Latest news with #dpa
Mint
18 hours ago
- General
- Mint
Liger 'Goliath', born in private zoo in Romania, turns 9 weeks; attracts visitors
A liger has been born in a private zoo in Zaharesti, near the city of Suceava in northeastern Romania, reported Reuters, adding it is attracting visitors. With a lion for a father and a tiger for a mother, the 9-week-old male cub is thriving and in good health, dpa report vet Gabriel Gaspar as saying. The liger's caregivers have named him "Goliath." The zoo has made a beautiful cage for this little liger, which is also decorated with colourful balls and teddy bears. The zoo staff is closely monitoring every activity of the cub so that it does not face any kind of trouble, added the report. Informing more about development, private zoo owner Dorin Soimaru told dpa that he set out to produce the hybrid species by housing lions and tigers together in enclosures, as he heard that ligers are popular with the public. There are at most 20 ligers in the world at the moment. In mid-May, the environmental and veterinary protection authorities inspected the zoo after Goliath's premature birth. However, Soimaru denied reports which claimed fines have been imposed on the site. Gasper added that since the liger's mother is not looking after her offspring, they are feeding Goliath with special powdered milk and poultry. The liger's sibling, a female, did not survive, added the report. Usually, big cats in captivity and the wild often don't look after their offspring. Meanwhile, a zoo in the western German city of Cologne on Monday issued a statement saying they were forced to euthanize two lion cubs born last week following the mother refused to feed them. "It is evolutionary that a mother lion only looks after the cubs that have the best chance of being born," said the zoo. As per details, male ligers are sterile and can mate with either a lion or a tiger. However, a hybrid born from a male tiger and a female lion, it is called a tigon.
Al Etihad
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Thomas Müller to continue football career in the US
Munich (dpa) Thomas Müller is to continue his football career in the United States, broadcaster Sky reported on Tuesday. According to the report, Müller, who left Bayern Munich this summer after the Club World Cup, will not retire for now. The 2014 World Cup champion is set for a move to the MLS and has two options to choose from. One of them is Los Angeles FC, a partner of Bayern, according to Sky. FC Cincinnati have said last month that they had offered Müller a deal. Müller is yet to officially confirm whether he will continue playing football. The veteran midfielder is currently on vacation and is expected to sign a contract with his new club in the next seven days, Sky said. An official announcement will then be made. Müller left Bayern after 25 years of service as his contract expired this summer and he wasn't given a new deal. His last game for his boyhood club was the 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup quarter-finals.
Local Germany
20 hours ago
- General
- Local Germany
Expert tips for your next appointment at a German immigration office
Among the challenges of living in Germany as a foreigner is navigating appointments at the immigration office ( Ausländerbehörde ). Being confronted by immigration officers who seem all too eager to dismiss your case if your German is less than fluent, or if your paperwork is not perfectly in order, is a ubiquitous part of the foreign experience in Deutschland . Unpleasant as it may be, however, there's really no way to avoid at least a few trips to your local immigration authority. Especially in your first few years as a foreigner in Germany, you'll need to secure a residence permit there, and likely also change or renew your residence permit a couple more times before you become eligible for a less temporary solution (like permanent residence or citizenship). READ ALSO: What's the difference between German citizenship and residency? To make your life easier, you'll want to do your best to navigate appointments at the Ausländerbehörde as efficiently as possible and hopefully secure your visa in just one visit. Of course, that's easier said than done. The Local spoke with an immigration lawyer about her best tips for managing appointments at the immigration office. Here's her advice. Rita Lieder is a Berlin-based criminal defence and immigration lawyer. 'I help people apply for residency permits and also German citizenship,' she told The Local. A case worker takes the finger print of an applicant for a residence permit at a German immigration office. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Wolfram Kastl Lieder has had her share of frustrating experiences at Berlin's immigration office ( Landesamt für Einwanderung - LEA ). She recounted a recent case in which she helped a client apply for a residence permit for self-employment / freelance work. The client was a black man from the US who had previously had a decision on his visa deferred for a year despite being eligible for the residence permit. He was allowed to stay in Germany on a temporary stay permit ( Fiktionsbescheinigung ), but the residence permit he had applied for was withheld for reasons that were unclear to him. One year later, Lieder accompanied the man to a follow-up appointment with the goal of securing his residence permit. Lieder described sitting down with an immigration officer who seemed like he was immediately opposed to moving the case forward. 'The officer looked at me and he looked at my client, and just immediately said 'no, no, no,'' Lieder told The Local. 