Health Reform: Psychotherapy Slots Become Scarcer
Health Minister Nina Warken's (CDU) planned health reform threatens to worsen care for the mentally ill. According to Spiegel, spending on psychotherapy is to be capped in the future.
Category Germany
News from Germany on politics, society, regions and everyday issues relevant to readers in Germany and across Europe.
Göttingen: 23-year-old critically injured – Hundreds protest
After a life-threatening attack on a 23-year-old in Göttingen, hundreds of people protested against right-wing violence again on Monday. Police said around 700 participants attended the rally.
Hazardous truck on A8: 100 people evacuated, explosion risk
A truck carrying organic peroxide broke down on the A8 near Wiesensteig. Police said around 100 people were evacuated and the motorway towards Munich is closed.
Assaults in Swimming Pools: Men Harass Children in Munich, Frankfurt and Neu-Ulm
Over the weekend, men sexually harassed children in swimming pools in several German cities. Police reported incidents in Munich, Frankfurt and Neu-Ulm.
Munich Nussbaumpark: Years in Prison After Brutal Attack
A 51-year-old gardener with addiction issues has been sentenced to five years and two months in prison by the Munich I Regional Court for knocking down and seriously injuring a man in the Nussbaumpark.
Severe Storm in Berlin: S-Bahn Disruptions, Festivals Interrupted, Tennis Open Evacuated
A heavy thunderstorm caused damage and brought Berlin's S-Bahn to a standstill. Numerous festivals were interrupted, and the Tennis Open had to be evacuated.
Föhringer Ring in Munich completely closed for four weeks
The Föhringer Ring in northern Munich will be fully closed from June 22 to July 22. According to the Freising State Building Authority, the important east-west axis will then be closed to car traffic.
Heatwave in Britain: Temperatures up to 32 Degrees Possible
Britain is experiencing an intense heatwave. Weather models predict extreme temperatures for some regions, as The Mirror reports.
Hospital Association Warns of Massive Wave of Bankruptcies Due to Reform Plans
The German Hospital Association (DKG) warns that Health Minister Nina Warken's austerity plans could drive every second clinic into insolvency.
Frustration After Paint Attack on Kini Monument in Munich
The newly unveiled Kini monument in Munich was vandalized with paint just one week after its inauguration. The initiator expressed his frustration over the act of vandalism.
Hamburg: Dressel expects job cuts in public sector
Hamburg's finance senator Andreas Dressel (SPD) anticipates job cuts in the city's public service ahead of budget deliberations. The reason is slower-growing tax revenues and rising costs, as reported by NDR.
6,500 Cyclists Rally in Hamburg for Transport Revolution
Around 6,500 cyclists demonstrated in Hamburg on Sunday with a star-shaped ride for bicycle-friendly transport policy. Organizers reported 13,500 participants.
Germany considers scrapping special insult law for politicians
Germany's federal government is considering abolishing a special law that makes insulting politicians a criminal offense, according to a report by Deutsche Welle. The move follows cases that many consider absurd.
WordPress Plugin Gravity SMTP: Attacks on Websites – Patch Now
Security researchers are warning of active attacks on WordPress websites using the Gravity SMTP plugin. Attackers are exploiting a vulnerability known since March to access protected data.
Citizen Initiative Against Pullach Chemical Plant Fails Again in Court
The Bavarian Administrative Court in Munich dismissed the lawsuit filed by the initiators of a citizen initiative aimed at halting the land-use planning for the conversion of the Pullach chemical plant. This marks the third legal defeat for the project's opponents.
Heat and Thunderstorms: DWD Warns of Severe Weather in Germany
The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued official heat warnings for large parts of Germany, valid from Saturday 11 a.m. to Sunday 9 p.m. Temperatures are expected to range between 32 and 39 degrees Celsius until Wednesday, with isolated record values above 40 degrees possible. At the same time, severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, and hurricane-force gusts are forecast, especially in the eastern regions.
Violence and Bullying: Berlin Launches Comprehensive School Study
A new study aims to uncover the extent of violence and bullying at Berlin schools. Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU) is set to present the results on Monday.
Hospitals Warn of Bureaucracy from Tighter Billing Audits
Germany's planned healthcare reform by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) aims to cut costs by intensifying hospital billing audits. But clinics fear the extra bureaucracy will worsen their financial situation, according to FAZ.
Chemical Accident: 25 Injured at Chempark Dormagen
A toxic chemical leak at the Chempark Dormagen in North Rhine-Westphalia has left 25 employees injured. The cause of the incident remains unclear, according to the Chempark.
