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Germany in Focus
How Germany remains divided 33 years after reunification
Season 4, Ep. 4
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In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Rachel Stern and Sarah Magill. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.
We start by talking about our highlights from the first year of Germany in Focus. We launched the podcast one year ago. Thank you to all our listeners who have joined us on this journey!
We get into how German politicians are trying to solve the issue of a lack of affordable housing to buy and rent.
A new ranking gives us an idea of where German universities stand globally so we talk about that and what it’s like to study in Germany as an international student.
Two German states - Bavaria and Hesse - are going to the polls soon. In this episode we profile the state of Hesse where Frankfurt is and what we can expect from the election.
Germany will mark 33 years of reunification on October 3rd. But what divisions still remain? We talk about a new study and hear from Katharina Ponschab, an assistant researcher at the Stiftung Berliner Mauer. Here is the link to the East Side Gallery exhibition that Katharina talks about during the interview.
Lastly, we talk about some events on Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Day of German Unity), and in October. Here's a link to the pub quiz and panel discussion that Sarah talks about.
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37:00Find out more about becoming a member of The LocalIn this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about:Who's affected by hike in flight ticket tax and what's the future for budget air travel?:'Germany lacks a sensible airline policy': Is budget air travel on the decline?The changes to be aware of in May:Everything that changes in Germany in May 2024How to maximise public holidays like a German this May What are the positives of living in Nuremberg?Five reasons foreigners should move to Nuremberg What's it like to bring up children in a bilingual household in Germany?Key tips for raising bilingual kids in Germany German noises to help you sound more like a local:Six noises to help you sound more German2. Berlin’s €29 travel pass relaunch and how attractive is Germany to foreign workers?
37:56Find out more about becoming a member of The Local hereIn this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about:The spy scandals gripping Germany and rocking the AfD:'How spying scandal has rocked troubled German far-right partyWhat we know about the alleged spies accused of plotting attacks on Germany for RussiaBerlin's €29 ticket relaunch:'Berlin-Abo' - Everything you need to know about Berlin's new €29 travel passGetting a lawyer involved with your German naturalisation application:When should you consider legal action on your German citizenship application?German word of the day - UntätigkeitsklageDoes hiring a lawyer speed up your German citizenship application?Is Germany an attractive spot for foreign workers?Germany ranked fifth most popular destination for foreign workers Germany's plans to improve digital access to the job market1. Driving ban threats, Berlin tourist tips and will abortion become legal in Germany?
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36:45Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member.In this episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our guest this week is historian and tour guide Jonny Whitlam. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about:Germany's citizenship law passes final hurdle and why the citizenship test is being shaken up:Elation and worry as Germany's citizenship law passes final hurdleWhy Germany is shaking up citizenship test questions The new questions being added to Germany's citizenship testChanges residents should know in April: Everything that changes in Germany this April Cannabis possession becomes legal in Germany plus vocab:What to know about Germany's partial legalisation of cannabisGerman word of the day - KiffenGerman word of the day - BubatzGermany's culture of remembrance: New hurdles for Germany's remembrance culture as Holocaust survivors dwindle10. What makes Berlin's techno scene so unique and how will Germany vote in EU elections?
33:12Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member.In this episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to stories we talk about today:Latest update on German citizenship law:When might Germany's dual citizenship law get final signature?What the European elections mean for Germany: What's at stake in Germany's European election vote?How to register to vote in Germany at the European electionsWhy Berlin's techno scene has been given cultural icon status:Berlin techno scene added to UNESCO world heritage listWhat does the future hold for skiing in Germany?How the climate crisis is changing Germany's ski resorts The ski destinations you can reach by train from Germany Easter in Germany: What's open in Germany over the Easter weekend?How to celebrate Easter like a GermanEaster travel - are German train strikes set to end?9. Why a German town is taking on Tesla and will strikes ruin the Easter holidays?
32:18Germany in Focus is made possible by the generous support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member.In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panellists Imogen Goodman and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by economist Friedhelm Pfeiffer, a senior researcher at the European Centre for Economic Research in Mannheim.Here are some links to stories we talk about today:Why a German city has launched a public light display for Ramadan:Frankfurt becomes first German city to light up for RamadanWhat's going on with strikes in Germany and can we expect disruption over Easter?How likely are strikes in Germany over the Easter weekend?Update on the dual citizenship law and why foreign nationals are protesting against Berlin’s slow bureaucracy.Has Germany's upcoming dual citizenship law been delayed again?Foreigners in Berlin furious over German citizenship delaysThe protests against US car company Tesla's expansion in Brandenburg:Why is Tesla's expansion in Berlin so controversial?8. Germany's cannabis law explained, immigration rule changes and Berlinale backlash
36:29Germany in Focus is made possible by the generous support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member.In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by immigration lawyer Sven Hasse.Here are links to some of the stories we talk about:Germany's cannabis law approved in the Bundestag:German parliament votes to legalise cannabis possessionWill cannabis legislation in Germany lead to a boom in salesWhat the partial legalisation of cannabis could mean for GermanyBerlin's film festival Berlinale accused of promoting anti-Semitism: Germany launches probe over Berlin film festival 'anti-Semitism' rowFar-left militant on the run from police for decades arrested:Fugitive far-left militant wanted for decades arrested in BerlinWhat Germany's Red Army Faction can tell the world about terrorChanges in Germany in March including immigration rules:Everything that changes in Germany in March 2024What changes in Germany with immigration rules in 2024Events in March across Germany:8 unmissable events in Germany in March 2024