Czechs celebrate 20th anniversary of Velvet Revolution sweeping away communist regime. Thousands marched through the Czech capital Tuesday in commemoration of a student protest 20 years ago that grew into the human tidal wave sweeping away the communist regime in what was then Czechoslovakia.

BERLIN (Reuters Life!) - The days of rent-free living in the shadow of the Berlin Wall may be long past, but for those seeking an upscale version of the German capital's once-vibrant squat life, look no further.

* Debt load saps U.S. bargaining power with China

Former Soviet leader Gorbachev criticizes Kremlin, hints at political comeback. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev criticized Kremlin policies Friday and toyed with the ambitious idea of attempting a political comeback.

A look at Germany, Europe's biggest economy, which holds elections Sept. 27. Facts and figures on Germany, which holds national elections Sunday.

More than 120,000 people packed a field outside the Czech city of Brno on Sunday for an open air mass by Pope Benedict XVI who is on a high profile visit on the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism.

A beaming Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was time to celebrate on Sunday after winning a second term in German elections at the head of a new-look coalition, but warned of tough challenges ahead.

Fresh from an election victory, Angela Merkel got set for a new term as German chancellor on Monday, facing a stack of challenges topped by an ailing economy and an unpopular Afghanistan mission.

Fresh from an election victory, Angela Merkel got set for a new term as German chancellor on Monday, facing a stack of challenges topped by an ailing economy and an unpopular Afghanistan mission.

Germany's Merkel wants new government in place by Nov. 9, stresses economic priorities. Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed Monday to have a new center-right German government in place by the time Germany marks 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9. She said tax cuts were possible in 2011, but rejected spending cutbacks that might strangle an incipient economic recovery.

Pope Benedict XVI retraced the death of a Czech martyr more than 1,000 years ago and the fall of Communism in 1989 during a three-day visit to the Czech Republic that ended on Monday.

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel signaled on Monday she would resist pressure for radical reforms from her likely new coalition partners, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), and stick to a path of gradual change.

Tension mounted within Chancellor Angela Merkel's new coalition Tuesday ahead of tough talks on a roadmap to get Germany out of its worst slump since World War II.

Tension mounted within Chancellor Angela Merkel's new coalition Tuesday ahead of tough talks on how to get Germany out of a deep economic slump, while the head of her defeated rival party quit.

Giant marionettes unite in Berlin spectacle marking reunification, 20 years since wall's fall. The first of a pair of giant marionettes has awakened in Berlin and started the search for her missing partner as part of a massive-scale street performance celebrating German reunification.

BERLIN (Reuters Life!) - When the champagne corks stopped popping and the euphoria at the fall of the Berlin Wall began to recede a deep bewilderment took hold as East Berliners weighed up new freedoms with the end of life as they knew it.

Germany marks 19th anniversary of reunification with parades, speeches. Germany celebrated the anniversary of its reunification Saturday with festivals, concerts and parades across the country.

Gigantic puppets starred at celebrations marking the 19th anniversary of German unification in Berlin Saturday as tens of thousands watched the mechanical marionettes on their walk through the city.

Gigantic puppets starred at celebrations marking the 19th anniversary of German unification in Berlin Saturday as tens of thousands watched the mechanical marionettes on their walk through the city.

Wartime love between German and Pole survives heartache on both sides of Iron Curtain. For five decades, she kept his picture in her wallet ? a black-and-white snapshot of a handsome young Polish man with brooding eyes.