PAYING THE PIPER: Germany Reopens Hundreds of Nazi Investigations!!

Now that John Demjanjuk has been convicted of war crimes, Germany has reopened investigations into hundreds of other former Nazi death camp guards, looking for ones who might share his profile. Demjanjuk's conviction sets a precedent that could allow others to be charged, prosecutors say, although they are waiting until his appeals process finishes to actually file charges.

The investigations, however, have already begun, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center's head Nazi hunter will start tracking down war criminals in the next two months, the Guardian reports. Demjanjuk became the first person to be convicted in a Nazi-era case without direct evidence he took part in a specific murder—prosecutors argued that proving he was a guard at a camp whose sole purpose was killing people was enough. Even the very narrowest scenario—estimating that of about 4,000 possible suspects, 2% are still alive, and 50% of those people are healthy enough to stand trial—still allows for an estimated 40 people to be prosecuted, says the head of the Nazi war crimes division of the German prosecutor's office, "so there is incredible potential."

BEEFCAKE: Vienna's Hot Loads of Laundry!

TRIPLE: Gay Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit to Get Third Term!

Berlin's Socialist Democrats have won the regional elections, which is good news for gay mayor Klaus Wowereit: The success of the SPD means that Berlin's mayor, Klaus Wowereit, will remain in office for a third term. Wowereit, who became the first openly gay leader of a German state in 2001, is known for his popular touch and distinctive Berlin accent.

He has ruled in alliance with the Left Party for 10 years but could switch allegiance to the Greens, who made gains of 4.5 percent and polled 17.6 percent. The Left Party secured 11.7 percent of the vote. A coalition with the CDU would also be possible.

Deutsche Welle adds that the win also boosts Wowereit's chances for a run at the Chancellery in 2013.

LOVE for SALE: Germany Installs Street Meters for Prostitutes!

Prostitution is not only legal in Bonn, Germany, the city has implemented a new "sex tax" for prostitutes who want to ply their trade. City officials also have come up with a novel way to get their money: They've installed automated meters in red-light districts, akin to parking meters, reports Der Spiegel. 

Prostitutes who want to work must plug in about $9 and get their nightly permit. Those caught without one face fines of about $150. "It's not fair that some women who work in establishments like sex centers or sauna clubs are taxed only because we can find them more easily there," explains a city official. Plus, many of the streetwalkers come from other countries and struggle with the appropriate paperwork. The permit-dispensing meters makes it a snap.

DON'T CRY: Did Eva Peron Help Nazis, Hide Jewish Treasure?

A new book is giving Argentina a new reason not to cry for Eva Peron: She helped a number of Nazis who fled Europe after World War II, and was rumored to have harbored treasures taken from their Jewish victims. The accusations come from The Politically Incorrect Guide to Latin America, a controversial new book that aims to dredge up dirt on the region’s most beloved leftist leaders, the Telegraph reports. 

Among those Peron allegedly helped: Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele. Peron isn’t the book’s only target. It also alleges that Simon Bolivar’s “greatest fear was that blacks, Indians, and those of mixed race would take power.” Salvador Allende, meanwhile, is accused of installing a “project of socialist doctrination in schools,” and of considering a Nazi-inspired sterilization program. The book has sparked much controversy, with critics saying it lacks historical context. “It is not a historical guide,” co-author Leandro Narloch counters. “We only show the unpleasant side of history’s heroes.”

BENDER: UK Spies Plotted to Feed Hitler Estrogen!

In one of the British forces' wackier schemes to rid the world of Adolph Hitler's violence, secret agents plotted to slip estrogen in the fuhrer's food in a bid to tame his aggression, according to a new book. The estrogen would be tasteless and the transformation gradual as Hitler changed from a "herr" to a "her," as the Daily Mail quips. 

It's not clear if the plot was launched, but it was seriously considered by the government, according to the book Secret Weapons: Technology, Science and the Race to Win World War II, written by Cardiff University Professor Brian Ford. "Research had shown the importance of sex hormones; they were beginning to be used in sex therapy in London," says Ford. "The Allies hoped to smuggle estrogen into Hitler's food and change his sex so he would become more feminine and less aggressive. Hitler had testers who tasted his meals so there was not mileage in putting poison in his food because they would immediately fall victim to it. Sex hormones were a different matter." The Nazis had their own digestive plots. If they lost the war, they planned to leave poisoned sausages, chocolate, and Nescafe behind for the Allied troops to find, according to Ford.

THAWED: Polar Bear Kills Tourist in Norway!

A British tourist is dead and four people are seriously injured after a polar bear attacked them today in Norway. The five were part of a group of campers in the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard, according to a district governor's spokesperson. The group reported the mauling via satellite phone at 7:30am, and "there are no roads in the area of the Von Postbreen glacier where the incident happened so we scrambled a helicopter," the spokesperson says. The bear has been killed and the four victims are at a hospital, the Telegraph reports. 

