Cabinet backs foreign credential recognition
The German government on Wednesday backed a new law making it easier to have foreign credentials recognized in order to help provide qualified workers for Germany’s booming economy.
Day: March 23, 2011
Merkel aiming to reschedule euro debt fund payments
Chancellor Angela Merkel will argue at a key European summit Thursday for Germany's payments into a euro bailout fund to be rescheduled, a government source said, amid domestic criticism over Berlin's contribution.
Truck driver caught pumping iron while cruising the autobahn
German police have fined a transport truck driver for lifting weights while on the autobahn, they said Thursday. The man claimed there was no law against sculpting his body at the wheel.
Teen severely beaten as cyber-bullying escalates
A Berlin city politician on Wednesday called for a crisis meeting on cyber-bullying after an online conflict escalated into the brutal group beating of a 17-year-old who was apparently trying to mediate the row.
German warships won’t enforce Libyan embargo
German warships will not participate in a NATO operation in the Mediterranean to enforce a UN-mandated arms embargo on Libya. But Berlin said Wednesday it will increase its Afghanistan deployment to free up NATO forces.
Reinsurers post Japan quake loss estimates
German reinsurance group Hannover Re said Wednesday that the Japanese disasters would cost it around €250 million ($350 million), six times less than global giant Munich Re.
Atomic crisis puts focus on renewable energy
The nuclear disaster in Japan has thrown Germany's national energy strategy into disarray. Alexander Bakst reports on how phasing out atomic power could accelerate the country’s transition to renewables.
Zoo defends decision to stuff Knut
The Berlin Zoo on Wednesday defended its decision to stuff their late polar bear Knut, saying they had received significant support from his many fans.
Conservatives lose ground after nuclear energy reversal
Voter approval for Chancellor Merkel’s conservatives has dropped by three percentage points after her unconvincing reversal on nuclear energy following the disaster in Japan, according to a poll released just days ahead of a critical state elections.
Deutsche Bahn beefs up security
National rail provider Deutsche Bahn plans to improve safety for passengers by significantly increasing their number of security personnel, the company said Wednesday.
Radioactive particles to hit Europe today, German expert says
Air currents are expected to bring radioactive particles from Japan to Central Europe on Wednesday, though radiation levels will be negligible, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) said Wednesday.