German Chancellor Angela Merkel was seen trembling once again during a ceremony in Berlin on Thursday, eight days after a similar incident. Video showed Merkel gripping her arms as her body was shaking on Thursday. After about two minutes, she looked steadier and shook hands with the new justice minister.

Germany's Angela Merkel seen shaking again in Berlin

The Ukrainian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday walked out in protest after Russian MPs were allowed to return to the human rights body five years after the annexation of Crimea.

Ukrainian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macron-says-new-ukraine-peace-talks-possible-under-volodymyr-zelensky-228118">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> said he was "disappointed" by the decision of the assembly (PACE) to readmit Russia, while the head of the delegation said Ukraine would halt its work at the assembly.

The Strasbourg-based assembly agreed early Tuesday to allow Russian representatives to return to the body, five years after Moscow was stripped of its voting rights over the annexation of Crimea.

"I am disappointed by a PACE decision to confirm the rights of the Russian delegation without restrictions," Zelensky said.

He added that he had discussed the issue with French President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blow-for-president-emmanuel-macron-as-le-pen-tops-european-union-election-in-france-221915">Emmanuel Macron</a> and German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week.

"I tried to convince Mr Macron and Mrs Merkel that the return of the Russian delegation to PACE is possible only after Russia fulfils the assembly's main demands," he said in a post on Facebook.

"It's a pity that our European partners did not listen to us," the president said.

Ukrainian lawmaker Volodymyr Ariev, head of his country's PACE delegation, said it decided "to suspend its participation in the work of PACE except issues related to stripping the Russian delegation of its rights," Ariev said in a post on Facebook.

He said the delegation asked the Ukrainian parliament to "urgently" consider the country's membership of the assembly.

The delegation also asked the Ukrainian president to consider the issue of the country's further work at the Council of Europe.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday walked out in protest after Russian MPs were allowed to return to the human rights body five years after the annexation of Crimea.

The Ukrainian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday walked out in protest after Russian MPs were allowed to return to the human rights body five years after the annexation of Crimea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was "disappointed" by the decision of the assembly (PACE) to readmit Russia, while the head of the delegation said Ukraine would halt its work at the assembly. The Strasbourg-based assembly agreed early Tuesday to allow Russian representatives to return to the body, five years after Moscow was stripped of its voting rights over the annexation of Crimea. "I am disappointed by a PACE decision to confirm the rights of the Russian delegation without restrictions," Zelensky said. He added that he had discussed the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week. "I tried to convince Mr Macron and Mrs Merkel that the return of the Russian delegation to PACE is possible only after Russia fulfils the assembly's main demands," he said in a post on Facebook. "It's a pity that our European partners did not listen to us," the president said. Ukrainian lawmaker Volodymyr Ariev, head of his country's PACE delegation, said it decided "to suspend its participation in the work of PACE except issues related to stripping the Russian delegation of its rights," Ariev said in a post on Facebook. He said the delegation asked the Ukrainian parliament to "urgently" consider the country's membership of the assembly. The delegation also asked the Ukrainian president to consider the issue of the country's further work at the Council of Europe.

Ukraine walks out of European rights body after Russia's return

Should Information On The Health Of Leaders Be Kept A Secret? German Chancellor Angela Merkel was recently seen trembling in public. Merkel says that it was just a case of dehydration, but the incident made the headlines nevertheless. So should information on the health of leaders be kept a secret? Here's a report on the issue.

Gravitas: Is secrecy around world leaders' health justified?

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was seen shaking when she met visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday (June 18) but said she had since drunk water and was feeling better.

Angela Merkel says recovered from shaking bout after drinking water

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-coalition-in-crisis-talks-after-european-union-vote-debacle-221923">German Chancellor Angela Merkel </a>dismissed concerns about her health after visibly trembling at an official ceremony Tuesday, saying she was just a bit dehydrated in the heat.

Merkel appeared unsteady and was shaking as she stood in the midday sun next to visiting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, whom she was welcoming to her office building with military honours.

Asked by a reporter about her wellbeing at a news conference about 90 minutes later, Merkel smiled, "I've drunk at least three glasses of water and so I'm doing fine."

Zelensky, 41, made light of Merkel's uneasy spell, joking that he would have come to her rescue if necessary.&nbsp;

"She was standing next to me and completely safe," he said.

Merkel, frequently called the European Union's most influential leader and the most powerful woman in the world, turns 65 next month.&nbsp;

She has said she will leave politics at the end of her term, in 2021.

There were brief concerns about her health in 2014 when she was taken ill during a television interview. The broadcast was briefly interrupted when she experienced a drop in blood pressure.

Her spokesman Steffen Seibert explained at the time the leader did not feel well for a moment, then ate and drank something and continued the interview. 
&nbsp;

German Chancellor Angela Merkel dismissed concerns about her health after visibly trembling at an official ceremony Tuesday, saying she was just a bit dehydrated in the heat.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel dismissed concerns about her health after visibly trembling at an official ceremony Tuesday, saying she was just a bit dehydrated in the heat. Merkel appeared unsteady and was shaking as she stood in the midday sun next to visiting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, whom she was welcoming to her office building with military honours. Asked by a reporter about her wellbeing at a news conference about 90 minutes later, Merkel smiled, "I've drunk at least three glasses of water and so I'm doing fine." Zelensky, 41, made light of Merkel's uneasy spell, joking that he would have come to her rescue if necessary. "She was standing next to me and completely safe," he said. Merkel, frequently called the European Union's most influential leader and the most powerful woman in the world, turns 65 next month. She has said she will leave politics at the end of her term, in 2021. There were brief concerns about her health in 2014 when she was taken ill during a television interview. The broadcast was briefly interrupted when she experienced a drop in blood pressure. Her spokesman Steffen Seibert explained at the time the leader did not feel well for a moment, then ate and drank something and continued the interview.

Watch: Angela Merkel seen trembling at official ceremony, says she was just a bit dehydrated

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was seen shaking when she met visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday but said she had since drunk water and was feeling better. Merkel looked as if she were struggling to stand up while she and Zelenskiy listened to national anthems during military honours upon his arrival.

Merkel says recovered from shaking bout after drinking water

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said it may be possible to hold new peace talks over the conflict in the east of Ukraine as he hosted new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his first official visit to France.

Macron praised the ambition of Zelensky, a former comic actor who stunned the world to win the presidency earlier this year, to end the five-year conflict.

The French president said new summit talks could be possible under the so-called Normandy format grouping himself, the Ukrainian president, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"There could be a summit under the Normandy format in Paris to take account of the progress that has been achieved," said Macron.

Macron said he applauded Zelensky's desire to end the conflict. "You have a lot of ambition for your country and you have a lot of courage," he told Zelensky.&nbsp;

"There are new elements" after Zelensky came to power, said Macron, adding that any kind of meeting would have to be useful.

Zelensky said that his priority was the "end of the war and the return of the annexed Ukrainian territories" but this could not be achieved by military means.

"The only key to peace is diplomatic and sanctions pressure, so I ask you to keep it," he told Macron.

The Paris talks came after Zelensky met EU leaders in Brussels this month on his first foreign trip as Ukraine's leader, pressing Europe to step up pressure on Russia to end the war in his country's east.

Macron had hosted both Zelensky and former president Petro Poroshenko, whom he beat in the elections, for unusual separate talks on April 12 just ahead of their electoral run-off.

EU leaders have applauded the conduct of the election and peaceful transfer of power from Poroshenko.&nbsp;

But European capitals are also keeping a close eye on the first steps of Zelensky, a man with no previous political experience, whose fame comes from starring in a hugely popular TV series as a Ukrainian teacher who suddenly becomes president.

His Servant of the People party has the same name as the television series.

Since 2014, some 13,000 people have been killed in the war in the east between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists, which erupted after a popular uprising ousted Ukraine's pro-Kremlin president and Russia annexed Crimea.

Kiev and its Western backers accuse Russia of funnelling troops and arms across the border to fan the flames of the conflict. Moscow has denied the claims despite evidence to the contrary.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said it may be possible to hold new peace talks over the conflict in the east of Ukraine as he hosted new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his first official visit to France.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said it may be possible to hold new peace talks over the conflict in the east of Ukraine as he hosted new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his first official visit to France. Macron praised the ambition of Zelensky, a former comic actor who stunned the world to win the presidency earlier this year, to end the five-year conflict. The French president said new summit talks could be possible under the so-called Normandy format grouping himself, the Ukrainian president, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "There could be a summit under the Normandy format in Paris to take account of the progress that has been achieved," said Macron. Macron said he applauded Zelensky's desire to end the conflict. "You have a lot of ambition for your country and you have a lot of courage," he told Zelensky. "There are new elements" after Zelensky came to power, said Macron, adding that any kind of meeting would have to be useful. Zelensky said that his priority was the "end of the war and the return of the annexed Ukrainian territories" but this could not be achieved by military means. "The only key to peace is diplomatic and sanctions pressure, so I ask you to keep it," he told Macron. The Paris talks came after Zelensky met EU leaders in Brussels this month on his first foreign trip as Ukraine's leader, pressing Europe to step up pressure on Russia to end the war in his country's east. Macron had hosted both Zelensky and former president Petro Poroshenko, whom he beat in the elections, for unusual separate talks on April 12 just ahead of their electoral run-off. EU leaders have applauded the conduct of the election and peaceful transfer of power from Poroshenko. But European capitals are also keeping a close eye on the first steps of Zelensky, a man with no previous political experience, whose fame comes from starring in a hugely popular TV series as a Ukrainian teacher who suddenly becomes president. His Servant of the People party has the same name as the television series. Since 2014, some 13,000 people have been killed in the war in the east between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists, which erupted after a popular uprising ousted Ukraine's pro-Kremlin president and Russia annexed Crimea. Kiev and its Western backers accuse Russia of funnelling troops and arms across the border to fan the flames of the conflict. Moscow has denied the claims despite evidence to the contrary.

Emmanuel Macron says new Ukraine peace talks possible under Volodymyr Zelensky

<p content="London (AFP) - The contest to replace Theresa May as Britain's next leader formally got under way on Monday, with frontrunner Boris Johnson facing criticism from Paris over his Brexit plan and a key rival struggling to throw off a drugs scandal." data-reactid="45" type="text">The contest to replace Theresa May as Britain's next leader formally got underway on Monday, with frontrunner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdoms-pm-candidate-johnson-plans-tax-cuts-telegraph-225881">Boris Johnson</a> facing criticism from Paris over his Brexit plan and a key rival struggling to throw off a drugs scandal.

