The daily World Cup roundup
The Local’s World Cup blog offers an outsider’s perspective on German football as Die Mannschaft goes for glory in South Africa. Don’t miss our daily roundup!
Day: July 6, 2010
Ruhr crocodile sightings put Bochum police on alert
It seem every summer their are reports on crocodile sightings in Germany, but this year police in the Ruhr Valley city of Bochum are taking them a bit more seriously.
Green light given to gene testing IVF embryos
Doctors have been given the green light to gene test IVF embryos for hereditary illnesses after a landmark court decision clearing a Berlin fertility specialist over his use of the controversial technique.
K1 ponzi scheme suspect commits suicide
Dieter Frerichs, a German hedge fund manager, has committed suicide to avoid arrest and possible deportation to his homeland where he is wanted for fraud, Spanish police said Tuesday.
Star Munich opera director Nagano resigns amid controversy
Star Music Director for the Bavarian State Opera Kent Nagano will not extend his contract as a result of internal strife, the American conductor said on Tuesday.
Higher health insurance costs approved
Workers and their employers will have to kick more money into health insurance schemes as part of a rescue package the government announced Tuesday in an effort to prop up cash-strapped insurers.
Women believe men deserve higher pay, study finds
German women earn up to one-quarter less than their male co-workers, but a new study released Tuesday surprisingly revealed that many women also think they deserve a smaller paycheque.
Paul the ‘psychic’ octopus tips Spain to beat Germany
Cries of despair were likely heard across Germany on Tuesday after a "psychic" octopus called Paul tipped Spain to beat Germany in the football World Cup semi-final.
Court to examine science of ‘designer babies’
The murky legal territory of “designer babies” will go under the microscope Tuesday when a Leipzig court examines a fertility doctor’s gene testing of embryos from couples with hereditary risk of illness.
Fewer migrant children finish high school
Efforts to boost the numbers of immigrant children finishing school have fallen flat, according to a government report to be released Wednesday, which shows the problem has actually become worse.
Lahm to Ballack: I want to stay on as captain
Germany skipper Philipp Lahm has warned Michael Ballack in an interview that he wants to remain captain of the national side after the World Cup.
Social Democrats push for national smoking ban
The push for a tough, national smoking ban in Germany has gained momentum with the opposition Social Democrats (SPD) calling on Tuesday for all bars and restaurants to become smoke-free.