Two Freight Trains Collide in Munich – Wagons Fall from Bridge
Two freight trains collided while shunting in Munich early Saturday, causing two wagons to fall from a bridge. One person was killed, and recovery operations are ongoing.
Freight Train Accident in Munich: One Dead in Milbertshofen
A person died in a freight train accident in Munich on Friday night, police announced. Two wagons of a freight train fell about five meters from a railway bridge.
Freight train plunges from bridge in Munich – one dead
Two freight train cars fell from a bridge in Munich, killing one person. The accident occurred overnight in the Milbertshofen district, police said.
Housing Benefit: German Government Plans Major Cuts for Recipients
Federal Construction Minister Verena Hubertz (SPD) announced that one-third of current housing benefit households would lose their eligibility, affecting those just above the income threshold.
Cannabis Legalization: Minister Demands Reversal
Hesse's Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) is calling for a correction of the cannabis law. The black market continues to thrive, and the law has failed, reports the FAZ.
Bonn’s North Bridge Remains Closed – New Construction Needed
The Friedrich-Ebert Bridge in Bonn will not reopen to traffic. The damage is so severe that a new bridge must be built.
Augsburg joins climate protection initiative Aktion Zukunft plus
The city of Augsburg has joined the municipal climate protection initiative Aktion Zukunft plus, as reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung. The initiative, launched by the districts of Ebersberg and Munich, promotes local and global projects for CO₂ compensation.
Schavan Praises Europe’s First Islamic Faculty in Münster
Former German Education Minister Annette Schavan (CDU) has praised the establishment of Europe's first Islamic Theological Faculty at the University of Münster as a milestone.
Convicted murderer Benjamin Fricke still at large after escorted leave
Convicted murderer Benjamin Fricke escaped during an escorted leave in Peine, Germany, using his motorcycle. A nationwide manhunt is underway, according to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Justice.
Attack on Couple in Frankfurt’s Grüneburgpark
An unknown man verbally abused and injured a homosexual couple in Frankfurt's Grüneburgpark on Wednesday afternoon. Police are searching for the fleeing suspect, as reported by FAZ.
Föhringer Ring in Munich Closed for Clearing Work
The Föhringer Ring in northern Munich has been fully closed since January 7 for clearing work. Motorists must accept major detours until January 24.
Munich Galeria at Rotkreuzplatz: New Building with Apartments Planned
The new owner of the Galeria branch at Munich's Rotkreuzplatz plans a new building with offices and a hotel. According to the AZ, the city design commission is to deliberate on the project on March 24.
DWD warns of heatwave: Hottest days of the year so far in Germany
The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued an official heat warning for large parts of southwestern Germany. Meteorologists expect the hottest days of the year so far.
Munich Mayor Krause Demands Company Housing from Large Corporations
Munich's mayor Dominik Krause (Greens) calls on international corporations to contribute to housing construction, particularly through company-owned apartments. The city is facing a severe housing shortage.
Railway renovation: Trains between Hamburg and Hanover suspended from today
Deutsche Bahn has completely closed the line between Hamburg and Hanover from today. Passengers must expect diversions and replacement buses, as reported by the German Press Agency.
German Environmental Council: Gap Between Environmental Law and Enforcement
Existing laws to protect nature and the environment are often inadequately implemented, according to an expert report by the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) obtained by ARD Capital Studio. The consequence: climate targets are frequently missed.
Brandenburg Plans Better Child Protection in Fire Services
Brandenburg wants to modernize its fire and disaster protection law and strengthen child protection. The background is cases of abuse in the state, as reported by Tagesspiegel.
Laser weapon against drones: Bundeswehr tests in Meppen
Bundeswehr is testing a laser weapon for drone defense at the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 91 in Meppen. According to NDR, the technology could be deployed by the army, navy, and air force as early as 2028.
Munich: Jewel Thieves Caught After Chase with 40 Patrol Cars
After a robbery at a jewelry store in downtown Munich, police arrested two suspects. According to Spiegel, the perpetrators were pursued by 40 patrol cars and a helicopter.
U5 Extension: Breakthrough at Gotthardstraße in Munich Succeeds
The breakthrough for the U5 extension at the Gotthardstraße construction site in Munich has been achieved. According to the München, there is now over 1.1 kilometers of clear view from Laimer Platz to the future Baumschule Laim station.
Major police operation in Munich: Armed robbers attack jeweler in train station district
Late Wednesday afternoon, police launched a major operation after an armed robbery on a jeweler in Munich's Goethestrasse. According to the Abendzeitung Munich, the perpetrators are on the run.