<p content="Eleven candidates have declared their interest in succeeding May, who quit as her Conservative party's leader on Friday over her failure to take Britain out of the EU on time." data-reactid="46" type="text">Eleven candidates have declared their interest in succeeding May, who quit as her Conservative party's leader on Friday over her failure to take Britain out of the EU on time. She remains prime minister until a new leader is chosen, likely in late July, and they will automatically enter Downing Street.

<p content="The race has been dominated by Britain's looming EU exit on October 31, with Johnson among those talking tough on the need to renegotiate the terms May struck or leave with no deal." data-reactid="48" type="text">The race has been dominated by Britain's looming EU exit on October 31, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-wins-brexit-case-hounding-his-leadership-bid-225320">Johnson</a> among those talking tough on the need to renegotiate the terms May struck or leave with no deal.

<p content="But his vow to refuse to pay the multi-billion-euro financial settlement she has agreed, covering Britain's liabilities from four decades of EU membership, drew a sharp rebuke from Paris." data-reactid="49" type="text">But his vow to refuse to pay the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-threatens-to-withhold-50-billion-brexit-payment-225603">multi-billion-euro financial settlement</a> she has agreed, covering Britain's liabilities from four decades of EU membership, drew a sharp rebuke from Paris.

<p content="&quot;Not honouring payment obligations is a breach of international commitment equivalent to a default on its sovereign debt, with the consequences that we know,&quot; a source close to French President Emmanuel Macron told AFP." data-reactid="50" type="text">"Not honouring payment obligations is a breach of international commitment equivalent to a default on its sovereign debt, with the consequences that we know," a source close to French President Emmanuel Macron told AFP.

<p content="Johnson is the bookmakers' favourite but has not appeared in public for weeks, a tactic that has helped the politician best known for his gaffes, jokes and anecdotes to stay on message." data-reactid="51" type="text">Johnson is the bookmakers' favourite but has not appeared in public for weeks, a tactic that has helped the politician best known for his gaffes, jokes and anecdotes to stay on message.

While his rivals have been touring the broadcast studios, he announced his latest campaign promise -- to slash income tax -- in his regular newspaper column.

<p content="By contrast, another leading candidate, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, spent the weekend apologising after revealing he had taken cocaine on several occasions two decades ago." data-reactid="53" type="text">By contrast, another leading candidate, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, spent the weekend apologising after revealing he had taken cocaine on several occasions two decades ago.

<p content="By contrast, another leading candidate, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, spent the weekend apologising after revealing he had taken cocaine on several occasions two decades ago." data-reactid="53" type="text">Serious times

May took over after the 2016 EU referendum but was forced to quit after failing three times to get her divorce deal through parliament, and twice delaying Brexit.

Johnson and Gove were both leading campaigners for Brexit in the referendum, but while the former quit the government over May's approach, Gove stayed on.

<p content="The pair have history -- Gove dramatically withdrew his backing for Johnson during the 2016 leadership campaign, only to falter himself, clearing the way for May." data-reactid="57" type="text">The pair have history -- Gove dramatically withdrew his backing for Johnson during the 2016 leadership campaign, only to falter himself, clearing the way for May.

<p content="The 51-year-old's campaign this time has been hit by the revelation in a forthcoming biography of his illegal use of cocaine, which he admitted but said was a mistake." data-reactid="58" type="text">The 51-year-old's campaign this time has been hit by the revelation in a forthcoming biography of his illegal use of cocaine, which he admitted but said was a mistake.

He suffered another blow on Monday when his cabinet colleague Amber Rudd, a moderate on Brexit, endorsed Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt for the leadership.

<p content="Gove has taken a softer line on Britain's EU departure than Johnson, suggesting he might delay Brexit once again to try to avoid a damaging &quot;no deal&quot; exit." data-reactid="60" type="text">Gove has taken a softer line on Britain's EU departure than Johnson, suggesting he might delay Brexit once again to try to avoid a damaging "no deal" exit.

Meanwhile, Hunt claimed at that weekend that he had received encouraging signals for renegotiating the Brexit deal from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

<p content="In response, a German government spokeswoman referenced a previous remark by Merkel that the deal cannot be reopened, although a declaration on future ties could be." data-reactid="62" type="text">In response, a German government spokeswoman referenced a previous remark by Merkel that the deal cannot be reopened, although a declaration on future ties could be.

<p content="Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Interior Minister Sajid Javid, former Brexit minister Dominic Raab and Commons leader Andrea Leadsom are also in the running among several others." data-reactid="63" type="text">Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Interior Minister Sajid Javid, former Brexit minister Dominic Raab and Commons leader Andrea Leadsom are also in the running among several others.

<p content="Each must have the support of at least eight Conservative MPs to stand. In a series of secret ballots running from June 13 to 20, MPs will then whittle down the field to a final pair." data-reactid="64" type="text">Each must have the support of at least eight Conservative MPs to stand. In a series of secret ballots running from June 13 to 20, MPs will then whittle down the field to a final pair.

These two will then be chosen in a postal ballot by more than 160,000 paying party members.

<p content="Johnson emphasises his appeal across the political divide, a persuasive argument as there is a real risk of a general election if the parliamentary deadlock over Brexit remains." data-reactid="66" type="text">Johnson emphasises his appeal across the political divide, a persuasive argument as there is a real risk of a general election if the parliamentary deadlock over Brexit remains.

<p content="The Tories are under pressure from both leftist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and populist Nigel Farage, whose new Brexit Party has been poaching disgruntled Tory voters." data-reactid="67" type="text">The Tories are under pressure from both leftist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and populist Nigel Farage, whose new Brexit Party has been poaching disgruntled Tory voters.

<p content="But Johnson's bombastic rhetoric has alienated many colleagues and voters, he has been accused of lying during the Brexit campaign and his time as foreign minister was underwhelming." data-reactid="68" type="text">But Johnson's bombastic rhetoric has alienated many colleagues and voters, he has been accused of lying during the Brexit campaign and his time as foreign minister was underwhelming.

In endorsing Hunt, Rudd said: "These are serious times and we need a respected statesman who Brussels will listen to, not more bluster."

The contest to replace Theresa May as Britain's next leader formally got underway on Monday, with frontrunner Boris Johnson facing criticism from Paris over his Brexit plan and a key rival struggling to throw off a drugs scandal.

The contest to replace Theresa May as Britain's next leader formally got underway on Monday, with frontrunner Boris Johnson facing criticism from Paris over his Brexit plan and a key rival struggling to throw off a drugs scandal. Eleven candidates have declared their interest in succeeding May, who quit as her Conservative party's leader on Friday over her failure to take Britain out of the EU on time. She remains prime minister until a new leader is chosen, likely in late July, and they will automatically enter Downing Street. The race has been dominated by Britain's looming EU exit on October 31, with Johnson among those talking tough on the need to renegotiate the terms May struck or leave with no deal. But his vow to refuse to pay the multi-billion-euro financial settlement she has agreed, covering Britain's liabilities from four decades of EU membership, drew a sharp rebuke from Paris. "Not honouring payment obligations is a breach of international commitment equivalent to a default on its sovereign debt, with the consequences that we know," a source close to French President Emmanuel Macron told AFP. Johnson is the bookmakers' favourite but has not appeared in public for weeks, a tactic that has helped the politician best known for his gaffes, jokes and anecdotes to stay on message. While his rivals have been touring the broadcast studios, he announced his latest campaign promise -- to slash income tax -- in his regular newspaper column. By contrast, another leading candidate, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, spent the weekend apologising after revealing he had taken cocaine on several occasions two decades ago. Serious times May took over after the 2016 EU referendum but was forced to quit after failing three times to get her divorce deal through parliament, and twice delaying Brexit. Johnson and Gove were both leading campaigners for Brexit in the referendum, but while the former quit the government over May's approach, Gove stayed on. The pair have history -- Gove dramatically withdrew his backing for Johnson during the 2016 leadership campaign, only to falter himself, clearing the way for May. The 51-year-old's campaign this time has been hit by the revelation in a forthcoming biography of his illegal use of cocaine, which he admitted but said was a mistake. He suffered another blow on Monday when his cabinet colleague Amber Rudd, a moderate on Brexit, endorsed Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt for the leadership. Gove has taken a softer line on Britain's EU departure than Johnson, suggesting he might delay Brexit once again to try to avoid a damaging "no deal" exit. Meanwhile, Hunt claimed at that weekend that he had received encouraging signals for renegotiating the Brexit deal from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In response, a German government spokeswoman referenced a previous remark by Merkel that the deal cannot be reopened, although a declaration on future ties could be. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Interior Minister Sajid Javid, former Brexit minister Dominic Raab and Commons leader Andrea Leadsom are also in the running among several others. Each must have the support of at least eight Conservative MPs to stand. In a series of secret ballots running from June 13 to 20, MPs will then whittle down the field to a final pair. These two will then be chosen in a postal ballot by more than 160,000 paying party members. Johnson emphasises his appeal across the political divide, a persuasive argument as there is a real risk of a general election if the parliamentary deadlock over Brexit remains. The Tories are under pressure from both leftist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and populist Nigel Farage, whose new Brexit Party has been poaching disgruntled Tory voters. But Johnson's bombastic rhetoric has alienated many colleagues and voters, he has been accused of lying during the Brexit campaign and his time as foreign minister was underwhelming. In endorsing Hunt, Rudd said: "These are serious times and we need a respected statesman who Brussels will listen to, not more bluster."

Drugs and Brexit: Race to replace United Kingdom's May under way

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, a contender to replace Theresa May as prime minister, said Sunday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had indicated the EU was willing to renegotiate the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/government-cannot-resubmit-same-brexit-deal-in-uk-parliament-speaker-204152">Brexit divorce deal</a>.

Hunt, one of nearly a dozen Conservatives vying to succeed May after she resigned as party leader Friday, said he spoke with Merkel at this week's D-Day commemorations and was convinced changing May's agreement was possible.

"She said that of course with a new British prime minister we would want to look at any solutions you have," he told Sky News.

"I'm absolutely clear that if we take the right approach to this, the Europeans would be willing to negotiate on the package."

Hunt did not specify if he was referring to the legally-binding withdrawal agreement which the EU has repeatedly insisted cannot be re-opened, or to the accompanying political declaration on future relations.

Brussels has said the declaration could be revisited if Britain makes a substantive change in its positions, for example on a customs union or access to the single market.

May agreed on the package with the EU last year but saw it rejected three times by British lawmakers, forcing her to delay Brexit twice -- the latest extension being to October 31.

