German Cardinal Uses Nazi Term to Describe Art

Hitler ordered Porsche to replicated Josef Ganz's prototype

(NEWSER) - Adolf Hitler took the original design for the Volkswagen Beetle from the brainchild of a Jewish engineer, the Jerusalem Post reports. Historian Paul Schilperoord claims in his forthcoming book The True History of the Beetle that a prototype Josef Ganz designed in the late '20s had many of the Beetle’s distinctive features, such as a rear-mounted engine. He even called the completed prototype, constructed in 1931, the Maikäfer, or "May-Beetle." More»

(NEWSER) - Hitler's autobiography-manifesto Mein Kampf has been strictly banned in Germany since the end of World War II, but a proposal to reprint it has the endorsement of the country's leading Jewish organization, among other groups, reports the Independent. "A historically critical edition needs to be prepared today to prevent neo-Nazis profiting from it," said the head of the Central Council of Jews. But politicians and many academics oppose the effort. More»

Project aims to revive church's role as a sponsor of the arts

(NEWSER) - The Vatican was the world's biggest buyer of modern art in the days when modern art meant Michelangelo, but its influence on art has ebbed in recent centuries. The church now plans to put itself back in the forefront of the art world, Newsweek reports. A commission of critics and clergy will search for artists able to put a new twist on ancient spiritual themes. More»

Network provides glimpse of megalomaniac's plans for world capital

(NEWSER) - Berlin has opened three vast tunnels under the city built as part of Adolf Hitler's vision of a grandiose Nazi capital, Reuters reports. The tunnels were to house a transit system beneath planned boulevards, squares, and huge buildings, including a Great Hall with room for 180,000 people. The Albert Speer-designed plans for the new capital—known as "Germania"—were halted by the outbreak of World War II. More»

They use image of Hitler deputy Hess

(NEWSER) - Neo-Nazis in Germany pulled a fast one on the national postal service by tricking the agency into making stamps featuring one of Hitler’s senior deputies, der Spiegel reports. The skinheads used a Deutsche Post service that allows people to upload images for custom stamps online to create about 20 with images of Rudolph Hess. "The Hess stamp is out there," gloated one magazine. Deutsche Post says it's reviewing its policies. More»