Stories from Stuttgart · Germany

A defendant in Stuttgart confessed to rape on the first day of his trial. The individual apologized and cited alcohol and drug abuse as contributing factors. The trial is scheduled to resume in May.

Stuttgart Airport has returned to the profit zone earlier than planned, according to airport spokesperson Ulrich Heppe. The airport recorded 9.6 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 500,000 from the previous year.

A new investigation in Germany shows that approximately 7% fewer boys than girls attend Gymnasium. The study indicates this disparity exists largely independently of family background.

A spokesperson for BRSF announced that bids were received from both regional and supra-regional interested buyers before yesterday's deadline. The company will review the offers and conduct negotiations in May. The review process will evaluate economic aspects alongside the buyers' ability and willingness to manage the housing stock for long-term urban development. The sale of the 3,300 company apartments had previously drawn criticism. The sale comes amid a negative economic outlook, with the company reporting its weakest value since 2020. No new specific facts provided in current feeds to update this story.

Stuttgart-based Bosch plans to expand beyond its core business by establishing 20 new companies by 2030. The strategy involves increasing joint ventures with experienced partners and involving external founders and investors early in the process. The company aims to leverage startup-style speed to foster innovation. This strategic shift comes as the automotive supplier faces a critical period.

Just over 5% of German households currently have smart meters installed. This adoption rate trails significantly behind France, Italy, and Scandinavian countries, where rates exceed 90%. The slow rollout is attributed to concerns regarding IT security. Without widespread smart meter usage, consumers cannot easily utilize negative electricity prices through dynamic tariffs. Only slightly more than 5% of households in Germany currently have a smart meter.

A survey by the German Foundation for Depression Relief and Suicide Prevention found that 69 percent of participants with a diagnosed depression have used chatbots to discuss mental health issues. The study included 2,500 volunteers aged between 16 and 39 years. The findings were reported by Ulrike Till.

Germany is considering a tightening of sexual offense laws to move from a 'no means no' principle to a 'only yes means yes' standard. This change aims to better protect individuals from sexual assault.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is a guest, with the economic situation in Germany playing a role. Growth, competitiveness, bureaucracy reduction, and energy security are points the Union parliamentary group leadership intends to discuss with von der Leyen. Chancellor Merz is expected for a discussion in the evening, focusing on the government's next reform steps. Parliamentary group leader Spahn is pushing for the cabinet to approve the planned austerity package for statutory health insurance and its key points as scheduled on Wednesday. Factions of the SPD in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bremen have criticized a lack of economic strategy.

Germany's Drug Commissioner, Streeck, is focusing on e-cigarettes and vapes to protect young people. While there is a positive trend of reduced smoking among youth, there is a counter-trend of increasing vape usage. The 'Rauchfrei' campaign in May aims to encourage more people to quit smoking cigarettes.