Germany Today

German news in English

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Berlin School's Desperate Plea for Help

Teachers at the Friedrich-Bergius School in Berlin have issued a desperate plea for help, highlighting severe issues of violence, bullying, and chaos that are disrupting education. In a detailed letter to the school authorities, they describe a daily environment where aggressive students threaten teachers and each other, leading to a climate of fear.

52 min

Education

Merkel's NATO Stance: A Strategic Dilemma

In her newly released memoirs, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel reveals her cautious stance on Ukraine's swift NATO membership bid during her tenure. Merkel feared a military response from Russia, particularly due to the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

5 h

Politics

BGH Upholds Conviction in Mask Mandate Case

The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) in Karlsruhe has confirmed the conviction of a Weimar judge for judicial misconduct related to the COVID-19 mask mandate at two schools. The judge, Christian D.

18 h

Law

Berlin Faces Cultural Budget Cuts

Berlin's cultural sector is bracing for significant budget cuts as the city plans to reduce its cultural funding by 130 million euros, approximately 12% of its total budget. This decision, announced by the Berlin Senate, has sparked widespread protests from the arts community, including actors and directors who fear the impact on theaters and museums.

18 h

Culture

Winter Storms Sweep Across Germany

Germany is bracing for a wintry week as storm "Quiteria" brings snow and strong winds across the country. The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued warnings for snow and icy roads, particularly in the northern and southern regions.

23 h

Weather

VW Faces Union Showdown Over Cost-Cutting

Volkswagen is facing a significant standoff with IG Metall, Germany's largest trade union, over proposed cost-cutting measures. The union has threatened unprecedented industrial action if VW proceeds with plans to close factories and cut wages by 10%.

Yesterday

Business

German Arrested in Russia for Alleged Sabotage

A German citizen has been arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Kaliningrad on charges of terrorism and smuggling explosives. The man, born in 1967 and residing in Hamburg, was detained while entering from Poland with 50 grams of liquid explosives in his vehicle.

Yesterday

International

SPD Faces Leadership Dilemma Amid Election

Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) is embroiled in a leadership crisis as the country heads towards a Bundestag election on February 23. Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz is facing internal party debates over his candidacy, with some influential SPD members favoring Defense Minister Boris Pistorius as a better candidate.

Yesterday

Politics

Historic Coalition Agreement in Thuringia

In a significant political development, the CDU, BSW, and SPD have reached an agreement on a coalition contract in Thuringia, marking a potential first for the so-called "Brombeer-Koalition" in Germany. This agreement comes eleven weeks after the state elections, following intense negotiations influenced by BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht's demands on peace policies.

Yesterday

Politics

ARD and ZDF Challenge Fee Decision

ARD and ZDF, Germany's public broadcasters, have filed a constitutional complaint to increase the broadcasting fee from €18. 36 to €18.

Yesterday

Politics

Debate Over Isar 2 Nuclear Plant's Future

The future of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant in Bavaria has sparked a heated debate. Despite the plant's operator, Preussen Elektra, confirming that reactivation is technically impossible due to ongoing dismantling, political figures like Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder argue otherwise.

Yesterday

Politics

Debate Over AfD Assessment Delay

The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) faces scrutiny over its decision to delay the publication of a new assessment of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Originally planned for release this year, the assessment has been postponed until after the upcoming Bundestag elections, now scheduled for February 2025.

19 November, 14:13

Politics

Marco Wanderwitz Exits Politics Amid Threats

Marco Wanderwitz, a long-serving CDU member of the German Bundestag, has announced he will not seek re-election in February. Citing increasing threats and hostility, Wanderwitz emphasized the need to protect his family and himself from physical and emotional harm.

19 November, 09:48

Politics

Severe Weather Hits Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg is bracing for severe weather conditions as the week begins. The German Weather Service (DWD) has forecasted rain and strong winds starting Monday, with storm gusts reaching up to 80 km/h, and up to 120 km/h in the Hochschwarzwald region.

19 November, 00:54

Weather

BGH Ruling Empowers Facebook Data Breach Victims

In a landmark decision, the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled in favor of Facebook users affected by a massive data breach in 2021, where data from 533 million users was leaked online. The court has set a precedent by lowering the barriers for victims to claim damages, requiring only proof of being affected by the breach, without needing to demonstrate misuse of their data or specific personal harm.

19 November, 00:54

Technology

CSU Eyes Key Ministries in 2025 Election

The Christian Social Union (CSU) is strategically positioning itself for the upcoming 2025 Bundestag elections, with plans to secure key ministerial roles if the Union wins. CSU leader Markus Söder has announced that Günther Felßner, President of the Bavarian Farmers' Association, is set to become the Federal Minister of Agriculture.

18 November, 20:29

Politics

Saga and Quantum Revive St. Pauli Project

After years of stagnation, a solution has been found for the Paloma-Viertel and the vacant lot at Spielbudenplatz in Hamburg's St. Pauli.

18 November, 15:56

Urban Development

Habeck's Green Vision: A New Dawn

At the recent Green Party convention in Wiesbaden, Robert Habeck was confirmed as the party's candidate for Chancellor, emphasizing a break from past coalitions with the Union and SPD. Habeck criticized these previous alliances for perpetuating Germany's dependency on Russian energy and neglecting infrastructure investments.

17 November, 18:11

Politics

Habeck's Legal Action Sparks Debate

Germany is abuzz following a police search of Stefan Niehoff's home after he posted a satirical image of Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck on social media. The image, which altered the "Schwarzkopf" logo to "Schwachkopf," led Habeck to file a complaint.

17 November, 18:11

Politics

Osnabrück Evacuates 14,000 Over Bomb Scare

In Osnabrück, Germany, approximately 14,000 residents were evacuated due to the discovery of potential World War II bombs. The suspected unexploded ordnances were found during an exploration of a former freight yard, where a new district is planned.

17 November, 13:36

Local News

Strict Knife Ban at Christmas Markets

As Christmas markets prepare to open across Germany, a strict knife ban is being enforced to enhance visitor safety. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has called for rigorous enforcement of this ban, with fines up to 10,000 euros for violations.

17 November, 13:36

Society

Brantner and Banaszak Lead Germany's Greens

Franziska Brantner and Felix Banaszak have been elected as the new leaders of Germany's Green Party. Brantner, a member of the party's Realo wing, received 78% of the votes, while Banaszak, from the left wing, secured a stronger 93%.

16 November, 16:08

Politics

Germany Faces Fifth Minority Government

Germany is now under its fifth minority government since the founding of the Federal Republic, following the departure of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) from the coalition. This political shift leaves the current government with only 324 seats in the Bundestag, short of the 367 needed for a majority.

16 November, 03:09

Politics

Norderelbbrücke Faces Weekend Closure

The Norderelbbrücke on the A1 in Hamburg will be closed from Friday evening to Monday morning for essential welding and repair work. This closure, starting at 8:00 PM on Friday and ending at 5:00 AM on Monday, is necessary to address structural damages discovered during a recent inspection.

16 November, 03:09

Transportation

German Greens Transition Leadership Amid Challenges

The Green Party in Germany is gearing up for a significant transition as its leadership, including co-chairs Omid Nouripour and Ricarda Lang, steps down following a series of electoral defeats. Nouripour expressed pride in maintaining unity with Lang during their tenure, emphasizing the party's focus on climate protection and social justice.

15 November, 22:47

Politics