BERLIN: Germany is considering tougher rules for workers taking sick leave, but researchers warn that stricter requirements may not address the deeper reasons behind the country’s high absenteeism. German employees took an average of around 22 sick days in 2024. The figure is among the highest reported internationally. The government’s proposed changes are part of a wider effort to improve productivity. Germany is dealing with an ageing population and years of weak economic growth. Under the proposed changes, employers could require workers to provide a medical certificate from the first day of absence. Telephone-based sick notes could also be scrapped. However, researchers say the debate should focus on why workers are becoming ill rather than simply making it harder to take sick leave. Healthcare, education and social services are among the sectors reporting the highest levels of absenteeism. Workers in these fields often face heavy workloads. They also deal with staff shortages, emotional pressure and difficult working conditions. BKK data shows that women working in healthcare and social work took an average of 27 sick days in 2024. Teachers recorded around 24 days. The figures were lower in several other sectors. Workers in finance averaged about 18 days, while employees in communications recorded around 16 days. Researchers say mental health is an important part of the problem. Mental health-related cases represent a relatively small share of total sickness cases. However, they often result in much longer absences. Data from AOK shows that sick-leave days linked to mental health problems have increased by 47% since 2014. Mental health conditions are now one of the biggest causes of prolonged absence after respiratory illnesses. Experts say burnout and exhaustion can develop without reaching the level of a diagnosed mental disorder. Healthcare workers and teachers are particularly exposed to these pressures. They carry significant responsibilities while dealing with emotional and sometimes physical challenges. Teachers have reported violence and aggressive behaviour in schools. A 2024 survey found that almost half had experienced psychological or physical violence among pupils at their schools. More than one-third also reported feeling emotionally exhausted several times a week. Nursing faces similar difficulties. Germany has a shortage of healthcare workers, but studies indicate that wage growth has remained limited in some hospitals and public institutions. Researchers describe the situation as an imbalance between effort and reward. Workers face high demands but may receive relatively low pay, limited career opportunities and insufficient recognition. Studies have linked such conditions to mental health problems and long-term sickness absence. However, experts caution against blaming Germany’s absenteeism solely on workplace stress. Sick leave is affected by many factors. These include the age of the workforce, working conditions, social attitudes and differences in healthcare systems. Germany also has generous sick-pay provisions. Workers can generally receive full wages during the initial period of illness. Several other European countries, however, report even higher levels of sick leave among full-time employees. Researchers have also found little evidence of widespread abuse of sick-note rules. A study by DAK and the IGES Institute found that the sharp rise in recorded absences in 2022 was largely linked to improved electronic reporting and unusually high levels of respiratory infections and Covid-19. Sick-leave levels have since stabilised. Researchers also found no clear evidence that telephone sick notes introduced during the pandemic caused the increase. The government’s proposal has faced opposition from labour representatives. The Verdi services union has described the plan as creating a culture of distrust towards employees. Doctors have also warned that tougher certification requirements could put additional pressure on already busy medical practices. The government has defended its approach. It says employers would have the option of requiring certificates from the first day of illness while allowing companies to retain existing arrangements. The debate is therefore moving beyond the question of whether German workers take too many sick days. Researchers argue that reducing absenteeism in the long term may require better staffing, improved working conditions, stronger career prospects and greater support for workers facing emotional pressure.

US President Donald Trump has named Will Scharf as the incoming White House counsel and assistant to the president, succeeding David Warrington on September 1, 2026. Warrington, who previously served as general counsel for Trump’s campaign and managed initial administration legal affairs, will be departing for the private sector. Scharf currently serves as the White House staff secretary, a role where he manages the daily flow of papers and documents reaching the president’s desk. In addition to these duties, he chairs the National Capital Planning Commission, where he helped fast-track approvals for a controversial $400 million White House ballroom project. A former federal prosecutor and appellate law clerk, Scharf joined Trump’s personal legal team in 2023. He played a central role in defending Trump across several high-profile legal battles, including the federal election interference case and the landmark presidential immunity ruling before the US Supreme Court. In his new post, Scharf will lead the administration’s legal strategy. His responsibilities will include overseeing executive privilege, managing judicial nominations, liaising with the Department of Justice, and preparing for potential congressional inquiries ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

