In the case of the WestLB rescue, Germany is for the first time creating a "bad bank" as an answer to the crisis. But what exactly is a bad bank, and how does the concept work?

Cologne is home to an institution that is one-of-a-kind among German schools. The World Music, Klezmer and Aesthetic Academy there has been introducing students to Jewish music and tradition since 2005.

The EU is establishing a unique new institution to represent joint foreign policy positions without limiting member states' national authority: the European External Action Service (EEAS).

For two decades, homosexuality has been officially permitted in the German military, the Bundeswehr, and discrimination strictly prohibited. The story of paratrooper Udo Kappler paints a very different picture.

Belgian ex-prime minister Yves Leterme, dubbed the "dull one," has been given a second chance at the helm. His appointment comes after Herman van Rompuy resigned to become the first EU president.

German police have raided the homes of four Chinese nationals alleged to have spied on Muslim Uighurs living in Munich. Authorities accuse the Chinese consulate of controlling the operation.

The UN has launched a global campaign to end violence against women as it marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - and is appealing to men to help.

More than 70 years after Gretel Bergmann was stripped of her high jump record by the Nazis because she was Jewish, the records books have been rewritten.

A Belgian man who was diagnosed as being comatose for 23 years turned out to have been conscious but trapped in a paralyzed body. Experts say brainwave scans should be standard to avoid others suffering the same fate.

Britain's Iraq war inquiry has opened with revelations that British officials were aware of talk of toppling Saddam Hussein in early 2001. The year-long inquiry aims to get to the bottom of the UK's reasons for war.

After a 2-0 win over Rangers, Stuttgart hopes to snatch a back-from-the-brink qualification for the knock-out stages. Meanwhile, title holders Barcelona got back on track and five-time champs Liverpool crashed out.

General Motors' planned sale of its loss-making Saab brand to a consortium around Swedish sports car maker Koenigsegg has been called off.

Germany has said it will increase aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to stabilize the conflict-ridden countries and curb the mounting influence of the Taliban.

Sudanese journalist Lubna Hussein faced a whipping after she was convicted under indecency laws for wearing trousers. But she was well-received in Paris, where a book about her story is to be released.

The elimination of violence against women is a long way off in Ghana, argues Aimee Hampel-Milagrosa from the German Development Institute. Yet she also sees positive developments in the country.

The climate could warm as much as 7 degrees Celsius by the end of this century, experts said. That's substantially more than even the most drastic estimates predicted two years ago.

Six months after specially-trained armed commandoes prevented a teenage girl from carrying out a school rampage in Germany, she has been handed a five-year juvenile sentence.

Although the AIDS death toll mounts by millions each year, there is a breakthrough work to prevent the spread of HIV. More people are also staying alive longer thanks to drug therapy.

Countries including the United States are backing away from commitments made two years ago to fight climate change. Climate expert Hartmut Grassl tells negotiators what's needed for Copenhagen talks to be a success.

In an attempt to improve the security situation in Afghanistan, leaders of the ISAF force are turning their attention to local militia. But experts worry that what seems to have worked in Iraq is wrong for the Hindukush.