Banquet, Royal Family and Starmer on first day of German state visit

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been completed, revealing the group stage matchups for the nine African teams participating, with a potential tenth team pending runoff results. Notable matches include Ivory Coast facing Germany, Senegal against France, and Morocco taking on Brazil.

The UK's data protection watchdog has requested urgent clarity from the Home Office regarding racial bias in police facial recognition technology, following tests indicating that the technology disproportionately misidentifies black and Asian individuals. The Home Office acknowledged that certain demographic groups are more likely to be incorrectly included in search results.

Germany has voted to implement a voluntary military service program for 18-year-olds, marking a significant shift in its military policy aimed at strengthening its defense capabilities. This initiative aligns with the country's goal of creating Europe's strongest conventional army amid rising security concerns.

Germany is set to introduce a voluntary military service program aimed at boosting national defense capabilities in response to heightened security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This initiative reflects a significant shift in Germany's military policy, targeting young individuals aged 18 and above.

Russia's ambassador to the UK has dismissed the findings of an official investigation that concluded the country was responsible for the death of Dawn Sturgess, who died following the 2018 Salisbury poisoning incident. The ambassador's comments come amid heightened tensions between Russia and the UK, with warnings of potential conflict in Europe.

German lawmakers have approved a voluntary military service program for all 18-year-olds, aiming to increase military recruitment amid rising concerns about security threats from Russia. This initiative includes mandatory medical checks for young men and reflects a significant shift in Germany's military policy.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has proposed that the UK should consider rejoining a customs union with the EU, suggesting that such a move could yield economic benefits for the country. This statement comes amid ongoing discussions about the UK's post-Brexit trade relationships and economic strategies.

Designer Michael Schmidt showcased a 36-piece collection made from the wool of rams exhibiting same-sex attraction during a fashion event in New York. This unique presentation highlighted the flehmen response of rams, which is often associated with arousal and is typically observed during mating periods, as noted by farmer Michael Stücke from Westphalia, Germany.