Germany – News Stories About Germany - Page 67

Mar 29, 2008 7:07 AM CDT

Merkel Will Skip Olympics

German chancellor says she's not protesting, but Czech and Polish leaders are

(Newser) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other top German officials won't be going to the Beijing Olympics, the Guardian reports, joining Polish and Czech leaders who have pledged to stay away. But while Polish PM Donald Tusk and Czech President Vaclav Klaus said they'll be boycotting the opening ceremony to protest...

Swan-Boat Romance
Takes Wing (Again)

Mar 28, 2008 2:57 PM CDT

Swan-Boat Romance Takes Wing (Again)

After actual feathered male forsakes her, Petra flocks back to plastic paramour

(Newser) - After her real-life avian lover flew the coop, a German black swan has returned to her ex—a swan-shaped paddleboat, the AP reports. Petra was joined at the wing with the craft in 2006—but that relationship seemed to have sung its swan song when both were taken to a...

Sex Trade
Dying Out on
Hamburg's
'Mile of Sin'

Mar 21, 2008 10:20 AM CDT

Sex Trade Dying Out on Hamburg's 'Mile of Sin'

Red lights are going out on the Reeperbahn

(Newser) - Hamburg's Reeperbahn has been one of the world's most famous red light districts for as long as anyone can remember, but the "Mile of Sin's" flamboyant brothels are dying out, the Independent reports. Discos and cheap bars attracting binge-drinking teens are taking their place. The seedy street's old-timers lament...

German Press Criticizes Merkel's Palestinian Snub

Mar 19, 2008 3:39 PM CDT

German Press Criticizes Merkel's Palestinian Snub

Papers praise leader's Holocaust treatment, but level accusations of bias

(Newser) - The German press is praising Chancellor Angela Merkel’s historic visit to Israel and her diplomatic handling of the two countries' shared history, Der Spiegel reports. But Merkel has also been chastised by commentators who feel her focus on German-Israeli unity in remarks yesterday to Israel's parliament gives the impression...

Berlin Zoo Accused of Selling Animals for Slaughter

Mar 19, 2008 2:38 PM CDT

Berlin Zoo Accused of Selling Animals for Slaughter

Politician says director sold hippo, bear family

(Newser) - A German politician has filed a criminal complaint against the director of the Berlin Zoo, accusing him of selling animals for slaughter, Der Spiegel reports. The complaint cites examples of a hippopotamus and a family of bears allegedly sold in Belgium. Bernhard Blaszkiewitz vehemently denied the accusations, which he described...

Merkel Addresses Knesset

Mar 18, 2008 4:40 PM CDT

Merkel Addresses Knesset

German chancellor speaks to lawmakers of Holocaust 'shame'

(Newser) - Angela Merkel addressed the Knesset today, speaking to Israel's parliament about Germany's shame over the Holocaust. "I bow to the victims. I bow to all those who helped the survivors," said the chancellor. Five MPs boycotted to protest the speaking of German in the legislative chamber, but Merkel...

German Boars
Run Wild

Mar 17, 2008 4:25 PM CDT

German Boars Run Wild

Savage beasts go shopping, try gardening, attend church

(Newser) - Wild boars wreaked havoc in a German town this weekend, attempting to shop for hardware, go to church, and do some gardening, Der Spiegel reports. One of the beasts, acting like "an elephant in a porcelain store," was eventually cornered at the checkout of the home-improvement center, police...

WWII Ship Found After 66 Years

Mar 17, 2008 11:53 AM CDT

WWII Ship Found After 66 Years

Legendary HMAS Sydney sank in battle with German raider

(Newser) - A legendary Australian war ship sunk in the Indian Ocean by a German raider during World War II has been found nearly intact after 66 years, the Australian PM confirmed today. The HMAS Sydney sank after a 30-minute battle with the Kormoran in Australia's greatest tragedy at sea. The wreckage...

Merkel Holds Cabinet Meeting in Jerusalem

Mar 17, 2008 6:18 AM CDT

Merkel Holds Cabinet Meeting in Jerusalem

German celebrates Israeli statehood with 3-day trip

(Newser) - When Angela Merkel holds her weekly cabinet meeting today, it will meet not in Berlin but in Jerusalem—a special gesture to mark the 60th anniversary of Israeli statehood. Only a few decades ago Israelis marched in protest when the country welcomed its first German ambassador, but now the chancellor...

GI Killed by German Police

Mar 15, 2008 8:02 AM CDT

GI Killed by German Police

Soldier held former girlfriend hostage, threatened cops with assault rifle

(Newser) - A US Army soldier stationed in Germany was shot and killed by local police after holding his ex-girlfriend hostage, the New York Times reports. The unnamed soldier was located after the woman escaped; when he threatened a SWAT unit with an assault rifle, he was shot, and later died at...