A controversial provision in the agreement for the Irish border, known as the backstop, has proved the key stumbling block.&nbsp;

It would prevent the return of border checks between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland if the sides fail to agree on a free trade pact after an initial transition period.

Hunt claimed Merkel had signalled EU leaders may now be open to a technological solution to the thorny issue -- something Brussels has previously ruled out as unrealistic. &nbsp;

"She said to me Germany doesn't have that border with the Republic of Ireland, you do... so you need to come up with the solution," he said of their conversation.

"So it's going to be a solution that's based around some technologies -- what the Germans call intelligent border(s). I think that's doable."

&nbsp;'Money is a great solvent'&nbsp; 
May stepped down as Conservative Party leader on Friday and formally triggered the race for a successor -- currently being contested by 11 Tory MPs -- but will remain, prime minister, until a new leader is chosen.

The leader of the party, which won the most seats at the last general election in 2017, will almost certainly become prime minister.&nbsp;

The Brexit-dominated battle is expected to conclude by the end of next month, with former foreign secretary Boris Johnson considered the clear frontrunner.

Johnson said in an interview published Sunday that he would refuse to pay Britain's £39 billion divorce bill until the EU agrees better withdrawal terms.

The ex-London mayor also signalled he would scrap the much-despised backstop and try to settle the border issue once London and Brussels were negotiating their future relationship.

"Our friends and partners need to understand that the money is going to be retained until such time as we have greater clarity about the way forward," he told The Sunday Times.

"In getting a good deal, money is a great solvent and a great lubricant," Johnson added, in his first newspaper interview since launching his bid to become Britain's next premier.

Johnson also argued that only he could defeat leftist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and anti-EU populist Nigel Farage, whose new Brexit Party has been poaching Tory voters disgruntled at their party's handling of Brexit.

'Sense of regret'&nbsp; 
In a boost to his campaign, several cabinet members this weekend joined a growing number of centrist Tory MPs in declaring their support for him.

However, Home Secretary Sajid Javid, another leadership candidate, has also picked up some key endorsements and this weekend won the backing of popular Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Michael Gove faced turmoil in his campaign after he admitted to using cocaine "on several occasions at social events" two decades ago.&nbsp;

"I do have a profound sense of regret about it all and I am very, very aware of the damage that drugs do," he told the BBC on Sunday.

The former justice minister has faced accusations of hypocrisy for having continually supported tough drug laws, while a former senior drug adviser to the government warned the admission could see him barred from entering the United States under its strict anti-drugs immigration laws.

Gove tried to turn the conversation back to the policy by announcing he would radically reform a key sales tax in Britain if he became prime minister.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, a contender to replace Theresa May as prime minister, said Sunday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had indicated the EU was willing to renegotiate the Brexit divorce deal.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, a contender to replace Theresa May as prime minister, said Sunday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had indicated the EU was willing to renegotiate the Brexit divorce deal. Hunt, one of nearly a dozen Conservatives vying to succeed May after she resigned as party leader Friday, said he spoke with Merkel at this week's D-Day commemorations and was convinced changing May's agreement was possible. "She said that of course with a new British prime minister we would want to look at any solutions you have," he told Sky News. "I'm absolutely clear that if we take the right approach to this, the Europeans would be willing to negotiate on the package." Hunt did not specify if he was referring to the legally-binding withdrawal agreement which the EU has repeatedly insisted cannot be re-opened, or to the accompanying political declaration on future relations. Brussels has said the declaration could be revisited if Britain makes a substantive change in its positions, for example on a customs union or access to the single market. May agreed on the package with the EU last year but saw it rejected three times by British lawmakers, forcing her to delay Brexit twice -- the latest extension being to October 31. A controversial provision in the agreement for the Irish border, known as the backstop, has proved the key stumbling block. It would prevent the return of border checks between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland if the sides fail to agree on a free trade pact after an initial transition period. Hunt claimed Merkel had signalled EU leaders may now be open to a technological solution to the thorny issue -- something Brussels has previously ruled out as unrealistic. "She said to me Germany doesn't have that border with the Republic of Ireland, you do... so you need to come up with the solution," he said of their conversation. "So it's going to be a solution that's based around some technologies -- what the Germans call intelligent border(s). I think that's doable." 'Money is a great solvent' May stepped down as Conservative Party leader on Friday and formally triggered the race for a successor -- currently being contested by 11 Tory MPs -- but will remain, prime minister, until a new leader is chosen. The leader of the party, which won the most seats at the last general election in 2017, will almost certainly become prime minister. The Brexit-dominated battle is expected to conclude by the end of next month, with former foreign secretary Boris Johnson considered the clear frontrunner. Johnson said in an interview published Sunday that he would refuse to pay Britain's £39 billion divorce bill until the EU agrees better withdrawal terms. The ex-London mayor also signalled he would scrap the much-despised backstop and try to settle the border issue once London and Brussels were negotiating their future relationship. "Our friends and partners need to understand that the money is going to be retained until such time as we have greater clarity about the way forward," he told The Sunday Times. "In getting a good deal, money is a great solvent and a great lubricant," Johnson added, in his first newspaper interview since launching his bid to become Britain's next premier. Johnson also argued that only he could defeat leftist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and anti-EU populist Nigel Farage, whose new Brexit Party has been poaching Tory voters disgruntled at their party's handling of Brexit. 'Sense of regret' In a boost to his campaign, several cabinet members this weekend joined a growing number of centrist Tory MPs in declaring their support for him. However, Home Secretary Sajid Javid, another leadership candidate, has also picked up some key endorsements and this weekend won the backing of popular Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Michael Gove faced turmoil in his campaign after he admitted to using cocaine "on several occasions at social events" two decades ago. "I do have a profound sense of regret about it all and I am very, very aware of the damage that drugs do," he told the BBC on Sunday. The former justice minister has faced accusations of hypocrisy for having continually supported tough drug laws, while a former senior drug adviser to the government warned the admission could see him barred from entering the United States under its strict anti-drugs immigration laws. Gove tried to turn the conversation back to the policy by announcing he would radically reform a key sales tax in Britain if he became prime minister.

United Kingdom foreign minister says European Union willing to renegotiate Brexit deal

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives slumped to a record low and fell further behind the resurgent opposition Greens in a survey published on Saturday, reflecting growing disillusionment with the ruling coalition.

Doubts are mounting that Merkel's right-left alliance can last its full term until 2021, largely due to disarray within her Social Democrat (SPD) partners, and many experts now see increasing chances of a federal election next year.

The Forsa poll put the conservative bloc on 24%, down two points from a week ago.

The Social Democrats (SPD) remained stuck at their low of 12% - level with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) - a week after their leader quit because of a dismal performance in regional and European elections. Many members want to quit the government and rebuild in opposition.

The Greens, buoyed by growing concern across Europe about climate change, which helped propel them to second place in European Parliament elections, remained the most popular party, on 27%.

"The Greens are benefiting from high voter mobilisation, the self-destruction of the SPD and attempts by the conservatives to trump the Greens on climate protection," said Forsa chief Manfred Guellner.

If Merkel's coalition collapses, Germany faces the possibilities of a snap election, a minority government or an unwieldy alliance of three blocs.

Any of those scenarios would be likely to hasten the exit of Merkel, chancellor for almost 14 years, who has handed over the leadership of her Christian Democrats (CDU) to protege Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Merkel has said she will not stand again as chancellor of Europe's biggest economy.

Kramp-Karrenbauer has failed to boost the CDU and in the Forsa poll, only 19% of respondents said they would back her as chancellor in a direct vote, two points down from a week ago.

The SPD has yet to decide how to elect their next leader and no one has yet stepped forward.

The weekly Der Spiegel ran a title story on Kevin Kuehnert, the hoody-wearing 29-year-old head of the SPD youth wing, a divisive figure who campaigned against the grand coalition last year and wants to shift the party to the left.

It quoted some party members as saying they would like him to stand as a leader and others saying it would be madness.

The media-savvy Kuehnert is no stranger to controversy; last month he caused a storm by saying companies such as carmaker BMW should be taken into collective ownership.

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives slumped to a record low and fell further behind the resurgent opposition Greens in a survey published on Saturday, reflecting growing disillusionment with the ruling coalition.

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives slumped to a record low and fell further behind the resurgent opposition Greens in a survey published on Saturday, reflecting growing disillusionment with the ruling coalition. Doubts are mounting that Merkel's right-left alliance can last its full term until 2021, largely due to disarray within her Social Democrat (SPD) partners, and many experts now see increasing chances of a federal election next year. The Forsa poll put the conservative bloc on 24%, down two points from a week ago. The Social Democrats (SPD) remained stuck at their low of 12% - level with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) - a week after their leader quit because of a dismal performance in regional and European elections. Many members want to quit the government and rebuild in opposition. The Greens, buoyed by growing concern across Europe about climate change, which helped propel them to second place in European Parliament elections, remained the most popular party, on 27%. "The Greens are benefiting from high voter mobilisation, the self-destruction of the SPD and attempts by the conservatives to trump the Greens on climate protection," said Forsa chief Manfred Guellner. If Merkel's coalition collapses, Germany faces the possibilities of a snap election, a minority government or an unwieldy alliance of three blocs. Any of those scenarios would be likely to hasten the exit of Merkel, chancellor for almost 14 years, who has handed over the leadership of her Christian Democrats (CDU) to protege Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Merkel has said she will not stand again as chancellor of Europe's biggest economy. Kramp-Karrenbauer has failed to boost the CDU and in the Forsa poll, only 19% of respondents said they would back her as chancellor in a direct vote, two points down from a week ago. The SPD has yet to decide how to elect their next leader and no one has yet stepped forward. The weekly Der Spiegel ran a title story on Kevin Kuehnert, the hoody-wearing 29-year-old head of the SPD youth wing, a divisive figure who campaigned against the grand coalition last year and wants to shift the party to the left. It quoted some party members as saying they would like him to stand as a leader and others saying it would be madness. The media-savvy Kuehnert is no stranger to controversy; last month he caused a storm by saying companies such as carmaker BMW should be taken into collective ownership.

Angela Merkel's conservatives hit new low, piling pressure on coalition

It was a mixed feeling of sentiment, pride and togetherness as leaders of 16 nations commemorated the 75th anniversary of the D-Day in the English city of Portsmouth.

Standing with the leaders of the allied nations including United States President Donald Trump, United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron was German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

There was nothing surprising about Merkel's presence at the event which commemorated the allied victory over Nazi Germany.

Merkel had been a regular at D-Day anniversaries. While leaders of allied nations hailed the bravery of their combined forces, the German Chancellor expressed gratitude for being invited to the ceremony.

