In Brief: Traffic disruptions expected throughout Berlin this weekend
Demos, large conferences and official state visits will all be underway in Berlin starting Friday and continuing through the weekend.
In Brief: Fewer people are applying for asylum in Germany
For the third year running, the number of people applying for asylum in Germany has dropped. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer says German policies for organized immigration are working.
In Brief: Germany partially withdrawing troops from Iraq amid security fears
Some German soldiers stationed in Iraq are being transferred to Kuwait and Jordan. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have risen sharply after a U.S. airstrike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on Friday.
In Brief: Bundestag approves changes to the federal government’s climate package
The compromise provides for carbon dioxide emissions to become significantly more expensive than initially planned by the Grand Coalition. In return, citizens are to receive a higher commuter allowance, and lower prices on tickets for long-distance trains.
In Brief: World’s first 3D scanner for museum insects comes to Berlin to aid study of population decline
Researchers at Berlin’s Natural History Museum are celebrating the arrival of a new device that will help them digitally preserve the museum’s collection and also share it with the world.
In Brief: Interior Minister vows measures to combat right-wing extremism, sharpening lens on public employees
The German government vows to look on the inside, not just the outside, to combat the spread of right-wing extremism and terrorism. The domestic intelligence agency says more attention will also be paid to public service employees. This and more in your KCRW Berlin News Brief.
In Brief: Berlin CDU and SPD leaders trade criticisms during House budget debate
Berlin CDU and SPD leaders traded criticisms during the House budget debate, with the party factions voicing varied visions for the city.
In Brief: New foodwatch report finds Germany is not meeting requirements for mandatory food safety inspections
Consumer group foodwatch says data from Germany’s food safety authorities shows one in three inspections is skipped and in Berlin, less than half of mandatory checks take place.
In Brief: Many of Berlin’s elementary school classrooms are overcrowded
Every third primary school exceeds the per class limit of students, placing more strain on educators. The Berlin Senate is to invest more than 5 billion euros to upgrade schools and construct new buildings.
In Brief: Police say a man gave addictive opioid tablets to a 13-year-old girl in Spandau
The girl shared the opioid pills with classmates, and several students had to go to the hospital, due to nausea and vomiting. Police are investigating the man who stands accused of grievous bodily harm, among other offences.
