Bank refuses to replace €500 note man claims was eaten by his cat

Severance pay for Sarrazin in question

Embattled Bundesbank board member Thilo Sarrazin may not receive a severance package if he is removed from his post following incendiary claims about race and immigration, a media report said on Thursday. READ »

Von der Leyen blasts hard line on immigrants

As Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen rejected calls to slash welfare payments to unemployed immigrants who don’t send their children to day care, the government on Wednesday pledged to improve its integration efforts. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

• 07/09 Much ado about Thilo »
• 06/09 Conservatives demand sanctions against problem immigrants »

Cartoonist slams Islam ahead of Merkel speech

A Danish cartoonist who sparked protests around the world with a satire of Muslim violence has branded Islam a “reactionary” religion, just hours before Chancellor Merkel presented him with an award defending freedom of speech. READ (11 COMMENTS) »

Pastor's former church in Cologne denounces Koran-burning plan

The Cologne-based evangelical church founded by Terry Jones, a Florida pastor whose threat to burn copies of the Koran on September 11 has prompted global outrage, on Wednesday denounced his plans as "shocking." READ (9 COMMENTS) »

Ladies love men with rhythm, study finds

Looking to get lucky on the dance floor? German scientists have found men who dance vigorously with a fast-moving right knee and large, varied movements of their neck and torso are more attractive to women. READ (35 COMMENTS) »

State gambling monopoly illegal, EU court rules

Germany’s state monopoly on many forms of gambling and sports betting is illegal and should be abandoned because they do not help curb problem gambling, Europe’s highest court ruled on Wednesday. READ (8 COMMENTS) »

Drinking culture: Oktoberfest gets odour-eating bacteria

A smoking ban at Oktoberfest means visitors to Munich's beer bash won't leave smelling like an ashtray, but what about the stink of sweat, roasted chicken and stale alcohol? One businessman has the answer: an odour-eating bacteria. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

Fraunhofer warns Adobe Flash can be used as PC spying tool

The popular program Adobe Flash Player can be used to take over another person’s computer and spy through their camera and microphone, researchers at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute have discovered. READ (3 COMMENTS) »