French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday condemned a series of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eighth-blast-hits-sri-lankan-capital-city-colombo-death-toll-crosses-160-212267">coordinated bomb attacks which rocked Sri Lanka</a> and killed over 160 people.

"We strongly condemn these odious acts," Macron wrote on Twitter. "Full solidarity with the Sri Lanka people and our thoughts for all those close to the victims this Easter."

"It is shocking that people who gathered to celebrate Easter together were consciously targeted in this malicious attack," Merkel said in a condolence telegram published by a spokeswoman on Twitter.

Sri Lanka on Sunday afternoon was rocked by eight blasts targeting luxury hotels and churches in the capital city Colombo.

The blasts occurred at around 8.45 am (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches.

So far, over 200 are reportedly dead and around 400 people are severely injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the explosions.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday condemned a series of coordinated bomb attacks which rocked Sri Lanka and killed over 160 people.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday condemned a series of coordinated bomb attacks which rocked Sri Lanka and killed over 160 people. "We strongly condemn these odious acts," Macron wrote on Twitter. "Full solidarity with the Sri Lanka people and our thoughts for all those close to the victims this Easter." "It is shocking that people who gathered to celebrate Easter together were consciously targeted in this malicious attack," Merkel said in a condolence telegram published by a spokeswoman on Twitter. Sri Lanka on Sunday afternoon was rocked by eight blasts targeting luxury hotels and churches in the capital city Colombo. The blasts occurred at around 8.45 am (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches. So far, over 200 are reportedly dead and around 400 people are severely injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the explosions.

Macron, Merkel condemn Sri Lanka attacks as odious acts

Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, a political novice and favourite to win <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraines-poroshenko-agrees-to-debate-with-frontrunner-zelensky-207896">Kiev's presidential vote</a>, will head to Paris Friday to meet French President Emmanuel Macron.&nbsp;

While many dismissed as a joke his bid to lead Ukraine -- a country at war with Moscow-backed rebels -- Zelensky defeated President Petro Poroshenko in the presidential vote's first round. Polls predict he will also win the election's run-off next Sunday.&nbsp;

The actor, whose only political experience is playing the president in a TV show, is due to meet Macron at the Elysee Palace.&nbsp;

Poroshenko, meanwhile, will head to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, before also meeting Macron in Paris later the same day.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian leader said the pre-election talks in France and Germany are crucial for "the fate of the Ukrainian state and of European security".&nbsp;

They were "especially important", he said, in the face of "attempts" to lift Western sanctions against Russia, imposed on Moscow after its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula.&nbsp;

France and Germany are part of the so-called Normandy peace talks with Ukraine and Russia that aim to end a conflict between Kiev and the Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The war has killed 13,000 people over the past five years.&nbsp;

Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of supporting the rebels militarily. Moscow denies that.&nbsp;

Poroshenko, a 53-year-old former foreign minister, has positioned himself as the only candidate able to stand up to the Kremlin.

He is eager to make up lost ground before the run-off vote by showing off his experience and oratory.&nbsp;

Zelensky has said he will only debate Poroshenko in Kiev's Olympic Stadium, which seats over 70,000 people. The Ukrainian president has agreed, but the pair have so far given different dates for the event.&nbsp;

'Strange situation'&nbsp;

Zelensky, 41, has shunned traditional rallies, instead of performing satirical shows and capitalising on frustration over corruption and economic trouble.

By welcoming him, Paris has caused some annoyance in Kiev.&nbsp;

"This is a very unpleasant and strange situation," a high-ranking Ukrainian diplomatic source told AFP.&nbsp;

Analysts say the decision to host the comedian is explained by his success in the March 31 first round when he won 30 per cent of the vote. Poroshenko took almost 16 per cent.&nbsp;

A new poll released Thursday showed 61 per cent of Ukrainians intends to vote for Zelensky in the second round on Sunday. It found only 24 per cent would back Poroshenko.

