An inquiry into German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere's role in an abandoned drone project has been scheduled to start later this month. The beleaguered minister has survived a no-confidence motion in parliament. 

A key German minister has said that a rumored eight-billion-euro package for flood relief is in the right ball park. It will be financed 50-50 by federal and state governments, Thuringia's state premier said. 

These days, Franz Danzi is too quickly categorized as a 'little' rather than 'great' master. But in his day, his companions considered him to be one of the leading composers in the country. He was born on June 15, 1763.