Berlin news stories on Newser

Man Dressed as Santa Drugs 9th Victim at Market

Evann Gastaldo — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:10:05 CST

A ho-ho-horrible story out of Berlin, where police say a man dressed as Santa drugged a teenager Saturday night at a Christmas market. The suspect offered the 15-year-old girl and her friend a shot of alcohol; the friend refused, but the victim drank both and soon began vomiting. Police say...

Cops Thwart Firebomb Attack on Berlin Station

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:36:53 CDT

Police thwarted a firebomb attack on Berlin's central train station yesterday after a worker discovered several incendiary devices hooked up to detonators. The planned attack was claimed by a leftist group protesting Germany's involvement in the Afghan war and demanding the release of suspected WikiLeaks source US Private Bradley Manniing....

Men's Marathon Record Shattered

Mark Russell — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 06:29:13 CDT

Kenyan runner Patrick Makau shattered the world record for the men's marathon yesterday in Berlin, chopping 21 seconds from the previous best time, reports Reuters . With temperatures around 72 degrees, Makau ran the race in 2:03:38. "This is the greatest day of my running life," said the 26-year-old,...

'Sensual' Phones Kiss, Cuddle

Mary Papenfuss — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:47:15 CDT

Here's a cellphone that's got your number. In pursuit of more "emotional" and "sensory" phones, a designer at the Berlin University of the Arts has come up with three different touchy-feelie models that will blow on your neck, coo, and even kiss, reports the Los Angeles Times . One prototype has...

Berlin Wall Turning Into Kitschy Tourist Trap

Sarah Whitmire — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:15:05 CDT

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the start of construction on the Berlin Wall, prompting Der Spiegel to assess how Germany is handling its Cold War legacy. Answer: With kitsch, and lots of it. Entrepreneurs have found ways to capitalize, primarily in irreverent ways. They're trying everything from guided tours...

Boars Invade Berlin

Mark Russell — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:24:20 CDT

Wild boars are increasingly intruding into Berlin, rummaging through garbage bins and destroying lawns and property, reports the BBC . Shooting boars is dangerous in cities, and the smart animals quickly learn to avoid traps. But now Berlin has hired a wild boar hunter to try to control the pests. "They...

Europe Dismayed by Stumbling, Gun-Crazed America

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:05:09 CST

While Americans are wringing their hands, trying to make some sense of a senseless act, the rest of the world is shaking its head in dismay. To Europeans in particular, the shooting deaths of 6 people and the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is symptomatic of a gun-obsessed nation...

Germany Hunts for Pair of Suicide Bombers

Matt Cantor — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:13:05 CST

From vague warning to a more detailed threat: German authorities are on the hunt for two suspected suicide bombers who are thought to have arrived in Berlin from Pakistan’s Waziristan region some 6 weeks ago, hiding out and wearing Western clothes in an effort to avoid detection. Police are poring...

Nazi-Era Trove of 'Degenerate Art' Discovered

Rob Quinn — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:50:00 CST

A stash of sculptures that survived both the Nazis and Allied firebombing has been found by workers digging a new subway line in Berlin. The sculptures, all from early 20th-century artists, were on a list of "degenerate" artworks shunned by the Nazis for having Jewish or otherwise non-German influences and...