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Local Germany
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Local Germany
FACT CHECK: Can you get German citizenship 'at the click of a mouse'?
A recent report on the topic of the German naturalisation in Berlin stirred up tired political debates around dual citizenship and digitalising the citizenship application process. Here's a look at what's been said versus what's true about applying for naturalisation. It started with a BILD article 'Now you can get your German passport at the click of a mouse' was the headline of a recent article published by the tabloid newspaper BILD. The report highlights Berlin's newly digitalised citizenship application process and claims that a 'rapid increase in naturalizations is due to the fact that applicants are being checked in person less and less'. It points to the fact that the number of naturalisations in Berlin has increased significantly since the application process was put online. The report sparked immediate political backlash and stirred up old debates. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) voiced concern in response to the report. He cited a rule requiring citizenship applicants to acknowledge their commitment to Germany's constitution and values including the protection of Jewish life, and said, 'I can hardly imagine that this will work without a personal appointment'. FACT CHECK: Do new German citizens have to affirm Israel's right to exist? Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) also engaged, telling BILD that he had asked the city-state's senator of the interior to clarify the citizenship process and explain how 'legal requirements are guaranteed'. Advertisement How does the digital citizenship process work? The idea, proposed by BILD, that one can easily obtain German citizenship 'at the click of a mouse' is demonstrably false. In fact, BILD 's own report includes a quote from a spokesperson for Berlin's immigration authority (LEA) that clarifies, 'A personal interview takes place after a positive application review.' Prospective Germans in Berlin must submit their naturalisation application and required documents to an online portal, which officials then check. This is different to many other German states where the process has not yet been digitalised. However, Berlin is not the only state to offer digital naturalisation services. In many parts of Bavaria applicants can submit their documents with the BayernPortal , and the city-state of Hamburg also has online submissions . With the digital process, in-person interviews to determine an applicant's German language knowledge are not necessary, for example. But applicants still need to prove their B1 level German language skills by passing an accredited language exam. The same goes for other basic requirements for citizenship – applicants' qualifications all need to be backed up by verifiable documents. CHECKLIST: What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law? If an application meets the requirements for German citizenship, then a final interview and ultimately a naturalisation ceremony are scheduled. Advertisement An LEA spokesman confirmed to Tagesspiegel that the digital process ensures that the same requirements are met, including 'inquiries to the security authorities such as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Federal Central Register...' The spokesman pushed back on the idea that the digital process is not as careful, adding, 'Rather the opposite is correct'. Efficiency as a scandal What was not mentioned in BILD 's report nor in the follow-up comments by Dobrindt or Wegner is that the LEA's digitalisation of the citizenship process (as well as other applications for residence permits ) came in response to a tremendous backlog of paperwork that had built up for years. As The Local reported, the Berlin authority's previous application process culminated in a backlog of some 40,000 applications last year – some of which in the form of physical files 'locked in a warehouse in Brandenburg' according to comments by the LEA director. READ ALSO: 'I've waited four years' - Foreigners in Berlin furious over German citizenship delays Since Berlin's LEA has rolled out its new digital application portal it has processed applications much more effectively, which partly explains why naturalisations in the capital city have increased significantly. Some online applicants in Berlin have reported receiving a decision on their application within a matter of weeks. That's significantly better than most immigration offices in Germany's big cities, many of which report expected processing times in the range of nine months to more than two years .
