Search

The article discusses a controversy involving journalists Riccardo Ehrman and Peter Brinkmann. At a November, 1989 press conference East German official Gunter Schabowski's confused answers to questions about the status of travel abroad for East Germans lead to events that permanently opened the Berlin Wall. Both Ehrman and Brinkmann claim to be the journalist who elicited Schabowski's responses.

The article discusses a plastic-foam replica of the Berlin Wall being assembled in Germany. In November of 2009 the domino-shaped panels will be positioned where the original wall stood, then toppled to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's breaching. Event organizer Moritz van Dulmen notes that the 1989 event had global consequences.

The article reports that there has been an increase in vandalism and other attacks by animal rights extremists in Europe against pharmaceutical industry employees, executives, and other persons associated with the use of laboratory animals for drug testing. Executives of the stock exchange firm NYSE Euronext have had automobiles and homes attacked by arson.

The article discusses controversy aroused by Muhammad Sven Kalish, who was hired as the first Islamic theology professor at Munster University in Germany. His own research has lead him to conclude that the prophet Muhammad probably never existed, an assertion not embraced by many Muslims. The university has retained Kalish but told him he cannot teach Islam anymore.

The article discusses the resurgence in Germany of institutions devoted to the development of Olympic athletes. Gemany's sixth-place finish in the medal count at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece galvanized it into funding facilities to house, educate, and train athletes considered to be particularly strong Olympic candidates.

The article discusses resistance on the part of certain residents of Berlin, Germany, to a proposal to close the Tempelhof airport there. Tempelhof was where planes carrying food and supplies from the U.S. and other allies landed during the Soviet blockade of 1948-1949. Supporters of Tempelhof are trying to compel a referendum on the matter.

The article discusses how a research project that examines the evolution of the Quran, which is the text Muslims view as the verbatim transcript of God's words, has been relaunched. The article explains that many believed that the research project could not be relaunched because on April 24, 1944, British air force bombers destroyed the Bavarian Academy of Science, which housed a photo archive of ancient manuscripts of the Quran, but the archive has been found and reexamined in 2008.

The article focuses on the November 30, 1989 murder of Alfred Herrhausen, the former chairman of Deutsche Bank, which was thought to have been caused by members of the terrorist group Red Army Faction. A discussion of a 2007 continuation of the murder investigation, which has revealed a new suspect, the Stasi, or East German secret police, is presented.

The article reports on the history of Nazi involvement in currency counterfeiting operations during World War Two. British pounds were counterfeited during the war by Jewish concentration camp prisoners including Adolf Burger, who is profiled in the article. According to the article, by 1945, about 12% of all British pounds were counterfeit.

The author reports that the European trend toward driving faster, heavier and more powerful cars has caused a rise in sales of SUVs and vehicles with weight-added features, such as air conditioning. Although the European Union has reduced overall greenhouse-gas emissions, carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles have risen.

The article focuses on a change in work hours of auto workers at the Volkswagen automobile plant in Wolfsburg, Germany which was implemented by the company in September of 2006. A discussion of the factors which led to the changes, and employee reaction to the changes, which will have workers used to working 28 hours per week work 33 hours a week, is presented.

The article reports that Stanford Ovshinsky's Energy Conversion Devices is finally making money through his photovoltaic materials, used to convert sunlight into electricity. Ovshinsky is almost singlehandedly responsible for America's place in the international solar power market. His thin film panels can be used in a variety of ways, including for roofing. In spite of record sales, Energy Conversion continues to lose money as Ovshinksy works on other energy alternatives.

This article discusses the low birthrate in Estonia and government attempts to reverse the trend. Women in Estonia are paid subsidies to have children and government supports range from monthly payments to pension payments tied to the number of children women have. Comparisons are made to other European countries with low birthrates and contrasts are drawn with the U.S. which has minimal subsidies but a relatively high birthrate, due partly to the immigrant population.

This article focuses on the challenges facing the continent of Europe, which is home to 20 million Muslims, from the spread of radical Islam. Greater scrutiny is falling on several Islamic groups, the largest and most important of which is the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe, a lobbying group that represents Muslims in 22 countries. Federation leader Ahmed al-Rawi, who has advised national politicians and testified before the European Parliament, has little-noticed ties to radical groups aiming to establish fundamentalist Islam across the Continent. Rawi, whose aides have funnelled millions of dollars to radical groups across Europe, in an interview endorsed suicide bombings in Iraq and Israel, saying Muslims "have the right to defend themselves." The restive Muslim minority populations have become a top agenda item in Europe, which is reaching out to the Federation, but a closer look at the groups within the organization reveals complicated ties to radical groups and idealogues.

