Berlin: Still Sexy, Still Poor
Judges in Karlsruhe rejected the city’s claim to federal assistance in overcoming a 62-billion-Euro ($77 billion) mountain of debt this week.

Bode Museum Reopens after Six-Year, 160 Million Euro Makeover
Another major piece of the puzzle in Berlin’s historic center snapped into place this week when the "Louvre of Berlin" opened its doors to visitors after extensive renovations.

German Navy Assumes Command of Maritime Task Force
With its naval units deployed off the Lebanese coast fully operational, Germany took over command of the Maritime Task Force (MTF), which is part of the UNIFIL mission operating under UN Resolution 1701.

"Talking About Europe" with Ambassador Klaus Scharioth
Ambassador Scharioth participated in a discussion on Europe moderated by National Public Radio's Robert Siegel in the opening session of a series on Europe at the Goethe-Institut Washington.

Al Gore Film Opens in Germany
Gore told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that he wanted to send the Germans a “wake up call” about climate change.

Berlin Backs Deregulation of Store Closing Hours
In a growing trend to deregulate store closing hours in Germany the City of Berlin has decided to let retailers decide when they want to lock up for the night six days a week - only Sundays will still be off-limits to the rules.

Wirtschaftswunder: Germany Economic Recovery Continues Apace and is Looking Likely to Stay
The German government on Friday raised its forecast for economic growth this year by 2.3 percent.

Climate Champions: Franco-German Scientists Discover Microorganisms in Undersea Mud That Eat Methane
Bacteria that live in volcanically heated mud deep under the sea off the coast of Norway feed on methane, a gas that is partly to blame for climate change, a Franco-German team of scientists have found.

Elegant Essentials for Everyman: Treasure Trove of Biedermeier-Era Objects on Show in Milwaukee
With its simplicity, elegance and foundation in utilitarian principles, the so-called "Biedermeier" style replaced romanticism and was a precursor to modernism.

Longing and Lebenslust: New German Films Hit the Hamptons, Take Manhattan
Nine German films are being screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival from October 18 to 22.

"Cologne Cathedral" Benefits Children of 9/11 Firemen
A sculpture crafted by German artist HA Schult from Ford car parts to resemble the Cologne Cathedral is due to be auctioned off by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to benefit orphans of firemen killed during the World Trade Center terror attack.