Ex-GDR officials gripe of persecution 20 years on
There’s no question East Germany persecuted its citizens, but have the communist regime’s henchmen been wronged since reunification? David Wroe investigates.
Day: November 6, 2009
Study finds babies cry in German
German scientists have found newborns cry in their mother tongue, signalling that they begin learning the sounds of language while still in the womb.
As the Wall fell: ‘We were looking for cracks in the façade’
As a public affairs officer for the US Embassy in East Berlin just before the Berlin Wall fell, Peter Claussen had a unique view of life in the German Democratic Republic. The Local spoke with him about how he remembers the historic time.
GM Europe boss quits in disgust
General Motors Europe head Carl-Peter Forster is quitting in disgust at GM's decision to hang on to its European unit Opel/Vauxhall, an inside source said on Friday.
Federal prosecutors to probe deadly NATO air strike in Afghanistan
German federal prosecutors are taking over the investigation into the deadly NATO air strike in Afghanistan ordered by Bundeswehr Col. Georg Klein, authorities said on Friday.
Mittal snaps up troubled fashion house Escada
The insolvent German fashion group Escada has been sold to Megha Mittal, daughter-in-law of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, the firm said without providing financial details.
Mother of eight jailed for smothering baby boy in cellar
A regional Berlin court on Friday sentenced a 42-year-old woman to eight years in prison for manslaughter after she admitted to smothering her newborn infant.
Merkel opted for sauna and beer as Wall fell
As thousands of East Germans surged past the Berlin Wall to taste freedom for the first time 20 years ago, Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the sauna and had a beer.
Geothermal drilling taps violent geyser in Wiesbaden city centre
Construction workers drilling for a geothermal heat source in the traditional spa town of Wiesbaden created a violent geyser that caused flooding contained only by early Friday morning, Hessian authorities said.
Taking her first gasp during East Germany’s last
Two minutes have bestowed a title on Sarah Klier for life. She came into the world on October 2, 1990 in Leipzig – two minutes before midnight – making her the last child born in communist East Germany.
Clinton to attend Wall anniversary ceremonies
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday she will attend ceremonies in Berlin next week to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.