The Guardian notes that the group was visiting a "beauty spot" on Spitsbergen, a remote island. "It's not been the first time," says a local of the attack. "Last summer a man was attacked by a polar bear and there have also been attacks on a man from Austria and a girl. ... The problem is when the ice goes the bears lose their way and cannot catch food. People don't really how dangerous they are; one came down to the sea recently and people were running down to take pictures."

OBIT: Last Known 'Pink Triangle' Holocaust Survivor, Has Died at 98!

Rudolf Brazda, the last known survivor of the 'Pink Triangles', deported by the Nazis for homosexuality, has died at the age of 98, AFP reports: "Rudolf was sleeping peacefully in his sleep at dawn on August 3, he resided since last June in a hospital for the dependent elderly in Bantry (Haut-Rhin)," according to his entourage. The funeral of the man of Czech origin naturalized French in 1960 will be held Monday in Mulhouse, said the funeral.

"In accordance with his will, his remains will be cremated and his ashes placed alongside those of his life partner of more than 50 years, Edward Mayer, who died in 2003 in Mulhouse," add friends.

HUNTED: Rapist Nabbed by Sperm-Sniffing Dog!

Forget drug-sniffing dogs: Sweden has its very own sperm-sniffing dog named Rapports Opus, and he recently helped police catch an alleged rapist. Rapports Opus trained for a year to become the only sperm-sniffing dog in southern Sweden, and he was brought to a park where a man had been accused of forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him. There, the dog found traces of semen, which were matched with the 23-year-old suspect's DNA, the Local reports. 

The man was charged with rape, and Rapports Opus's trainer will testify at his trial. It will be the first time evidence discovered by the dog will be used in court.

V-DAY: Japan Soccer Champs: Take That, Tsunami!

Japan's World Cup soccer victory over the US women's team yesterday devastated the Yanks, but also gave a major kick in the pants to the bad fortunes haunting a nation struggling in the wake of a devastating tsunami. It was the first-ever World Cup win for the gutsy women, who endured to outshine the US team in a penalty shootout 3-1. "This was a devastating loss for us," says US midfielder Heather O'Reilly. "We were all stunned when that second goal went in, thinking we were five minutes from a championship." The US dominated play throughout much of the game, and was up 1-0, then 2-1 until a tie pushed the contest into overtime, then, finally the shootout. Nimble, quicksilver Japanese goalie Ayumi Kaihori nabbed two of the American penalty kicks, and Carli Lloyd sent her ball sailing over the crossbars, giving the Japanese their victory margin. Though heartsick, the Americans were generous in defeat, notes the Wall Street Journal. 

"Japan was playing with a very large 12th man—it's called desire and hope," says US striker Abby Wambach. "I feel devastated. Japan, give them all the credit. They never gave up." Adds goalkeeper Hope Solo: "We lost to a great team. I truly believe that something bigger was pulling for this team."

Wambach Fever! USA Advances to World Cup Final!

One more win for the World Cup: The US women's soccer team beat France 3-1 today to advance to the finals on Sunday. With the game tied 1-1, Abby Wambach headed in a goal (again!) to give USA the lead with about 10 minutes left. Alex Morgan made it 3-1 shortly after. The women will play either Japan or Sweden for the championship, and they are the favorites now that Germany and Brazil are gone. Bleacher Report followed the game with a live blog, and AP has more details.

GENDER FREE: Gender-Neutral Pre-School Cans the Words Boy, Girl!

Teachers don't say things like "him" or "her," or read fairy tales like Cinderella or Snow White at the gender-neutral Egalia pre-school in Sweden, and boys and girls play either in the play kitchen or with Legos, reports CNN. The Stockholm classroom uses the genderless pronoun “hen,” as opposed to "han" or "hon," to address children. "Society expects girls to be girlie, nice and pretty, and boys to be manly, rough and outgoing," a teacher told the AP.

"Egalia gives them a fantastic opportunity to be whoever they want to be." Sweden and three other Nordic countries are leaders in the global gender gap, and the Swedes are also at the forefront in legalizing gay and lesbian partnerships, according to the 2010 World Economic Forum.

WARNING: German captain advises gay football players Stay in the closet!

Philipp Lahm, the captain of the German football team, has told homosexual players to keep their sexuality secret to avoid being verbally abused, according to the Montreal Gazette.

The Bayern Munich player, who is 27 and married last year, said it would be "very difficult" for a footballer to be "openly gay". But he insisted he would be comfortable to learn that any of his team-mates were gay.

The player's comments will fuel the debate about homophobia in the game and could lead to him being sanctioned by the German football federation, the DFB. In common with many national associations around the world, the DFB is keen to be seen to fight prejudice in the game. Its president, Theo Zwanziger, recently called for homosexual players to come out and promised them the association's help.

In March, he said: "I would find it brave and would welcome it if a football player would come out."

FUNNY: BORED Boars Invade Berlin!

Wild boars are increasingly intruding into Berlin, rummaging through garbage bins and destroying lawns and property, reports the BBC. Shooting boars is dangerous in cities, and the smart animals quickly learn to avoid traps. But now Berlin has hired a wild boar hunter to try to control the pests. "They go through gardens and parks, and sometimes they bite people," said the hunter. Despite the trouble they cause, however, some Berliners enjoy the boars and feed them. "I'm very fond of them," said one woman, "They're my friends."

