BERLIN (Reuters) - The German Finance Ministry on Wednesday confirmed reports that said the German government was pushing for an extension of Jens Weidmann's contract as president of the Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, for another eight years. Weidmann's first term expires in April. The extension would in theory keep Weidmann in the mix as a possible successor to ECB chief Mario Draghi, whose job will become available at the end of October, although Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau is seen as the frontrunner. The Bundesbank said Weidmann was "a very passionate monetary policy maker and is looking forward to a second term". (Reporting by Sabine Siebold in Berlin and Frank Siebelt in Frankfurt; Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Madeline Chambers) … [Read more...] about Berlin confirms it is pushing for Weidmann to get eight more years at Bundesbank
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Ski chic on Berlin catwalk as Fashion Week kicks off
BERLIN -- Comfy puffer jackets, brightly printed tops and sleek goggles gave Berlin a cool start to its fashion week late on Monday, with German brand Bogner mixing ski and clubbing for its latest looks. Models strutted in oversized jackets teamed with tops printed with the logo of the brand founded by ski jumper Willy Bogner in 1932. They paired the looks with cosy hats and shiny tie up boots in the "Alpine Clubbing" fashion show, which drew inspiration from mountain sports and Berlin's clubbing scene. "Bogner...has always been involved in sport fashion," Bogner chief executive Andreas Baumgaertner said, adding this was the second time the brand, which has dressed the German Olympic team for Winter Games, was showing at the Berlin event. "This year we have to do even more and are excited...we are bringing sport and fashion together but with a new interpretation." Berlin Fashion Week, which runs until Friday, is known for its edgy mix of shows. On Tuesday, Sri Lankan designer Amesh … [Read more...] about Ski chic on Berlin catwalk as Fashion Week kicks off
Big Maple Leaf: Four men go on trial accused of stealing huge gold coin from Bode Museum, Berlin
A quartet has gone on trial accused of stealing a huge €3.75 million gold coin from a flagship German museum. Three of the suspects broke into Berlin's Bode Museum through an upstairs window and used a ladder, wheelbarrow and rope to extract the coin from the bulletproof glass, prosecutors say. A fourth suspect was a guard at the museum and stands accused of helping them. The nighttime theft, which took place in March 2017, saw the disappearance of a coin once recognised as one of the largest in the world. Called "Big Maple Leaf" and engraved with the picture of Queen Elizabeth II, it was one of just six produced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007. It was loaned to the museum by a private owner. Police suspect the coin was melted down and sold. Lawyers for the defendants — who hid their faces behind magazines at Thursday’s trial — said police had no proof of their clients’ involvement in the raid. … [Read more...] about Big Maple Leaf: Four men go on trial accused of stealing huge gold coin from Bode Museum, Berlin
4 on trial over theft of huge gold coin from Berlin museum
Updated 4:03 am CST, Thursday, January 10, 2019 FILE - The Dec. 12, 2010 file photo shows the gold coin 'Big Maple Leaf' in the Bode Museum in Berlin. Four young men have gone on trial over the brazen theft of a 100-kilogram (221-pound) Canadian gold coin from a Berlin museum. (Marcel Mettelsiefen/dpa via AP, file) less FILE - The Dec. 12, 2010 file photo shows the gold coin 'Big Maple Leaf' in the Bode Museum in Berlin. Four young men have gone on trial over the brazen theft of a 100-kilogram (221-pound) Canadian gold coin ... more Photo: Marcel Mettelsiefen, AP Photo: Marcel Mettelsiefen, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 FILE - The Dec. 12, 2010 file photo shows the gold coin 'Big Maple Leaf' in the Bode Museum in Berlin. Four young men have gone on trial over … [Read more...] about 4 on trial over theft of huge gold coin from Berlin museum
4 men face Berlin trial for giant gold coin heist
Four Berlin men go on trial Thursday (Jan 10) charged over the spectacular museum theft of a giant commemorative gold coin called the "Big Maple Leaf" and valued at €3.75 million (US$4.3 million). Police have found no trace of the 100-kg (220-lb) Canadian coin since the elaborate 2017 late-night heist at Berlin's Bode Museum AFP/Marcel Mettelsiefen Police have found no trace of the 100kg Canadian coin since the elaborate late-night heist in March 2017 from the German capital's Bode Museum, located close to Chancellor Angela Merkel's apartment. Authorities presume the nearly pure-gold treasure, with a face value of one million Canadian dollars, "was either cut into small pieces or taken abroad", said Berlin police at the time. The three chief suspects in the theft arrested in July 2017 are brothers Ahmed R, 20, and Wayci R, 23, and their cousin Wissam R, 21. If found guilty of theft, they would face jail terms of up to 10 years. Also in the dock in the juvenile trial is … [Read more...] about 4 men face Berlin trial for giant gold coin heist