The Local Germany

In depth: Is Alternative for Germany becoming too extreme?

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 19:10:38 +0200

The Alternative for Germany (AfD)'s popularity is growing despite a series of controversies. Now, as it faces calls for state surveillance over perceived ties with far-right extremists, we asked what it means for the party's future.

Divisions resurface as Germany celebrates Marx at 200

Sat, 05 May 2018 11:17:49 +0200

Germany marks the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth on Saturday, but celebrations risk being marred by protests as the revolutionary philosopher remains a divisive figure almost three decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Woman hospitalized after scalding legs in witch’s cauldron at carnival parade

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 13:15:06 +0100

UPDATE: A young woman in southwest Germany has sustained serious injuries after her legs got into a witch’s cauldron full of hot water during carnival festivities on Saturday.

German smokers now faced with pics of rotting teeth

Fri, 20 May 2016 12:27:14 +0200

From Friday cigarette producers must print so-called 'shock images' on cigarette packets for sale in Germany as part of an EU-wide bid to cut smoking – but the public don't think it'll work.

Unknown attackers rip heads off 40 chickens

Tue, 17 May 2016 15:56:44 +0200

A farmer in central Germany woke up on Sunday morning to the horrifying sight of 40 of his chickens with their heads ripped off by brute force.

Munich students predict Game of Thrones deaths with app

Fri, 22 Apr 2016 12:22:04 +0200

Students at the Technical University (TU) of Munich have built an app that predicts which characters on legendarily bloody TV show Game of Thrones will be next to die.

Mum shoots daughter over Aussie holiday plan

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 18:39:40 +0200

A woman from Düsseldorf who shot her daughter multiple times before ending her own life this week was trying to stop the teen travelling to Australia, it emerged on Wednesday.

Hanover man shoots 18-year-old burglar dead

Tue, 09 Jun 2015 11:03:42 +0200

A man in Hannover shot a teenager dead on Monday night after the 18-year-old allegedly broke into his house.

Police fear copycat attacks in Germany

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 12:04:00 +0100

A document seen by Die Welt shows that federal investigators (BKA) fear that Muslim fundamentalists in Germany might copy last week's attacks in Paris.

Neo-Nazi victims get their day in court

Fri, 02 Aug 2013 17:25:00 +0200

The family of a man killed by German neo-Nazi terrorists told detectives they thought fascists were to blame but were ignored - instead police bugged their car and phones in a vain hunt for evidence the dead man was involved in crime.

Two accused in neo-Nazi trial 'will talk'

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:45:00 +0200

As the trial of a German woman accused of being part of a murderous neo-Nazi terror cell adjourned until next month, when two of her alleged accomplices will speak, excruciating details emerged of how the security services failed to stop them.

Nearly 1,000 Islamists watched since 2001

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:33:00 +0200

The German government has carried out video surveillance on 962 suspected Islamists since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Sunday.

Cardinal: Picking pope like 'visiting the dentist'

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:27:00 +0100

A German cardinal on Thursday said the upcoming papal conclave to pick the next head of the Catholic Church would be as pleasant as a visit to the dentist.

Germany calls on Italy's 'sense of responsibility'

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 10:18:00 +0100

Germany's leaders said over the weekend they were confident that Italian politicians would act responsibly and continue structural reforms following an inconclusive election last week.

Merkel to Putin - Pussy Riot jail sentence unfair

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:06:00 +0100

Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised the imprisonment of the protest band Pussy Riot during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday. Yet Siemens also signed a €2.5 billion deal with Russian state railway.

Bertelsmann opens new chapter for Penguin

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:00:00 +0100

German media giant Bertelsmann said on Monday that it was going to merge its English-language division Random House with Penguin books, owned by British publisher Pearson. Bertelsmann is to be the main share-holder.

Minister calls for crazed cyclists crack-down

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:21:00 +0200

"Aggressive cyclists" have come under fire from Germany's Transport Minister, who called Tuesday for a tougher course of action against bad behaviour on the roads.

Can Gauck be president 'while living in sin?'

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:47:00 +0100

Germans generally agree that Joachim Gauck is a good choice for president. But can the ex-pastor be the nation's moral authority while staying married to one woman yet living with another set to become First Lady? Have your say.

A painful submission or Merkel’s masterpiece?

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:07:00 +0100

Joachim Gauck’s ascension to the German presidency looks like a slap in the face for Chancellor Angela Merkel, but as many papers have spotted, they have plenty in common. The Local’s media roundup surveys opinion.

East German activist to be new president

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:01:00 +0100

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her coalition and the opposition had agreed Sunday to nominate former East German rights activist Joachim Gauck as a consensus candidate to become the country's next president.