'My feeling was that he wasn't willing to look at the documents we had brought.' Advertisement According to Lieder, the officer tried multiple times to claim that something was missing from his application, whereas she was sure that her client met every requirement and had all of the documentation to prove it. READ ALSO: 'Traumatising' - Foreign residents share stories from German immigration offices 'I did my best to be polite,' she said, 'Because getting into a heated discussion is not the best strategy there…' Lieder highlighted a document showing that her client had a good work contract lined-up. She knew that the work offer was solid and that his other documents were in order – there would be no good reason, in her opinion, to reject his application. In the end, the officer did grant the client his residence permit, but not before pushing back about multiple requirements, each of which they had prepared documentation for. For anyone with an upcoming appointment at an immigration office in Germany, The Local asked Lieder to share a few best practices that may improve your chances of success. Tips for your next appointment at the immigration office: Advertisement 1) Bring support The experience Lieder described won't come as a surprise to many of Germany's long-term foreign residents, but it does highlight the value of having someone on your side who speaks fluent German and knows the rules. 'My perspective is that it's always better not to come alone,' Lieder said. 'I don't think everybody needs a lawyer, but bringing a friend or someone who speaks German is very important if you don't speak German yourself.' Newcomers in Germany might expect personnel at a German immigration authority to speak English or another language at a practical level, but that's not always the case. Having a German speaker with you can help avoid complications due to misunderstandings, or even wasting an appointment due to the language barrier. If possible, attending with someone who has a good understanding of immigration law is even better. Sometimes simply having someone who can push back, based on an understanding of the rules and your rights, is all it takes. Lieder added that if you aren't sure about your rights, the best case would be to bring a lawyer with you. 2) Be prepared It should go without saying that you'll want to double check you've got all of your documents in order before your appointment. Advertisement EXPLAINED: How to apply for a residency permit online in Berlin And in Germany, an extra paper or two never hurts. Along with the documents that the immigration office tells you to bring, you may want to bring anything else that supports your case. You can check the 'preconditions' or Voraussetzungen for the specific residence permit you are applying for here , and bring any documents that show you meet each of them. 'The law allows immigration officers to decide on things like the length of a visa depending on the case,' Lieder said. So the more evidence you can present as to the strength of your case, the better off you may be in the end. It's also advisable to bring records of your correspondence with the immigration office, such as the invitation to your appointment that you received in the mail, or any official notices that contain details about your case. In the aforementioned case, the immigration officer had asked Lieder's client to produce a printed photo despite a note on his appointment invitation which explicitly said not to bring physical photos. In this case, showing the letter helped them confirm that they had done everything as instructed. READ ALSO: 'Machines don't work!' - The problem of getting digital ID photos in Germany You may also want to bring a notebook and a pen in case you need to write something down. This has the bonus of making you appear more prepared, even if you don't end up needing it. View of the front of the Foreigners' Registration Office and the Public Order Office of Frankfurt am Main. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sebastian Gollnow 3) Be on time This one goes for just about every meeting in Germany, but the stakes are higher at the immigration office. 'Be 15 minutes early so that you have time to find the right room,' Lieder said. READ ALSO: Q&A - What are your rights while waiting for a German residence permit? Advertisement 4) Appear professional Think of your appointment at the Ausländerbehörde like a job interview – at the very least you want to look put together and professional. You don't need to wear a suit, but a nice shirt and slacks as opposed to a t-shirt and sweatpants is a good best practice. 'No shorts, no jeans with holes in them…don't wear hats inside or chew gum,' Lieder said. She added, 'It might appear superficial but those small things actually do matter I think." 5) Speak respectfully Being mindful that the officer across the desk from you has a fair amount of influence over your fate in this given moment, you'll want to make an effort to address them respectfully - or at least avoid coming across as disrespectful or argumentative. As a final tip, Lieder pointed out that the officers often have their names on a sign on their desk. 'It might help to read their name and address the officer respectfully by name,' Lieder said, 'Saying things like 'Herr Müller, thank you' for example.'
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Italy's Girelli vows to cause England trouble
dpa Berlin Italy captain Cristiana Girelli vowed to cause Euros title holders England some trouble in their semi-finals at the women's Euro 2025 on Tuesday in Geneva. 'They're the reigning European champions, so they're a really strong team. But, as with any team, they have their weaknesses,' Girelli told 'First of all, we'll try to make the most of our skillset as best we can, so we'll try and play football our way and cause them some trouble,' she added. Girelli was Italy's quarter-finals hero, scoring the two goals in the 2-1 win against Norway. Twice champions Norway had won all of their group matches but it was Italy, who advanced with just one victory from the group stage, to reach the semis for the first time since 1997 - after failing to advance into the knock-outs at the last two editions. Girelli, however, still believes Italy are the underdogs among the four teams left in the tournament. 'We are (the underdogs). It's true, because, on paper, we might be. Out of the four semi-finalists, we're talking about the world champions (Spain), the European champions (England), and Germany, who have the most titles in Europe. 'I agree with those who see us as the underdogs. But football is decided on the pitch, not on paper. We'll be ready to give it our all. And when Italy give our all, it's always harder for everyone else,' she said.
