German chancellor Helmut Schmidt dies age 96

Helmut Schmidt, the chancellor who guided West Germany through economic turbulence and Cold War tensions, stood firm against a wave of homegrown terrorism and became a respected elder statesman, has died. He was 96.

Schmidt died at his house in Hamburg, according to German weekly Die Zeit, of which Schmidt was a co-publisher.

“We have lost a sharp-witted adviser, a trusted companion and a good friend,” Die Zeit said in a statement.