Aviation

Lufthansa Could Benefit From European Airline Uncertainty

As European airlines suffer from rising fuel prices, experts have said larger carriers, including Germany's Lufthansa, could benefit from the industry's consolidation.

dw-world.de, 24.09.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3668141,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english

Italy’s embattled airline Alitalia is in desperate need of a buyer — or at least a potential buyer — before Thursday, Sept. 25, or it may lose its operating license. The dire situation led the company to take out advertisements in European newspapers Tuesday looking for buyers after earlier talks with Italian Air Company consortium … Weiterlesen

Russia

German Detente Supporter Bahr Says Cooperate With Russia

The West should be seeking to improve cooperation with Russia rather than getting agitated about Moscow's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, according to veteran Social Democratic politician Egon Bahr.

dw-world.de, 28.08.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3599934,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english Interview

Bahr was Deputy Minister of the Chancellery under the then German Chancellor Willy Brandt and is acknowledged as playing a major role in Brandt’s “Ostpolitik,” which sought to normalize relations with Eastern European nations by rapprochement. DW-WORLD.DE spoke to Bahr about how the West should respond to Moscow in the wake of recent events in … Weiterlesen

Georgia

German Expert: Georgia, Russia Lack Patience Needed for Peace

A former UN and OSCE mediator in Georgia told DW-WORLD.DE he isn't surprised by the Caucasus war. Lack of support from Moscow as well as Western capitals contributed to the failure of years of negotiations.

dw-world.de, 11.08.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3556019,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english Interview

A former German ambassador, Dieter Boden was the leader of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s mission to Georgia from 1995 to 1996. He was also a special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to Abkhazia and the leader of the UN observer mission in Georgia from 1999 to 2002. DW-WORLD.DE: Mr. Boden, … Weiterlesen

Georgia

Georgia’s Borders Must Be Recognized, Says Former Minister

The conflict over South Ossetia must be resolved politically, says the former education minister from Georgia, Alexander Kartosia. The territorial integrity of Georgia, however, is not up for questioning.

dw-world.de, 09.08.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1433,3549136,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english Interview

Alexander Kartosia was education minister in Georgia from 1998 to 2004. He now teaches at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) in Germany. DW-WORLD.DE: Georgia is applying military force against the breakaway enclave of South Ossetia. Is the best way to respond to claims for independence by both South Ossetia and Abkhazia? Alexander Kartosia: … Weiterlesen

Corruption

Switzerland Seeks to Clean Up its Banking Image

For years, dictators have been depositing their ill-won gains in Switzerland's banks. Now the country has started returning the money to the countries involved. But critics say it's not happening fast enough.

dw-world.de, 16.06.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3405055,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english

Like its Alpine neighbor Liechtenstein, which recently came under the spotlight in the wake of a German tax evasion scandal, Switzerland’s fabled secrecy in banking matters has attracted ill-gotten fortunes from around the world for decades. Swiss banks have woken up to the fact that being involved in shady dealings is not good for their … Weiterlesen

Russia

Germany to Help Russia Destroy Chemical Weapon Stockpile

The Russian town of Pochep is home to a massive stockpile of chemical weapons, some decades old. Too dangerous to move, Germany is helping build a facility in the town which will destroy the arsenal.

dw-world.de, 10.06.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3401229,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english

The human toll caused by chemical warfare has been well documented in conflicts such as World War I, Vietnam and the Iran-Iraq war. The dangerous weapons have been outlawed since 1997, when the multilateral Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) entered into force. Strict timelines have since been set for destroying existing chemical weapons. The 2012 deadline … Weiterlesen

Africa

EU Soldiers Accused of Torturing Civilians in Congo

The Swedish military has accused French soldiers of torturing civilians during the EU-led Operation Artemis in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003, one of the bloc's first joint missions.

dw-world.de, 29.03.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3223692,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english

Five years ago, the European Union sent some 1,500 soldiers to DR Congo as part of a UN mission to take action against the bandits marauding the north-eastern part of the country. The troops were there to protect the civilians. Now the Swedish military is saying that French soldiers tortured Congolese civilians during the operation. … Weiterlesen

Kosovo

Could an Independent Kosovo Sustain Itself Economically?

Would an independent Kosovo be able to survive on its own? The World Bank hopes the country would be able to support itself through its coal deposits. Some economists are not convinced it will be that easy.

dw-world.de, 12.02.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3122353,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english

It could all happen on February 17. Observers are expecting Kosovo to declare its independence on Sunday. Independence will give the Albanian majority what it has been dreaming of: secession from Serbia. However, behind all the hope and optimism which stirs in the province ahead of the declaration there is still some uncertainty over whether … Weiterlesen

Climate

EU Cities Commit to Climate Package, But Challenges Lay Ahead

Fighting global warming can happen one city at a time. This is the belief of those who signed up to the EU's new climate package. Now, those cities who pledged to slash their CO2 are facing the reality of their promise.

dw-world.de, 11.02.2008 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3119802,00.html

DW-WORLD.DE english

Almost 100 European cities committed themselves recently to the European Union’s campaign to fight global warming. The Covenant of Mayors, as the plan has been dubbed, commits the city councils involved to cutting emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) by more than 20 percent by 2020. London, Berlin, Venice and Warsaw are among … Weiterlesen