Local Germany
2 days ago
- Local Germany
Everything that changes in Germany in August 2025
Berlin-Hamburg railway line shuts for major upgrade Starting August 1st, the main railway link between Berlin and Hamburg will close for extensive renovations. The closure is expected to last until the end of April 2026 and will have a significant impact on travellers, commuters and freight operators. High speed trains between the two cities are being diverted around the closure, and it's estimated that this will add 45 minutes to journey times in most cases. Some regional connections will be suspended altogether, while many others will be wholly or partially replaced with replacement buses. The buses in question are currently being fitted with internet and USB charging ports. Replacement buses on longer stretches of the route will also have toilets on board. Construction workers are working on the tracks on the railway line between Hamburg and Berlin. picture alliance/dpa / Marcus Brandt READ ALSO: Why Germany's nationwide rail upgrade faces a four-year delay Berlin to Hamburg train line to get upgrade to 5G mobile coverage Digital passport photos now compulsory From August 1st, paper photos for ID cards and passports are to no longer be accepted in Germany's citizens' and immigration offices ( Bürgeramt / Ausländerbehörde ). Instead authorities should collect digital photos, which can be taken at 'PointID' terminals in the citizens' and immigration offices, or also taken at certified photo studios, or drugstores such as DM, and submitted digitally with a QR code. The price of a digital photo ranges from €10 – €15. Look out for any notices from your local office before counting on taking a digital photo in the office, however, as there have been some hiccups with the roll-out of the digital photo machines during the test period. When The Local reached out to various authorities in May, offices in Frankfurt and Düsseldorf were still waiting on software updates, and the the immigration office in Munich said that for children up to the age of six it was recommended to bring biometric photos from an outside studio. READ ALSO: 'Machines don't work!' - The problem of getting digital ID photos in Germany Advertisement Solar power feed-in tariffs drop again Solar modules for a 'balcony power plant' in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Stefan Sauer From August 1st, anyone installing a new photovoltaic (solan panel) system will receive slightly less money for solar power they feed into the grid. The owners of smaller systems of up to 10 kW will now receive 7.87 cents/kWh (down from 7.94). The tariff drops to 6.81 cents/kWh for systems up to 40 kW and 5.56 cents/kWh for systems up to 100 kW. READ ALSO: Germans turn to balcony solar panels to save money The changes only effect newly installed systems, with contracts signed before August 1st set to remain unchanged. New rules for smartphones and other wireless devices From August 1st, smart devices can only be sold with the CE mark if manufacturers and retailers can show they're adequately protected against data misuse, fraud, and unauthorized access. The CE mark shows that a product meets EU standards for safety, health and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements. Based on the revised EU Radio Equipment Directive, this means that secure passwords, encrypted connections and a reliable update mechanism must be in place for all devices with a wireless connection, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile communications. Advertisement The updated directive is eant to protect against hacker attacks and data misuse on products including cell phones, laptops, smart watches, smart vacuum cleaners, doorbells, headphones and printers. New transparency rules for AI models From August 2nd, large AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and others will face stricter EU transparency requirements. Providers will be required to publicly document how their systems work, as well as what data they're trained on, in an attempt to make the new technology more understandable, secure, and less prone to abuse. EXPLAINED: How German schools are including more and more AI Labelling of AI generated content and deepfakes will also become mandatory. While the new law comes into effect on August 2nd, it will only be enforced on new AI models from 2026 and on existing models from 2027. Improved and mandatory battery recycling From August, all batteries can be disposed of free of charge at municipal recycling centres in Germany. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Paul Zinken A new EU battery regulation comes into force on August 18th, when all batteries – from button cells to e-bike batteries – can be disposed of at municipal recycling centres free of charge. Advertisement From August 18th, new batteries will also have to carry a quality seal and, over time, include QR codes with environmental information and details on recyclability. READ ALSO: Where can I dispose my old electronic devices in Germany? The new rules also introduce stricter requirements for importers and manufacturers. Pension payments return to 'normal' after July's special arrangement In July 2025, pension payments in Germany were temporarily lower than expected for many retirees because of changes to how much retirees have to contribute to long-term care insurance. As a result, even though pensions officially went up by 3.74 percent, many people saw a smaller increase or even a one-time deduction in their July payment. From August, retirees will now see the full 3.74 percent increase in their pensions, with only the usual deductions for health insurance and long-term care insurance. READ ALSO: Where people in Germany receive the highest pensions August also marks the final step in equalizing pension rules between the former East and West Germany, meaning that people who worked in either region will now have their pensions calculated using exactly the same rules. New school year for first graders Every schoolchild will be on holiday simultaneously for at least a few days in August. The school holidays officially begin on August 1st in Bavaria, and come to an end on August 11th in Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Thuringia. An empty primary school classroom. Photo: picture alliance/dpa / Arne Dedert EXPLAINED: Why German states are clashing over the school holiday schedule Regardless of when the school holidays fall in individual states, August 1st still marks the official start of the new school year in most of Germany. Children who turn six before this date are set to start school for the first time in August (or early September). Advertisement Cologne's Lanxess Arena goes cashless Cologne's Lanxess Arena - the most visited arena in continental Europe which is set to host back-to-back performances by Canadian hip-hop artist Drake in August - has announced that payment inside the arena will be mostly cashless from August 1st. Payments at food stalls, banquet and club rooms, in the interior restaurants and coat checks are all to be limited to card and electronic payments going forward. A press release by the arena explains that the move to cashless payments is intended to cut down on waiting times and reduce logistical efforts for the affected businesses. Did we miss anything important? Let us know in the comments section below.
