Germany

Solar power wall in Germany generates electricity

A solar power wall in a German town on the Rhine River doubles as a sound barrier protecting a neighborhood from the noise from a nearby highway.

Iran arrests two Germans for interviewing family of accused adulterer Ashtiani

The two Germans who were arrested Sunday while talking to the lawyer and son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who has been sentenced to death for adultery.

In Berlin, a subterranean Nazi-era world

Under Berlin is a web of lakes, tunnels, canals and factory infrastructure that dates to World War II.

France warns travelers of increased terrorist threat in Britain

France warned its citizens traveling to Britain to be especially vigilant, saying a terrorist attack on public transport or tourist sites is 'highly likely.'

Faisal Shahzad, French terror arrests, and drone strikes: evidence of a working strategy?

Faisal Shahzad, the would-be Times Square bomber, was sentenced today as French police arrested alleged militants. Policing and intelligence-sharing has improved dramatically since 9/11.

Germany finishes paying WWI reparations, ending century of 'guilt'

Few people in Germany noted the country's final $94 million WWI reparations payment on Sunday. Some historians say that's for the best.

Was a Mumbai-style terror attack really 'foiled'?

Public evidence out so far of a Mumbai-style terror attack contains claims that a group of men was hoping to kill people in London, but had no operatives in place, no weapons, and little in the way of logistics.

Nuclear power to remain in Germany's energy equation

Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to rely on nuclear power longer than planned has significant opposition – but the alternative is more reliance on Russian gas.

France unusually rattled as reports of Europe terror plots emerge

Reports of a possible Al Qaeda terror plot in Europe that would involve Mumbai-style strikes in Britain, France, and Germany come as France is on alert for unrelated threats.

Al Qaeda plot in Europe possibly revealed by German terror suspect

The Al Qaeda plot was reportedly a coordinated Mumbai-style attack on major cities in Britain, France, Germany, and possibly the United States.

Why many environmentalists will fight Germany's green energy plan

The German cabinet approved on Tuesday an overhaul to the country's energy production, but upset antinuclear activists by extending the life of the nuclear power plants.

German students express themselves with American hip-hop

Vocational students in Germany are given a rare chance to be in the spotlight through a partnership with an American dance organization that works with disadvantaged youth.

Germany considers scrapping the draft

Deployments in Afghanistan have tested the Army's limits and bolstered arguments to scrap the draft and build a smaller, more professional volunteer force.

70 years on, London commemorates surviving the 'blitz'

The 70th anniversary of the start of the Nazi 'Blitz' on England today was commemorated near St. Paul's Cathedral, which survived the bombing campaign as much of the city around it was reduced to rubble.

German banker comments raise concerns about new 'intellectual racism'

German banker and Bundesbank member Thilo Sarrazin caused a stir yesterday with remarks widely perceived as anti-Semitic. This comes on the heels of his disparaging comments about Muslim immigrants.

Germany's love-hate relationship with Google Street View

Thousands of Germans have reportedly requested their homes be removed from Google Street View. Millions more, however, are already avidly using the program.

Five countries challenging Google

Online privacy has become a key civil liberty battleground. Companies such as Face­book and Google are amassing data about users' choices and activities, which busi­nesses – and governments – would like access to.

Across Europe, a backlash against the storage of online users data is growing. In Germany almost 35,000 people, including Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, sued their own government over the issue.

Here are five countries where Google faces privacy, censorship, or other fights.

As Google Street View ramps up in Germany, Korea clamps down

Google today said its Street View program for Germany would launch in November. Ongoing privacy concerns have led South Korean police to raid the Street View offices in Seoul.

Why Germany closed mosque where 9/11 plotters met

German authorities say the mosque, which is where the 9/11 plotters met and reportedly was host to Muslims from many nations, was still a 'central attraction' for militants. European officials are concerned about the growing transnational nature of Islamist groups.

Pope Benedict XVI's 30-year campaign to reassert conservative Catholicism

Some believe Pope Benedict XVI is 'the greatest scholar to rule the church since [Pope] Innocent III," in the 13th century. Child-abuse scandals have marred his tenure.

Afghanistan war: Dutch withdrawal, WikiLeaks don't deter main NATO allies

The Afghanistan war has not been popular in Paris, Berlin, or London. But neither the Dutch withdrawal nor WikiLeaks revelations appears to be a threshold issue for voters.

Mickey Mouse swastika art sparks anger in Poland

An art gallery's exhibition poster that features a Mickey Mouse head and a swastika has outraged many in Poland, which lost 6 million citizens to the Holocaust.

Spain vs Germany: Three reasons why Spain will win

Spain made it this far without even hitting its stride. The team is overdue for a breakout game, and is primed for it to come in Wednesday's Spain vs Germany semifinal.

Germany vs Spain: Three reasons why Germany will win

Superior organization and a lethal attacking force will propel Germany to victory in Wednesday's Spain vs Germany semifinal. Oh, and then there's Miroslav Klose. Watch out, Spain!

Germany vs Argentina: Three reasons Germany will likely win

Germany vs Argentina is at 10 am ET on Saturday, July 3. Germany is favored because of Argentina's poor coaching, weak defense, and tendency to underperform at the World Cup.