Opposition MPs seek halt to expensive Stuttgart rail project
German opposition lawmakers filed a motion in parliament Tuesday for work to stop on a huge rail project that they believe makes little sense and will go billions of euros over budget.
Day: September 14, 2010
Germany
Germany
Ex-official: East German teen athletes doped
Teenage athletes were subjected to doping under communist East Germany's vast programme of steroid abuse, a leading former sports official has admitted in his new book.
Germany
Unpopular waterfront development plans still afloat in Berlin
Plans to develop desirable property along Berlin’s Spree River into a quarter for media companies has run into stiff opposition from residents fearing the city is selling out its unique spaces. Melanie Sevcenko reports.
Sweden
Suspicious note sent to Swedish mission in Israel
An envelope containing white powder was sent to the Swedish embassy in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, according to Israeli police.
Sweden
Ryanair dispute heads to Swedish Supreme Court
A couple from Linköping in central Sweden who were marooned in Brussels after Ryanair cancelled their flight home will have their case heard by Sweden’s highest court.
Germany
Rape suspected among children at weight-loss camp
German state prosecutors are investigating reports of rape and sexual abuse among children who were spending several weeks at a weight-loss clinic on the posh North Sea island of Sylt, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Germany
Investor confidence droops for fifth consecutive month
German investor confidence plunged this month to depths not seen since February 2009 on fears that Europe's biggest economy is facing stiff headwinds, the ZEW research institute said Tuesday.
Sweden
Man charged over million kronor ATM withdrawal
A man from Borås in western Sweden has been charged with fraud after taking advantage of a technical fault to withdraw 1.6 million kronor ($224,000) from a cash machine, despite having only a couple of thousand kronor in savings.
Germany
FDP backs fast-tracked citizenship to spur integration
The Free Democrats (FDP), Chancellor Angela Merkel’s junior coalition partners, reportedly want to speed the path to German citizenship for well-integrated immigrants, cutting the naturalisation process from eight to four years.
Sweden
Parties struggle to entice first time voters
With record numbers of first time Swedish voters heading to the polls on September 19th, politicians continue to struggle to reach both young Swedes and their parents, explains the AFP’s Rita Devlin Marier.
Sweden
Election Q&A: the Green Party
Green Party MP Bodil Ceballos answers some questions from The Local about the party's stance on a few key issues.
Germany
Bundeswehr soldier injured in bridge attack
A German soldier was injured in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz in an attack by the Taliban on Tuesday, military authorities have confirmed.
Sweden
Election Q&A: the Moderate Party
The Moderate Party's Anders Borg, finance minister; Tobias Billström, immigration minister; and Riksdag foreign affairs committee head Göran Lennmarker answer some questions from The Local about the party's stance on a few key issues.
Sweden
George Clooney says sorry over Jämtland snub
Hollywood actor George Clooney has apologised to the city of Östersund in Jämtland in western Sweden for not crediting the area in his latest film, The American, parts of which were filmed there.
Sweden
Sweden’s priciest flat for sale: 80 million kronor
Sweden's most expensive flat is now for sale, brokered by celebrity real estate agent Fredrik Eklund for a listing price of 80 million kronor ($11.18 million).
Sweden
Four of ten prepared to vote tactically: survey
Four out of ten Swedish voters could consider switching party allegiances and instead vote for a party which risks missing the threshold for parliamentary seats, according to a new Sifo survey.
Germany
Guttenberg slams ‘porn chic’ of female pop stars
Stephanie zu Guttenberg, the wife of German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, on Tuesday attacked the sexed-up, porn-influenced style of pop stars such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna and their potentially harmful influence on children.
Sweden
Introducing the Pirate Party
The Pirate Party competed in the 2006 general election, polling 0.63 percent of the votes but became the the third largest party in terms of membership by May 2009.
Sweden
Swedish court hears landmark S&M case
A 32-year-old man charged with assault after having violent sex with a teenager appeared in a Malmö courtroom on Monday in a case testing how much sexual violence is legally permitted in Sweden between consenting partners.
Germany
Werder gunning for debutant Spurs
Werder Bremen will be looking to spoil Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League debut on Tuesday, as both sides try to make do without key injured players.
Germany
Mummified baby found in cellar
A woman in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate has found the mummified body of a baby in her cellar, police said on Tuesday.
Germany
Sarrazin refuses to leave SPD despite pressure
Outgoing Bundesbank board member Thilo Sarrazin on Tuesday said he would not willingly leave the centre-left Social Democrats despite their misgivings over his controversial comments on race and immigration.
Sweden
Left Party employs stripper at election party
Left Party supporters were treated to a female stripper at an open meeting in Järna near Stockholm over the weekend, causing several members of the crowd to storm out in disgust.
Sweden
China’s Geely outlines ambitious Volvo plans
The head of Chinese automotive firm Geely has presented ambitious plans for the future of Volvo Cars, aiming to double global sales by promoting the brand in China.
Sweden
Alliance increases lead: poll
The Alliance coalition has increased its lead ahead of the Red-Greens, with 51.1 to 41.8 percent, according to a new opinion poll from Skop.