"France is showing that it knows what the direction the Ukrainian electorate is heading in towards and that it has to make contact," said Leonid Litra, an analyst at the Kiev-based New Europe Center.&nbsp;

Meeting Macron would allow the actor to make clear his vision of the peace process in eastern Ukraine that has currently stalled, Litra said.&nbsp;

Zelensky has suggested including the UK and the US in peace talks. &nbsp;

Despite Zelensky's inexperience, Litra said there is little risk of the frontrunner committing a serious faux-pas in Paris. &nbsp;

"It is not complicated to exchange courtesies. He knows how to do that," he said.&nbsp;

Despite the flamboyant media spectacle, the stakes are high for Ukraine, a country of 45 million seen as the biggest frontier between the European Union and Russia.&nbsp;

In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and war erupted in eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

Before the conflict with separatists began, Zelensky had struck a conciliatory tone, saying he was ready to "kneel" in front of Putin to avoid a military conflict.&nbsp;

After the first round of the vote, he said he would ask the Kremlin for compensation for the war and for taking Crimea.&nbsp;

Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, a political novice and favourite to win Kiev's presidential vote, will head to Paris Friday to meet French President Emmanuel Macron.

Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, a political novice and favourite to win Kiev's presidential vote, will head to Paris Friday to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. While many dismissed as a joke his bid to lead Ukraine -- a country at war with Moscow-backed rebels -- Zelensky defeated President Petro Poroshenko in the presidential vote's first round. Polls predict he will also win the election's run-off next Sunday. The actor, whose only political experience is playing the president in a TV show, is due to meet Macron at the Elysee Palace. Poroshenko, meanwhile, will head to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, before also meeting Macron in Paris later the same day. The Ukrainian leader said the pre-election talks in France and Germany are crucial for "the fate of the Ukrainian state and of European security". They were "especially important", he said, in the face of "attempts" to lift Western sanctions against Russia, imposed on Moscow after its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. France and Germany are part of the so-called Normandy peace talks with Ukraine and Russia that aim to end a conflict between Kiev and the Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The war has killed 13,000 people over the past five years. Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of supporting the rebels militarily. Moscow denies that. Poroshenko, a 53-year-old former foreign minister, has positioned himself as the only candidate able to stand up to the Kremlin. He is eager to make up lost ground before the run-off vote by showing off his experience and oratory. Zelensky has said he will only debate Poroshenko in Kiev's Olympic Stadium, which seats over 70,000 people. The Ukrainian president has agreed, but the pair have so far given different dates for the event. 'Strange situation' Zelensky, 41, has shunned traditional rallies, instead of performing satirical shows and capitalising on frustration over corruption and economic trouble. By welcoming him, Paris has caused some annoyance in Kiev. "This is a very unpleasant and strange situation," a high-ranking Ukrainian diplomatic source told AFP. Analysts say the decision to host the comedian is explained by his success in the March 31 first round when he won 30 per cent of the vote. Poroshenko took almost 16 per cent. A new poll released Thursday showed 61 per cent of Ukrainians intends to vote for Zelensky in the second round on Sunday. It found only 24 per cent would back Poroshenko. "France is showing that it knows what the direction the Ukrainian electorate is heading in towards and that it has to make contact," said Leonid Litra, an analyst at the Kiev-based New Europe Center. Meeting Macron would allow the actor to make clear his vision of the peace process in eastern Ukraine that has currently stalled, Litra said. Zelensky has suggested including the UK and the US in peace talks. Despite Zelensky's inexperience, Litra said there is little risk of the frontrunner committing a serious faux-pas in Paris. "It is not complicated to exchange courtesies. He knows how to do that," he said. Despite the flamboyant media spectacle, the stakes are high for Ukraine, a country of 45 million seen as the biggest frontier between the European Union and Russia. In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and war erupted in eastern Ukraine. Before the conflict with separatists began, Zelensky had struck a conciliatory tone, saying he was ready to "kneel" in front of Putin to avoid a military conflict. After the first round of the vote, he said he would ask the Kremlin for compensation for the war and for taking Crimea.

Ukraine comedian Zelensky to meet French President Emmanuel Macron before presidential run-off

As the UK takes center stage with the impending Brexit looming large, the world sees a very determined Theresa May shuttling between Brussels and London, dismissing her naysayers, fighting hard to avoid a ‘no-deal Brexit’. And every time she rises to make a speech in the parliament she exudes grit and determination. She is a fighter and it is out there for the world to see.

