German Chancellor Olaf Scholz began a two-day visit to Norway on Wednesday, March 11th, focusing on energy cooperation and security concerns, according to reports from ZDF today.
The visit comes as Europe seeks to diversify its energy sources following disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine. While details of specific agreements weren’t immediately available, the German government has signaled a strong interest in long-term energy partnerships with Norway, a major oil and gas producer.
In Germany, the Kiel Institute for World Economy announced a latest professorship for “Global Transformation,” funded by a multi-million euro donation from the Fielmann Foundation. The position will be held by Sebastian Till Braun, who will jointly work at the institute and Kiel University. Research will focus on the economic and societal impacts of conflict and migration, according to NDR. The institute’s president stated the professorship would strengthen research into the consequences of global crises.
Meanwhile, infrastructure concerns are mounting within Germany. Reports from Schleswig-Holstein indicate significant disruptions to rail services at the main train station, with numerous escalators out of service. The state government also announced increased investment in road and cycle path infrastructure, allocating 46 million euros for projects in several districts, including Kiel and Neumünster. Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen acknowledged a high demand for repairs and warned commuters to expect delays, as reported by NDR.
CDU leaders from northern German states convened in Lübeck on Friday to discuss infrastructure, energy policy, and the situation of northern German ports. They jointly called on the federal government to increase investment in port infrastructure, estimating an annual need of 400 million euros, a figure significantly higher than current federal funding levels, according to NDR. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding renewable energy sources.
In Schleswig-Holstein, the number of women diagnosed with endometriosis has risen significantly over the past two decades, according to data released by the Barmer health insurance fund. Diagnoses increased from approximately 5,000 in 2005 to around 17,000 in 2024. The health insurer attributes this increase to greater awareness of the condition and earlier diagnosis.
A court in Eckernförde sentenced a 51-year-old woman to two years and four months in prison for fraud and forgery related to the exploitation of a dementia patient. The woman had allegedly stolen around 240,000 euros from the victim’s account.
Police in Eckernförde continue to investigate the death of a 15-year-old boy, offering a reward of 5,000 euros for information leading to the identification of those involved. The boy was found with serious injuries near a supermarket on Wednesday evening and died on the way to the hospital. Authorities are seeking witnesses and information about a vehicle seen leaving the area.
A fire in Tarup, Flensburg, resulted in the death of a 72-year-old man on Thursday evening. The cause of the fire is under investigation. A restaurant in Büsum was forced to close after a fire broke out in its kitchen late Thursday night.
