Germany updates: Berlin seeks deportation deal with Taliban

Germany's interior minister is calling for direct talks to deport Afghan migrants who were convicted of crimes. The German coalition failed to agree on reducing an electricity tax. Follow for more headlines from Germany.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said that needing third parties to negotiate with Afghanistan's rulers, the Taliban, is "not a permanent solution." 

His remarks represent a shift in Germany's policy of not directly talking to the Taliban.

Also dominating the headlines in German media today is the coalition government's failure to reach a deal on reducing the electricity tax. 

Meanwhile, a new survey shows the majority of Germans want a ban of a rule that allows young teens to drink.

Below, you can read a mix of news, analysis and background of what Germany is talking about on Thursday, July 3.