The Local Germany

Is rent in Germany too expensive?

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:22:00 +0200

Rents in German cities have fallen slightly except in the capital Berlin where they continue to rise, a study released on Wednesday showed. But is rent in Germany too expensive and what can be done to stop it rising? Have your say.

Union delivers postie pay rise after marathon talks

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:34:00 +0200

Germany's biggest workers' union bagged higher wages for postal workers on Friday after a marathon 20-hour meeting. The agreement comes after country-wide post strikes disrupted deliveries last week.

Lufthansa orders new jets amid job cuts

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:03:00 +0100

Lufthansa, Germany's biggest airline, said on Wednesday it plans to order new aircraft worth €9 billion despite a cost-cutting drive involving job losses and the closure of at least two sites.

More than a million ring in New Year’s in Berlin

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 11:06:00 +0100

At least a million people peacefully rang in 2013 at Germany’s largest New Year’s party in Berlin on Monday night.

Opposition demand vote on missiles for Turkey

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:48:00 +0100

Opposition parties have called for a parliamentary vote before any German troops or rockets are sent to the Turkish border with Syria, saying it was not yet clear whether Turkey as a NATO partner was really in danger.

Clothing firm increases fire compensation offer

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:46:00 +0200

German discount clothing retailer Kik has agreed to pay more than $1.2 million compensation for victims of a Pakistan factory fire, a union leader said Wednesday, after an initial offer worked out to less than €1,500 per life lost.

Long-term jobless 'lazy and picky' say Germans

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:58:00 +0200

More than half of Germans think people on basic unemployment support do not look hard enough for work, or are too picky about what they are offered, while a third do not think the long-term unemployed even want to work.

Mid-sized towns hit worst by bike crime

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Nearly 180,000 bikes were stolen across Germany in 2010, estimated at a value of €120 million. According to a new study, more than over 90 percent of bicycle thefts go unsolved.

CDU heading for Hamburg hammering

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:59:00 +0100

Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats are on course for a bad start to a crunch year on Sunday, with a heavy defeat in Hamburg looming in the first of seven state elections this year.

Hospitals review hygienic standards after infant deaths

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:24:00 +0200

German hospitals are reviewing their hygienic standards this week after the tragic deaths of three infants at a Mainz clinic where they were exposed to bacteria through dirty feeding infusions, a survey of facilities around the country showed on Wednesday.

Thousands of students take to streets in protest

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:35:00 +0200

Tens of thousands of German students took part in nationwide protests on Wednesday to demand more support for the country’s beleaguered educational system.

States reportedly set to grant Opel aid

Tue, 25 May 2010 14:54:00 +0200

Three German states home to Opel factories are reportedly set to grant requested financial guarantees, but the carmaker's parent group GM is still waiting for word on similar aid from the federal government.

German airlines resume limited flight schedules

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:30:00 +0200

Many German airlines resumed service on Tuesday morning despite another extension on the flight ban until at least 8 pm due to volcanic ash still hovering over Europe.

Harsh winter means major losses for construction industry

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

German industry trade experts fear the harsh winter could mean billions of euros in losses, daily Bild reported on Monday. But more cold, snow and traffic chaos were forecast after a stormy weekend.

States only want half as much swine flu vaccine

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:02:00 +0100

The health ministers of Germany's states said Wednesday they only need half of the 50 million vaccine doses previously ordered.

Organisers report rush on tickets for fourth-largest lotto jackpot

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:46:00 +0200

Thousands of hopeful Lotto players are rushing out to buy tickets for the Wednesday evening drawing of the fourth-biggest jackpot in Germany’s history.

Klitschko unfazed by 'bloodsport' bout in Gelsenkirchen

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:44:00 +0200

Wladimir Klitschko will not only risk his world heavyweight titles in Gelsenkirchen against Ruslan Chagaev on Saturday, but also possibly his health.

Court rejects attempt to stop 'Big Brother with babies' show

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:16:00 +0200

An association of concerned German parents failed on Wednesday with an eleventh-hour attempt to stop the airing of a new reality TV show involving teenagers looking after other people's babies.

Mountains of garbage plague German city parks

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:23:00 +0200

As the picnic season heats up in Germany, city officials are struggling to cope with a growing litter problem in public parks.

No second beer please, we're German

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:26:00 +0100

Tuesday may be the last day for zealous Karneval goers to drink themselves into frothy oblivion before the onset of Lent, but new figures show Germans are only moderate consumers of beer – averaging as little as one bottle per day.