Yet, people can't seem to get past staring at Theresa May's leopard print shoes, her pencil skirts or her statement neck pieces.

Clothes are excellent means of self-expression for people, gender irrespective. Clothes, shoes, accessories go a long way in sending intended messages across without actually speaking out loud. We often let our clothes do the talking when it comes to leaving a strong impact.

Who would know that better than our women leaders whose every move is under the constant public scanner?

And it is not always easy for the lady bosses who run countries and rule people’s heart with the same panache to live under scrutiny round the clock, more so in an era dominated by social media designed etiquette.

It is sad but true that more often than not fashion choices of our powerhouse woman politicians go on to make bigger headlines than the job they passionately work at.

UK's Theresa May could tell you how tough it is to be a ruling PM who likes to keep it fashionable.

When it comes to fashion, women in politics “are held to a different standard across the board” than men, said Senator Moseley Braun, who represented Illinois, in the US Senate from 1993 to 1999.

Sadly, the sentiment hasn’t changed much since Moseley was in office.

This obsession with what the powerful women of the world wear is not a recent phenomenon. Republican Katherine Langley, who represented Kentucky back in the 1920s and early 1930s was a victim too. “She offends the squeamish by her unstinted display of gipsy colours on the floor and the conspicuousness with which she dresses her bushy blue-black hair,” a reporter had written.

Why should politicians who talk openly and positively about fashion be judged?

PM May has admitted that footwears are her “greatest love”. "I like clothes and I like shoes," she told the crowd at the 2015 Women in the World summit.

Media has always been too eager to pick on her. BBC had once while reporting Brexit focussed primarily on PM May’s shoes. However, thanks to some who wish to look beyond fashion statements, this reportage was rightly and thoroughly criticised. One viewer had pointed out that the shot "sends all the wrong messages, deflects from what she was saying, shows no respect for her position, and reinforces gender stereotypes." 
 
<img alt="Theresa May and Angela Merkel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="893282b8-8936-4603-a227-a55860382a6c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/may.jpg" />

German Chancellor Angela wardrobe choices have prompted "letter-writing” at times. She laments her male colleagues have never had to face similar criticism about their fashion choices. In a candid interview to Die Zeit she attempted to draw the attention to this very sexist glare of the world- "It's no problem at all for a man to wear a dark blue suit for a hundred days in a row, but if I wear the same blazer four times in two weeks, that leads to letter-writing from citizens,"

Hillary Clinton must have by now learnt not to be upset for being criticised for wearing pantsuits. Remember Project Runway’s Tim Gunn who back in 2011 had said shamelessly exclaimed, “Why must she dress that way? I think she’s confused about her gender.”

PM May herself offered to break the myth that working women of substance cannot have a nose for fashion when she went on record to say, "One of the challenges for women in the workplace is to be ourselves, and I say you can be clever and like clothes. You can have a career and like clothes.". “I also think it's important to be able to show that a woman can do a job like this and still be interested in clothes," she rightly claimed.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the newly sworn-in New York City Democrat, who is otherwise a hit among colleagues and media, could not escape unwelcome and distasteful comments on her style.

Washington Examiner's Eddie Scarry tweeted a photograph of AOC as a miss. Alexandria is popularly known as, with the caption, “that jacket and coat don’t look like a girl who struggles.” His tweet was intended to cast doubts on her working-class background, she claims she comes from.

Again, why should it be difficult to fathom that women politicians like other working professionals can be very well put together as they go about their everyday business?

Harsh criticisms have often come UK PM’s way and these were not always because she could not manage to strike a timely Brexit deal with the European Union.

On several occasions, she found herself in the eye of a storm for something as regular as the choice of the colour of her dress or the slit of her skirt. When Theresa May stepped out for the Pride of Britain Awards in an attire that stopped above the knee, netizens called her out. "Put your knees away," one Twitter user wrote.