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Logility Expert Advisor Named 'AI-based Supply Chain Solution of the Year' in 2025 AI Breakthrough Awards Program
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Logility, an Aptean company, and a leader in AI-first supply chain management software, today announced that its generative AI solution, Logility Expert Advisor (LEA), has been awarded 'AI-based Supply Chain Solution of the Year' in the 8 th annual AI Breakthrough Awards program. Conducted by AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization, this award recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market today. Logility, an Aptean company, announced that its generative AI solution, Logility Expert Advisor (LEA), has been awarded 'AI-based Supply Chain Solution of the Year' in the 8th annual AI Breakthrough Awards program. Share 'We are thrilled to accept 'AI-based Supply Chain Solution of the Year' from AI Breakthrough. With Logility Expert Advisor (LEA), planners can address specific supply chain planning challenges. Unlike LLMs which tend to offer generic responses, LEA delivers detailed and actionable information in a clear and easy-to-understand format,' said Allan Dow, President of Logility. 'This approach delivers highly relevant information to support performance and decision-making. By addressing the specific nuances of supply chain language and data interrelations, we're providing a transformative solution that enhances productivity and decision-making across organizations.' The AI Breakthrough Awards spotlight the boldest innovators and most transformative technologies driving progress in AI. Spanning categories such as Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Agentic, AI, Robotics, Natural Language Processing and industry-specific applications, the program showcases excellence across the AI landscape. This year's program attracted more than 5,000 nominations from over 20 different countries globally, underscoring the explosive growth and global importance of AI as a defining technology of the 21st century. About Logility Expert Advisor LEA delivers breakthrough insights through a conversational interface, empowering supply chain professionals to enhance productivity and visibility. By uncovering the root causes of demand and supply imbalances, the platform enables real-time adjustments and supports the optimization of demand forecasting, onboarding and data queries. Planners can query forecasts, sales history, and demand drivers for any product, location, or customer, at any level of detail, while maintaining data security via Microsoft Azure. LEA further democratizes access to this supply chain information for anyone across the organization, allowing users to express inquiries in business terms without needing deep expertise. Supply chain ontology embedded into LEA ensures accurate and efficient data retrieval. LEA uses purpose-built supply chain agents to understand questions within the context of the company's supply chain and organize the right answers from a library of business agents. It then uses a combination of business logic and question context to directly collect the relevant elements from actual planning data. At that point, users receive insights and recommendations in easily consumable formats, including natural language, tables, and graphics. Learn more about Logility Expert Advisor here: About Logility Logility, an Aptean company, is a market-leading provider of AI-first supply chain management software engineered to help organizations build sustainable digital supply chains that improve people's lives and the world we live in. Logility's fully integrated, AI-driven end-to-end platform helps clients know faster, turn uncertainty into opportunity, and transform supply chain from a cost center to an engine for growth. Learn more at About Aptean Aptean is a global provider of industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. Aptean's solutions and services help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for What's Next, Now®. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit Logility is a Registered Trademark of Logility, Inc. Aptean and Ready for What's Next, Now are Registered Trademarks of Aptean, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. About AI Breakthrough Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including Generative AI, Machine Learning, AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, Computer Vision and more. For more information visit Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cognyte Secures ~ $5 Million Contract with New Law Enforcement Agency Customer in EMEA
HERZLIYA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cognyte Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CGNT) ('Cognyte'), a global leader in software-driven technology for investigative analytics, today announced a deal for approximately $5 million with a law enforcement agency (LEA) in the Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA) region. With this initial contract, the LEA is deploying a suite of Cognyte solutions for greater innovation and automation – to enhance its operational effectiveness, accelerate investigations and drive stronger outcomes across critical cases. 'The customer turned to Cognyte to lead a significant upgrade of their investigative capabilities,' said Efi Nuri, Cognyte's Chief Revenue Officer. 'They needed proven technology that delivers clarity and drives real-world outcomes." Share Confronted with complex criminal activity and increasingly sophisticated adversaries who exploit rapid advances in technology, the agency faced mounting pressure to deliver results quickly. It turned to Cognyte to equip its investigative units with advanced tools to turn growing volumes of data into fast, actionable insights. Cognyte's platform enables analysts and field teams to identify, investigate and prevent criminal activity, delivering faster results and helping protect citizens and communities. 'The customer turned to Cognyte to lead a significant upgrade of their investigative capabilities,' said Efi Nuri, Cognyte's Chief Revenue Officer. 'They needed proven technology that delivers clarity and drives real-world outcomes. Our ability to meet these urgent needs, both quickly and at scale, is fueling our growth and deepening our global impact. We look forward to building a trusted partnership and supporting their mission every step of the way.' About Cognyte Cognyte is a leading software-driven technology company, focused on solutions for data processing and investigative analytics that allow customers to generate Actionable Intelligence for a Safer World™. Cognyte's solutions empower law enforcement, national security, national and military intelligence agencies, and other organizations to navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape. With offerings that leverage state-of-the-art technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics and advanced machine learning, Cognyte helps customers make smarter, faster decisions with their data for the best possible outcomes. Hundreds of customers rely on Cognyte's investigative analytics solutions to uncover critical insights from past events and anticipate emerging threats. By harnessing AI-driven intelligence, Cognyte accelerates investigations with exceptional speed and accuracy while enabling customers to better investigate, anticipate, predict and mitigate risks with greater precision. Learn more at Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are identified by use of the words 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'predicts,' 'projects,' 'should,' 'views,' and similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated, including, but not limited to the projected growth of Cognyte's business, and Cognyte's ability to achieve its financial and business plans, goals and objectives and drive shareholder value, including with respect to its ability to successfully implement its strategy, and other risk factors discussed from time to time in Cognyte's filings with the SEC, including those factors discussed under the caption 'Risk Factors' in its most recent annual report on Form 20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') on April 2, 2025, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Cognyte assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law, to reflect events or circumstances occurring after today's date.
