Germany urges China to change rare metals policy
Germany on Friday urged a visiting senior Chinese official to review Beijing's restrictions on exporting so-called "rare earths" critical to manufacturing hi-tech goods.
Day: January 7, 2011
Daimler and VW post strong 2010 sales
German automakers Daimler and Volkswagen posted stellar 2010 sales figures Friday, with emerging markets such as China creating voracious demand for Mercedes-Benz, Audi and VW vehicles.
‘Almost T-shirt weather’ forecast for weekend
The big thaw is set to continue over the weekend, with temperatures hitting double figures in much of the country and peaking at 16 degrees in the south, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).
Pastor sacked for sex in Hamburg church
A pastor in Hamburg has been fired and is being investigated on suspicion of sexual assault for having drunken sex with a parishioner in his church, media reported Friday.
German Media Roundup: Westerwelle’s buoyant navel-gazing
A day after Guido Westerwelle made speech considered crucial to his political fate, commentators in The Local's media roundup on Friday blasted the failure of Free Democratic Party leader to admit he has made mistakes.
Cologne Cathedral’s ‘Fat Peter’ bell clapped out
The Cologne Cathedral's St. Peter's Bell, said to be the largest functioning free-swinging bell in the world, has fallen silent after its clapper broke abruptly.
Imports hit all-time high
German imports hit a record high level in November, slashing the national trade surplus as a global recovery drove up prices for oil and other commodities, official data showed on Friday.
Thaw threatens floods
Rising waters threatened many German river regions on Friday, as rain and milder temperatures continued to melt snow and ice. The Rhine and Mosel could see widespread flooding over the weekend.
Dioxin contamination 77 times safe level
Samples taken from the animal feed firm at the centre of the dioxin contamination scandal revealed its products contained up to 77 times the safe level of the toxic chemical, authorities said Friday.
Cross-eyed opossum wins legions of fans
A cross-eyed opossum at Leipzig Zoo named Heidi has won worldwide adoration, with nearly 50,000 fans on her Facebook page.