When Melania Trump wore a pith helmet during a trip to Africa in July 2018 she managed to draw a lot of flak. An understandably angry Trump told reporters, “I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's low-cut dress at an opera event in Oslo in 2008 caused quite a stir in the media. Die Welt’s headline read "How much cleavage should a chancellor show?" Internet never forgets to keep a count of the number of times an attire was repeated by the Chancellor and is quick to point out how she had worn the “dark blue dress to an annual music event in 2012 as she did in 2008”

Former US first lady Michelle Obama could have moved out of the White House in 2016 but by no means has people’s interest in her fashion choices diminished. Her style has often surpassed her work in the race to make headlines. Obama wrote in her memoir how a reporter had shown more interest in who designed her dress than her speaking engagement. To keep up the fashion pace felt like a task. “Optics governed more or less everything in the political world, and I factored this into every outfit," she wrote. "It required time, though, and money – more money that I’d spent on clothing ever before." 
 
<img alt="Michelle Obama" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fb0fae4-514d-469f-8f76-02d1fe9a4a63" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/michelle.jpg" />

Fortunately for us womankind these women have never let the cruelty take them down. These are ladies who like to live with no regrets and honestly, there isn’t any reason why they should.

Merkel said. "You can only carry out this profession when you aren't affected by things so quickly. You have to concentrate on the objective tasks."

"I have no regrets [about being famous for my shoes]," PM May once told a journalist. Politicians are like any other people and “not some different species”, she said sending out a message that she is approachable.

May is painfully aware that she will have to make peace with people judging her endlessly but she refuses to kill the fun. "Look, throughout my political career, people have commented on what I wear. That's just something that happens, and you accept that. But it doesn't stop me from going out and enjoying fashion." 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

As the UK takes center stage with the impending Brexit looming large, the world sees a very determined Theresa May shuttling between Brussels and London, dismissing her naysayers, fighting hard to avoid a ‘no-deal Brexit’.

