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...

Pharma Giant Merck Sets 2026 Leadership Change with Electronics Division Head Taking Helm
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...

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German Airline Lufthansa Plans 20% Reduction in Administrative Staff Through Digitalization
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...
European Nations Debate Offshore Asylum Return Centers Amid Policy Shift
European interior ministers are advancing discussions to establish return centers for rejected asylum seekers near their countries of origin, with German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt leading the initiative. At a high-level meeting in Munich scheduled for Saturday, ministers from multiple EU nations and EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner will deliberate on the creation of these...
Two Students Injured in Schoolyard Assault by Former Pupil
A 15-year-old former student allegedly attacked two 14-year-old pupils with a hammer on the schoolyard of Mittelschule Friedberg in Bavaria on Thursday morning. The incident occurred shortly before 8 a.m., prompting a large-scale police response in the center of the town located just kilometers from Augsburg. The suspect was arrested near the school after attempting to flee the...
Holcim to Acquire German Building Materials Firm Xella in €1.85 Billion Deal
Swiss cement conglomerate Holcim has agreed to acquire German building materials manufacturer Xella for €1.85 billion, marking a significant strategic move in the European construction sector. The transaction, announced on Monday, is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2026, pending approval from relevant regulatory authorities. Xella, headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, is a...
€15.3 Million Windfall: German Lottery Winner Unearths Ticket After Half-Year Delay
A German father from the Hesse region has claimed a €15.3 million lottery prize after discovering a winning ticket he had forgotten in a jacket pocket for six months. The fortunate discovery came after lottery operator Lotto Hessen had been searching for the mystery winner since March, even posting notices at retail locations in an attempt to identify the ticket holder.</p>The winner,...
Major Industrial Fire in Freiburg Causes Millions in Damage
A large-scale fire in Freiburg's industrial district has caused extensive damage estimated at a minimum of €50 million, according to police reports. The blaze broke out on Wednesday evening from currently unknown causes and continued to burn into Thursday, with firefighting operations ongoing throughout the night. One employee from a local company sustained minor injuries during the...

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...
Pharma Giant Merck Sets 2026 Leadership Change with Electronics Division Head Taking Helm
The Darmstadt-based Merck Group, a DAX-listed pharmaceutical and...
Industrial Robot Installations Fall in EU Automotive Industry While Global Demand Doubles
The European Union's automotive industry recorded a 5% year-on-year...
Berlin Aims for 24-Hour Business Registration in Sweeping Digital Overhaul
The German government has unveiled an ambitious 80-measure plan to...
UMT AG Announces Supervisory Board Reshuffle as AI Business Grows
UMT United Mobility Technology AG continues to expand its footprint...
India Rejects Pakistan's Human Rights Criticism as Hypocritical
At the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in...
Woman Assaulted After Leaving Oktoberfest, Suspect Remains at Large
Munich police are investigating an alleged sexual assault that...
German Brake Specialist Knorr-Bremse Strengthens Electronics Business with Duagon Purchase
German braking systems specialist Knorr-Bremse AG has announced the...