DUSSELDORF, Germany, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt was the guest of honour at the 50th anniversary of the gathering at the Standehaus-Treff.

Text of report by independent German news agency ddp Berlin - According to Peter Struck, chairman of the SPD [Social Democratic Party of Germany] Bundestag Group, people in Germany have to counter the rising oil and gas prices by reducing their energy consumption.

Text of report by independent German news agency ddp Berlin: Research in Germany with human embryonic stem cells is being facilitated.

Text of report by independent German news agency ddp Berlin (ddp) - In view of rising food prices worldwide, Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul (SPD [Social Democratic Party of Germany]) calls for an increase in German contribution to the United Nation's World Food Programme.

Concern is growing about the condition of former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who has been hospitalized in intensive care, officials said Tuesday.