Germany celebrates Unity Day
October 3rd is the Day of German Unity and a nationwide public holiday which commemorates the German reunification, the day when the former German Democratic Republic (former East Germany) officially joined the Federal Republic of Germany (former West Germany).
This year's central celebrations will take place in Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-west Pomerania, in the centre of the Alter Garten.
But you can find Unity Day celebrations, often including parades, concerts and fireworks in cities across Germany.
READ ALSO:
- 10 things you never knew about German reunification
- What's open and closed in Germany on Unity Day this Thursday?
Germany condemns Iran's missile attack on Israel, summons envoy
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday slammed Tehran's missile barrage at Israel while his government summoned the Iranian ambassador over the attack.
"The Iranian missile attacks on Israel must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," Scholz said, warning of "a further escalation of the already tense situation in the Middle East".
"Iran risks setting the entire region ablaze," he said in comments on social media platform X.
The foreign ministry said German citizens should leave Iran, warning against any travel to the Islamic republic due to the "volatile and very tense" situation in the region.
The ministry said it had summoned Iran's ambassador over the attack.
Scholz said Germany would continue its efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.
The German leader also reiterated a call for a Gaza ceasefire ahead of the anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which sparked the war in the Palestinian territory. The hostages' "fate must be an incentive for everyone to reach an agreement based on the proposals made by US President (Joe) Biden", Scholz said.
On Wednesday, Germany said it had organised a second military flight to evacuate its nationals from Lebanon after Israel launched ground raids into its neighbour and Iran fired missiles at Israel.
Changes coming to long-term unemployment benefits
The German government has agreed on plans to toughen up long-term unemployment benefits - BĂĽrgergeld - as part of the 2025 budget.
The latest draft comes with harsher sanctions for unemployment recipients who refuse reasonable work or fail to report work they do on the side, but it also includes a €1,000 conditional bonus for those who take up a job.
READ ALSO: KEY POINTS - What to know about Germany's unemployment benefits overhaul
Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) said that the reforms were intended to help people get back into work: "But those who do not follow the rules or cheat the system with illegal work must expect harsher consequences".Â
The changes come as part of the coalition's so-called "growth initiative", a 49-point plan. They are to apply from January 1st, 2025.
Prominent German coronavirus sceptic faces fraud trial
The founder of one of Germany's best-known groups of coronavirus sceptics, who led protests against the government's pandemic-era restrictions, went on trial Wednesday accused of fraud and tax evasion.
According to reporting by AFP, Michael Ballweg, 49, the founder of the movement Querdenken-711 (Lateral thinkers-711) is accused by prosecutors of diverting donations to fund his lifestyle.
Ballweg is said to have leveraged his popularity to raise €1.2 million, but used only €844,000 to finance the group's activities.
The protest organiser smiled as he entered the courtroom in Stuttgart, wearing a shirt which read "freedom comes from courage".
Ballweg's group was at the centre of Germany's nationwide Querdenken movement, which organised protests against anti-Covid measures. Their rallies attracted thousands of people opposed to lockdowns and mask rules, sometimes resulting in clashes with police.
The movement drew together activists from both the far-right and far-left of the political spectrum, as well as conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers.
Ballweg is charged with some 9,450 counts of fraud as well as attempted and successful tax evasion.
With additional reporting from AFP
Comments