Latest news with #Bild
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Google Maps causes 'chaos' in Germany by pretending motorways closed
It was the start of a four-day weekend for many families, and roads across Germany were already set to be clogged by people heading off on a May holiday break. Then Google Maps decided to redirect drivers away from Germany's famously fast "autobahn" motorways due to dozens of unexpected closures on crucial roads. In a day of what German media called "autobahn chaos", the Ascension Day public holiday on Thursday was marred by lengthy detours for many after it turned out Google Maps was falsely reporting motorway closures across the country. The online navigation service displayed red dots on road sections around Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt and other major German cities. However police in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Mainz and the highly populated state of North Rhine-Westphalia could not confirm the closures to dpa. Parts of the Netherlands and Belgium also appeared to be affected by the error on Google Maps. "They can't have closed ALL the motorways," tabloid Bild quoted one Facebook user as posting. "Especially because the traffic news isn't reporting anything." Google told dpa the information was being reviewed and that it was removing closures that were incorrect. "We cannot comment on specific cases," a company spokesman said, noting that the information on Google Maps comes from a combination of third-party providers, public sources and user inputs. "In general, these sources provide a strong basis for comprehensive and up-to-date map material," he said. Google Maps also allows users to report errors being displayed. It's not the first time Google has invented a road closure in Germany, and at the beginning of May, the tech giant's service incorrectly displayed motorway tunnels in eastern Germany's Thuringia state as closed. Following a complaint from the police, the navigation instructions were corrected. Germany's motorways are normally famed for their speed, having many stretches without a speed limit where drivers can go as fast as their Audis, BMWs or Porsches can carry them. In the context of the climate crisis, lawmakers have long been debating efforts to stop drivers speeding on one of the world's few remaining motorways where you can legally - and considerably safely - reach speeds of over 300 km/h.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Germany to end 3-year citizenship option for migrants; 5-year path to stay
Germany is preparing to end a policy that allows well-integrated migrants to apply for citizenship after just three years of residency. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is expected to present a bill that would roll back the fast-track option introduced by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Three-year naturalisation process to go Speaking to Bild, a German newspaper, Dobrindt said, 'Express naturalisation after three years of residency was a mistake. We are putting an end to it now. German citizenship must come at the end of an integration process and not at the beginning.' The measure was brought in last June by the previous coalition government of the SPD, the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party. It allowed residents to apply for German citizenship after three years if they had advanced German language skills—level C1—and could show strong achievements in integrating into German society, such as volunteer work or professional success. Under the existing system: 1. Residents with C1-level German and other strong achievements can apply after three years. 2. Most permanent residents can apply after five years with B1-level German and knowledge of German history. Skilled worker shortages remain Germany's decision comes despite ongoing labour shortages across several sectors. Business groups have repeatedly urged the government to make it easier for foreign professionals to settle in Germany. In April, German Ambassador to India Dr Philipp Ackermann spoke about Germany's need for skilled workers. At the launch of the Global Access to Talent from India (GATI) Foundation in New Delhi, he said, 'Our government has very clearly identified a need for about 500,000 skilled workers per year across all sectors—not just the top levels but also at the apprenticeship level. We need bakers, butchers, plumbers—people across the skills spectrum.' Ackermann also spoke about the new 'Opportunity Card', a points-based system allowing individuals to apply for a visa without a prior job offer if they meet the criteria. 'Currently, we issue about 20,000 to 25,000 skilled worker visas a year. That's not enough. We need more—but also the right kind of migration, with skilled, motivated candidates,' he said. What remains unchanged for migrants * The 5-year residency route to citizenship remains in place. * Applicants must have an intermediate B1 level of German. * Dual citizenship is still permitted. Indians planning to work in Germany should note that the country remains open to skilled professionals, despite plans to scrap the expedited naturalisation route. With 273,000 people of Indian origin—including expatriates and German citizens—already residing in the country, Indians represent the second-largest South, South East, East, or Central Asian community in Germany after Afghanistan. In October 2024, Germany announced plans to issue over 10% more professional visas in 2025 to combat labour shortages. On November 17, the government confirmed it will issue 200,000 professional visas next year. Of these, 90,000 will be allocated to Indian skilled workers, a significant increase from the previous cap of 20,000.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Sesko's HUGE price tag revealed, Zubimendi set for MEDICAL, Gunners ‘launch Gyokeres BID'
Potential Sesko boost Arsenal may have received a major boost in their bid to sign RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko. According to Bild, Sesko will be left out of Leipzig's upcoming pre-season tour. The same report claims the Bundesliga giants would start talks at £59million for the striker. However, the Gunners may have to splash up to £84m for the Slovenia international.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Germany to deny Ukraine's request for Taurus missiles
Germany will not supply Ukraine with Taurus long-range cruise missiles, Bild reported on Wednesday, citing sources. Officials in Berlin have for months been reluctant to greenlight the shipment over concerns that it could lead to a major escalation. While Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky is expected to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday to discuss continued Western military assistance, a 'big breakthrough is unlikely to happen,' according to Bild. Merz is not expected to approve the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, which have a range of up to 500km, the newspaper claimed, adding that officials in Berlin are still avoiding discussing the so-called 'T-question' which is seen as 'taboo.' While Taurus deliveries reportedly remain off the table, the German government is expected to offer Kiev alternative systems. According to Bild, these could include more Mars-2 multiple rocket launchers, a system already supplied in 2022 and which have a maximum range of 85km. The German newspaper noted, however, that M30 and M31 missile that accompany the system are GPS-guided munitions and hence have limited utility, given that Russian forces have been able to counteract such technology. Germany is also reportedly planning to support Ukraine's domestic weapons production by allocating millions of euros to assist Kiev in developing and manufacturing its own long-range cruise missiles, some with ranges up to 2,500km. Earlier this week, Merz said that Ukraine was no longer limited in range to use Western-supplied weapons to strike inside Russia, claiming the decision had been made months ago. In contrast, Ukrainian leader Zelensky said he had not yet received formal approval from his European backers, although he suggested that the green light could come soon. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned on Tuesday that the lifting of range restrictions for strikes inside Russia would mark a 'serious escalation' and would 'most severely undermine attempts for a peaceful settlement.' The previous German government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz long resisted calls to supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine, arguing that doing so would risk drawing Berlin into the conflict. In the spring of 2024, Scholz stressed that deliveries of German-made long-range weapons to Ukraine would 'only be sensibly supplied if they would involve the deployment of German soldiers.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
🚨 The manager everyone wants: Media claim Werder land top coach
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here. He just played in the relegation playoffs with his club, and now he's changing teams! Horst Steffen is expected to become the new coach at Werder Bremen. 'Bild' was the first to report this, and now 'DeichStube' has also confirmed it. So Steffen is turning his back on Elversberg and will succeed Ole Werner in Bremen. According to the 'Bild' report, the 56-year-old was considered the preferred choice on the Weser. 'DeichStube' adds that an agreement has now been reached on all points regarding the move. With this, the Green-Whites have prevailed against notable competition. Because: Steffen has recently been a hot candidate at several clubs. 1. FC Köln, among others, is said to have shown interest, according to ' Schalke 04 was also linked with Steffen some time ago. The head coach drew attention to himself with his successes at Elversberg. Within two years, he led the club from the Regionalliga to the 2. Bundesliga. In the promotion playoffs to the Bundesliga, they narrowly lost to Heidenheim. 📸 THOMAS KIENZLE - AFP or licensors
