Swedish UN worker dead after Afghanistan demo
A 33-year-old Swedish man was among a number of United Nations personnel killed in Afghanistan on Friday after a demonstration turned violent in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
Day: April 1, 2011
Germany
US attack jet crashes in the Eifel
An American attack jet crashed in Germany’s western Eifel region on Friday near Laufeld. The pilot was able to eject and has been taken to a nearby hospital.
Sweden
Sex-chamber suspect remanded in custody
The 47-year-old man suspected of holding a woman prisoner in an underground sex-chamber in western Sweden was remanded in custody on Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and aggravated rape.
Germany
Deutsche Börse aims to fend off Nasdaq interest in NYSE
German stock exchange operator Deutsche Börse insisted Friday its mooted merger with the New York Stock Exchange was the better deal after a rival bid emerged from Nasdaq and ICE.
Germany
Westerwelle reportedly set to quit as FDP leader
After a decade as chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Guido Westerwelle is considering bowing to intense pressure and stepping down in the wake of poor election performances, media reported Friday.
Sweden
Eurail and InterRail Passes: Where a journey becomes an adventure
Whether it’s reading in the light of the Eiffel tower or discovering lavender fields in Croatia, taking the train gives you the opportunity to explore Europe at your own speed - and make friends along the way.
Sweden
Norway seeks mandate to sell SAS stake
A decision by the Norwegian government on Friday to seek permission to sell its stake in SAS has no impact on Sweden's stance on the possible sale of its shares in the Scandinavian airline.
Germany
Ballack fined €8,000 for anti-FC Köln chant
Germany captain Michael Ballack has been fined €8,000 for yelling “Scheiß FC Köln” – a chant his Bayer Leverkusen club supporters hurl at their traditional rivals – through a megaphone.
Sweden
Swedish media join in foolish April fun
Shampoo for shaggy hardrocker festival-goers, dog poop fireworks to save the environment, as well as The Local's own anti-feminist Viking village in Sweden's far north, were among the April Fools' Day hoaxes in the Swedish media on Friday.
Germany
Knut drowned after brain inflammation
Berlin Zoo's superstar polar bear Knut died from drowning after swelling in the brain caused him to collapse and fall into the pool in his enclosure, preliminary autopsy results showed Friday.
Germany
Stuttgart 21 exit strategies canvassed
Rail operator Deutsche Bahn and the city of Stuttgart are reportedly discussing exit strategies from the €4.1-billion Stuttgart 21 project in the wake of the radically changed political climate following Sunday’s state election in Baden-Württemberg.
Germany
More welfare cheats slapped with fines
German authorities caught a record number of people cheating the Hartz IV welfare benefits system last year, according to a Friday news report.
Germany
Berlin party scene rallies to help family in need
Berlin’s party scene is holding a benefit event for the family of Frank Barnes, a British robot builder whose partner suffered serious injuries in childbirth. Hannah Cleaver has the details.
Sweden
Swedish house votes for Libya mission
Sweden's Riksdag on Friday voted overwhelmingly in favour of Sweden sending JAS Gripen fighter aircraft to Libya to monitor a UN-backed no-fly zone.
Sweden
A preview of the 2011 Allsvenskan football season
April is here, which brings the start of the Swedish professional football season. With play set to kick off on Saturday, contributor Nic Townsend takes a look at which teams are expected to vie for the Allsvenskan title.
Sweden
Swedish UN worker killed in Ivory Coast
A Swedish United Nations employee was shot and killed in Abidjan by a stray bullet, the Swedish foreign ministry said Friday.
Switzerland
Force prostitute clients to wear condoms – Greens
Greens in Zurich are calling for hefty fines against those clients who force prostitutes to have sex without a condom.
Switzerland
Trainees pay for work experience at Zurich Zoo
Young people who want to train at the Zurich zoo are being asked to pay 100 francs per week in an effort to control the number of applications.
Sweden
Foreign students turn their backs on Sweden
The number of overseas students enrolled on international Masters degree programmes in Sweden has declined by 58 percent, since the government introduced fees for non-EU students last year, a new report shows.
Sweden
Deliveries resume after late Saab payment
A supplier to Swedish carmaker Saab said Friday it had resumed deliveries to the brand, sold last year to luxury Dutch carmaker Spyker, because of unpaid bills.
Germany
Germany and China call for Libya ceasefire
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has joined with China in calling for a ceasefire in Libya and insisting that the situation cannot be solved by “military means.”
Switzerland
Images of Basel diamond thieves captured
Swiss police have handed to Interpol images of suspects believed to have stolen four diamonds from the world's biggest watch and jewellery fair in the city of Basel.
Switzerland
Extra checks on Japan imports
Switzerland has toughened checks on food imported from Japan, amid fears of radioactive contamination from the country's nuclear disaster.
Sweden
Sweden’s Sedin scores in Canucks trophy win
Swedish hockey star Daniel Sedin scored and set up the winner as the Vancouver Canucks claimed their first Presidents' Trophy on Thursday, beating Los Angeles.
Germany
Nuclear suspension faces court challenge by RWE
Energy company RWE has become the first firm to launch a legal challenge against the Merkel government’s controversial three-month suspension of older nuclear reactors.
Sweden
Anti-feminist ‘Viking’ community uncovered in Swedish wilds
An isolated community of “Vikings” has been found in one of the most remote parts of Europe, living on the fringes of civilisation near Sarek national park and established in response to ‘feminist dogma’.
Sweden
Juholt backed by a quarter of Swedes: poll
Some 27 percent of Swedes have confidence in the new Social Democrat leader Håkan Juholt, a new poll shows, roughly comparable with the support enjoyed by former leader Mona Sahlin.
Germany
Knut to be skinned, plasticized by ‘Dr Death’
The skinless body of Berlin's beloved polar bear Knut will be plasticized and put on display by the notorious German anatomist Gunther von Hagens known as “Dr Death” – zoo officials announced on Friday.
Germany
Eurail and InterRail Passes: Where a journey becomes an adventure
Whether it’s reading in the light of the Eiffel tower or discovering lavender fields in Croatia, taking the train gives you the opportunity to explore Europe at your own speed - and make friends along the way.