Ferry ‘Funny Girl’ disabled off Helgoland – 69 people on board
The Helgoland ferry 'MS Funny Girl' lost propulsion off the North Sea island on Saturday afternoon. According to NDR, 69 people are on board; a tug is towing the vessel to Cuxhaven.
Category Germany
News from Germany on politics, society, regions and everyday issues relevant to readers in Germany and across Europe.
New Ludwig II Monument Unveiled on Munich’s Cornelius Bridge
A bronze bust of Bavaria's fairy-tale king Ludwig II now stands on the Cornelius Bridge in Munich, replacing a statue melted down by the Nazis in 1942. The monument was unveiled on the 140th anniversary of his death.
EU threatens Germany with penalty over gender pay directive
Germany faces an EU infringement procedure for failing to implement the EU Pay Transparency Directive on time. The European Commission is considering legal action against Berlin, as Deutsche Welle reports.
Saxony’s Doctors Demand Comprehensive Restart of Reform
The Saxon State Medical Association has called for a fundamental restart of the health reform, warning that current proposals endanger medical care.
Wittenberge: Train station reopens – ICE trains stop again
After three years of construction, the renovation of Wittenberge station in Brandenburg is complete. From Sunday, ICE trains will once again stop in the town between Hamburg and Berlin, reports Tagesspiegel.
Berlin–Hamburg Railway Line: Major Overhaul Completed
From Sunday, June 14, replacement services and diversions on the Berlin–Hamburg line will end. Deutsche Bahn is completing the major overhaul and introducing a small timetable change with shorter travel times.
Deutsche Bahn Abolishes Plastic BahnCard
The German railway company is ending the issuance of plastic BahnCards. New customers will only receive the discount card digitally on their smartphones.
Bär Rejects Reform – Students Outraged
Germany's Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) has rejected a reform of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), calling students' situation 'very privileged,' sparking widespread anger among students, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
EU Reform: BAMF Sees Itself Well Prepared
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is approaching the implementation of the new Common European Asylum System (GEAS) with confidence, as Bavarian Broadcasting reports.
Cameras Found in Women’s Restrooms at Berlin
Two cameras were discovered in women's restrooms at the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR) in Berlin-Lichtenberg. Police are investigating on suspicion of violating personal privacy.
No ICE Connection for Munich Airport in Sight
Deutsche Bahn sees no possibility of connecting Munich Airport to the ICE network. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the project fails due to technical hurdles and lack of capacity on the existing S-Bahn line.
Police allowed to continue surveillance of Maddie suspect Christian B.
A court has granted the police appeal to extend surveillance of the German suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, Christian B., after an earlier extension was rejected.
Cyclists demand better bike lanes in Munich demo
Around 5,000 cyclists took part in a star-shaped ride through Munich on Sunday, demanding a safe and complete network of bike paths. The protest, organized by the German Cyclists' Association (ADFC), caused temporary road closures including a section of the A95 motorway.
No ICE Connection at Airport: Rail Hope Dashed
Airport will remain without a direct ICE connection. As Tagesspiegel reports, hopes for a temporary solution have been dashed. Since the airport opened in 1992, it has lacked a long-distance train station that would connect travelers quickly and directly to the high-speed rail network.
Bundesrat approves electronic ankle tags for violent offenders
The Bundesrat has approved a reform of the Violence Protection Act, allowing courts to order electronic ankle tags for potential violent offenders.
Pharmacy reform passes Bundesrat: New services allowed
The Bundesrat has approved the pharmacy reform proposed by the black-red coalition. According to the Abendzeitung München, pharmacies will be allowed to offer more services, including vaccinations, preventive check-ups, and, in certain cases, dispensing prescription-only medications without a prescription.
Bundesrat cuts air travel tax: Tickets cheaper from July?
The Bundesrat has approved a reduction in the air travel tax, which will cut ticket prices by up to 11.40 euros per flight depending on the route starting in July. However, according to Zeit, it remains uncertain whether airlines will pass the savings on to customers.
Hamburg Airport: Security Area Evacuated After Intruder
The security area at Hamburg Airport was evacuated on Monday morning after a man triggered an emergency door opener. Police gave the all-clear around 11:30 a.m., according to reports.
Hessen: School Place Allocation Remains by Lottery
The Hessian state government rejects a change in the allocation of school places. According to the FAZ, the lottery procedure for the transition to secondary schools will remain in place.
German Lawyers’ Day 2026: AI and Reforms in Focus
The German Lawyers' Day 2026 has begun in Freiburg. According to FAZ, lawyers are discussing training reforms, artificial intelligence, and the resilience of the profession.