Presents the second in a series focusing on the social conditions and activities of Muslims living in Europe. History of the Islamic Center of Munich, a mosque built by Muslims, who deserted the Soviet Union's Red Army to fight for the Nazis in World War II; Competition for the Muslim community among Western governments looking for political alliances; Discussion of the Muslim Brotherhood, a social reform movement, which calls for the Muslim religion to dominate all aspects of life; History of miscalculations on the part of Western governments in their relationships with political Islam; How United States' involvement in Afghanistan in the 1980s helped produced Osama bin Laden; Research findings indicating U.S. intelligence agencies attempted to form a working relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood; Comments from Munich, Germany-based historian Stefan Meining regarding the genesis of political Islam in the post-WWII atmosphere; Discussion of the Brotherhood's beliefs with regard to Muslims and Western influences. INSETS: A Piece of History;Birth of an Ideology;Cast of Characters.

Examines the popularity of filmmaker Michael Moore in Germany. Comments from Moore before a German crowd at the first stop in a weeklong tour of Germany, suggesting his criticism of America's involvement in Iraq is popular with Germans; Economic conditions within the European Union (EU), suggesting that Moore's popularity stems from his disillusionment with political and economic systems.

Focuses on the conspiracy theory, offered by German Andreas von Bülow, that the U.S. government staged the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to justify wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Brief biography of von Bülow, suggesting he is not an unreliable individual making unsubstantiated accusations; Other German media outlets proclaiming similar theories; Comments from von Bülow at a book reading in Germany, suggesting his country deserves to know the truth about September 11, 2001, if they are to provide support to the U.S.; How several individuals in Western countries proposing September 11, 2001, conspiracy theories have been accepted in the Western press.

The article reports on the participation of several international leaders in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany on November 9, 2009. The international leaders included U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Many people attended concerts at the Brandenburg Gate, where the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan made a speech calling for former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall.

The article recalls the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 and its contribution to reunity of the Europe and the development of capitalism over communism. It attributes the collapse of the Berlin wall to the actions taken by ordinary people who fought for freedom and rebuild their lives over the next two decades. It cites the increased consumption of McDonald's products by eastern Germans upon the opening of the border. McDonald's owner Klaus Rader sold his business and invested his money in the Italian restaurant chain Vapiano.

This article explains that German health minister Ulla Schmidt, who belong to the Social Democratic Party, will have a harder chance at unseating Chancellor Angela Merkel and her conservative group, after her government Mercedes limousine was stolen by thieves in Spain. The incident has given political rivals ammunition against Schmidt and the Social Democrats for the national elections on September 27, 2009. It is noted that even before the incident Social Democrats have weak showing on poll surveys.

The article reports on the success of a fiscal-stimulus measure taken by the German government which involves the provision of a €2,500 subsidy to people who scrap an old vehicle to purchase a new one. It notes that such initiative has led to an increase in sales among dealerships. It adds that the success of the measure has encouraged retailers of other products to follow such action. Data show that 134,000 people have availed of the so-called scrap bonus.

The article reports on smoking across Europe. Despite laws banning smoking in public places, Europeans are allegedly having difficulty in curbing the habit that is considered to be part of the art of living, like eating and drinking. In January 2009, a new antismoking law in public places in Austria that allegedly contains many exceptions, highlighting the predicament across Europe regarding its smoking culture.

The article reports on the local challenges faced by an international security mission in Kosovo composed of civilian law-enforcement officials from the European Union (EU), the U.S. and other countries. The EU mission's work, which aims to bolster Kosovo's police, courts and customs systems, is challenged by a bombing incident in the capital of Pristina and an intelligence operation involving German agents. The €205 million mission, which is named EULEX, is described resented in Serbian-inhabited areas of Kosovo and by Albanian Kosovars.

The article reports on the possible election of Turkish immigrants' son Cem Özdemir as chairman of Germany's Green Party in 2008, and highlights the low political participation of minorities in Europe. Lobbyist Kenan Kolat said that political participation is impossible without citizenship while lack of political participation only means integration of minorities into the society cannot work. It claims that Özdemir has a poor chance of entry into the German parliament because Green Party members have put him lowest in their list of candidates.

The article reports that the Christian Social Union (CSU) is faced with the possibility of losses in a state election in Bavaria, Germany on September 28, 2008 as polls show that voters are turning to small parties. It says that the group, a sister party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, might win less than half of the 180 seats in the state legislature as the polls reveal that it is getting around 48% or 49% of the vote. It also mentions that voters are defecting small parties like the Greens and the free-market Liberals.