Merkel hailed D-Day as the “unique military operation that eventually liberated Germany from the Nazis.”

But things were quite different 15 years ago when a German Chancellor attended D-Day anniversary for the first time.&nbsp;

Allied veterans had objected to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder being invited to the 60th D-Day commemoration in France's Normandy in 2004.

But for both France and Germany, Schroeder's attendance was a sign of changing times and reconciliation in Europe.

Merkel's words resonated with what her predecessor said back then. Schroeder had called D-day "a victory not over Germany but a victory for Germany."

Schroeder had also paid tribute to Allied as well as German soldiers who were laid to rest at the Commonwealth Cemetery of Ranville in Normandy.

But he skipped a visit to the nearby Le Cambe cemetery, where over 21,000 German soldiers belonging to the Waffen-SS unit were buried.

The SS among its many infamous activities was responsible for the mass killing of Jews during the Holocaust.

On June 6th, 1944 Allied forces including those from the US, UK and Canada landed on the beaches of Normandy. The largest seaborne invasion in history would eventually bring down Adolf Hitler's empire in France and later Western Europe.

Merkel, who became only the second German leader to attend Normandy Landing remembrance in 2014 and Schroeder belonged to a generation of Germans who had no memory of the Second World War which ended in 1945.

Schroder was a year old when Germany surrendered while Merkel was born after the war, in 1954.

But D-Day events brought back discomforting memories for German leaders who had witnessed the war.

In 1994, France had avoided inviting then German Premier Helmut Kohl for the Normandy invasion anniversary.

Kohl had said that there was no reason for him "to celebrate a battle in which thousands of Germans died miserable deaths."

The D-Day was a deeply personal matter for Kohl who was a teenager in 1944. His own brother died during the Normandy invasion.&nbsp;

But Kohl later softened his stance on D-Day amid Germany's improving ties with France.

The post-war order was once again reflected in Merkel's remarks who said that "D-Day set in motion the reconciliation process that brought lasting peace to Europe."

On the D-Day's 75th anniversary, nations including Germany signed a declaration in Portsmouth. The world&nbsp;leaders pledged that they will stand together to protect peace and stability.

However, the proclamation had generated little interest. Cracks in the alliances have been quite visible. UK has been in the process to leave the European Union.

Germany and France have been at loggerheads over top European Commission posts.&nbsp;

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump had complained that the European NATO members are not making enough contribution to the alliance.

The world leaders now have different issues to mend for. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

It was a mixed feeling of sentiment, pride and togetherness as leaders of 16 nations commemorated the 75th anniversary of the D-Day in the English city of Portsmouth.

It was a mixed feeling of sentiment, pride and togetherness as leaders of 16 nations commemorated the 75th anniversary of the D-Day in the English city of Portsmouth. Standing with the leaders of the allied nations including United States President Donald Trump, United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron was German Chancellor Angela Merkel. There was nothing surprising about Merkel's presence at the event which commemorated the allied victory over Nazi Germany. Merkel had been a regular at D-Day anniversaries. While leaders of allied nations hailed the bravery of their combined forces, the German Chancellor expressed gratitude for being invited to the ceremony. Merkel hailed D-Day as the “unique military operation that eventually liberated Germany from the Nazis.” But things were quite different 15 years ago when a German Chancellor attended D-Day anniversary for the first time. Allied veterans had objected to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder being invited to the 60th D-Day commemoration in France's Normandy in 2004. But for both France and Germany, Schroeder's attendance was a sign of changing times and reconciliation in Europe. Merkel's words resonated with what her predecessor said back then. Schroeder had called D-day "a victory not over Germany but a victory for Germany." Schroeder had also paid tribute to Allied as well as German soldiers who were laid to rest at the Commonwealth Cemetery of Ranville in Normandy. But he skipped a visit to the nearby Le Cambe cemetery, where over 21,000 German soldiers belonging to the Waffen-SS unit were buried. The SS among its many infamous activities was responsible for the mass killing of Jews during the Holocaust. On June 6th, 1944 Allied forces including those from the US, UK and Canada landed on the beaches of Normandy. The largest seaborne invasion in history would eventually bring down Adolf Hitler's empire in France and later Western Europe. Merkel, who became only the second German leader to attend Normandy Landing remembrance in 2014 and Schroeder belonged to a generation of Germans who had no memory of the Second World War which ended in 1945. Schroder was a year old when Germany surrendered while Merkel was born after the war, in 1954. But D-Day events brought back discomforting memories for German leaders who had witnessed the war. In 1994, France had avoided inviting then German Premier Helmut Kohl for the Normandy invasion anniversary. Kohl had said that there was no reason for him "to celebrate a battle in which thousands of Germans died miserable deaths." The D-Day was a deeply personal matter for Kohl who was a teenager in 1944. His own brother died during the Normandy invasion. But Kohl later softened his stance on D-Day amid Germany's improving ties with France. The post-war order was once again reflected in Merkel's remarks who said that "D-Day set in motion the reconciliation process that brought lasting peace to Europe." On the D-Day's 75th anniversary, nations including Germany signed a declaration in Portsmouth. The world leaders pledged that they will stand together to protect peace and stability. However, the proclamation had generated little interest. Cracks in the alliances have been quite visible. UK has been in the process to leave the European Union. Germany and France have been at loggerheads over top European Commission posts. US President Donald Trump had complained that the European NATO members are not making enough contribution to the alliance. The world leaders now have different issues to mend for. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Blog: How Germany sees its D-Day defeat

Britain's Queen Elizabeth joined world leaders including Donald Trump and Angela Merkel to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history and a feat that helped bring World War Two to an end.

The queen, Prince Charles, presidents and prime ministers rose to applaud veterans, their coats heavy with medals, as they stood on a giant stage beside a guard of honour after a film of the Normandy landings was shown.

"We all had a part to play - I wasn't nervous - I was apprehensive like everybody else was," said Bert Edwards, recounting his role 75 years ago as an able seaman on the Royal Navy's HMS Bellona.

"It's something that happens once in a lifetime - makes you proud a little bit for taking part," he said during the film.

Prime Minister Theresa May was joined for the commemorative events in Portsmouth by US&nbsp;President Trump, who is on the final day of a state visit to Britain, and his wife, Melania.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, German Chancellor Merkel, and leaders and senior figures from 10 other countries also attended.

"As we unite to pay tribute to those whose bravery and sacrifice on the beaches of Normandy marked a turning point in the Second World War, we will vow never to forget the debt we owe them," May said.

"Their solidarity and determination in the defence of our freedom remains a lesson to us all."

In the early hours of June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 allied troops set off from Portsmouth and the surrounding area to begin the air, sea and land attack on Normandy that ultimately led to the liberation of western Europe from the Nazi regime.

By the time of the Normandy landings, Soviet forces had been fighting Germany in the east for almost three years and Kremlin chief Josef Stalin had urged British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to open a second front as far back as August 1942.

The invasion, codenamed Operation Overlord and commanded by US&nbsp;General Dwight D. Eisenhower, remains the largest amphibious assault in history and involved almost 7,000 ships and landing craft along a 50-mile (80-km) stretch of the French coast.

Shortly after midnight, thousands of paratroopers were dropped. Then came the naval bombardment of German positions overlooking the shore. Then the infantry arrived on the beaches.

Mostly American, British and Canadian men, some just boys, waded ashore as German soldiers tried to kill them with machine guns and artillery. Survivors say the sea was red with blood and the air boiling with the thunder of explosions.

Thousands were killed on both sides. Line upon line of white crosses honour the dead in cemeteries across northern France. Even the codenames of the sectors of the invasion - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword - can draw tears from veterans.

"Never repeat"

"Seventy-five years ago this Thursday, courageous Americans and British patriots set out from this island towards history's most important battle," Trump told a news conference in London on Tuesday.

"They stormed forward out of ships and aeroplanes risking everything to defend our people and to ensure that the United States and Britain would forever remain sovereign and forever remain free."

Sixteen countries attended the commemorations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Those countries agreed a proclamation to "ensure that the unimaginable horror of these years is never repeated".

"We will act resolutely, with courage and tenacity, to protect our people against threats to our values and challenges to peace and stability," the proclamation said.

The commemorations will feature an hour-long performance recounting the story of D-Day and a flypast by historic and military aircraft.

On Wednesday evening, some 300 veterans who took part on D-Day, all now older than 90, will leave Portsmouth on a specially commissioned ship, MV Boudicca, and retrace their 1944 journey across the English Channel, accompanied by Royal Navy vessels and a lone wartime Spitfire fighter plane.

Meanwhile, in Normandy, British air assault troops, French army paratroopers and D-Day veterans will recreate the airborne landings. There will be further D-Day memorial events on Thursday in northern France.

Wednesday's event coincides with the last day of Trump's state visit to Britain, where he has lavished praise on the U.S. ally and said the wartime bonds forged the "greatest alliance the world has ever known".

He also called for NATO allies to spend more on defence, saying they had no choice but to meet NATO's target of at least 2% of GDP. Trump has repeatedly complained that Germany and others are not pulling their weight and need to do more to ease the burden on the United States.

Britain is one of the few NATO members that does meet the target and May said the D-Day events should serve as an important marker for unity for the future.

