Stories from Cologne · Germany

The Cologne district government has issued a warning regarding a nurse using falsified professional credentials. The woman has been offering services to senior homes, hospitals, and nursing services, specifically targeting intensive care positions.

The German employment barometer has fallen to its lowest level in six years. Blockades of key trade routes have caused increases in energy prices. The downturn is affecting almost every sector, with industry, trade, and logistics being particularly impacted. Service providers also reported a low in the indicator. This development comes as the German economy prepares for job cuts. The IFO Institute reported that Germany's employment barometer fell by more than two points in March, reaching its lowest level in nearly six years. The decline is attributed to job cuts being made faster than new positions are created. Business owners are planning extensive layoffs due to the ongoing Iran-related conflict. The German Association of General Practitioners has threatened demonstrations in response to proposed savings.

The Cologne Cathedral in Germany has decided to charge visitors an entry fee. The cathedral administration stated it can no longer cover maintenance costs through existing means.

The goal includes everything from launch in French Guiana to landing on the lunar surface. If the Mona Luna rover is selected, the first mission is targeted for the 2030 horizon. Astronaut Jean-François Clairvoix stated a rover will be used to traverse hundreds of kilometers on the Moon to search for water. The mission aims to use electrolysis to produce oxygen for drinking and cultivation. The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently selecting a group to complete a future mission. The selection process for the rover is expected to conclude within a few weeks. This mission would represent a step in lunar exploration capabilities.

A 26-year-old man is in pretrial detention in Cologne-Lindenthal following an alleged stabbing of his father. The victim is no longer in life-threatening condition, according to the source. Prosecutors are investigating the son on suspicion of attempted manslaughter and dangerous bodily harm.

The Verdi union is calling for a 6.6 percent wage increase for Deutsche Telekom employees. A German union is demanding a 6.6 percent wage increase for approximately 60,000 Telekom employees. Two previous rounds of collective bargaining negotiations have concluded without an agreement. The third round of negotiations is scheduled for May 11 and 12. The union suggests data analysis will assist investigators in these proceedings. Approximately 3,000 Telekom employees participated in a Verdi union action regarding wage negotiations. The union reports no progress was made during the second round of negotiations on Monday as Telekom provided no offer. Verdi is demanding a 6.6 percent pay increase for a 12-month term. The union also requested a new annual bonus of 660 euros per employee.

The SPD is discussing a proposal to increase health insurance contributions for Bürgergeld recipients. The plan involves an estimated 250 million euros in the coming year. These costs are expected to be increased in stages over the next several years.

The SPD confirmed that negotiations at Villa Borsig became heated when the Union proposed abolishing the first public holiday. No specific date for a decision was provided in the broadcast.

The A71 highway is closed between Köleder and Heldrungen for repair and installation work until approximately 6:00 AM. Additionally, the A71 between Gräfenroder and Oberhof is closed due to a night construction site. In Cologne, the area between Kreuzmonheim and Südenkreuz-Leberkusen-West is closed for construction until May 20. Several German highways are experiencing closures due to ongoing construction and repairs. The A 59 near Cologne toward Düsseldorf is closed between Mohnheim and Düsseldorf-Garrat until approximately 5:00 AM. In the opposite direction, the A 59 from Düsseldorf toward Cologne is closed between Düsseldorf-Süd and Kreuz-Levacosen-West until May 20. The A 71 tunnel Alteburg is closed toward Sul until approximately 6:00 AM. Additionally, closures are in place on the A 59 between Bremerhaven, Bremen Fahr, and Bremen Horn Lehe in both directions.

A trial is underway to determine if a defendant killed an eight-year-old boy named Fabian in October of last year. A 30-year-old woman, identified as a former partner of the boy's father, appeared in court for the first day of her trial in Cologne.