Oktoberfest to bring a taste of Munich to Dundee city square

Beer lovers will be able to get a little taste of Munich this week — as the world’s most famous beer festival comes to Dundee for the first time. Oktoberfest, the annual Bavarian folk festival which has become a global phenomenon, started today at the city square and runs until Sunday. Event organisers have promised an array of unique beer, food and music to create an authentic Bavarian experience in the 1,500-capacity tent. Oktoberfest director Carsten Raun said: “The idea of bringing Oktoberfest Read more [...]

Merkel reaches controversial refugee deal with conservative CSU

A controversial refugee deal reached between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), Horst Seehofer regarding the EU refugee crisis. The CSU is the Bavarian sister party of the German Christian Democrats (CDU) and is considered to have an important influence it the CDU policy making. The Local Germany reported that the two sides reached an agreement on Tuesday, concerning a new plan to hold refugees at EU borders before distributing them around the Union. The Read more [...]

Of Immigrants and Imbeciles

Berlin. How the world changes! Last spring many Europeans, especially Greeks, were so angry at a tight-fisted, cruel Angela Merkel and her acceptance of  people’s sufferings that they scribbled Hitler mustaches on her public portraits. Only weeks later she was celebrated around the continent, indeed the world, as a symbol of generosity and humanity. Which judgement is correct, that until July or that since late August? Is she a Frau Scrooge – or a reincarnated Mother Teresa? What defies any Read more [...]

Of Immigrants and Imbeciles

Berlin. How the world changes! Last spring many Europeans, especially Greeks, were so angry at a tight-fisted, cruel Angela Merkel and her acceptance of  people’s sufferings that they scribbled Hitler mustaches on her public portraits. Only weeks later she was celebrated around the continent, indeed the world, as a symbol of generosity and humanity. Which judgement is correct, that until July or that since late August? Is she a Frau Scrooge – or a reincarnated Mother Teresa? What defies any Read more [...]

Beer fests, activities on tap in Bavaria

For many of us, the appeal of Europe lies in its Old World charm. On the flip side, well-known destinations have to find new ways to stay relevant or risk becoming old hat.Take the case of Bavaria, for example, one of Germany’s most popular regions. Located in southeastern Germany, Bavaria drew some 5.2 million visitors from the U.S. last year, according to Jens Huwald, chief executive officer of Bavaria Tourism, who expects an increase of another 3% to 4% by the end of this year.But while the Read more [...]

Beer fests, activities on tap in Bavaria

For many of us, the appeal of Europe lies in its Old World charm. On the flip side, well-known destinations have to find new ways to stay relevant or risk becoming old hat.Take the case of Bavaria, for example, one of Germany’s most popular regions. Located in southeastern Germany, Bavaria drew some 5.2 million visitors from the U.S. last year, according to Jens Huwald, chief executive officer of Bavaria Tourism, who expects an increase of another 3% to 4% by the end of this year.But while the Read more [...]

Merkel’s party displays unity on refugees

"I hope overall that in a few years, people in Germany will be able to say: They did it right back then, and we were able to manage it. And we're working very intensively towards that," Merkel said, adding that her party is ready to deal with the refugee crisis. Recent days have seen immense pressure on the government coalition, as Seehofer challenged Merkel to slow the influx of migrants and refugees, most of whom enter Germany via Bavaria. After discussions on Sunday, Read more [...]

German Chancellor, domestic critic agree on limiting migrant influx

PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her most prominent domestic critic put on a public show of unity over the refugee crisis Tuesday, November 3, appearing together to stress their aim to limit the influx, the Associated Press reports. Horst Seehofer, Bavaria's governor and leader of the Bavarian branch of Merkel's conservative bloc, has criticized Merkel's welcoming approach to refugees for weeks, stridently demanding federal government action. On Sunday, however, the conservatives Read more [...]

Names matter as Germany grapples with migrant crisis

Thomson ReutersMigrants queue on a bridge crossing the border river Inn at the German-Austrian frontier between Braunau and Simbach am Inn near PassauBy Joseph Nasr BERLIN (Reuters) - Both Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and their Social Democrat coalition partners back the idea of setting up centers to process asylum seekers, but can't agree on where to put them or even what to call them. In a country where the idea of holding people in large facilities evokes memories Read more [...]