The church victorious

THE churches and the trade unions have fought hard to keep Sunday sacrosanct, and they have won. After a recommendation by 13 of Germany's 16 states, German shops may, at last, be allowed to stay open until 10pm on weekdays and until 8pm, instead of the present 4pm, on Saturdays (see article). But the seventh day will remain a day of rest: no shopping, no lawn-mowing, no noisy do-it-yourself activities, no unsightly washing on the line. Gott sei Dank. The 27m registered Catholics and as many Protestants, one-third apiece of Germany's population, will continue to be able to practise their faith without distraction.