Local Germany
13-05-2025
- Local Germany
How is the transition to digital ID photos progressing in Germany?
Since May 1st, Germany's immigration and citizens' offices have been required to accept digital photos for ID cards, passports and residence permits as part of the latest digitalisation efforts . In practice that means that Ausländerbehörden and Bürgerämter around the country have been equipped with new photo machines where people can take their ID photos on-site for a fee. Alternatively, digital photos (taken at an off-site studio) can be submitted in the form of a scannable code. The change was intended to help streamline the process of applying for a new ID. But it appears the transition to digital photos has not been perfectly smooth. One week after the change was enacted, a Reddit post on the Berlin subreddit said that the new photo machines at offices in Berlin were not working. The author of the post suggested that people with appointments would be better off taking photos elsewhere in advance, and even bringing a printed backup just in case. Comments on the post showed mixed responses: some users said they had indeed brought printed photos to their appointments (which had been accepted), a couple users said they had actually been required to provide physical photos, and at least one user said they had used a new digital photo kiosk with no problems. Advertisement As is so often the case with German bureaucracy, it seems that the smoothness of obtaining a digitial photo depends on where you live - and is partly luck of the draw. READ ALSO: What foreigners should know about Germany's digital ID cards and residence permits With that in mind, we contacted immigration authorities in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich to get a sense of how Germany's latest digitalisation effort is playing out on the ground. Berlin reports 'no disruptions' (but you can bring a printed photo just in case) A spokesperson for Berlin's immigration authority, the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA), told The Local there would be 'no disruptions to service' following the changes implemented on May 1st. However, they added that due to long appointment lead times many customers are still bringing printed biometric photos to their appointments, which are still accepted during the transition period. As The Local has reported , local authorities have been given a transition period, or Übergangszeit , of three months (until July 31st) before they must switch to only accepting digital photos. The entrance to Bürgeramt Reinickendorf in Berlin. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jens Kalaene One commenter on the aforementioned Reddit post said they successfully used the on-site photo kiosk at the LEA office on Friedrich-Krause-Ufer. The new photo kiosks, which should be available at all immigration and citizens' offices in Germany by July 31st at the latest, are called 'PointID' terminals. They are set-up and maintained by the Federal Printing House ( Bundesdruckerei ). READ ALSO: Berlin citizenship offices to offer drop-in appointments on May 14th Frankfurt has yet to turn on the new photo machines Asked if immigration offices in Frankfurt were having any issues with the PointID photo kiosks, a spokesperson for the City of Frankfurt told The Local the new photo machines were 'not yet operational.' They added that Frankfurt's immigration office has six PointID devices, but none are currently in service. These will presumably be working ahead of the July 31st deadline. Advertisement In the meantime, the immigration office in Germany's banking capital continues to accept printed ID photos, which can be brought in from external photo studios or taken at a 'Photo-fix' machine on-site. Customers with upcoming appointments at the immigration office can expect to be informed directly by the Ausländerbehörde ahead of their visit as to how the transition to digital photos is progressing. REVEALED: The new flights from Frankfurt starting in spring 2025 Munich notes issues taking photos of babies on the new machines A spokesperson for Munich's District Administration Department (KVR), which is the city's security and regulatory authorit y, said that the immigration office as well as all citizens' offices have been using PointID photo machines since May 1st. 'The launch went mostly smoothly,' the spokesperson told The Local, but they added that taking photos of babies and small children with the new machines 'can sometimes be difficult'. Advertisement Therefore, the KVR asks parents of children under the age of six to have a biometric photo of their children taken in a certified photo studio before their appointment. A digital copy of these photos can then be retrieved directly from the cloud by case officers. You can find links to certified photo studio locations in Munich in this update on the city website.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Action plea from husband of school stabbing victim
