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Skype superimposes the French flag on its chat heart emoticon

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

In a blatant disregard for its users' right to express themselves without political interference or misrepresentation, Microsoft has modified its heart emoticon to show the French flag colours instead of the normal red.  Whilst most of the world stands in solidarity with France and condemnation of the horrendous massacre which occurred in Paris (and similar atrocities in recent times, such as in Kenya), private businesses forcing their political beliefs on the users of their services is...

Republican Party needs a Compassionate Conservative

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

A strong but unexpected conservative victory in the recently concluded UK general elections was preceded by a rapid surge to power by another conservative right - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India set me thinking as to what prevents the conservative right in the US from romping home? Conservatives in the UK and in India drove to power at the back of a strong and popular leadership of Mr. Cameron and Prime Minister Modi. Both display a strong leadership with a blend of compassionate...

DB strike called off

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Deutsche Bahn train drivers have suspended their latest strike and agreed to negotiations with their employer. Deutsche Bahn board member Ulrich Weber commented "We are very relieved". The unprecedented strike, which has crippled commuters in the country and caused high levels of disruption for millions, began on Tuesday and ends at 7pm on Thursday. This was just the latest in a long line of strike actions aimed at securing the drivers a 4.7% pay rise plus a one-off EUR1,000 (£715; $1,110)...

Healthcare tourism in Munich

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Munich is famous for its beer festivals, culture, sporting heritage and countless other things. Yet most residents of Bavaria's capital city (and Germany's economic powerhouse) do not realise that Munich is also one of the world's foremost destinations for patients seeking specialist medical treatment abroad. Healthcare tourism in Munich is a booming business and continues to grow at a staggering rate. This is in part due to the famous German education system, which gives rise to an enviable...

Karneval countdown

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

So, here we are in the last week of Fasching festivities and time fast running out to make the most of the pre-lent party period. In case you were unaware, Munich closes off the party season with a colourful parade and public fancy dress event at Viktaulianmarkt, near the tourist centre of Marienplatz. Be there from 10:30 am on the 17th to see the Tanz de Marktfrauen, but be sure to come early or face the tussle and bussle of trying to navigate through a packed crowd of tens of thousands.  If...

Grexit: Whose Loss will it be?

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

As Greece goes to Parliamentary elections on 25th January, I scratch my head to understand the classic Greek conundrum. On one hand a private poll survey suggests that roughly 70% - 75% of Greeks want their country to stay in the European Union (EU). Yet on the other hand, pre-poll election surveys indicate Syriza, the radical left (and anti-Euro) party, is the most preferred choice of Greek voters. It is a foregone conclusion that Mr. Alexis Tsipras, the leader of Syriza, would be the new Prime...

Fashion for Fasching

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

It may come as a surprise to those of you from English-speaking countries, but Carnival is not just a parade celebrated in Rio's famous Sambadrome. German-speaking countries have a long established tradition of making the most of the Karneval season, locally known as Fasching. One could consider it the less formal cousin of the famous Viennese New Year's Concert, albeit with more noise, dodgy dancing, yet far better costumes. The season officially starts as far back as November 11th, but...

Germany celebrates liberty

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Berlin: Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed the courage of East Germans in helping bring down the Berlin Wall 25 years ago as celebrations raised the momentum building up to the historic occasion. However, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev struck an alarming note, pointing out that the world was closer to a new cold war. Merkel, herself daughter of a Lutheran pastor raised in East Germany, said the yearning for freedom brought down one of the most infamous symbols of the 20th century.

The...

DB train drivers on strike for five days

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

The Berlin Wall fell 25 years ago, but a new wall of trade unionism creeping up in the railroad sector is dividing workers from the public. Not used to strikes, Germans will see train drivers go on a five-day stop work as the country braces for events celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall at the weekend.  "Pure bullying," said a press statement issued by Deutsche Bahn, talking about the strike that would hit millions of passengers. "While people in Germany are looking forward to celebrating...

How to end poverty and food insecurity

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Beyond the fact that it is next year (2015) for the grace period to elapse of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, we still have a long way to go in order to effectively build Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition. Where are the seeds of hope when the innocent suffer the most! What can we do when Seventeen Thousand Children die every day from hunger, buried in the land that could have provided food for them-because they did not have the ability/capacity and...

Munich expat income opportunity

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Calling all expats who want to work and not stay at home. How I managed to develop a business in Munich without speaking the language- an expat's story.

My name is Elissa Jelowicki and I am a UK qualified solicitor by trade. I was sick of trying to keep up with the London rat race - working really hard and not seeing the rewards. My partner is German and we did the whole "long - distance thing", for a year. However, I slowly realized that I also wanted more out of my life and knew how much I...

Beer consumption and prices rise at Oktoberfest

October 7, 2025 • 12:00 AM

The 181st Oktoberfest is underway with a million visitors flooding the giant tents on the opening weekend. The numbers behind this festival are always fascinating. On the very first day, 100 revellers were arrested while 700 patients were treated by the Red Cross during the opening 48 hours.

The beer is flowing as well. In 2013 each visitor consumed an average of 1.2 litres, compared to just 700 ml back in 1995. It's important to point out that not all visitors drink beer - designated drivers...

German PKV Insurance

German Private Health Insurance

Health Insurance in Germany is compulsory and sometimes complicated, not to mention expensive. As an expat, you are required to navigate this landscape within weeks of arriving, so check our FAQ on PKV. For our guide on resources and access to agents who can give you a competitive quote, try our PKV Cost comparison tool.

Hospitals

Hospital and Clinic Directory

Germany is famous for its medical expertise and extensive number of hospitals and clinics. See this comprehensive directory of hospitals and clinics across the country, complete with links to their websites, addresses, contact info, and specializations/services.

Events

Upcoming Events

Christoph Scheuerecker: ,,Ereignis: Erzählung"

Join us at the Kunstraum in der Au for the exhibition titled ,,Ereignis: Erzählung" by Christoph Scheuerecker, focusing on the captivating world of bees. This exhibition invites visitors to explore the intricate relationship between bees and their environment through various artistic expressions,...

More News...

Dominik Krause has been elected Munich's first openly gay Lord Mayor, ending over 70 years of SPD rule. Full results, biography and what comes next.
Green Party candidate wins 22 March run-off with 56.4% of the vote, ending decades of SPD dominance...
The Tabi: From Japanese Tradition to a Fashion Icon
Long before it became one of the most recognisable shoes in contemporary fashion, the tabi was a...
Ukrainian Diplomat Calls for Stronger Security Commitments Beyond NATO-Style Guarantees
The Ukrainian ambassador to the United Nations has emphasized the necessity for more robust and...
Vivienne Westwood, The Punk Who Made Fashion Think
There are fashion designers, and then there's Vivienne Westwood, the woman who proved that a dress...
Halloween but make it fashion: 16 costumes inspired by runways
From ghostly gowns to bloodied brides, designers have long turned the macabre into couture magic....
Revolutionising Websites for Cafés, Restaurants, and Bars Across Europe
In today's digital-first world, a strong online presence is no longer a luxury for cafés,...
Power Outage at Chernobyl Following Russian Airstrike
A recent airstrike by the Russian Air Force has resulted in a significant power outage in Chernobyl,...
Lana Del Rey Marries Nostalgia and Modernity
Lana Del Rey has always embodied a world of cinematic nostalgia, so it came as no surprise that her...

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