Animal and human s rights..seem...??

German prize for Putin stirs controversy

Published: 10 Jul 11 14:41 CET

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A prominent German political prize will go to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, a spokesman said Sunday, in a move sharply criticised in the German press due to his rights record.

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The Quadriga Prize, bestowed on the anniversary of German reunification on October 3, is a private award that recognises "role models for enlightenment, dedication and the public good," the Werkstatt Deutschland organisation said.

Its board of trustees is comprised of top officials from across the political spectrum, journalists and business executives.

Previous winners include European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, former Czech president Vaclav Havel and Serbian President Boris Tadic.

Werkstatt Deutschland spokesman Stephan Clausen confirmed reports that Putin would accept the prize in Berlin.

However he admitted that the board's choice was a matter of "heated debate," with Greens party leader Cem Özdemir abstaining in the vote, which nevertheless garnered a majority for Putin.

"Reliability paired with staying power, dependability paired with the ability to communicate make up the character and personality of Vladimir Putin," the dailySüddeutsche Zeitung quoted the organisation as writing in its report on the selection of Putin.

http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110710-36199.html

Manhole rescue proves too much for plucky squirrel

Published: 5 Jul 11 14:31 CET

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An elaborate attempt to rescue a Hamburg squirrel stuck in a manhole cover ended in tragedy after the wayward rodent died, authorities said on Tuesday.

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Christened “Gullyver” (a play on the German word for sewage drainage) by theHamburger Abendblatt the red squirrel was found Monday afternoon with its head stuck helplessly in a hole in manhole cover.

Passers-by and fire fighters tried to free Gullyver but failed. So the fire department took him to a local animal shelter, where workers anaesthetized the furry beast before managing to free him using a cutting machine as well as copious amounts of soap, grease and water.

Gullyver did not appear to be badly injured at first. He was to remain under observation in an animal shelter before being released.

But on Tuesday, shelter officials said he had died shortly after midnight. Normally squirrels do not come into such close contact with humans and it all appeared to have been too much for the Gullyver.

“We assume that it has succumbed to the stress," said a spokeswoman for the shelter.

DPA/DAPD/mdm

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20110705-36091.html