Snowflake
Almost Ready
for Adoring
Public

Mar 14, 2008 12:16 PM CDT

Snowflake Almost Ready for Adoring Public

Germany's new polar cub sensation is growing up fast

(Newser) - Nuremberg’s favorite polar bear club is growing up fast and should be ready for her public debut by April, Der Spiegel reports. Little Snowflake has already passed through such coming-of-age rituals as her first bone, her first trip outdoors, and a much-needed first bath. Before the bath, Snowflake was...

Merkel Crushes Sarkozy's Plans for 'Club Med'

Mar 14, 2008 11:59 AM CDT

Merkel Crushes Sarkozy's Plans for 'Club Med'

German opposition forces reversal on Mediterranean Union

(Newser) - Nicolas Sarkozy has been forced to abandon his proposal for what detractors have called a French-led Club Med—a Mediterranean Union of southern European, Middle Eastern, and North African states—under fierce opposition from Germany. Angela Merkel has been a consistent opponent of the scheme, and she threatened a boycott...

Café-Loving Kids Cash In
on Laptop Ads

Mar 12, 2008 2:00 PM CDT

Café-Loving Kids Cash In on Laptop Ads

German firm pushes screen-back billboards at universities

(Newser) - A German company has a solution for university students who spend their time in cafés and need extra cash for coffee: laptop advertisements, Der Spiegel reports. Just slap a sticker on the back of your screen and you could earn $320 for a few months of public studying. Berlin-based...

Serbia's PM Dissolves Government

Mar 8, 2008 11:47 AM CST

Serbia's PM Dissolves Government

Kostunica cites infighting over Kosovo, calls for new elections

(Newser) - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica dissolved the government today, saying it had become paralyzed over disagreements on how to deal with Kosovo and EU membership. He proposed new elections for May. "We are lacking government unity,” said Kostunica, charging that his pro-Western coalition partners aren't being adamant enough...

Germany Torn Over Reviving Iron Cross

Mar 7, 2008 3:40 PM CST

Germany Torn Over Reviving Iron Cross

Controversy rages over 19th-century medal linked to Nazi regime

(Newser) - German officials are debating whether to bring back the Iron Cross, a military insignia closely associated with the Nazi era, the Independent reports. Some 5,000 Germans signed a petition last year calling for the reintroduction of the decoration for "outstanding bravery," which was eliminated in 1945. Others...

Blood Thinner Woes Hit Germany

Mar 7, 2008 8:32 AM CST

Blood Thinner Woes Hit Germany

100 may have been sickened by heparin not tied to Baxter

(Newser) - Heparin blood thinners may have sickened as many as 100 people in Germany, health officials report. The FDA is currently investigating the drug after it was linked to 19 deaths and hundreds of allergic reactions in the US, possibly due to contaminants from China. The agency is now recommending that...

German Soldiers Too Fat: Study

Mar 6, 2008 12:19 PM CST

German Soldiers Too Fat: Study

'Compared to the British, we're viewed as pathetic,' soldier complains

(Newser) - The German army is fat. It’s also unfit, smokes too much, and eats badly, according to a recent parliamentary update, the Guardian reports. About 40% of German soldiers are overweight—8.5% seriously so—and 70% smoke. “This has much to do with poor equipment and lack of...

Strike Cripples German Airports

Mar 5, 2008 7:23 AM CST

Strike Cripples German Airports

Scores of flights canceled; Berlin transport also shut

(Newser) - Thousands of German airport workers have walked off the job on the first day of a strike, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations across Europe's largest country. Frankfurt International Airport, a key European hub, was picketed by more than 2,000 employees from baggage handlers to check-in counter workers and...

Brits Used Astrologer Against Hitler

Mar 4, 2008 9:10 AM CST

Brits Used Astrologer Against Hitler

Declassified files tell of 'star wars' strategy in WWII

(Newser) - Some British strategists saw the outcome of World War II written in the stars, according to newly declassified documents that reveal the role of an astrologer in predicting Adolf Hilter's moves. An intelligence agency employed a colorful character who claimed to be able to use astrological readings to, as one...

World's Biggest Tech Show Goes Green

Mar 3, 2008 8:19 AM CST

World's Biggest Tech Show Goes Green

Top IT companies will display environmental friendliness at CeBIT

(Newser) - Greener tech solutions are a focus of this year’s CeBIT technology trade fair, which opens tomorrow in Germany. Tech companies from around the world will showcase products like servers that use less electricity alongside their hot new gadgets, AP reports. The emphasis on green ideas sets the tone for...