Stories from Leipzig · Germany

Medical safety tests involving healthy, non-pregnant women were successfully completed in hospitals in Leipzig and Cologne. Researchers found that reducing protein levels in the blood by 15-20% can double the time before delivery for severely ill patients.

German national football coach Julia Nagelsmann has adjusted the World Cup preparation schedule. Consequently, team preparations will also begin two days later than previously scheduled. Coach Julian Nagelsmann will present his 26-player squad for the upcoming tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada on May 21 instead of May 12. The nine-day delay is due to player injuries, according to the report. The postponement is due to injuries sustained by several national players.

A driver died following a single-vehicle accident involving a yellow VW that ended up in a ditch. Police and emergency services were present at the scene near Leipzig. The incident occurred on a road where the vehicle left the roadway. A wolf was killed after being struck by a car on the federal highway between Dornendorf and Facher. The animal appeared suddenly on the road, according to police.

The city of Leipzig will begin using biological controls to manage oak processionary moth populations.

Police recorded approximately 4,100 offenses last year, an increase from the previous year, according to Tamara Zichang. Right-wing politically motivated crime remains the central challenge, with 72 percent of offenses attributed to the right-wing spectrum. Conversely, violent crimes against politicians decreased by 13 percent. Police conducted searches targeting 44 suspects as part of an investigation into organized crime. The investigation includes allegations of extortion and racketeering. Authorities stated the group attempts to control neighborhoods and intimidate residents to settle conflicts in cities. The suspects are accused of profiting from drugs, weapons, and protection money, with officials comparing their tactics to the Hells Angels. Police conducted a raid targeting 44 suspects as part of an organized crime investigation in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The German Federal Ministry of the Interior confirmed that a charter flight carrying 25 Afghan men departed from Leipzig during the night. The deportation was carried out as part of a program to remove repeat offenders. Convictions included manslaughter, rape, serious bodily harm, and drug offenses, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. This follows a mass deportation of Afghan nationals from Berlin in February. Federal Minister Dobrindt advocated for this arrangement last year. The men were handed over to the Taliban authorities upon arrival. Although the German government does not recognize the Taliban as a legitimate government, an agreement for regular deportations has been established. A ministry spokesperson stated the operations were federal police measures intended to establish identities for deportation preparation.

The traditional company Halberstetter Würstchen is for sale following a period of financial instability. The Nitsch family, which took over the business after German reunification, is exiting the company. The firm had previously faced insolvency but managed to stabilize its finances.

The winners of this year's Goethe-Medaille have been announced. The awards go to Estonian composer Avopert, Italian translator Anita Raya, and German-Greek theater director Pro Dromos Zinichores. The announcement was made by MDR Kultur.

German energy grids are struggling to manage the surge in solar and wind power production. Wind turbines are being halted and photovoltaic systems are being shut down due to grid capacity issues. Authorities are considering ending feed-in tariffs, at least for small-scale installations, to address the imbalance. Currently, compensation is still being paid even when systems are shut down. Current plans for a citizen-led wind turbine in Magdeburg may be affected by potential changes from Berlin. The current feed-in tariff is set at 6 cents. Without these subsidies, such renewable energy projects may become difficult to finance.

The company Vago has been employing apprentices from Mongolia for three years. Matschke traveled to Mongolia to investigate why the students are pursuing higher education levels abroad. He noted that many Mongolian youths are seeking higher educational standards. German company Vago has successfully integrated Mongolian apprentices into its workforce in Leipzig. Training manager Marcel Matschke described the program as a success. One apprentice expressed a desire to remain with the company in Sondershausen following the program. The apprentice noted that while she finds German directness challenging at times, she appreciates the experience. The program aims to recruit students who cannot further their education within their home country. A German company is recruiting apprentices from Mongolia to fill roles in high-industrial and innovative sectors.