Caravaggio recovered in Berlin

A 400-year old painting widely attributed to Italian baroque master Caravaggio, stolen from a museum in the Ukraine two years ago, has been recovered in Berlin by German special forces. German experts have authenticated the painting The Taking of Christ...

Berlin spends most on childcare

A study by the Bertelsmann Foundation has shown that Berlin spends the highest amount in Germany on childcare for the under sixes, says The Local online. In 2007 Berlin spent €4,150 per child, followed by Hamburg that spent €3,400 per...

Berlin's bear is stressed say animal rights activists

Berlin’s global star, the polar bear Knut, has behavioral problems linked to being in too small an enclosure, says animal rights organisation Peta. Current legislation demands that an enclosure housing two polar bears should be a minimum of 200 sqm....

Berlin gives approval to Kurfürstendamm redevelopment

A new theatre on Berlin’s famous Kurfürstendamm and proposed redevelopment of the Kudamm Karree retail and entertainment complex has been given the approval of Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit. Proposals from architects David Chipperfield include a new 650-seat theatre based on...

Unemployment figures for Berlin show fall

Unemployment in the Berlin-Brandenburg region has fallen year on year and month on month. Official figures for May show 17,500 fewer registered unemployed in the region than in the previous month, and 26,000 fewer than in May 2009. The overall...

Berlin-Brandenburg airport faces delays

German news agency DPA reports that the opening of the €2.5 billion Berlin-Brandenburg International (BBI) airport could be delayed by a year because of the financial collapse of a major contactor. The new airport will replace Tegel airport in former...

Berlin’s Muslims face discrimination

Berlin’s Muslims are experiencing discrimination in schools and when looking for employment, according to a recent report says Spiegel Online. Researchers from the Open Society Institute (OSI), a non-profit organisation founded by financier George Soros, interviewed Muslims of Turkish, Iraqi,...

Berlin Philharmonic confirms new director

Berlin’s world famous Philharmonic Orchestra, considered one of the top three in the world, has confirmed the appointment of its new director, whose experience lies in television broadcasting. Martin Hoffman, who previously headed German broadcaster Sat 1, is thought to...

More car thefts in Berlin

Car thefts in Berlin rose sharply by 38.2 per cent in 2009 according to a report in daily Die Welt, says The Local online. Over 7,000 cars were stolen in Berlin in 2009, most frequently luxury brands such as Audi,...

Some Germans nostalgic for the Berlin Wall

Germans think Berlin Wall was better for the city International news agency AFP reports that almost one in four Germans “sometimes think it would be better if the Berlin Wall were still there”, according to a survey undertaken for daily newspaper...