1. This violent Silvester 'action' (in Berlin) is still in the top 3 news stories. One thing pointed out....Munich was one of those few big cities in Germany, without the fireworks action. Reasoning? They suggest that they run a better integration program in Bavaria for migrants (the chief group blamed for the destruction in Berlin).
There were a lot of interviews off the street in Berlin from ARD's (Channel One, public TV). Lot of people were critical....even some non-Germans offered criticism of bad-boy behavior among the young men. No one really believes those arrested will do any jail-time.
From the opposite side...interviews with youths on the streets of Berlin.....went to the hype that the 'bulls' (the police) are their enemy. One statement went along the lines....'the bulls are Nazis and racists'.
Some folks are pointing at city leadership in Berlin for the past couple of decades....just skipping over enforcement of laws, and being lax on bad behavior.
The mayor of Berlin (Giffey, SPD) is asking for a 'summit' of city leadership over youth violence in the city. Most are skeptical that anything can come out of the meeting.
2. WELT has a great article this morning, by Hannelore Crolly....topic: the decline of downtown Frankfurt. Very descriptive article over the Bahnhof district, drugs, zero attention by the city council, etc.
It's now in recent days reached a stage where the city is asking the federal government for 'extra funds' for improvements.
For those who might have remembered Frankfurt in the 1970s/1980s....vastly different place today. I'd estimate well over 2,000 junkies within a 2 km by 2 km block area. Lot of crack use.....even there on the street with people in full view.
3. The German Constitutional Court is reviewing a case involving the re-vote in Berlin (the September 2021 fed/city election in Berlin was a comedy of errors). It's possible that the court will hinder or halt the 12 Feb new election.
4. N-TV journalist based out of Moscow....has done a number of interviews with regular Russians over the past month. He says that almost half want some type of peace negation done. But the other half of society want complete victory.
5. The EU has said it won't make member states conduct Covid testing on incoming Chinese tourists, but they'd 'prefer' they test them.
UPDATE: As of 11 AM Thursday, Germany has said it will test incoming Chinese tourists. What happens if a positive test? So far, no one has said much of anything after the first bit of chatter.
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