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The Family Ministry wants to pay the advance on child support for single parents for longer. Family associations are pleased.

All’s well that ends well Photo: dpa

"Now the champagne corks can pop," writes the Association of Single Mothers and Fathers (VAMV) in its press release. Single parents and their children would have a reason to celebrate. There are not often such messages.

A government bill provides for fewer objection options for citizens – and a little more money for farmers.

More of it, and fast: Peter Altmaier at the construction site of an electricity pylon Photo: dpa

In order to accelerate the energy turnaround, the expansion of the power grids must also progress faster than before. To this end, the federal cabinet passed a comprehensive legislative package on Wednesday. It provides that certain planning steps can be omitted in the future if power lines are reinforced on existing pylons or routes.

The Bundesrat approves the suspension of family reunification. It passes bills on cybercrime, gun controls and gaffers.

A Syrian woman works on an art project in Mannheim. Whether her family can be with her is unclear Photo: dpa

The Bundesrat passed a whole series of bills on Friday and agreed to suspend family reunification. It will remain suspended for refugees with limited protection status until the end of July. From August 1, it will be possible for this group to bring close relatives to Germany only to a very limited extent. Schleswig-Holstein had pleaded for the project to be stopped for the time being and for the mediation committee of the Bundestag and Bundesrat to be called upon. However, the state was unable to achieve the necessary majority for this initiative – although criticism of the regulation also came from other federal states.

The Grand Coalition wants to harmonize environmental protection and farmers’ interests. Innovations are also planned for the labor market and the automotive industry.

A package of measures worth billions is to be introduced to reduce nitrate pollution in fields Photo: imago

Against the backdrop of fierce farmer protests, the grand coalition is planning billions in aid for farmers. In order to support farmers in the upcoming transformation process, one billion euros will be made available within four years for agri-environmental programs and investments. This is stated in the resolution paper of the coalition committee. The committee met until early Thursday morning and also decided on measures for the labor market and the automotive industry.

15 years ago, the artist attracted attention due to strong homophobia – and was not allowed to perform in Germany. That is now to change. The protest is large.

Bounty Killer at a performance in New York Photo: imago/ZUMA Press

Against the planned performances of the Jamaican artist Bounty Killer in Germany, resistance is stirring. The dancehall musician, who is associated with the anti-gay "Battyman Tunes" scene and who incited against homosexuals in the vilest way in early song lyrics, is scheduled to perform in Dortmund, Wuppertal, Regensburg and Berlin from the end of April. This would be the first time in ten years that Bounty Killer, whose concerts in Germany in 20 were canceled after protests and who was temporarily denied entry, would be back on stage in this country.