Today's top story: Six hundred sheep process through Nuremberg city centre
Nuremberg’s historic city centre became the stage for a unique spectacle on Sunday, as a herd of around 600 sheep was herded through the streets before a crowd of onlookers.
This annual event sees the animals make their way from summer pastures to their winter pastures west of the Franconian city.
The trip, which is a bit further than ten kilometers, runs right through Nuremberg’s central market square, where Europe’s largest Christmas market is set to kick off next week.
READ ALSO: When are Germany's Christmas markets opening in 2025?
The procession, rooted in long-standing local tradition, is intended by city officials to highlight both the heritage of itinerant shepherding and the vital role the sheep play in environmental conservation.
According to the city of Nuremberg, summer grazing by the flock helps maintain biodiversity across multiple urban biotope areas, as sheep favour specific grasses and their hooves naturally aerate the soil.
The practice offers residents an uncommon glimpse of pastoral life within city limits and, according to the town hall, is to be preserved and protected as part of Nuremberg’s cultural identity.Â
Sheep are still used as living lawnmowers in and around a number of German cities – they also graze in some places in Berlin, Potsdam, Augsburg, Ulm and others.
Threat against 20 schools in Berlin was fake, say police
An attack threat against around 20 Berlin schools has been spreading on several messenger services, causing unrest in the capital.
Police had received more than 900 calls about the threat, a spokesman said on Monday morning.
According to the police, the announcement is "false information that is deliberately intended to stir up fears".
On social media platform X, Berlin police said, "We have no indications of dangers or concrete threats." They added that school operations are taking place as usual, and asked people to not spread unverified rumours.
According to reporting by Welt, affected parents are disturbed. One father was quoted saying that his son had showed him the video with the threat and that he and his classmates were too afraid to go to school.
A police investigation has been launched into who is behind the messages.
Row over pensions reform intensifies in Germany
Germany’s pension reform debate has intensified, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz  of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the governing coalition facing strong opposition from the Junge Union (JU), the youth wing of the CDU/CSU.
The dispute centres on a proposed pension package that would extend the current “holding line” for pension levels to 48 percent until 2031 and introduce further benefits, such as expanded mother’s pensions and incentives for older workers to stay employed.
In a television interview on Sunday, Merz reaffirmed his support for the bill but also announced plans for a commission to prepare deeper reforms beyond that date. The body, to include internal critics, is expected to deliver proposals by mid-2026.
The “Young Group” of CDU and CSU lawmakers remains dissatisfied, arguing that the draft law exceeds coalition commitments and could cost €118 billion more than agreed. They also call for linking the retirement age to life expectancy. Without their backing, the coalition would lose its narrow 12-seat majority in the Bundestag vote.
Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) has ruled out changes to the proposed reform. SPD premier Alexander Schweitzer accused the Union of creating confusion and urged it to demonstrate reliability within the partnership.
READ ALSO: What Germany's incoming 'active pension' means for older workers
Germany's Vice Chancellor visits China for talks
Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has also become the first minister of Germany’s new black-red coalition to visit China, embarking on a delicate diplomatic mission as tensions over trade, Taiwan and Russia loom large.
Ahead of talks in Beijing, the finance minister and SPD leader urged fair competition and improved market access for German firms, warning against China’s use of overcapacity and export restrictions on critical raw materials.
The visit follows the abrupt cancellation of Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s trip after Beijing limited his meeting schedule and criticised his remarks on Taiwan.Â
In Germany, the visit has stirred tension within the coalition, with critics accusing the SPD of conducting a shadow foreign policy. Klingbeil insists his mission reflects government consensus and a need for open dialogue amid global instability.
READ ALSO: Germany's Volkswagen to develop assisted driving chip in China
Germany marks Volkstrauertag
On Sunday, Germany marked Volkstrauertag, the National Day of Mourning, with solemn ceremonies across the country, including the central event at the Neue Wache in Berlin, where the federal president and other high-ranking officials laid wreaths and delivered speeches to honour victims of war and tyranny.
Germany holds its remembrance day on the second Sunday before Advent. The date was chosen after World War II to distinguish the day from earlier Nazi-era commemorations.
The Bundestag also held an official remembrance service, with the national anthem and the traditional song "Ich hatt einen Kameraden" performed. The event was broadcast live on television.
In cities and towns, local communities held memorial services, processions and wreath-laying ceremonies at war memorials and cemeteries.
Flags were flown at half-mast and public entertainment was restricted in many regions to maintain the day’s solemn character.
READ ALSO: German word of the day - Trauer
With reporting by DPA and Paul Krantz.
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