The husband of a teacher who was stabbed at a school in Carmarthenshire has accused the Welsh government of "kicking the can down the road" on staff safety. John Hopkin, 54, who is also a teacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, found his wife Liz Hopkin in a "pool of blood" on the morning of 24 April 2024. She, as well as fellow teacher Fiona Elias and a pupil, were stabbed by a 13-year-old student who has since been given a 15-year sentence for their attempted murder. The Welsh government will discuss the findings of a recent violence and safety in schools round table at a behaviour summit this month, while Carmarthenshire County Council said a multi-agency review was underway. 'I'm going to kill you' - how school day turned to chaos amid stabbing Teacher says school stabbing was like horror movie 'Defiance' from parents over bad school behaviour One teachers' union said it had been "a year-long battle" to discuss behaviour and safety in schools since the triple stabbing. Mr Hopkin, who now struggles to sleep, recalled being told to rush through a crowd of pupils to the lower school at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman because his wife had just been stabbed. "Liz was just sat on the stone steps, in a pool of blood," he said. "There was a lot of blood coming out and dripping down the stairs. "I went up to her, and she turned around to me, and she said, 'I'm really sorry'. I know that she thought she was dying." The school was put into lockdown and Ms Hopkin was airlifted to hospital. Mr Hopkin said their lives had changed forever and that she had not returned to the school. "I had time off work and the school have been very supportive," he added. "I think physically, [Liz] has recovered well, but she's struggling with her mental health. "She's more concerned abut the safety of others in schools. She's worried that people aren't listening, and lessons may not have been learned." The jury at Swansea Crown Court heard the girl, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, carried a knife to school every day and had moved from another secondary school to Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. The court also heard a knife had been found in her bag earlier in the school year. "There must have been flags there that were missed," Mr Hopkin said. While the school has been supportive, he added, he criticised the response from the Welsh government and local education authority (LEA). "We just think it's ridiculous this inaction by the Welsh government, and by the LEA, but I think it's got to be led by the Welsh government first," he said. "They just seem to be kicking the can down the road all the time." The girl's first trial at Swansea Crown Court started in September 2024 but collapsed due to "an irregularity within the jury" which meant the verdict was not reached until February this year after a second trial. But Mr Hopkin added: "They didn't need to have the verdict for this to tackle the rise in poor behaviour. "In the county council, nobody has offered any support other than the counselling that came through the school at the beginning, that's carried on. "Schools don't feel that empowered. We need the action, the discussions are done." Both Ms Hopkin and Ms Elias have called for changes since the court case ended in February. There have also been calls for a review of safety in schools from politicians, including from Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Cefin Campbell, whose brother eventually restrained the attacker on the day. UCAC teachers' union said it had been a "year-long battle" to get around the table to discuss the issue, with its members raising concerns about "danger to their lives". Another union, NEU Cymru, welcomed discussions but said "significant investment" was needed "quickly". "This extreme incident is the tip of an iceberg. There is a myriad of issues around it," said the union's interim secretary Nicola Fitzpatrick. She added there was ongoing discussion over a need for a shared protocol to avoid inconsistent guidance and support across Wales. BBC Wales offered Welsh government's cabinet secretary for education Lynne Neagle an interview, but a statement was sent which said her thoughts were with the victims of this "terrible attack" and their families. "Making sure learners and staff feel safe and supported in our educational settings is essential and we are taking action to address declining behaviour in schools and colleges," she added. "The recent Estyn report highlights the issues in our secondary schools and we will be taking forward the recommendations in the report and discussing these, along with the findings of the violence and safety in schools roundtable at our behaviour summit this month." Glynog Davies, Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member for education and Welsh language, said the regional safeguarding board had commissioned a multi-agency, independently-led review. He said the review was now underway to ensure good practice was highlighted and shared and that any lessons learnt were identified to improve practice and systems in the future. Davies added the local authority had supported the victims of the incident as well as the wider school community, which had been been "well received" by many. Behaviour better at phone-free school - head teacher School plagued by bad behaviour brings in Saturday detentions Violence and behaviour crisis in schools, union says
