Spain has ‘done its homework,’ Merkel says
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday hailed reforms undertaken by Spain to revive its battered economy and fend off the need for an Irish-style bailout.
Day: February 3, 2011
German freighter sinks Indian frigate
A German cargo ship has slammed into an Indian frigate in the port of Mumbai, causing the military vessel to catch fire and eventually sink, media reports said this week.
Group urges Germans to become ‘part-time vegetarians’
Germany’s vegetarian society (VEBU) proposed on Thursday that people pair up to become “part-time vegetarians” as the country recovers from the dioxin food safety scandal.
Munich Re weathers natural disasters to deliver profits
German re-insurance giant Munich Re posted Thursday a 2010 net profit of €2.43 billion ($3.35 billion) despite heavy losses from natural disasters and promised shareholders an improved dividend.
German salaries rose in 2010
German salaries rose by an average of 1.4 percent last year after dipping by 0.4 percent in 2009, figures released on Thursday by the national statistics office (Destatis) showed.
Dozens arrested as leftists battle police
Rampages by left-wing extremists in Berlin on Wednesday night following the eviction of residents at a former squat left 61 police officers injured and ended with 82 arrests, police reported.
The neighbourhood that knew too much
A hipster magazine recently declared Berlin’s NoTo neighbourhood the city’s new hot spot, but they missed a key detail, writes Roger Boyes, Berlin correspondent for British daily The Times. Soon it will be teeming with spooks from the federal intelligence agency.
ATM charges still too high, consumer groups say
Consumer groups insist ATM fees have not fallen far enough despite regulations brought in two weeks ago to combat fees that had soared as high as €10 per withdrawal.
Saxony pays nobles millions for porcelain seized by communists
The state of Saxony has paid €4.2 million to a former noble house for porcelain forcibly nationalised by the fledgling communist government after World War II, with even bigger payouts possibly still to come.
Merkel rules out quota for women execs
Chancellor Angela Merkel ruled out a mandatory quota for women in executive positions at German firms late on Wednesday, effectively ending an internal debate within her party on the subject.
What’s on in Germany: February 3 – 9
This week's highlights: Berlin celebrates James Dean, Paris Hilton parties in Frankfurt, and the orchestra plays Leonard Bernstein in Hamburg.
Berlin dismayed by violent turn in Egypt
Clearly worried by the violent turn of events in Egypt, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle demanded on Thursday the Egyptian government open talks to ensure the Arab nation’s “historic moment” goes forward peacefully.
Merkel and Zapatero seek unity on euro
As leader of Europe's strongest economy, Chancellor Angela Merkel will on Thursday attempt to send a united message alongside one of the weakest economies, Spain, in support of the troubled eurozone.
Lower Saxony mulls burka ban for officials
Lower Saxony is set to follow the state of Hesse in banning the wearing of burkas – the Muslim dress that covers a woman’s face – by public sector workers, possibly creating a wave of regulations across the country.