MONDAY, April 18: PROTEST AT BÜCHEL AIR BASE
Eifel: Nuclear Weapons Opponents Protested in Büchel in Peaceful Easter March
BÜCHEL. Roughly 320 peace activists and nuclear weapons opponents protested at the Büchel Air Base (Cochem-Zell County) on Easter Sunday.
The protest under the motto „It’s Five Minutes to Twelve“ remained peaceful, a police spokesperson said early in the afternoon. There had been no unusual occurrences until then. The protest was set to continue until late in the afternoon.
Participants gathered in the industrial zone in Büchel at noon, marching three and a half kilometers along the fence of the air base before they finally convened in front of the main gate. According to reports not officially confirmed, nuclear weapons are being stored on the Büchel Air Base.
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TUESDAY, April 19: DANERGOUS TICKS IN THE TRIER REGION
Dog Malaria And Spotted Fever: Dangerous Tick Species Are Spreading in the Region
TRIER. As SWR radio reports, two new species of ticks are spreading in the Trier region: the ornate dog tick and the „Schafzecke“ („sheep tick“, a species belonging to the family of hard ticks). Both species pose a health threat.
The ornate dog tick is distinguished by a colorful, marbled exterior and is significantly larger than normal ticks. It moves like a spider and uses dogs as a host, often transmitting so-called „dog malaria“ (a kind of babeosis) to the host.
The sheep tick, too, is strikingly colorful and large. Its bite can cause pain and at the wound an swellings of lymph nodes for months. In isolated cases, typhus fever, which is potentially deadly, has been transmitted by sheep ticks.
Both species are expected to continue to spread in the region – so caution is called for. If you stay outdoors, check for ticks carefully afterwards. If you find an ornate dog tick or a sheep tick, it’s best to take it to a physician so it can be tested for germs.
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WEDNESDAY, April 20: INCREDIBLY DRUNK MAN FOUND IN STREET
Eifel: Completely Drunk Man Found in Middle of Road – Incredible Blood Alcohol Level
DAHLEM. This past Easter Monday, at 11 a.m., passers-by noticed a helpless person on the Schmidtheimer Straße in the Eifel village of Dahlem, police announced on Wednesday.
When officers arrived in a squad car, they found a man lying on the road. When they tried to help the man to his feet, he fell back down due to his prior consumption of alcohol. Since he was unable to articulate himself und was not in possession of any form of ID, he was taken into custody.
It wasn’t until 11.58 p.m. – 12 hours later – that he could be properly tested. The test then revealed that he still had a blood alcohol level of 3.06 per mill. After he had sobered up, he was released from custody.
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THRUSDAY, April 21: TONS OF DOG POO IN LUXEMBURG
Public Nuisance: Dog Feces – Luxemburg Is Taking Action
LUXEMBURG. Officially, there are 3150 dogs in the capital city of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. Add to that those dogs their owners haven’t registered with the authorities. The quadrupeds are producing a combined 138 tons of feces per year – but owners are removing only 78 tons. Thus, 60 tons remain in the public space.
This is unhygienic and dangerous, especially for children, „who could play with or even eat the droppings,“ local politician Serge Wilmes of the CSV party (Christian Social People’s Party) criticizes. In order to raise awareness among dog owners, a campaign is now under way. „We want to urge the public to use bags,“ says Wilmes.
At present, local officials don’t have the authority to punish dog owners who don’t remove their animal’s feces. However, a law that would change that is being drafted.
The City of Primasens in Rhineland-Palatinate might be a model: If dog owners are caught in Pirmasens walking their dog without having a bag for the feces on them, they are being fined.
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FRIDAY, April 22: TRADITIONAL WINE FESTIVAL IN AUGUST
After Tow Years of Covid Break: 72nd Olewig Wine Festival to Take Place in August
TRIER. The Olewig Wine Festival is the oldest folk festival in Trier. But like so many other traditional events, the festival, which had taken place each year since 1949, had to take a Covid-related break for two years. Now that’s about to change.
The 72nd Olewig Wine Festival is scheduled to take place from Friday, August 5, until Monday, August 8, on the fairgrounds between the Blesius Garten and the former convent. The 72nd wine queen of Trier, Louisa Kreß, will also be crowned at the event.
Former Senior Public Prosecutor, member of the Trier City Council, and chairman of the Judges’ Association of Rhineland-Palatinate, Thomas Albrecht (66), was key in bringing back the festival. Albrecht, who retired from his post as Senior Public Prosecutor in January, is supporting the organizers, especially when it comes to the legal aspects, which have become more tricky due to increased safety regulations. Without Albrecht, the festival couldn’t have been organized, the Association of Trier-Olewig Winemakers says.
It is still unclear whether the popular fireworks on the opening night will take place again. A laser show might be chosen as a more environmentally friendly alternative.
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SATURDAY, April 23: SUMMIT TO BE HELD AT RAMSTEIN AIR BASE
Ramstein: More Than 20 Countries to Participate in Ukraine Summit
RAMSTEIN/WASHINGTON, D.C. According to US sources, more than 20 countries have signalled their participation in an international conference on Ukraine to be held at the US air base in Ramstein this upcoming Tuesday. Roughly 40 counties had been invited, DoD spokesman John Kirby said at the Pentagon on Friday. He didn’t reveal which countries had confirmed their participation. However, Kirby said that some non-NATO members were to join the conference. The meeting is not hosted by the alliance.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had invited to the conference on the air base in Rhineland-Palatinate. One goal of the discussions was lasting security and sovereignty for Ukraine, Kirby had said earlier. Perspectives beyond military aid and the ongoing Russian war of aggression were therefore to be discussed.
Kirby emphasized that the willingness of more than 20 countries to participate on such short notice underscored the importance the US and these countries attached to the defense of Ukraine. Some countries had not yet replied to the invitation. The US government had announced another 800 million Dollars in military aid for Ukraine just this week.
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