What is important today
Biden visits Saudi Arabia. It is the first time that the US President is visiting the country. There he met Mohammed bin Salman for the first time on Friday evening. The crown prince the CIA blamed for the contract killing of the Washington Postjournalists blamed Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Go to Article
Second heat wave hits Spain. Birds fall from the sky because of heat stroke, the risk increases for the elderly and the sick – and up to 45 degrees Celsius are expected at the weekend. How Spain suffers from the heat. Go to Article
US House of Representatives votes for federal abortion rights. After the historic Supreme Court ruling on abortion, the Democrats are trying to establish a federal law. On Friday, MPs voted 219 to 210 in favor of the project. The project is likely to fail in the Senate. Go to Article
EXCLUSIVE: Wissing comments on the second regular route in Munich. Significantly more expensive than planned and finished much later: For the first time, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) spoke in detail about the planning chaos surrounding the second main route in Munich. He stands by the project, but also makes it clear: “The federal government only gives money if it is ensured that there will be no ruins at the end.” To the interview (SZ Plus)
EXCLUSIVE: Economics Grimm supports Uniper rescue. Economics professor Veronika Grimm advocates a state rescue of the German energy companies that have gotten into trouble due to the lack of Russian gas. “Droping these companies is not an option. There is no alternative to maintaining this industry in the crisis.” The actors would also be needed for the energy transition. To the article (SZ Plus)
Notorious drug lord arrested in Mexico. Rafael Caro Quintero, co-founder of Mexico’s first major drug cartel, has been on the run since 2013. He was one of the most wanted drug lords in the United States. After the arrest, a combat helicopter involved crashes on landing, 14 passengers die. Go to Article
Lewandowski moves to FC Barcelona. The negotiations have dragged on for a long time, but now both clubs agree, according to media reports: the world footballer is leaving Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga. The Spaniards pay a transfer fee of 45 million euros plus possible bonus payments of five million euros for the 33-year-old. In Barcelona, the Pole should sign a contract until 2025 with an option for another year. Go to Article
Buschmann promises “mask duty”. The FDP Minister of Justice is currently negotiating with Health Minister Lauterbach about corona rules for the fall. These should be “conservative of fundamental rights, i.e. proportionate”. A form of wearing masks indoors will certainly play a role. Go to Article
war in Ukraine
Air alert across Ukraine – Strikes reported in Dnipro. On Friday evening, recordings were circulating on social networks that are said to show flying rockets and clouds of smoke in the southeastern city of Dnipro. At least three people were killed and 15 others injured, according to the head of the regional military administration. To the live blog