PATNA: Indian police used water cannons and detained several protesters in Bihar on Tuesday as students demonstrated against alleged irregularities in a civil services recruitment examination. The protesters were demanding cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination over allegations that question papers had been leaked and that other irregularities had affected the recruitment process. The protesters attempted to march towards the governor’s residence in the state capital, Patna. Police blocked their route and used water cannons after demonstrators pushed through barricades. Several protesters were also taken into police custody and transported away from the demonstration site. The BPSC examination is one of Bihar’s most competitive recruitment tests. It is conducted to select officials for various positions in the state administration. The latest demonstrations are linked to an examination held in December 2024. More than 300,000 candidates reportedly competed for around 2,000 positions. The recruitment process was completed in June after multiple stages, including examinations and interviews. Authorities have previously rejected claims of a widespread question paper leak. However, a re-examination was ordered at one examination centre following complaints at the time. Police later said the protest had become peaceful. Senior police officer K.S. Anupam said most of the protesters’ demands had been addressed by the government. Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari also said the government had responded to the students’ concerns. He maintained that discussions with the protesters remained possible and that the government’s doors were open for further dialogue. The dispute comes amid growing student protests in India over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Similar demonstrations have taken place in other Indian states, with concerns ranging from alleged paper leaks to recruitment procedures and examination management. In neighbouring Jharkhand, protests over similar allegations previously resulted in the cancellation of civil service examinations. The latest unrest has also added to pressure on authorities to strengthen safeguards around competitive examinations, which attract hundreds of thousands of applicants seeking government jobs.

A total solar eclipse is set to darken skies across parts of Europe on August 12, drawing millions of travellers to witness the rare event. Spain and Iceland have emerged as the top destinations for eclipse chasers this week. This marks the first time the path of totality has crossed mainland Europe since August 1999. The rarity of a total eclipse passing over such densely populated regions has sparked massive international interest. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have been flocking to Spain to experience the celestial event alongside local residents. What makes Spain’s viewing especially unique is that totality will occur just before sunset, with the Sun hanging low on the western horizon. As a result, millions across northern Spain, Zaragoza and the Balearic Islands will witness a dramatic “sunset eclipse”. This will mark the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Spain in more than a century. Spain’s Secretary of State for Science, Juan Cruz, expressed excitement over the milestone. He said he hopes the event inspires a new generation of astrophysicists, calling it a genuinely special moment for the country. Spanish authorities are preparing for roughly six million visitors travelling across the eclipse’s path. The scale of anticipated tourism reflects just how rare and significant this celestial event is considered. Iceland has also been swept up in the excitement, expecting around 80,000 visitors for the occasion. The path of totality will stretch across western Iceland and eastern Greenland, offering viewers a dramatic backdrop of rugged fjords under late-afternoon Arctic light. Visitors along Iceland’s westernmost coast will experience totality at 5:44 pm local time, as the Moon’s shadow moves steadily eastward. Those in the far western regions will see totality last up to two minutes and 13 seconds, while other areas will experience a shorter period of darkness. NASA is also playing a role in the event, deploying a high-altitude WB-57 aircraft from Iceland to track the Moon’s shadow. Additional NASA-funded teams will launch specialised weather balloons to study how the sudden darkness and cooling affects the lower atmosphere. With millions gathered across two very different landscapes, this eclipse is shaping up to be one of the most significant astronomical events of the decade.

India’s federal investigation agency has filed charges against 13 people accused of involvement in the leak of question papers for the country’s national medical entrance examination, following weeks of protests over the scandal. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said the accused include subject experts linked to the National Testing Agency, intermediaries who allegedly distributed leaked papers, and individuals associated with coaching institutes. The charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, and destruction of evidence. All 13 accused are currently in custody, according to the investigation agency. The case relates to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which was taken by nearly two million students in May. The examination was cancelled after allegations emerged that questions had been leaked in several areas. A fresh test was later conducted on June 21. The controversy triggered nationwide protests led by students and young activists, with thousands gathering in New Delhi and other cities demanding accountability. The demonstrations intensified after protesters marched towards parliament and faced clashes with police. The unrest eventually led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down after mounting pressure over the handling of the examination crisis. India’s Supreme Court has also intervened in the matter, ordering authorities not to take strict action against protesters and directing the release of detained minors. The court further instructed officials to preserve surveillance footage related to alleged police action during demonstrations. In response to the controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has introduced proposed amendments to public examination laws. The changes seek tougher punishments, including longer prison sentences and heavier fines for those involved in exam fraud. Under the proposed rules, those found guilty could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines reaching 50 million Indian rupees.