Germany's central bank said Thursday that it will request the dismissal of board member Thilo Sarrazin whose comments stereotyping Muslim immigrnts drew outrage from government officials.

The German railway, Deutsche Bahn, says it will test a high-speed train in the Channel Tunnel between France and Britain sometime around October 19.

"Germany is Doing Away With Itself," claims a new controversial book, blaming partially the country's low birth rate. But does it? A new study finds that Germans suddenly are willing to make more babies.

German politicians called for airlines to provide passengers with more leg room to insure their security and health, in addition to justifying rising ticket prices, The Local online reports.

Germany's Catholic bishops have approved new guidelines for handling claims of sex abuse by church personnel to facilitate cooperation with law enforcement bodies.

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde seized on remarks by German Chancelor Angela Merkel on Monday expressing support for German workers who are not benefiting from the country's boom.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s deputy and her main coalition ally is facing growing calls to quit as head of the Free Democratic Party as its support hovers near historic lows.

A prominent official has caused an outcry with a new book in which he predicts Germany's demise. He blames the growing Muslim minority unwilling to integrate and "stupid" immigration poilicies. 

A debate still smoulders over one of the most disastrous military endeavors of World War II that took place in the French coastal town of  Dieppe 70 years ago this week.

The government reported a record 2.2 per cent rise in the gross domestic product during the second quarter - the fastest quarterly growth rate seen in reunified Germany. But there is more to it than meets the eye.

Scientists have found a new planetary system with as many as seven planets orbiting a sun-like star.
If would be the richest system of planets outside our own solar system ever found.

Bavarian doctors began a two-day strike to air their concerns about the German government's policies. They  will refuse to see patients during that time.

Employers have turned to Facebook and other social networking sites to ensure its employee's behavior is on the up and up. In Germany, that practice may become illegal.

Germany's cabinet agreed to a new tax on banks, with Berlin continuing to press other governments to implement a similar levy to help meet the costs of future financial crises.

Famous sex therapist "Dr. Ruth" Westheimer will lead this year's Steuben Parade on Sept 25. Stephanie Russell-Kraft joins her as the 2010 Miss German-America. (Please read her story in "germericana" to the left). 

Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache has spoken out against the construction of additional minarets in Austria. "We say yes to houses of prayers, but no to minarets and muezzins," he said.

Defense Minister zu Guttenberg proposed to cut by one-third to 163,500 the number of Bundeswehr soldiers over the next few years and suspend the draft in the short term.

The proposed mosque near ground zero drew hundreds of fever-pitch demonstrators Sunday, with opponents carrying signs associating Islam with blood, supporters shouting, "Say no to racist fear!" and American flags waving on both sides. An American Islamic expert takes a look at the debate.

Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has acknowledged efforts by the Swiss abroad to push for a greater role in politics. She pledged to keep a quality service for the expatriate community.

Turkish politician Serkan Toeren calls for a ban on the full-body veil worn by Muslim women. Toeren wants to follow France and Belgium.

Human remains discovered by archaeologists in a field near the Czech town of Jihlava are believed to belong to local ethnic Germans murdered by vigilante groups towards the end of the Second World War.

Swiss motorists are bracing for the imminent arrival of the Trafistar SR590 - a new speed camera able to detect multiple traffic offenses.

Electric vehicles have set off from Geneva on an epic race around the world that aims to be carbon emission-free.
The Zero Race is intended to also raise awareness about climate change, mobility and renewable energies.

More than 5,000 Orthodox Christians celebrated mass at a monastery in Turkey for the first time in 87 years Sunday, after receiving special permission from Ankara.

The Hindenburg Omen was triggered last week when the steep drop of U.S. stocks raised fears of a more severe sell-off ahead. The indicator is named after the airship Hindenburg that crashed in Lakehurst, N.J., in 1937.

Austria's star actor, Oscar-winner and "Inglourious Basterd" Christoph Waltz, is not Austrian, local media reported Thursday. Born in Vienna, where he also went to school and studied drama, Waltz nevertheless holds a German passport like his father, although his mother is Austrian.

Germany must face a lawsuit over bonds that defaulted under Adolf Hitler in the 1930s, a U.S. appeals court ruled, saying the nation isn’t immune from the claims and that American courts have jurisdiction to decide whether the bonds are enforceable.

Berlin is “poor, but sexy,” says Mayor Klaus Wowereit. But there is more to it: Germany’s capital also is growing faster economically than all other regions. However, problems persist.

Austrian billionaire entrepreneur Martin Schlaff reportedly used his close connections to Libyan and Israeli politicians and businessmen to help free Israeli photographer Rafael Hadad from Libyan custody.