Stories from Düsseldorf · Germany

The North Rhine-Westphalia state government announced plans to introduce a bill next week to prohibit the trade of personal items belonging to victims of the Nazi era. The move follows protests against a planned auction in Neuers that intended to sell items including letters from concentration camps. The bill will be introduced to the Bundesrat next week. This move follows the cancellation of a planned auction in Neuss after public protests.

Defense contractor Rheinmetall plans to more than double its workforce by 2030. The company aims to employ approximately 70,000 people at its facilities by that year. For the plant in Wetzlar, the company is currently seeking 400 new employees. Personnel Executive Vera Saal stated that Rheinmetall intends to recruit workers from other sectors, such as the automotive industry, to utilize transferable skills like locksmithing. The company received roughly 250,000 applications last year, a increase from nearly 60,000 applications in 2021. The growth follows shifts in the security landscape, according to the report. Demand for workers in the arms industry in North Rhine-Westphalia remains high. The company is seeking new staff for its facility in Neuss. Other defense companies like drone manufacturer Infintech in Mülheim an der Ruhr are also seeing growth.

The Düsseldorf public prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation into suspected tax evasion. Investigators searched a building in Leverkusen this morning, targeting a service provider allegedly involved in the same scheme. The company has not yet been reached for comment, and the presumption of innocence applies. Investigators searched a building in Leverkusen on Wednesday morning as part of the probe. Authorities suspect a service provider assisted individuals in committing tax evasion through these entities.

A small publisher in Düsseldorf reported that revenue has halved compared to 2024 and 2025 levels. The decline is attributed to Trump's tariff policies affecting buyers.

Four out of five companies in North Rhine-Westphalia expressed concerns that the trade policies of Donald Trump could harm their business. The sentiment was captured in surveys regarding economic relations between the German state and the United States.

North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Christian Reul stated that authorities are investigating organized crime involving the suspected formation of and membership in a criminal organization. The investigation includes allegations of predatory extortion.

The stage design class at the Düsseldorf Art Academy is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Lena Newton currently leads the class. The exhibition features five rooms, with each room dedicated to a specific professor. The display includes interviews and historical discoveries covering the history of the class. Founded in 1926, it was the first of its kind in Germany. The academy has produced figures such as director Anna Viebrock and Jörg Immendorf. To mark the jubilee, students have developed an exhibition featuring original works, including a piece focused on dreams.

Psychologically induced sleep disorders have increased by approximately 73 percent over the last 10 years.

Special forces were involved in a raid in Düsseldorf, according to the Ministry.

Security authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia are investigating a camera found at a loading station used for protecting NATO's eastern flank. The camera was discovered by a Deutsche Bahn employee during routine work. Investigators suspect the device may have been used to monitor military transports or weapon deliveries to Ukraine. Authorities are also considering the possibility that the device was intended to prepare for sabotage against the Bundeswehr. Data from an aircraft shows a camera was mounted on the aircraft. Data indicates a camera was mounted on a drone used against light armored Humvee vehicles. The source noted that the short reaction time of the device makes it difficult to counter using electronic warfare alone, requiring small and medium arms fire. The discovery was made by infantry units.