Gelsenkirchen Rejects AfD Bid as Henze Wins Mayoral Runoff with Two-Thirds Majority
Social Democrat Andrea Henze has been elected as the new mayor of Gelsenkirchen, defeating AfD candidate Norbert Emmerich in Sunday's runoff election. The 49-year-old SPD politician secured 66.9 percent of the vote compared to Emmerich's 33.1 percent, according to final results. Henze succeeds longtime SPD mayor Karin Welge, who did not seek reelection after completing her term.
The...
Massive Police Operation in Munich After Deadly Family Conflict Erupts
Munich was plunged into a state of emergency following a violent family dispute that resulted in a deadly house fire, multiple explosions, and the temporary closure of the world's largest folk festival. According to investigators, the incident began when a 57-year-old man set fire to a residential building in the northern part of the city and deployed explosive devices. The situation...
Subscribe to GIR's Newsletter
Zurich residents have voted decisively to implement strict new regulations governing the use of leaf blowers and leaf vacuums in Switzerland's largest city. In a public referendum, 61.7 percent of voters supported the restrictive measures that will significantly curtail when and how these machines can be operated. The new rules represent a substantial shift in urban maintenance practices...
The Lufthansa Group has confirmed plans to eliminate 4,000 administrative positions by 2030 as part of a comprehensive cost-cutting initiative. The German airline conglomerate, based in Munich, announced that the reduction will affect approximately 20% of its administrative workforce outside direct flight operations. The move follows unconfirmed reports from the previous week that had...
German braking systems specialist Knorr-Bremse AG has announced the acquisition of Swiss technology company Duagon Group in a strategic move to strengthen its rail electronics and software business. The €500 million transaction, signed on September 25, 2025, positions Knorr-Bremse to enhance its portfolio of safety-critical applications for rail vehicles and signaling technology. The...
The Darmstadt-based Merck Group, a DAX-listed pharmaceutical and technology conglomerate, has announced a significant leadership transition set for May 2026. Kai Beckmann, currently head of the electronics division, will succeed Belén Garijo as CEO following the expiration of her term. The company confirmed that Beckmann will immediately assume the role of deputy CEO while continuing to...
A 27-year-old trapeze artist died during a performance at Circus Paul Busch in Bautzen, Saxony, on Saturday evening, plunging approximately five meters from her apparatus in front of approximately 100 spectators. The Spanish performer, identified only as Marina, was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency response efforts, according to police statements.</p>The tragedy occurred...
Baden-Württemberg's camping industry is poised for a record-breaking year, with camping enthusiasts flocking to popular regions like the Black Forest and Lake Constance. Kurt Bonath, chairman of the State Association of the Camping Industry in Baden-Württemberg, reported that many campground operators described 2024 as their best year ever. The sector anticipates setting new records if...
Social Democrat Andrea Henze has been elected as the new mayor of...
Munich was plunged into a state of emergency following a violent...
Thirty-five years after German reunification, women's employment...
European defense technology company Helsing has unveiled its CA-1...
The European Union's automotive industry recorded a 5% year-on-year...
The German government has unveiled an ambitious 80-measure plan to...
Voters across North Rhine-Westphalia returned to the polls on...
European interior ministers are advancing discussions to establish...