Former German President Goes on Trial --- BERLIN — For the first time in modern German history, a former president, Christian Wulff, went on trial on Thursday in a state court in Hanover, charged with illegally accepting favors while he was governor of the state of Lower Saxony. -- Mr. Wulff’s trial is expected to last into the spring and hear more than 40 witnesses. Mr. Wulff, who pleaded not guilty, has said he wants to clear his name. He rejected an offer from prosecutors to settle the case if he agreed to pay a fine of $27,000. - More, ALISON SMALE - nytimes