Rail and air transport throughout Germany are getting back to normal after the day-long industrial action at the start of the week. However, commuters and travelers are still experiencing some disruptions.

The German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia has the biggest COVID-19 outbreak in Germany, and is therefore introducing stricter measures to ensure social distancing. Among other penalties, restaurants that stay open will have to pay up to 4000 euros in fines, while individuals who meet in groups will have to pay 200 euros.

School is back in session in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populated state. To protect against coronavirus infections, masks are mandatory in school buildings and classrooms. How are the students and teachers dealing with the new requirements? Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

From spareribs to chicken wings: At the German Grill-Master Championship, it is not only about the sausage. Who will be crowned as "Barbecue King?" Guten Appetit!
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Up till now, hundreds of thousands of refugees have been permitted to enter Germany. Now the German government has changed course by temporarily reintroducing border controls.

Somewhere between 150,000 (according to police) and 250,000 (according to event organizers) took to the streets of Berlin to protest the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Read more here about the international Stop TTIP initiative.

Located in the southwest corner of Germany, Europa-Park is a theme park with all sorts of rides and attractions.

On some sections of the Hessian autobahn speed limits have been lifted or raised. The Green Party is not very enthusiastic about that and feels that the climate protection is being neglected.

Fear of the coronavirus has caused many people to stock up on food and supplies. Fortunately, German grocery stores have been able to keep up with the increased demand without any problems. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

In a rare televised address, Chancellor Angela Merkel urges the public, directly and in plain language, to take drastic steps to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in Germany. She calls the coronavirus one of the greatest challenges the country has faced.

Chancellor Angela Merkel discusses the essential actions the German government has taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, including shutting down social activity and tightening border controls. The people's responsibility, she says, is to remain calm and not engage in panic buying (such shopping trips are referred to as die Hamsterkäufe in German) when it comes to groceries.

Angela Merkel explains that social distancing will help to slow the spread of COVID-19, acknowledging how difficult it is to not be able to visit loved ones in uncertain times. She also discusses the government's responsibility to consider all possible approaches and keep the public informed.

A private lab in Germany is working to create a vaccine for COVID-19 as quickly as possible. The US and German governments are already vying for access to the results.

Justus Kliss offers an analysis of Chancellor Angela Merkel's coronavirus television address and what it means for the coming weeks. He compares her strategy to that of French President Emmanuel Macron, and finds it admirable how she focuses on solidarity.

Deutsche Welle’s Michaela Küpfer speaks with Gerd Müller (CSU), Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, about the ways in which the coronavirus is exacerbating the economic disparity between the first world and the developing world. Müller finds it scandalous that big companies have continued to makes billions in profits throughout the crisis, and agrees that the “turbo-capitalism” of the past 30 years needs to end.

It sounds like science fiction: Researchers at the University of Augsburg are developing an app that can recognize a coronavirus infection whenever a potential carrier speaks into the phone. So far, the app has a hit rate of over 80 percent. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Brilliant — or tacky? A confectionery shop in Lower Franconia is tapping into the spirit of the times by offering a chocolate Saint Nicholas wearing a face mask. Proprietor Herbert Häcker has received orders from all over Germany for the novelty candy, and even had to bring on another employee to keep up with the demand. But on social media, not everyone is amused… Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

The battle against coronavirus continues: Adults are now being vaccinated quickly in Germany, but vaccines are still being approved for teenagers and children. What are some of the key differences between adults and young people when it comes to corona and vaccines, and how are they being addressed?

copyright: dpa

Despite several top 10 albums over the last four or five years, things have felt relatively calm around Austrian pop-singer Christina Stürmer. Since her last hit single "Millions of Lights", though, she's back full-bore with her new release I'm Listening to My Heart. Der Hammer auf voller Lautstärke!

Singer Christina Aguilera has joined the judging panel of America’s next TV talent show The Voice. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

How has the coronavirus outbreak changed life in Germany? Cettina gives a short overview of the various developments that have taken place over the past few months, and how she and her family are coping.

Germany is advertising a new job position: chancellor. Please watch this video to find out if you may be qualified... (video copyright dpa)

Sixty or so years from now, how will today’s twentysomethings look back on the heroic sacrifices they made when they abstained from partying (and sat on their asses at home) during the coronavirus pandemic? Find out with the German government’s new gag PSA, which was released with the hashtag #specialheroes.

Angela Merkel made a speech in the German Parliament regarding Great Britain's vote to cease to belong to the European Union, making it clear that there are many guidelines, as well as a timeline, that need to be followed. You can read the full text here.
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]