Christmas Markets Opening in Germany and USA
A favorite pastime for Germans and tourists alike is savoring the winter holiday season at a local Christmas market. The colorful fairs spring up in most towns and cities for the four-week Advent season leading up to Christmas Eve. Across the United States, many cities boast their own reincarnations of the traditional German Christmas market.
“Only a comprehensive and equitable two-state solution can lead to lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle underlined following talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
Westerwelle in Ramallah
Chancellor Merkel and French President Sarkozy called on the international community to make a clear political commitment in Copenhagen to the "2-degree target," according to which global warming is to be limited to no more than 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.
Merkel Calls for Agreement
The EU has two new faces in new top jobs: Belgian Prime Minister Van Rompuy will be the first permanent President of the European Council and Catherine Ashton will represent Europe as its first High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy.
EU Chooses Officers
Germany's polar research plane has technology that allows it to access remote corners of Antarctica. Its research is providing a detailed look at the breakup of the supercontinent known as Gondwana.
Polar Research Aircraft
Historians have attempted for years to clarify where the stolen skull of poet Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) has ended up. Now they have announced the search will end, even though the case is far from closed.
Schiller Skull Mystery
Michael Ende, one of Germany's most popular postwar writers of children's books, would have turned 80 this year. His books, includin Die unendliche Geschichte (The Neverending Story), have been translated into 45 languages and have sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
Michael Ende
Latest update: influenza A (H1N1) ("swine flu")
Please take note of the current travel and safety advice for your country of destination, the Federal Foreign Office's recommendations on an influenza pandemic, as well as further information on the website of the Robert Koch Institute:
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