Germany seems to betray its favorite beverage in favor of juices and bottled water.

TOWN OF 50,000 INHABITANTS TO HAVE ULTRA HIGH SPEED BROADBAND BY 2012

Today the European Commission examined the updated stability programmes of Finland, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. All four have reached, maintained or exceeded the objective they have set themselves to have sound public finances. Luxembourg and the Netherlands have presented budgetary strategies that are in line with the sound principles established in the Stability and Growth Pact. In both countries, the trajectory seems sufficient to maintain, by a large margin, their medium-term objective (MTO).

SA of Belgium by Norddeutsche Affinerie AG (NA) of Germany. Both companies are active at several stages of the copper processing chain, in particular producing copper cathodes, copper rod and copper shapes. In September 2007 the Commission opened an in-depth investigation to check whether the proposed acquisition might significantly impede competition, in particular with regard to the European market for copper shapes.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a bilateral meeting in Berlin on Tuesday morning, which Steinmeier said was "a positive signal" to Chinese-German relations.

SECRETARY RICE: Why don't we just start with your questions. Sue.
QUESTION: Do you think that you're going to get a resolution today? Do you think that you're going to be (inaudible)?

China hopes the German government and leaders always honor their commitment made to China on Taiwan and Tibet issues and seriously consider and fully respect China's great concerns on issues relevant to its core interests, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu Tuesday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier are scheduled to meet in Berlin Tuesday, Chinese diplomats said in Berlin Monday.

In France and a large part of Germany, smoking has been banned in hotels, restaurants and bars. The ban has been introduced in 11 of the 16 German states, including the capital Berlin. The other five states will follow suit later in the year.

Some 20,000 members of a Muslim branch have demonstrated in the German city of Cologne against an episode of a popular television series linking the group to incest. Last week's episode of the "Tatort" detective series showed the father of an Alevi family committing incest.

Georgian opposition leader Irakly Okruashvili asked for political asylum days before he was arrested in Berlin at the request of the Georgian government, his lawyer said on Friday.

The Turkish Justice Ministry said Thursday that Germany has extradited two Kurds wanted in Ankara.