"As I host leaders from around the world today to mark this significant moment in our shared history, we will together reflect on the continued importance of the western alliance for all our countries' security and prosperity," she said.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth joined world leaders including Donald Trump and Angela Merkel to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history and a feat that helped bring World War Two to an end.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth joined world leaders including Donald Trump and Angela Merkel to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history and a feat that helped bring World War Two to an end. The queen, Prince Charles, presidents and prime ministers rose to applaud veterans, their coats heavy with medals, as they stood on a giant stage beside a guard of honour after a film of the Normandy landings was shown. "We all had a part to play - I wasn't nervous - I was apprehensive like everybody else was," said Bert Edwards, recounting his role 75 years ago as an able seaman on the Royal Navy's HMS Bellona. "It's something that happens once in a lifetime - makes you proud a little bit for taking part," he said during the film. Prime Minister Theresa May was joined for the commemorative events in Portsmouth by US President Trump, who is on the final day of a state visit to Britain, and his wife, Melania. French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, German Chancellor Merkel, and leaders and senior figures from 10 other countries also attended. "As we unite to pay tribute to those whose bravery and sacrifice on the beaches of Normandy marked a turning point in the Second World War, we will vow never to forget the debt we owe them," May said. "Their solidarity and determination in the defence of our freedom remains a lesson to us all." In the early hours of June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 allied troops set off from Portsmouth and the surrounding area to begin the air, sea and land attack on Normandy that ultimately led to the liberation of western Europe from the Nazi regime. By the time of the Normandy landings, Soviet forces had been fighting Germany in the east for almost three years and Kremlin chief Josef Stalin had urged British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to open a second front as far back as August 1942. The invasion, codenamed Operation Overlord and commanded by US General Dwight D. Eisenhower, remains the largest amphibious assault in history and involved almost 7,000 ships and landing craft along a 50-mile (80-km) stretch of the French coast. Shortly after midnight, thousands of paratroopers were dropped. Then came the naval bombardment of German positions overlooking the shore. Then the infantry arrived on the beaches. Mostly American, British and Canadian men, some just boys, waded ashore as German soldiers tried to kill them with machine guns and artillery. Survivors say the sea was red with blood and the air boiling with the thunder of explosions. Thousands were killed on both sides. Line upon line of white crosses honour the dead in cemeteries across northern France. Even the codenames of the sectors of the invasion - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword - can draw tears from veterans. "Never repeat" "Seventy-five years ago this Thursday, courageous Americans and British patriots set out from this island towards history's most important battle," Trump told a news conference in London on Tuesday. "They stormed forward out of ships and aeroplanes risking everything to defend our people and to ensure that the United States and Britain would forever remain sovereign and forever remain free." Sixteen countries attended the commemorations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Those countries agreed a proclamation to "ensure that the unimaginable horror of these years is never repeated". "We will act resolutely, with courage and tenacity, to protect our people against threats to our values and challenges to peace and stability," the proclamation said. The commemorations will feature an hour-long performance recounting the story of D-Day and a flypast by historic and military aircraft. On Wednesday evening, some 300 veterans who took part on D-Day, all now older than 90, will leave Portsmouth on a specially commissioned ship, MV Boudicca, and retrace their 1944 journey across the English Channel, accompanied by Royal Navy vessels and a lone wartime Spitfire fighter plane. Meanwhile, in Normandy, British air assault troops, French army paratroopers and D-Day veterans will recreate the airborne landings. There will be further D-Day memorial events on Thursday in northern France. Wednesday's event coincides with the last day of Trump's state visit to Britain, where he has lavished praise on the U.S. ally and said the wartime bonds forged the "greatest alliance the world has ever known". He also called for NATO allies to spend more on defence, saying they had no choice but to meet NATO's target of at least 2% of GDP. Trump has repeatedly complained that Germany and others are not pulling their weight and need to do more to ease the burden on the United States. Britain is one of the few NATO members that does meet the target and May said the D-Day events should serve as an important marker for unity for the future. "As I host leaders from around the world today to mark this significant moment in our shared history, we will together reflect on the continued importance of the western alliance for all our countries' security and prosperity," she said.

'Bravery and sacrifice': Queen Elizabeth and world leaders applaud D-Day veterans

Former White House chief strategist and media mogul Steve Bannon spoke exclusively to WION's Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary recently. During the conversation, he spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landslide victory, US-India relationship, Pakistan, his interest in Hindu spirituality and his love for Bhagavad Gita.

Full transcript of Steve Bannon's interview with Sudhir Chaudhary

The German government has called on people to wear the Jewish kippa ahead of an anti-Israel protest as a demonstration of solidarity and as Jews face a spike in anti-Semitism, withdrawing an earlier warning against wearing the traditional skullcap.

At the weekend, Felix Klein, the country's commissioner on anti-Semitism sparked uproar when he said in an interview with the Funke regional press group that he could not "advise Jews to wear the kippa everywhere all the time in Germany."

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin voiced shock at Klein's warning and said it was a "capitulation to anti-Semitism" and evidence that Jews are unsafe in Germany.

Late Monday, Klein reversed course after Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman intervened.

"The state must see to it that the free exercise of religion is possible for all... and that anyone can go anywhere in our country in full security wearing a kippa," Steffen Seibert told a press conference.

In his latest statement to Funke, Klein said,&nbsp;"I call on all citizens of Berlin and across Germany to wear the kippa next Saturday if there are new, intolerable attacks targeting Israel and Jews on the occasion of al-Quds day in Berlin."

Al-Quds is an annual event against Israeli control of Jerusalem and will take place on Saturday.

Klein also addressed his earlier statements, saying that he "could no longer recommend that Jews wear the kippa everywhere in Germany should be taken as an alarm signal."

Earlier Monday, German daily Bild published a cut-out-and-use kippa in a bid to fight rising anti-Semitism.

Bild, Germany's top-selling daily newspaper, called on readers to "stand in solidarity with (their) Jewish neighbours" by making "their own kippa", bearing the star of David, to "raise the flag against anti-Semitism".

Germany, like other Western countries, has watched with alarm as anti-Semitic and other racist hate speech and violence have increased in recent years while the political climate has coarsened and grown more polarised.

Anti-Semitic crimes rose by 20 per cent in Germany last year, according to interior ministry data which blamed nine out of 10 cases on the extreme right.

The arrival in parliament of the far-right AfD party, whose leaders openly question Germany's culture of atonement for World War II atrocities, has also contributed to the change in atmosphere.

Merkel has also deplored "another form of anti-Semitism" stemming from a major asylum-seeker influx, with many coming from Muslim countries like Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq.

The Central Council of Jews in Germany has already issued several warnings about wearing the kippa in public.

In one prominent case last year, a 19-year-old Syrian man was convicted for assault after lashing out with his belt at an Israeli man wearing a Jewish skullcap while shouting "Yahudi", Jew in Arabic.

The German government has called on people to wear the Jewish kippa ahead of an anti-Israel protest as a demonstration of solidarity and as Jews face a spike in anti-Semitism, withdrawing an earlier warning against wearing the traditional skullcap.

The German government has called on people to wear the Jewish kippa ahead of an anti-Israel protest as a demonstration of solidarity and as Jews face a spike in anti-Semitism, withdrawing an earlier warning against wearing the traditional skullcap. At the weekend, Felix Klein, the country's commissioner on anti-Semitism sparked uproar when he said in an interview with the Funke regional press group that he could not "advise Jews to wear the kippa everywhere all the time in Germany." Israeli President Reuven Rivlin voiced shock at Klein's warning and said it was a "capitulation to anti-Semitism" and evidence that Jews are unsafe in Germany. Late Monday, Klein reversed course after Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman intervened. "The state must see to it that the free exercise of religion is possible for all... and that anyone can go anywhere in our country in full security wearing a kippa," Steffen Seibert told a press conference. In his latest statement to Funke, Klein said, "I call on all citizens of Berlin and across Germany to wear the kippa next Saturday if there are new, intolerable attacks targeting Israel and Jews on the occasion of al-Quds day in Berlin." Al-Quds is an annual event against Israeli control of Jerusalem and will take place on Saturday. Klein also addressed his earlier statements, saying that he "could no longer recommend that Jews wear the kippa everywhere in Germany should be taken as an alarm signal." Earlier Monday, German daily Bild published a cut-out-and-use kippa in a bid to fight rising anti-Semitism. Bild, Germany's top-selling daily newspaper, called on readers to "stand in solidarity with (their) Jewish neighbours" by making "their own kippa", bearing the star of David, to "raise the flag against anti-Semitism". Germany, like other Western countries, has watched with alarm as anti-Semitic and other racist hate speech and violence have increased in recent years while the political climate has coarsened and grown more polarised. Anti-Semitic crimes rose by 20 per cent in Germany last year, according to interior ministry data which blamed nine out of 10 cases on the extreme right. The arrival in parliament of the far-right AfD party, whose leaders openly question Germany's culture of atonement for World War II atrocities, has also contributed to the change in atmosphere. Merkel has also deplored "another form of anti-Semitism" stemming from a major asylum-seeker influx, with many coming from Muslim countries like Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq. The Central Council of Jews in Germany has already issued several warnings about wearing the kippa in public. In one prominent case last year, a 19-year-old Syrian man was convicted for assault after lashing out with his belt at an Israeli man wearing a Jewish skullcap while shouting "Yahudi", Jew in Arabic.

German government urges wearing of Jewish kippa

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-coalition-in-crisis-talks-after-european-union-vote-debacle-221923">German Chancellor Angela Merkel</a> and French President Emmanuel Macron will lock horns in Brussels on Tuesday as&nbsp;European Union&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;meet to begin bargaining over who will take the bloc's top jobs for the next five years.

An&nbsp;EU-wide election last week returned a&nbsp;European Parliament with a splintered centre and gains by pro-EU&nbsp;liberals and greens as well as&nbsp;eurosceptic nationalists and the far-right.

The centrist&nbsp;European People's Party (EPP) and Socialists &amp; Democrats (S&amp;D) can only count on 326 seats in the new, 751-strong chamber. That is short of the 376-seat majority needed to approve a new head for the bloc's executive&nbsp;European Commission.

Other big roles up for grabs later this year include the head of the&nbsp;European Parliament and the&nbsp;European Central Bank, the bloc's foreign policy chief and the head of the&nbsp;European Council, which gathers&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;of the&nbsp;EU's 28 member states.

Merkel called on Monday for a swift decision and an official from Macron's office said he too would "ideally" want the process finished in June. But the two&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;have differing views on how to pick a Commission chief.

The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;would risk an institutional logjam if talks are prolonged, leaving it unable to make key policy decisions at a time when it faces a more assertive Russia, China's growing economic might and the unpredictable US&nbsp;president.

Leaders&nbsp;of a majority of parties in the newly elected chamber on Monday called on the national&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;to nominate a lawmaker to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission chief.

Merkel officially favours the EPP candidate, German conservative Manfred Weber, to take over at the Commission.

But Weber has so far failed to rally the other&nbsp;EU&nbsp;assembly groups and a dinner he had wanted to host late on Monday with the S&amp;D, the liberal ALDE and the Greens was cancelled.

"The EPP is ready for all the necessary compromises," Weber said on Monday.

HARD TO CALL

Together, those four parties would hold 504 seats in the new&nbsp;EU&nbsp;chamber, according to the latest provisional results, comfortably enough to approve or reject any pick made by the 28 national&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;for the top Brussels posting.

Macron, meanwhile, will on Tuesday push against the "Spitzenkandidat" system whereby a lawmaker selected by the&nbsp;European assembly should get the Commission job.

On Monday night he met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is seeking a bigger political role for Madrid at the top of the&nbsp;EU.

A raft of separate face-to-face talks will take place in Brussels on Tuesday before all the&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;-- including outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May -- meet at 1600 GMT.

