germanynews.expatlifespain.com2012-02-05T12:28:00Z2012-02-05T12:28:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-05:/357503/white-rose-founder-declared-a-saint//

The Russian-Orthodox Church canonised one of the founders of the anti-fascist group the "White Rose," Alexander Schmorell, over the weekend in Munich, nearly 70 years after his execution by the Nazis.

2012-02-05T12:10:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-05:/357504/socks-provided-key-clue-in-neo-nazi-case//

Police investigating the Zwickau-based neo-Nazi terror cell identified one of the group's alleged members, Beate Zschäpe, as the person who blew up the home she shared with two other suspects by analysing her socks, a new report said.

2012-02-05T10:48:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-05:/357459/wulff-under-fire-over-car-lease-deal//

German President Christian Wulff faced fresh allegations at the weekend over his conduct in office, with a new report claiming he leased a car from the VW Group for a special discount.

2012-02-05T10:02:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-05:/357416/bavarian-school-bars-impolite-greetings//

The head of a middle school in the southern German town of Passau has declared the forms of "hello" and "goodbye" commonly used among northerners unwillkommen in the classroom, claiming they sound disrespectful.

2012-02-05T08:32:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-05:/357417/westerwelle-hammers-china-russia-over-veto//

Germany's foreign minister heaped criticism on Russia and China on Saturday over their veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at ending the violence in Syria, calling it a "veto against the Syrian people."

2012-02-05T07:55:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-05:/357368/mep-suggests-rebranding-greece//

A politician with the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) said at the weekend debt-burdened Greece is in need of a new image - and proposed giving the country a new name internationally to help it start over.

2012-02-04T13:47:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-04:/357126/de-maiziere-urges-more-military-might-in-europe//

German Defence Minister Thomas de Maizière said Europe should not fear a renewed US focus on Asia and must increasingly look after its own backyard militarily, in remarks made during the 48th annual Munich Security Conference.

2012-02-04T13:08:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-04:/357127/coldest-night-yet-grips-germany//

The cold snap that has put much of Europe in a deep freeze reached its chilliest point in Germany on Friday, with minus 27-degree temperatures making for the coldest night of the winter season.

2012-02-04T12:29:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-04:/357128/merkel-gives-mixed-review-of-china-trip//

German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of stronger ties between China and Germany on the heels of her visit to the country, but voiced concern about attempts to keep her from meeting with government critics during her trip.

2012-02-04T09:31:00Ztag:germanynews.expatlifespain.com,2012-02-04:/357069/politician-slammed-for-remarks-on-sharia-courts//

The justice minister in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate has sparked outrage after proposing that Germany could permit Sharia courts, which operate according to Islamic law, to preside over some civil cases in the country.