Munich Re warns climate change could cost billions
Natural disasters linked to climate change could cost the insurance industry billions of dollars in extra settlement payments every year, German insurance giant Munich Re said Thursday.
Day: November 26, 2009
Germany
Sweden
Politician causes stir with sex play outburst
A Green Party politician from southern Sweden is defending the use of sex organ slang during a local council debate about Swedishness.
Germany
German media roundup: Jung under fire for Afghan air strike
With German military officials admitting they withheld information about a controversial NATO air strike, the political future of former Defence Minister and current Labour Minister Franz Josef Jung hangs in the balance. Newspapers in The Local’s media roundup believe it's time for him to resign.
Germany
Audi inks €90-million deal with Bayern Munich
Car manufacturer Audi has purchased a 9.09 percent stake in German football team Bayern Munich in a deal worth €90 million, the Bundesliga club announced on Thursday.
Germany
Google’s web analysis tools face German scrutiny
Google is once again facing the possibility that it could run afoul of Germany's strict privacy laws. The culprit this time? The web analysis tools of the US internet giant and other firms.
Germany
‘Parking lot sheriff’ arrested for draconian towing charges
An Augsburg business owner known as the “parking lot sheriff” has been charged with extortion and coercion for taking advantage of parking offenders by confiscating their vehicles and demanding exorbitant fees, court officials said Thursday.
Sweden
Government keeps new Stockholm- Arlanda rail link on track
It will soon be possible to take a Stockholm commuter train directly to Arlanda airport, after the government on Thursday gave the go ahead to Uppsala and Stockholm to cooperate on a commuter rail route connecting the two counties.
Germany
Dresden residents complain about city’s stinkiest street
Residents of a lovely tree-lined street in Dresden are suffering through pungent problem this autumn. The prized Gingko biloba trees are shedding mounds of seeds that give off an unbearably foul faecal scent, they say.
Sweden
Stockholm Pride asks: ‘how hetero’ is your Facebook?
Facebook users can now check to see "how hetero" the pictures they have posted on the popular social networking site are, thanks to a new web application launched by the organizers of an annual celebration of gay culture in Stockholm.
Sweden
Spread of swine flu in Sweden slowing down: official
Swedish health officials said on Thursday that the spread of swine flu has tapered off somewhat in the last week.
Germany
Man gets life after court rejects appeal for sister’s ‘honour killing’
A German-Afghan man who stabbed his teenage sister to death in a grisly "honour killing" was sentenced to life imprisonment after a court in Karlsruhe rejected his appeal on Thursday.
Sweden
Renewed speculation over likely Saab buyers
Rumours are circulating in Trollhättan, the western Swedish home of Saab Automobile, about renewed interest from buyers looking to purchase the Swedish automaker. Talks are also continuing with a number of Chinese car companies.
Sweden
Treasure find granddad fuming over finder’s fee
Amateur Swedish archaeologist Jens Granhof, 69, is incensed at the 40,000 kronor ($5,800) reward he and his grandson received for a find of Middle Age-era silver coins, claiming the sum fails to capture the true value of their discovery.
Germany
Religious couple fined for home schooling their children
A German couple who tried to teach their children Christian values at home has been fined by a Kassel court for refusing to send them to school.
Sweden
Stockholm Q & A: Where can I find a nice sauna to book
A reader wants to find a nice sauna that you can book for group in and around Stockholm. But which one? Peter Vinthagen Simpson has the answer.
Sweden
Wife’s pregnancy blamed for prostitute visit
A high-ranking manager at a Swedish state-owned company has admitted he paid for sex with a prostitute because he hadn’t had sex with his pregnant wife for five months.
Germany
What’s on in Germany: November 26-December 2
This Week's Highlights: Rhythmic gymnastics in Berlin, The Third Man in Munich, and Dresden hosts a festival of computer based art.
Germany
Bundeswehr chief of staff resigns over air strike
The Bundeswehr's top officer, Chief of Staff Wolfgang Schneiderhan, resigned on Thursday following revelations that information about civilian casualties caused by a deadly NATO air strike in Afghanistan had been withheld by the Defence Ministry.
Germany
Privacy advocate attacks EU bank data exchange with US
Germany's federal data protection commissioner Peter Schaar has slammed the EU’s plan to share citizens’ bank data with the United States as an unacceptable breach of privacy, daily Frankfurter Rundschau reported on Thursday.
Germany
Victory puts Bayern Munich back on track
Embattled Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal admitted he was relieved after the German giants kept their Champions League dream alive with a crucial 1-0 win over Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday night.
Sweden
Trustor ‘mastermind’ questioned by Swedish police in Brussels
Joachim Posener, accused of being the brains behind the Trustor investment scandal, has been questioned by Swedish authorities after more than a decade on the run.
Sweden
Jobs agency tapped for greater integration role
The Swedish agency primarily tasked with helping unemployed people find jobs will assume a greater responsibility for implementing Sweden’s integration policies, according to a new government proposal.
Sweden
Residence permits for sale on black market
Swedish residence permits can be purchased on the black market for €2,000 ($3,020) apiece, allowing buyers to travel freely throughout Europe.