Their chairman, ex-Polish premier Donald Tusk, does not expect the package to be agreed on Tuesday but will continue consultations with capitals after the debate among&nbsp;leaders.

He also wants to have names ready for the new&nbsp;European Parliament's approval in July as otherwise the whole process risks getting delayed until autumn.

Unanimity is not required and current Commission president Juncker got the job despite opposition from London and with Budapest abstaining in 2014.

But it is hard to see a candidate succeeding against the will of more than just a handful of&nbsp;leaders, as that would risk hurting their cooperation in the future and stalling the&nbsp;EU's decision-making processes.

The obscure and difficult-to-call recruitment process will be a compromise between requirements of geography and political affiliation, as well as the candidates' own profiles.

Other names already in the running include Juncker's current deputy and Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans, the bloc's Brexit negotiator, Frenchman Michel Barnier, and outgoing Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, a Slovak.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will lock horns in Brussels on Tuesday as European Union leaders meet to begin bargaining over who will take the bloc's top jobs for the next five years.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will lock horns in Brussels on Tuesday as European Union leaders meet to begin bargaining over who will take the bloc's top jobs for the next five years. An EU-wide election last week returned a European Parliament with a splintered centre and gains by pro-EU liberals and greens as well as eurosceptic nationalists and the far-right. The centrist European People's Party (EPP) and Socialists & Democrats (S&D) can only count on 326 seats in the new, 751-strong chamber. That is short of the 376-seat majority needed to approve a new head for the bloc's executive European Commission. Other big roles up for grabs later this year include the head of the European Parliament and the European Central Bank, the bloc's foreign policy chief and the head of the European Council, which gathers leaders of the EU's 28 member states. Merkel called on Monday for a swift decision and an official from Macron's office said he too would "ideally" want the process finished in June. But the two leaders have differing views on how to pick a Commission chief. The EU would risk an institutional logjam if talks are prolonged, leaving it unable to make key policy decisions at a time when it faces a more assertive Russia, China's growing economic might and the unpredictable US president. Leaders of a majority of parties in the newly elected chamber on Monday called on the national leaders to nominate a lawmaker to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission chief. Merkel officially favours the EPP candidate, German conservative Manfred Weber, to take over at the Commission. But Weber has so far failed to rally the other EU assembly groups and a dinner he had wanted to host late on Monday with the S&D, the liberal ALDE and the Greens was cancelled. "The EPP is ready for all the necessary compromises," Weber said on Monday. HARD TO CALL Together, those four parties would hold 504 seats in the new EU chamber, according to the latest provisional results, comfortably enough to approve or reject any pick made by the 28 national leaders for the top Brussels posting. Macron, meanwhile, will on Tuesday push against the "Spitzenkandidat" system whereby a lawmaker selected by the European assembly should get the Commission job. On Monday night he met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is seeking a bigger political role for Madrid at the top of the EU. A raft of separate face-to-face talks will take place in Brussels on Tuesday before all the leaders -- including outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May -- meet at 1600 GMT. Their chairman, ex-Polish premier Donald Tusk, does not expect the package to be agreed on Tuesday but will continue consultations with capitals after the debate among leaders. He also wants to have names ready for the new European Parliament's approval in July as otherwise the whole process risks getting delayed until autumn. Unanimity is not required and current Commission president Juncker got the job despite opposition from London and with Budapest abstaining in 2014. But it is hard to see a candidate succeeding against the will of more than just a handful of leaders, as that would risk hurting their cooperation in the future and stalling the EU's decision-making processes. The obscure and difficult-to-call recruitment process will be a compromise between requirements of geography and political affiliation, as well as the candidates' own profiles. Other names already in the running include Juncker's current deputy and Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans, the bloc's Brexit negotiator, Frenchman Michel Barnier, and outgoing Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, a Slovak.

European Union leaders fire starting gun for top jobs race

Five key takeaways from the European Union elections

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkel-calls-for-europe-to-stand-up-against-far-right-parties-219720">German Chancellor Angela Merkel's</a> embattled coalition will hold crisis talks Monday after a thumping at European polls that has reignited questions over its survival.

Voters handed her CDU party and its centre-left coalition partner SPD their worst score in European election history while doubling support for the Greens amid rising fears over global warming.

The Greens also snatched the second spot from the Social Democratic Party, coming in just behind Merkel's centre-right alliance.

Crucially, the environmental party took more than a million votes -- including many from young people -- each from the SPD as well as from the CDU.

Der Spiegel said the coalition is "in danger" after Sunday's drubbing.

"This instability can lead to a break up at any time. The CDU and SPD are deeply insecure parties. If, for example, SPD leader (Andrea) Nahles were to fall, the question of the continued existence of the coalition would immediately arise."

The SPD, stung by a beating at general elections in 2017, had initially sought to go into opposition.

But it was reluctantly coaxed into renewing a partnership with Merkel's centre-right alliance, and many within the party remain wary of continuing to govern in her shadow while taking the fall for any unpopular policies.

With the SPD also losing the top spot in stronghold Bremen during state elections Sunday, rumblings of discontent against the leadership may yet grow louder.

Already ahead of the vote, Bild is Sonntag quoted unnamed sources as saying that veteran politician Martin Schulz was ready to stand against Nahles when the parliamentary chief post comes up for renewal in September.

Slapping down the speculation, finance minister Olaf Scholz warned against putting Nahles' role in question.&nbsp;

"Calling for personal consequences would not help," he said.

Blindsided&nbsp;

But the SPD was not the only party in crisis mode after Sunday's debacle.

Merkel's CDU too had been blindsided by youth-led anger over global warming.

Key party figures admitted Sunday that they had campaigned on the wrong topics, as they overlooked climate which had overtaken immigration to become the main worry for Germans this year.

The momentum for the Green surge had been building up over months as the strikes started last November by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, 16, not only refused to lose steam but caught the imagination of youth across the world.

The Greens were further lent a boost in Germany by a prominent YouTuber whose online assault against Merkel's coalition accusing it of failing to act to halt global warming went viral.

The CDU struggled for days to put out the fire.

Just two days before the vote, the online star Rezo upped the ante and published a joint call with 70 influential YouTubers telling their millions of followers to shun parties in Merkel's coalition as well as the far-right AfD at the polls.

On Sunday, one in three under-30s picked the Greens, while only 13 per cent picked the CDU. The SPD also did not fare better, winning over only 10 per cent of the age group.

Party chief Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is poised to succeed Merkel when the veteran leader steps down in 2021, conceded, "Yes, we made mistakes in this election campaign, that has to be said."

Markus Soeder, who heads Merkel's Bavarian allies CSU, declared the environmental party its main rival.

"The biggest challenge of the future is the intensive debate with the Greens," he said, adding that "old measures that we had before, are no longer valid".

Underlining that the CDU-CSU bloc was struggling to win over young voters, he added that "we must work to be younger, cooler and more open".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's embattled coalition will hold crisis talks Monday after a thumping at European polls that has reignited questions over its survival.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's embattled coalition will hold crisis talks Monday after a thumping at European polls that has reignited questions over its survival. Voters handed her CDU party and its centre-left coalition partner SPD their worst score in European election history while doubling support for the Greens amid rising fears over global warming. The Greens also snatched the second spot from the Social Democratic Party, coming in just behind Merkel's centre-right alliance. Crucially, the environmental party took more than a million votes -- including many from young people -- each from the SPD as well as from the CDU. Der Spiegel said the coalition is "in danger" after Sunday's drubbing. "This instability can lead to a break up at any time. The CDU and SPD are deeply insecure parties. If, for example, SPD leader (Andrea) Nahles were to fall, the question of the continued existence of the coalition would immediately arise." The SPD, stung by a beating at general elections in 2017, had initially sought to go into opposition. But it was reluctantly coaxed into renewing a partnership with Merkel's centre-right alliance, and many within the party remain wary of continuing to govern in her shadow while taking the fall for any unpopular policies. With the SPD also losing the top spot in stronghold Bremen during state elections Sunday, rumblings of discontent against the leadership may yet grow louder. Already ahead of the vote, Bild is Sonntag quoted unnamed sources as saying that veteran politician Martin Schulz was ready to stand against Nahles when the parliamentary chief post comes up for renewal in September. Slapping down the speculation, finance minister Olaf Scholz warned against putting Nahles' role in question. "Calling for personal consequences would not help," he said. Blindsided But the SPD was not the only party in crisis mode after Sunday's debacle. Merkel's CDU too had been blindsided by youth-led anger over global warming. Key party figures admitted Sunday that they had campaigned on the wrong topics, as they overlooked climate which had overtaken immigration to become the main worry for Germans this year. The momentum for the Green surge had been building up over months as the strikes started last November by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, 16, not only refused to lose steam but caught the imagination of youth across the world. The Greens were further lent a boost in Germany by a prominent YouTuber whose online assault against Merkel's coalition accusing it of failing to act to halt global warming went viral. The CDU struggled for days to put out the fire. Just two days before the vote, the online star Rezo upped the ante and published a joint call with 70 influential YouTubers telling their millions of followers to shun parties in Merkel's coalition as well as the far-right AfD at the polls. On Sunday, one in three under-30s picked the Greens, while only 13 per cent picked the CDU. The SPD also did not fare better, winning over only 10 per cent of the age group. Party chief Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is poised to succeed Merkel when the veteran leader steps down in 2021, conceded, "Yes, we made mistakes in this election campaign, that has to be said." Markus Soeder, who heads Merkel's Bavarian allies CSU, declared the environmental party its main rival. "The biggest challenge of the future is the intensive debate with the Greens," he said, adding that "old measures that we had before, are no longer valid". Underlining that the CDU-CSU bloc was struggling to win over young voters, he added that "we must work to be younger, cooler and more open".

Angela Merkel's coalition in crisis talks after European Union vote debacle

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June.

During Modi's first tenure as the prime minister, his first visit was to Bhutan in June 2014.&nbsp;

PM Modi will have seven foreign visits scheduled in the next seven months, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, France, Russia, Thailand, Brazil and a country in the neighbourhood.&nbsp;

The visits will see him interact with global leaders and see a consolidation of his foreign policy actions and gains from his first term.

June: Kyrgyzstan, Japan

Other than a visit to a South Asian country, June will see two more major visits. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO summit from June 13 to 15 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan which will begin from June 28 to 29.

