Berlin  - German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who spends her days in the male-dominated world of politics, is joining the ranks of iconic women by being recreated as a Barbie doll, the manufacturer Mattel announced Monday.

A specially produced honorary Barbie has been made in the chancellor's likeness, Mattel spokeswoman Stephanie Wegener said at the Nuremberg Toy Fair.

"You can argue about politics, but the fact that we have a female chancellor in Germany is surely something special in the eyes of other countries," Wegener said.

Berlin - It was a meeting with a severely wounded soldier in a US army hospital that American actor Ben Foster said helped him in his role as an officer who delivers the message to families that their loved ones have been killed in combat.

"He was very forthright about his experiences," said 28-year-old Foster about the young soldier who had a lost leg in fighting in Iraq and whose name was Will.

Berlin  - The unexpected resignation of Germany's economics minister has revealed stress fractures in Chancellor Angela Merkel's unhappy political alliance.

The resignation tendered by Economics Minister Michael Glos comes just months ahead of general elections due September 27, and in the midst of an unprecedented global financial crisis.

Glos, who is 64, said at his age he no longer sought a position in a new post-September government. It's no secret however that there were strains in his relationship with Bavaria's premier, Horst Seehofer.

Berlin  - Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a media-savvy conservative, is set to become German economics minister, Berlin sources said Monday, eight months before the German general election.

He would replace Michael Glos, 64, who suddenly said Saturday he wanted to leave after tension with Bavarian Premier Horst Seehofer, the leader of both men's Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU).

Berlin  - American-Israeli director Udi Aloni's controversial documentary about the non-violent Muslim resistance movement in Indian-administered Kashmir has been shown at the Berlin Film Festival.

Indian authorities have taken umbrage at Kashmir: Journey to Freedom and are refusing to allow him to return to India, he said after the film was premiered in Panorama section, which showcases independent and arthouse cinema.

Berlin  - German Economics Minister Michael Glos said late Sunday he would submit a formal resignation request to Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, but confusion over his replacement remained.

After a weekend of frenzied activity within his Christian Social Union (CSU), two contenders for Glos' post emerged Sunday evening. The issue was likely to be clarified following a high-level CSU meeting Monday.