Munich Plagiarism Trial: Appeal Hearing Opens with Bizarre Scenes
The Munich District Court had sentenced Otto Z. to prison for an alleged plagiarism intrigue against forensic pathologist Matthias Graw. As the FAZ reports, the appeal trial before the Munich Higher Regional Court has now begun – with unusual scenes.
Rosengarten in Westpark: Trio of Landlords Wants to Rethink the Beer Garden
The Rosengarten excursion restaurant in Munich's Westpark is reopening. A young trio is taking over the business, focusing on a new concept with fewer seats, regional cuisine, and a cultural program.
Munich S-Bahn Opens New Training Center in Steinhausen
The Munich S-Bahn has opened a new training center in Steinhausen to address the growing need for train drivers, as the previous facilities were no longer sufficient.
Aschheim bets on modular construction for affordable housing
The Baugesellschaft München-Land (BML) and the municipality of Aschheim are planning a new building project using modular construction that is set to create 24 affordable rental apartments in just seven months, as reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Heartbeatz Festival in Munich Postponed to September
The Heartbeatz Festival in Munich has been postponed from this weekend to early September. Organizers cite 'infrastructural challenges' as the reason, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Two Buses Collide North of Munich – Several Children Injured
A collision between a tour bus carrying schoolchildren and a city bus in the Dachau district left several children with moderate to serious injuries on Tuesday afternoon.
Munich U-Bahn and S-Bahn: Bottlenecks Due to Open-Air Concerts at Allianz Arena
Construction work on the S-Bahn main line and concerts at the Allianz Arena are causing bottlenecks on Munich's U-Bahn and S-Bahn. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the concert series begins on Thursday with Linkin Park.
Luise-Kiesselbach Tunnel: Closure in July
The Luise-Kiesselbach Tunnel on Munich's Mittlerer Ring will be closed in one direction for a month in July due to repairs following a truck fire, reports the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Power Outage in Reutlingen: Evidence Points to Arson
Following the widespread power outage in Reutlingen, Germany's interior minister suspects arson. The Stuttgart State Criminal Police Office has found evidence of accelerants.
Fire at Reutlingen Substation: State Security Investigates Sabotage
State security authorities suspect the fire at a substation in Reutlingen may have been deliberately set. Investigators see parallels to a left-wing extremist sabotage in Berlin, according to Zeit.
Fire at Substation: State Security Investigates in Reutlingen
After a widespread power outage in Reutlingen, state security is investigating suspected arson at a substation.
Munich Airport: Operations Nearly Normal After Fire Alarm
After a fire alarm late in the evening, flight operations at Munich Airport have largely returned to normal, according to BR.
Power Outage in Reutlingen: Arson Suspected
Around 10,000 households in Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, are affected by a widespread power outage. According to Deutsche Welle, arson is suspected as the cause.
Fire alarm at Munich Airport: Operations resume after smoke smell in tower
A fire alarm at Munich Airport on Tuesday temporarily halted flight operations. According to Tagesspiegel, the cause – a smell of smoke in the tower – was quickly identified, allowing operations to resume.
40,000 Visitors at Bundeswehr Open Day in Neubiberg
Around 40,000 people attended the Bundeswehr open day in Neubiberg on Saturday. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) was on site and emphasized the importance of cohesion between the military and society, as reported by BR.
Hertha Hooligan Suspected of Being Police Officer: Riots at Olympic Stadium
After serious riots before the match between Hertha BSC and Schalke 04 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, police have identified initial suspects. According to the Tagesspiegel, one of the suspects is believed to be a police officer himself.
Munich Plans World’s Highest Beer Garden at 155 Meters
Munich is set to build the world's highest beer garden atop a planned skyscraper in the west of the city, according to Euronews.
Smoking ban in Baden-Württemberg causes confusion
A new smoking ban in Baden-Württemberg has left residents uncertain about what exactly is prohibited. It remains unclear whether simply walking past a bus stop with a lit cigarette constitutes an offense, according to the newspaper "Welt."
Bavaria criticizes nursing care reform: cuts to pension contributions for caregivers
The draft nursing care reform by Federal Health Minister Warken is facing sharp criticism in Bavaria. According to BR, there is particular incomprehension regarding the plan to cut pension contributions for family caregivers.
Sina Hochreiter Is the Münchner Kindl
The 27-year-old daughter of an innkeeper, Sina Hochreiter, has been named the new Münchner Kindl, the traditional hostess of Munich's Oktoberfest, as reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung. She will have to prove her suitability during the festival this autumn.