The SCO includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan as well as India and Pakistan. The SCO summit will be the first time PM Modi and his Pakistani counterpart &nbsp;Imran Khan will be under the same roof and the big question will be if they will meet.&nbsp;

There hasn't been any formal dialogue between India and Pakistan since years now. The last time India took initiative was on December 25 in 2015 when PM Modi landed in Lahore. But, days after India's initiative, Pathankot attack happened which resulted in the breakdown of Indo-Pak ties.&nbsp;

The SCO summit could also see the first meet between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping since the listing of Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation.

In 2018, Modi-Xi met four times, starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan, China. The Chinese president will be visiting India this year for the second informal summit.&nbsp;

G20 summit in Japan will also serve as the first major platform for PM Modi to meet global leaders including a likely meet with US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

In 2018, during the G20 meet in Argentina, PM Modi met Donald Trump as part of a trilateral, Japan, America and India (JAI), in which Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was also present.&nbsp;

Another trilateral, Russia, India, China (RIC) saw the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping along with PM Modi.&nbsp;

Both the trilaterals&nbsp;are expected to meet this time as well.

August: France

This will be followed by participation of Indian PM at the G7 summit in Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France from August 25 to 27.&nbsp;

India has been invited by France, which is the chair this time, to participate at the G7 summit. During his congratulatory call to PM Modi on Thursday, French President Macron reiterated his invitation to visit France in August for a bilateral meeting and also to attend the G7 Summit at Biarritz.

In 2005, India was present at the G7 summit with participation of the then Indian PM Manmohan Singh. &nbsp;The G7 group consists of US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan &amp; Italy.

September: Russia

In September, PM Modi is going to Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in the far eastern city of Vladivostok from September 4 to 6.&nbsp;

PM Modi has spoken to Putin three times in 2019, the first time on January 1 and the second time on January 28 during which the latter extended the invitation for the EEF. On Thursday Putin called Modi third time to congratulate him for his landslide victory in country's 17 Lok Sabha polls. 
&nbsp; 
On January 1, a Russian government official readout the first phone conversation between Putin and Modi in which it was stated, "The President of Russia invited the Prime Minister of India to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September 2019 as the main guest."

During PM Modi's second term he might also go for the United Nations General Assembly in New York that starts on September 17 and ends on September 30.&nbsp;

November: Thailand, Brazil

November will see PM Modi going to Bangkok for the East Asia Summit which takes place on third of that month followed by BRICS summit in Brazil from 11-13 November.

Four leaders, Japan's PM Shinzo Abe, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin and &nbsp;Xi Jinping are scheduled to visit India.

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June.

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June. During Modi's first tenure as the prime minister, his first visit was to Bhutan in June 2014. PM Modi will have seven foreign visits scheduled in the next seven months, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, France, Russia, Thailand, Brazil and a country in the neighbourhood. The visits will see him interact with global leaders and see a consolidation of his foreign policy actions and gains from his first term. June: Kyrgyzstan, Japan Other than a visit to a South Asian country, June will see two more major visits. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO summit from June 13 to 15 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan which will begin from June 28 to 29. The SCO includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan as well as India and Pakistan. The SCO summit will be the first time PM Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan will be under the same roof and the big question will be if they will meet. There hasn't been any formal dialogue between India and Pakistan since years now. The last time India took initiative was on December 25 in 2015 when PM Modi landed in Lahore. But, days after India's initiative, Pathankot attack happened which resulted in the breakdown of Indo-Pak ties. The SCO summit could also see the first meet between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping since the listing of Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation. In 2018, Modi-Xi met four times, starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan, China. The Chinese president will be visiting India this year for the second informal summit. G20 summit in Japan will also serve as the first major platform for PM Modi to meet global leaders including a likely meet with US President Donald Trump. In 2018, during the G20 meet in Argentina, PM Modi met Donald Trump as part of a trilateral, Japan, America and India (JAI), in which Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was also present. Another trilateral, Russia, India, China (RIC) saw the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping along with PM Modi. Both the trilaterals are expected to meet this time as well. August: France This will be followed by participation of Indian PM at the G7 summit in Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France from August 25 to 27. India has been invited by France, which is the chair this time, to participate at the G7 summit. During his congratulatory call to PM Modi on Thursday, French President Macron reiterated his invitation to visit France in August for a bilateral meeting and also to attend the G7 Summit at Biarritz. In 2005, India was present at the G7 summit with participation of the then Indian PM Manmohan Singh. The G7 group consists of US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan & Italy. September: Russia In September, PM Modi is going to Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in the far eastern city of Vladivostok from September 4 to 6. PM Modi has spoken to Putin three times in 2019, the first time on January 1 and the second time on January 28 during which the latter extended the invitation for the EEF. On Thursday Putin called Modi third time to congratulate him for his landslide victory in country's 17 Lok Sabha polls. On January 1, a Russian government official readout the first phone conversation between Putin and Modi in which it was stated, "The President of Russia invited the Prime Minister of India to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September 2019 as the main guest." During PM Modi's second term he might also go for the United Nations General Assembly in New York that starts on September 17 and ends on September 30. November: Thailand, Brazil November will see PM Modi going to Bangkok for the East Asia Summit which takes place on third of that month followed by BRICS summit in Brazil from 11-13 November. Four leaders, Japan's PM Shinzo Abe, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin and Xi Jinping are scheduled to visit India.

Narendra Modi to visit a South Asian country in his first foreign tour in second term

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to push back against far-right parties, saying populist movements wanted to destroy core European values such as fighting corruption and protecting minorities.

Merkel made the remarks when asked about a scandal engulfing Austria's far-right Freedom Party, whose leader Heinz-Christian Strache quit on Saturday as government vice-chancellor after he was videoed offering state contracts in exchange for political support.

"We're having to deal with populist movements that in many areas are contemptuous of these values, who want to destroy the Europe of our values. We have to stand up to this decisively," said Merkel, who has kept a low-profile during campaigning for next week's EU parliamentary election.

"What falls under this is that minorities are not protected, that basic human rights are called into question and that corruption plays a role in politics," she added after meeting Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb.

Merkel has left the most vocal election campaigning to fellow countryman Manfred Weber, the top conservative candidate in the May 23-26 election.

Weber, also speaking in Zagreb, said the Austrian scandal vindicated his intention not to rely on votes from far-right parties in his bid for EU commission president.

"The far right and populists are ready to sell their patriotism and the values of their country for their gains", he said, referring to the affair.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to push back against far-right parties, saying populist movements wanted to destroy core European values such as fighting corruption and protecting minorities.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to push back against far-right parties, saying populist movements wanted to destroy core European values such as fighting corruption and protecting minorities. Merkel made the remarks when asked about a scandal engulfing Austria's far-right Freedom Party, whose leader Heinz-Christian Strache quit on Saturday as government vice-chancellor after he was videoed offering state contracts in exchange for political support. "We're having to deal with populist movements that in many areas are contemptuous of these values, who want to destroy the Europe of our values. We have to stand up to this decisively," said Merkel, who has kept a low-profile during campaigning for next week's EU parliamentary election. "What falls under this is that minorities are not protected, that basic human rights are called into question and that corruption plays a role in politics," she added after meeting Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb. Merkel has left the most vocal election campaigning to fellow countryman Manfred Weber, the top conservative candidate in the May 23-26 election. Weber, also speaking in Zagreb, said the Austrian scandal vindicated his intention not to rely on votes from far-right parties in his bid for EU commission president. "The far right and populists are ready to sell their patriotism and the values of their country for their gains", he said, referring to the affair.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for Europe to stand up against far-right parties

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-7-voting-begins-in-chandigarh-and-7-states-219713">Live Lok Sabha polls 2019 phase 7: Voting underway in final round; UP CM Yogi, Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi among early voters</a>

EVM malfunction reported at booth no.6 in Pant Nagar of Patna Sahib, Bihar

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/polls-shouldnt-be-held-over-such-a-long-duration-says-nitish-kumar-219735">Polls shouldn't be held over such a long duration, says Nitish Kumar</a>

The seven-phase long Lok Sabha elections, one of the most bitterly fought in recent memory, will come to an end today.&nbsp;

As the one and a half month-long dance of democracy ends today, former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that there was a long gap between each phase of voting.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-prime-minister-may-to-make-mps-a-final-bold-offer-on-brexit-deal-219727">British Prime Minister May to make MPs a final 'bold offer' on Brexit deal</a>

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Sunday she was preparing to make a "bold offer" to MPs in one final attempt to get them to back her Brexit deal.

May said that when she brings the Withdrawal Agreement Bill before parliament early next month, it will come with a new package of measures attached that she hopes can command majority support.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkel-calls-for-europe-to-stand-up-against-far-right-parties-219720">Merkel calls for Europe to stand up against far-right parties</a>

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to push back against far-right parties, saying populist movements wanted to destroy core European values such as fighting corruption and protecting minorities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/manchester-city-crush-watford-6-0-in-fa-cup-final-219717">Manchester City crush Watford 6-0 in FA Cup final</a>

Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to become the first team to win the English treble of league championship and both domestic cups in spectacular style.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019 phase 7: Voting underway in final round; UP CM Yogi, Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi among early voters EVM malfunction reported at booth no.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019 phase 7: Voting underway in final round; UP CM Yogi, Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi among early voters EVM malfunction reported at booth no.6 in Pant Nagar of Patna Sahib, Bihar Polls shouldn't be held over such a long duration, says Nitish Kumar The seven-phase long Lok Sabha elections, one of the most bitterly fought in recent memory, will come to an end today. As the one and a half month-long dance of democracy ends today, former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that there was a long gap between each phase of voting. British Prime Minister May to make MPs a final 'bold offer' on Brexit deal British Prime Minister Theresa May said Sunday she was preparing to make a "bold offer" to MPs in one final attempt to get them to back her Brexit deal. May said that when she brings the Withdrawal Agreement Bill before parliament early next month, it will come with a new package of measures attached that she hopes can command majority support. Merkel calls for Europe to stand up against far-right parties German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to push back against far-right parties, saying populist movements wanted to destroy core European values such as fighting corruption and protecting minorities. Manchester City crush Watford 6-0 in FA Cup final Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to become the first team to win the English treble of league championship and both domestic cups in spectacular style.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Germany's parliament on Friday condemned the BDS movement that demands a boycott of Israel as anti-Semitic, warning that its actions were reminiscent of the Nazis' campaign against Jews.

The Bundestag condemnation came with Israel battling a growing chorus led by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to shun the Eurovision Song Contest which Tel Aviv will host on Saturday.

US superstar Madonna has signed a contract to perform during the interval of the high-profile event, it was finally announced on Thursday, ending uncertainty after calls for her to boycott the event.

In its rare multi-party resolution, the German lower house said Friday that the campaign run by the BDS was "reminiscent of the most terrifying phase of German history" under Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime.

