Stories from Düsseldorf · Germany

Nine individuals in North Rhine-Westphalia face allegations of membership in a criminal association. The group is accused of planning and executing attacks against gay and lesbian individuals during Christopher Street Day parades.

Shares of Rheinmetall, Germany's largest defense company, rose 1.5% following its first quarter sales report. The company reported revenue that missed market expectations. The stock movement occurred following the release of the quarterly financial results.

Jobcenters in North Rhine-Westphalia significantly increased benefit cuts for recipients of Bürgergeld last year. A spokesperson for the Federal Employment Agency stated that money was withheld nearly 128,000 times, representing a 3% increase.

Thirty-six universities in North Rhine-Westphalia are launching a targeted campaign in neighboring federal states to attract students.

Tourism NRW representative Tonya Haak stated that the uncertain global situation may lead travelers to choose destinations closer to home.

North Rhine-Westphalia Transport Minister Oliver Krischer of the Green Party is calling for no price increase for the Deutschland-Ticket next year. Krischer told the Rheinische Post that public transport must not be abandoned while billions are being mobilized for fuel discounts.

International protests successfully stopped a planned auction of Holocaust-related items. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is now advocating for a fundamental ban on the trade of personal items belonging to victims.

The A59 motorway in the direction of Cologne is closed between Dreikönig Düsseldorf Süd and the Leverkusen West interchange. The closure is due to ongoing construction work and is expected to remain in place until May 20.

The Higher Regional Court in Düsseldorf has provisionally stopped a proceeding to review competition conditions in the fuel wholesale market. The Federal Cartel Office sought information from two price information services, but the companies challenged this move in court.

The North Rhine-Westphalia state government intends to pass legislation to stop the trade of documents belonging to Holocaust victims. A draft law is expected to be submitted to the Bundesrat next week. The NRW Minister for Federal Affairs is overseeing the initiative.