The article reports that Stadtreinigung Hamburg, a state-owned waste management company in Hamburg, Germany has made an agreement with the Italian government to burn up to 200,000 tons of garbage from Naples, Italy. This agreement is said to be a stop-gap measure as the government of Silvio Berlusconi moves toward its Naples' first trash incinerator. The first garbage shipment was received by the Hamburg plant on May 23, 2008.

The article reports on the advertising campaigns of automobile makers that emphasize alternative fuel and low carbon dioxide output. General Motors' Saab unit in Sweden is running print advertisements for its new bioethanol-powered 9-5 station wagon that tout horsepower and alternative fuels in nearly the same breath. DaimlerChrysler is running print ads that hail its tiny smart fortwo city car with emissions about 45% below that of the average new car sold in Europe.

The article focuses on the action taken by the European Association of Communications Agencies in Brussels to draft guidelines for automobile advertising in Europe.

Reports on the racial differences happening in the World Cup 2006 soccer event in Germany.

Focuses on the decision of France President Jacques Chirac to set aside a youth-labor law that ignited weeks of strikes and street protests.

Reports on the popularity of soaking in a hot spring as a treatment method among arthritis patients in Japan in 2006.

Reports on police investigations of journalists for breach of national security and anti-terrorist efforts in Germany.

Reports the increase of uninsured individuals in Germany as of September 2005.

Discusses the political and economic implications should Angela Merkel, head of the opposition Christian Democrats in Germany, become her party's candidate for chancellor.

Reports the probable impact of the expected loss of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's party in the election on the country's economic restructuring.

Reports on the practice of hosting a singles night at Wal-Mart stores in Germany. Efforts of Andreas Semprich to meet singles at Wal-Mart; Suggestion by two workers to have the event; Amount of Wal-Mart stores that feature singles night in Germany; Description of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s strategy; Possibility that the practice may be instituted in the U.S.

Focuses on the plan of the German government to improve and expand it's autobahn highway network system.

Reports on the move of Germany to rethink its generous privileges for civil servants following its worst economic crisis.

Reports on the decision of the German government to give up its claims to a real property in Berlin taken from a Jewish family during the Holocaust.

Reports that dire economic conditions in Germany are forcing the government to rethink the paternalistic role of the state in the economic life of the country. Profile of Renate Franke, who received jobless benefits after she quit her job at an electronic company due to personal and emotional issues; Second recession within the past three years in Germany; Observation that Germany's social-welfare system is no longer affordable ; Spending on social issues in Germany at 30% of gross domestic product; Proposal by the government of reducing unemployment benefits, opening the public health-care system to private insurers, and cutting subsidies and easing laws that protect workers from being fired; Acknowledgement by Germans that there is a need for reform in the country; Efforts of unions to adapt to the changing times.

Focuses on the anti-American sentiment of ordinary Europeans which resulted from the decision of U.S. President George W. Bush to enforce military action to disarm Iraq.

Presents news briefs from the Middle East region as of March 27, 2003, including the plans regarding Turkish intervention in the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Looks at the different approaches of Germans to advertising products.

Examines the economic and social implications of bovine spongiform encephalopathy epidemic in Europe that affects cows and humans who eat infected cows.

Reports on a political art exhibit in Berlin, Germany. Details of the exhibit, entitled 'White 104'; How the exhibit combines a historic site with washing machines, symbolizing the whitewashing of history; How people visit the exhibit in order to do their laundry for free.

Reports on the increasing revenues of banner and poster makers in Europe. Trend among companies to rent building space with scaffolding for their advertisement campaigns; Benefits building owners get from renting their spaces for banner advertisement.

Reports that freedom in Germany is lowering the number of applicants for the St. Thomas Choir. Background on the boys' choir that was founded in the 13th century, including its direction by Johann Sebastian Bach; Concern of choirmaster Georg Christoph Biller about the limited number of openings for applicants; Description of the advantages and drawbacks of choir life as experienced by former choirboy Christoph Mueller.

Focuses on the debate in Germany over whether servicemen should be awarded medals for taking part in military combat. When medals first began to be awarded; When medals vanished from Germany; How the conflict in Kosovo has revived the issue of medals.

Focuses on controversy over the Reichsbank building in Bonn, Germany. How the structure was the home of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's central bank; The German capital's move from Berlin to Bonn; Decision to convert the Reichsbank into the Foreign Ministry headquarters; Why the building makes good office space; Supporters and opponents of the move; The belief that it is in poor taste to use a building that Hitler built.

Reports on what remains of the Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany as of September 1999. How the Berlin Wall is viewed by residents of Berlin; Length of the wall that remains standing; When it was first erected; The debate over what part of the wall to preserve and how to do it.