"'Don't buy' stickers of the BDS movement on Israeli products remind one of the inevitable associations with the Nazi call 'Don't buy from Jews', and other corresponding graffiti on facades and shop windows," said the non-binding resolution.

"The methods" of the BDS movement "are anti-Semitic," added the resolution put forward by Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU-CSU bloc, coalition partner Social Democratic Party, plus the liberal FDP and the Greens parties.

With the vote, German MPs pledged to reject any financial support for the boycott movement.&nbsp;

The Bundestag will also refrain from allowing BDS and its partners to host events on its premises.

The BDS movement describes itself as a Palestinian-led action, and urges the boycott of Israeli goods, services and culture because of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.

However, for Sebastian Brehm of the CSU, "this is an action that has nothing to do with the criticism of the Israeli government. Rather it is clearly motivated by anti-Semitism".

Germany's parliament on Friday condemned the BDS movement that demands a boycott of Israel as anti-Semitic, warning that its actions were reminiscent of the Nazis' campaign against Jews.

Germany's parliament on Friday condemned the BDS movement that demands a boycott of Israel as anti-Semitic, warning that its actions were reminiscent of the Nazis' campaign against Jews. The Bundestag condemnation came with Israel battling a growing chorus led by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to shun the Eurovision Song Contest which Tel Aviv will host on Saturday. US superstar Madonna has signed a contract to perform during the interval of the high-profile event, it was finally announced on Thursday, ending uncertainty after calls for her to boycott the event. In its rare multi-party resolution, the German lower house said Friday that the campaign run by the BDS was "reminiscent of the most terrifying phase of German history" under Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime. "'Don't buy' stickers of the BDS movement on Israeli products remind one of the inevitable associations with the Nazi call 'Don't buy from Jews', and other corresponding graffiti on facades and shop windows," said the non-binding resolution. "The methods" of the BDS movement "are anti-Semitic," added the resolution put forward by Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU-CSU bloc, coalition partner Social Democratic Party, plus the liberal FDP and the Greens parties. With the vote, German MPs pledged to reject any financial support for the boycott movement. The Bundestag will also refrain from allowing BDS and its partners to host events on its premises. The BDS movement describes itself as a Palestinian-led action, and urges the boycott of Israeli goods, services and culture because of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. However, for Sebastian Brehm of the CSU, "this is an action that has nothing to do with the criticism of the Israeli government. Rather it is clearly motivated by anti-Semitism".

German parliament slams boycott Israel movement as 'anti-Semitic'

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte warned Tuesday against possible military action in Libya, as the head of Tripoli's internationally recognised government, Fayez al-Sarraj, kicked off a European tour to drum up support against a possible attack by strongman Khalifa Haftar.

The contents of a meeting between Conte and Sarraj -- which Italian media said lasted about 90 minutes -- were not made public.

But Conte said on the sidelines of a separate event that "there is no military solution that could guarantee the stabilisation of the country".&nbsp;

"The military solution would, in any case, come at the cost of human lives and humanitarian crises," Conte said.

Sarraj, who heads the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, is seeking support against an <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-air-strikes-point-to-possible-uae-involvement-un-report-216539&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjswsz9wYniAhVOk3AKHRG5CiEQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2IK4v6ucD4bkCKeghspWPU">attack on Tripoli</a> by Haftar, who has urged his troops to "wipe out" government forces.

After his meeting with Conte, Sarraj was set to travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel later on Tuesday and then to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The visit to France, in particular, comes after the GNA repeatedly accused Paris of politically backing the assault which Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched on Tripoli on April 4.

Italy, Libya's former colonial power, is a key backer of the GNA and has echoed calls by Merkel for a "unified" European position and a political solution to resolve the crisis.

In a slip of the tongue, Conte said he had spoken "with president Haftar," but immediately corrected himself to say,&nbsp;"I've spoken with president Sarraj. I am confident I will be able to meet General Haftar soon. We are seeking to establish how and when."&nbsp;

Sarraj may also possibly travel to London as part of his tour.&nbsp;

Britain has pushed for a resolution at the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-says-nearly-400-killed-by-libya-fighting-50000-displaced-215774&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjswsz9wYniAhVOk3AKHRG5CiEQFjAIegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2qYtucIJuRerjFShtQ1I7a">UN Security Council</a> demanding a ceasefire in Libya but its efforts have foundered amid divisions at the world body.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte warned Tuesday against possible military action in Libya, as the head of Tripoli's internationally recognised government, Fayez al-Sarraj, kicked off a European tour to drum up support against a possible attack by strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte warned Tuesday against possible military action in Libya, as the head of Tripoli's internationally recognised government, Fayez al-Sarraj, kicked off a European tour to drum up support against a possible attack by strongman Khalifa Haftar. The contents of a meeting between Conte and Sarraj -- which Italian media said lasted about 90 minutes -- were not made public. But Conte said on the sidelines of a separate event that "there is no military solution that could guarantee the stabilisation of the country". "The military solution would, in any case, come at the cost of human lives and humanitarian crises," Conte said. Sarraj, who heads the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, is seeking support against an attack on Tripoli by Haftar, who has urged his troops to "wipe out" government forces. After his meeting with Conte, Sarraj was set to travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel later on Tuesday and then to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. The visit to France, in particular, comes after the GNA repeatedly accused Paris of politically backing the assault which Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched on Tripoli on April 4. Italy, Libya's former colonial power, is a key backer of the GNA and has echoed calls by Merkel for a "unified" European position and a political solution to resolve the crisis. In a slip of the tongue, Conte said he had spoken "with president Haftar," but immediately corrected himself to say, "I've spoken with president Sarraj. I am confident I will be able to meet General Haftar soon. We are seeking to establish how and when." Sarraj may also possibly travel to London as part of his tour. Britain has pushed for a resolution at the UN Security Council demanding a ceasefire in Libya but its efforts have foundered amid divisions at the world body.

Italy warns against military action in Libya

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-pattern-of-aggressive-behaviour-elsewhere-informs-how-it-treats-the-arctic-pompeo-216537">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> abruptly cancelled a visit to Germany on Tuesday hours before he was due to arrive in Berlin, with his spokeswoman citing "pressing issues".

"We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

"The Secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon."

She gave no further details or explanation for the sudden change of plans.

Pompeo had been due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear whether he would still travel to Britain on Wednesday, when he was to meet with Prime Minister Theresa May, or on Thursday to Greenland, where he was to complete his European tour.

Pompeo started the trip attending a meeting of ministers of the Arctic Council in the northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi.

Merkel's office referred all queries about the reasons for the cancellation to the US embassy in Berlin, which could not immediately be reached for comment.

The embassy had earlier tweeted the Ortagus remarks.

Merkel has not hidden her differences with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken the unusual step of criticising the close ally, especially over what he has repeatedly called German's insufficient NATO spending.

Berlin and Washington are also at odds over a range of trade issues and the Nord Stream 2 project to build a new gas pipeline between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly cancelled a visit to Germany on Tuesday hours before he was due to arrive in Berlin, with his spokeswoman citing "pressing issues".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly cancelled a visit to Germany on Tuesday hours before he was due to arrive in Berlin, with his spokeswoman citing "pressing issues". "We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. "The Secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon." She gave no further details or explanation for the sudden change of plans. Pompeo had been due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear whether he would still travel to Britain on Wednesday, when he was to meet with Prime Minister Theresa May, or on Thursday to Greenland, where he was to complete his European tour. Pompeo started the trip attending a meeting of ministers of the Arctic Council in the northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi. Merkel's office referred all queries about the reasons for the cancellation to the US embassy in Berlin, which could not immediately be reached for comment. The embassy had earlier tweeted the Ortagus remarks. Merkel has not hidden her differences with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken the unusual step of criticising the close ally, especially over what he has repeatedly called German's insufficient NATO spending. Berlin and Washington are also at odds over a range of trade issues and the Nord Stream 2 project to build a new gas pipeline between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Pompeo cancels Germany visit due to 'pressing issues': US

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday congratulated comedian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-comic-to-commander-in-chief-challenges-for-new-ukraine-leader-212488">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> on his landslide victory in Ukraine's presidential election, saying she hopes the vote will help stabilise the troubled country.

"I congratulate you on your election," Merkel said.

"The stabilisation of Ukraine and a peaceful conflict resolution are as close to my heart as the implementation of central reforms of the judiciary, decentralisation and the fight against corruption," her statement said.

"The Federal government will continue to actively assist Ukraine in its right to sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future."

Merkel, who met incumbent Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko earlier this month in Berlin, added that she would welcome receiving Zelensky soon.&nbsp;

Germany has been a key broker in the conflict between Kiev and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine since Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014, negotiating with France the now moribund Minsk peace accords.

The war in eastern Ukraine between government forces and rebels backed by Moscow has claimed some 13,000 lives and rumbles on despite a series of periodic truce deals.

The EU also has sanctions in force against Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas praised Poroshenko for his "great contribution to his country over the last five years" and echoed Merkel's offer of support to Zelensky.

"Volodymyr Zelensky became known during the election campaign for further reforms and the fight against corruption," said Maas in a statement.

"Germany will continue to stand at the side of Ukraine and offer support on this path."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday congratulated comedian Volodymyr Zelensky on his landslide victory in Ukraine's presidential election, saying she hopes the vote will help stabilise the troubled country.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday congratulated comedian Volodymyr Zelensky on his landslide victory in Ukraine's presidential election, saying she hopes the vote will help stabilise the troubled country. "I congratulate you on your election," Merkel said. "The stabilisation of Ukraine and a peaceful conflict resolution are as close to my heart as the implementation of central reforms of the judiciary, decentralisation and the fight against corruption," her statement said. "The Federal government will continue to actively assist Ukraine in its right to sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future." Merkel, who met incumbent Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko earlier this month in Berlin, added that she would welcome receiving Zelensky soon. Germany has been a key broker in the conflict between Kiev and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine since Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014, negotiating with France the now moribund Minsk peace accords. The war in eastern Ukraine between government forces and rebels backed by Moscow has claimed some 13,000 lives and rumbles on despite a series of periodic truce deals. The EU also has sanctions in force against Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas praised Poroshenko for his "great contribution to his country over the last five years" and echoed Merkel's offer of support to Zelensky. "Volodymyr Zelensky became known during the election campaign for further reforms and the fight against corruption," said Maas in a statement. "Germany will continue to stand at the side of Ukraine and offer support on this path."

Angela Merkel pledges support to Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelensky win

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