Where Did the Easter Bunny Come From? Germany!

Take a break from the Cadbury Cream Eggs and study up on a little Easter trivia. Namely: Why is there an Easter Bunny? And why does said bunny hide eggs? The San Jose Mercury News takes a look at the furry creature's fuzzy origins. Some say he hopped on to the scene in 13th-century Germany, where Eostre, the goddess of spring and the dawn, was celebrated—and depicted as a beautiful maiden toting a basket of eggs (dyed red) and two baby hares.


Others says the idea of giving out eggs in springtime has even more ancient origins—among the Persians—while bunnies appeared in Celtic lore. Regardless, there's a good chance the bunny's roots are cloaked in pagan fertility rituals. He likely first came on to the US scene in the 1700s, imported by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania Dutch country. He officially reached star status in 1878, when, under the eye of Rutherford B. Hayes, the first White House Easter Egg Roll took place.

HAPPY EASTER from OUTview!

Germany expels anti-gay imam after rally for Islam!

Authorities in Germany have ordered the expulsion of a visiting imam who argues that practicing homosexuals should be sentenced to death, officials said Thursday, according to Monsters and Critics.com.


The move comes a day after Abu Ameena Bilal Philips delivered an open-air speech to around 2,000 Muslims in Frankfurt.

The convert to Islam, who is in his 60s, did not repeat his views on homosexuality during Wednesday's rally. Bystanders said the speeches at the rally for Islam were not inflammatory. About 500 opponents demonstrated against him as he spoke.

German officials said they had prepared an order, before he was due to speak, instructing Philips to leave the country by Saturday night and never return.

Philips is entitled to appeal the order, but only from abroad, police said, and must mail in proof that he has left. An arrest warrant is ready in case he does not leave before the expulsion deadline.

First Turkish Woman Strips for German Playboy!

Germany's debate over multiculturalism just got a lot spicier. Soap opera star Sila Sahin has become the first woman from the country's 3.5 million-strong Turkish community to strip for the German version of Playboy, reports Time. Sahin says she "feels like Che Guevara" and she wants the photoshoot to send a message to other young Muslims, who often lack the freedoms afforded to their ethnic German peers.

"For me, these pictures are an act of liberation from the cultural constraints of my childhood," Sahin says. "I have tried to please everybody for too long. With these images I want to show young Turkish women that it is OK to live the way they are, that it is not cheap to show skin, that you should pursue your goals instead of bowing down to others." The photoshoot has upset conservative Muslims, including most of her own extended family, reports the Daily Mail. Sahin says that her father, also an actor, is the only family member still speaking to her.

Westerwelle Resigns Party Leadership!

Guido Westerwelle, the gay foreign minister of Germany, resigned his post as leader of the Free Democrats party following a string of election defeats that have threatened the center-right coalition of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

According to Der Spiegel, Westerwelle announced Sunday that he would step down as the leader of the business-friendly Free Democrats. On Tuesday the party selected Vietnamese-born health minister Philipp Rösler to replace him, with an official vote set for next month during the party conference.

Westerwelle also said he would step down as vice chancellor. He will retain his foreign minister post though doubts exist about his future in the role at a critical time for German diplomacy.

Bernard's first state dinner is with Germany in June!

Monday's political buzz may have centered around President Obama beginning his re-election bid, but for those with a close eye to the social calendar, the big news was the administration's announcement of a fourth state dinner, one scheduled for June 7 with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This will be the first big test for Jeremy Bernard, the White House's newest social secretary, who comes to the position as the first male and first openly gay party planner-in-chief, Reports Washington Examiner.

"That's going to be a very exciting dinner, not only because it will be his first, but I think the Germans have been a great ally and to entertain them would be terrific," gushed former White House Social Secretary Laurie Firestone, who had the gig the last time the White House entertained a German head of state, in April 1992 under President George H.W. Bush.

Christopher Isherwood: A singular talent laid bare!

Christopher Isherwood is back in vogue. Not that he's ever entirely been out of fashion, of course, thanks to the ongoing success of the various revivals of Cabaret the musical, but the author himself, unencumbered by memories of Weimar nightclub chanteuse Sally Bowles in suspenders and bowler hat, seems to have been firmly rediscovered in the last couple of years, Reports The Independent.

There was Tom Ford's freshly exfoliated and impeccably dressed screen adaptation of A Single Man, starring an Oscar-nominated and Bafta-winning Colin Firth, as well as the documentary Chris & Don: A Love Story, charting the 30-year-relationship of Isherwood and his partner, the painter Don Bachardy. And more recently we've had Radio 4's Sunday afternoon classic serial Goodbye to Berlin, and the publication of volume two of Isherwood's diaries, covering the 1960s. You could say that Isherwood is on trend for the first time since the Sixties and Seventies, when his message that you could be homosexual and happy was little less than revolutionary.

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