foreign relations

Former Foreign Minister dies after battle with cancer

Former German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle, one of the country's most prominent openly gay politicians, died Friday, aged 54, after a long battle with leukaemia, his charity foundation said.

History

Berlin to mark 100 years since Nefertiti find

Berlin's Egyptian Museum said on Monday it will celebrate the centenary of the discovery of the 3,400-year-old fabled bust of Egypt's Queen Nefertiti amid an ongoing feud with Cairo over its ownership.

Syria

Germany: Signs of regime erosion in Syria

Germany said on Monday that the defection of Syrian prime minister Riad Hijab pointed to the rapid "erosion" of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

China

Suspected art smuggler freed on bail in China

A suspected German art smuggler is free on bail after more than four months in a Beijing jail on tax evasion charges, Germany's foreign ministry said Friday in a case that has strained ties.

Israel

Merkel urges Israel to resume peace talks

German Chancellor Angela Merkel this week urged Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu to seek a swift revival of peace talks with the Palestinians, citing regional unrest as cause for urgency.

Israel

Merkel in Israel for two-day visit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday at the start of a two-day visit that will include a joint German-Israeli cabinet meeting.