Merkel meets Abbas. (Photo: http://www.bundesregierung.de)

Merkel Urges Re-establishment of Bilateral Relationships between Israel and Palestine

After her meeting with the president of Israel, Shimon Peres, last week, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, yesterday met the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas. The German chancellor called on both sides to reestablish the bilateral relationships between the two countries. Merkel promised help from Germany on the way to this "Two-Countries Solution" so that the two Palestine and Israel can attain peaceful coexistence.

Moreover, Merkel and Abbas agreed to the foundation of a German-Palestinian economic council. 

Fire at the Institute of Science and Politics

Last night, unknown people set fire to the Institute of Science and Politics on the Ludwigkirchplatz. A passer-by called the police and the fire department after she had seen the fire at around 2:30 a.m.

The entrance area of the building was damaged, but fortunately nobody was injured. The police found a number of gas canisters, which caused the explosion. 

The Institute of Science and Politics analyses international politics and is financed by the Federal Chancellors Office. According to the police, this attack could have been politically motivated.

Man Knocks Down Wife with a Cooking Pot 

An old man (82) allegedly hit his wife (77) with a cooking pot, after 56 years of married life. Around 8:15 a.m. he called the police and said he had killed his partner. Fortunately, the woman had only suffered a short black out.

It will be investigated why he tried to kill his wife, with whom he lived together for decades. According to some neighbours, the woman has been chronically ill and had not left the apartment for years. Her husband had had to provide for her and this incident was possibly an "act of desperation," one commented.

Legal proceedings for attempted murder will be launched against the old man.

Animal Sponsorships in the Zoo of Berlin

Increasing numbers of Berlin citizens want to sponsor an animal in the Berlin zoo. They assume sponsorships and thus support the zoo financially. There are currently over 630 godparents, with numbers growing.

For sponsoring a flamingo or a little cat, the charge starts at 50 euros; the starting price for a king penguin is 500 euros, and an elephant starts at 10,000 euros...