von Stauffenberg and three others involved in the plot to kill Hitler were summarily executed in the courtyard of the Bendler Block complex, the former headquarters of the Army High Command.
The site is one of several places of historical significance linked to the daring attempt on Hitler's life. Each year ceremonies are held and wreaths are laid to remember those who died resisting the Nationalist Socialist reign of terror in Berlin.
One of the sites is the Plötzensee Memorial Center complex, which from 1933 and 1945 served as a prison and also a place of execution under the Nazi regime. According to the German government 2,800 people were executed there, among them, many opponents of the Nazis.
In 1953, a monument was created in the Bendler block to "to keep alive the memory of the men and women who took part in the resistance to National Socialism and aid the Germans in the necessary process of coming to terms with this part of their history," the Domestic Protocol Office says on its website.
Controversial legacy of the would-be Hitler assassin
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HPm9Skip next section Welcome to our coverage07/20/2026July 20, 2026Welcome to our coverage
Kieran Burke | Rana Taha EditorGuten Morgen from the DW newsroom here in Bonn.
Today, Germany is remembering those who stood up to the Nazi regime with commemoration events marking 82 years since the failed coup attempt in 1944.
The actions of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg in "Operation Valkyrie" would result in his summary execution, but also demonstrate the lengths some were willing to go to remove Adolf Hitler.
Meanwhile, Germany's top diplomat heads to Africa as Berlin seeks to strengthen ties. Wadephul will be visiting Mauritania, Nigeria and South Africa on his whistle-stop visit.
Stay with us for these stories and more as we bring you all the latest from across Germany!
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