Stories from Munich · Germany

Police and firefighters cordoned off an area near the Englischer Garten in Munich after a whistleblower reported a black dust spot. The individual was reportedly using a Geiger counter as a hobby when the discovery was made.

German chemical company Wacker Chemie released quarterly financial results that appear positive at first glance. The company reported losses during the previous year. The chemical industry in Germany is currently facing challenges due to extremely high location costs.

Mountain rescuers and experts are calling for a shift in responsibility regarding mountaineering safety in the Bavarian Alps. They said that hikers must engage in realistic tour planning and show respect for alpine hazards and the environment.

German companies Adidas and Waka Chemie reported an upward trend at the start of the year. Adidas recorded one of its most successful quarters in company history and expects increased revenue following the start of the FIFA World Cup.

The number of poorly prepared mountaineers in the Bavarian Alps is rising, according to reports from Doris Bimmer. The mountain rescue service in Bavaria recorded approximately 3,500 operations between May and October 2025. One in ten of these operations involved individuals who were not injured. Police in Bavaria recorded approximately 3,500 rescue operations, with 10% involving uninjured individuals. About 17 cases involved people who had simply overexerted themselves. Mountain guide Pietro Wetter described the trend as 'thrill instead of skill,' noting climbers prioritize social media experiences over necessary skills. Michael Schmidt, an alpine sports base owner in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, reported observing this trend more frequently. An owner of an Alpine sports base in Garmisch-Partenkirchen reports an increasing trend of unprepared climbers using rental equipment.

German national player Leon Goretzka is expected to leave Bayern Munich following the current season. According to reports from the Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Goretzka has reached an agreement with AC Milan. Goretzka was substituted into a match in Paris on the evening of April 28. The announcement follows Bayern's 4-5 loss in Paris.

Ergo, a subsidiary of a German insurance group, plans to expand its business in life and health reinsurance. The company also intends to grow its primary insurance business and increase specialized insurance offerings, such as for vintage cars.

More than 100 tax investigators conducted simultaneous searches at approximately 20 locations across Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. The investigation targets an entrepreneur allegedly linked to various companies using mailbox addresses in trade tax oases. The raids were carried out on Wednesday. Investigators are looking into a service provider that allegedly enabled fake registered offices for multiple businesses. More than 100 tax offenses are under investigation, though officials declined further comment due to tax secrecy and ongoing proceedings.

Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder has shifted his position to support a proposed sugar tax or levy. Söder was initially opposed to the measure, but has now moved in favor of the proposal following pressure.

The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified the Islamic Community Milli Görüş (IGMG) as an Islamist group. The agency stated the group aims to achieve long-term societal changes. The IGMG has rejected these classifications. The group operates the European Halal Certification Institute, which covers more than 1,000 ingredients across areas including Augsburg, Freising, and Starnberg. The classification comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the group's role in German society.