As the UK takes center stage with the impending Brexit looming large, the world sees a very determined Theresa May shuttling between Brussels and London, dismissing her naysayers, fighting hard to avoid a ‘no-deal Brexit’. And every time she rises to make a speech in the parliament she exudes grit and determination. She is a fighter and it is out there for the world to see. Yet, people can't seem to get past staring at Theresa May's leopard print shoes, her pencil skirts or her statement neck pieces. Clothes are excellent means of self-expression for people, gender irrespective. Clothes, shoes, accessories go a long way in sending intended messages across without actually speaking out loud. We often let our clothes do the talking when it comes to leaving a strong impact. Who would know that better than our women leaders whose every move is under the constant public scanner? And it is not always easy for the lady bosses who run countries and rule people’s heart with the same panache to live under scrutiny round the clock, more so in an era dominated by social media designed etiquette. It is sad but true that more often than not fashion choices of our powerhouse woman politicians go on to make bigger headlines than the job they passionately work at. UK's Theresa May could tell you how tough it is to be a ruling PM who likes to keep it fashionable. When it comes to fashion, women in politics “are held to a different standard across the board” than men, said Senator Moseley Braun, who represented Illinois, in the US Senate from 1993 to 1999. Sadly, the sentiment hasn’t changed much since Moseley was in office. This obsession with what the powerful women of the world wear is not a recent phenomenon. Republican Katherine Langley, who represented Kentucky back in the 1920s and early 1930s was a victim too. “She offends the squeamish by her unstinted display of gipsy colours on the floor and the conspicuousness with which she dresses her bushy blue-black hair,” a reporter had written. Why should politicians who talk openly and positively about fashion be judged? PM May has admitted that footwears are her “greatest love”. "I like clothes and I like shoes," she told the crowd at the 2015 Women in the World summit. Media has always been too eager to pick on her. BBC had once while reporting Brexit focussed primarily on PM May’s shoes. However, thanks to some who wish to look beyond fashion statements, this reportage was rightly and thoroughly criticised. One viewer had pointed out that the shot "sends all the wrong messages, deflects from what she was saying, shows no respect for her position, and reinforces gender stereotypes." German Chancellor Angela wardrobe choices have prompted "letter-writing” at times. She laments her male colleagues have never had to face similar criticism about their fashion choices. In a candid interview to Die Zeit she attempted to draw the attention to this very sexist glare of the world- "It's no problem at all for a man to wear a dark blue suit for a hundred days in a row, but if I wear the same blazer four times in two weeks, that leads to letter-writing from citizens," Hillary Clinton must have by now learnt not to be upset for being criticised for wearing pantsuits. Remember Project Runway’s Tim Gunn who back in 2011 had said shamelessly exclaimed, “Why must she dress that way? I think she’s confused about her gender.” PM May herself offered to break the myth that working women of substance cannot have a nose for fashion when she went on record to say, "One of the challenges for women in the workplace is to be ourselves, and I say you can be clever and like clothes. You can have a career and like clothes.". “I also think it's important to be able to show that a woman can do a job like this and still be interested in clothes," she rightly claimed. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the newly sworn-in New York City Democrat, who is otherwise a hit among colleagues and media, could not escape unwelcome and distasteful comments on her style. Washington Examiner's Eddie Scarry tweeted a photograph of AOC as a miss. Alexandria is popularly known as, with the caption, “that jacket and coat don’t look like a girl who struggles.” His tweet was intended to cast doubts on her working-class background, she claims she comes from. Again, why should it be difficult to fathom that women politicians like other working professionals can be very well put together as they go about their everyday business? Harsh criticisms have often come UK PM’s way and these were not always because she could not manage to strike a timely Brexit deal with the European Union. On several occasions, she found herself in the eye of a storm for something as regular as the choice of the colour of her dress or the slit of her skirt. When Theresa May stepped out for the Pride of Britain Awards in an attire that stopped above the knee, netizens called her out. "Put your knees away," one Twitter user wrote. When Melania Trump wore a pith helmet during a trip to Africa in July 2018 she managed to draw a lot of flak. An understandably angry Trump told reporters, “I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel's low-cut dress at an opera event in Oslo in 2008 caused quite a stir in the media. Die Welt’s headline read "How much cleavage should a chancellor show?" Internet never forgets to keep a count of the number of times an attire was repeated by the Chancellor and is quick to point out how she had worn the “dark blue dress to an annual music event in 2012 as she did in 2008” Former US first lady Michelle Obama could have moved out of the White House in 2016 but by no means has people’s interest in her fashion choices diminished. Her style has often surpassed her work in the race to make headlines. Obama wrote in her memoir how a reporter had shown more interest in who designed her dress than her speaking engagement. To keep up the fashion pace felt like a task. “Optics governed more or less everything in the political world, and I factored this into every outfit," she wrote. "It required time, though, and money – more money that I’d spent on clothing ever before." Fortunately for us womankind these women have never let the cruelty take them down. These are ladies who like to live with no regrets and honestly, there isn’t any reason why they should. Merkel said. "You can only carry out this profession when you aren't affected by things so quickly. You have to concentrate on the objective tasks." "I have no regrets [about being famous for my shoes]," PM May once told a journalist. Politicians are like any other people and “not some different species”, she said sending out a message that she is approachable. May is painfully aware that she will have to make peace with people judging her endlessly but she refuses to kill the fun. "Look, throughout my political career, people have commented on what I wear. That's just something that happens, and you accept that. But it doesn't stop me from going out and enjoying fashion." (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Why should Theresa May, Angela Merkel, Michelle Obama be judged for what they wear?

European leaders agreed with Britain on Thursday to delay <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-may-says-view-on-second-brexit-referendum-has-not-changed-209308">Brexit</a> by up to six months, saving the continent from what could have been a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leaders-meet-to-decide-another-brexit-delay-209279">chaotic no-deal departure</a> at the end of the week.

The deal struck during late night talks in Brussels means that if London remains in the EU after May 22, British voters will have to take part in European elections.

Prime Minister Theresa May and the other 27 EU leaders "have agreed to a flexible extension until 31 October", European Council president Donald Tusk said in a tweet.&nbsp;

"This means additional six months for the UK to find the best possible solution."

France's President Emmanuel Macron was the strongest voice opposing a long extension, but most leaders backed it and the French had to settle for a promise that the delay will be reviewed at an EU summit on June 21.

Most of the leaders gathered for the emergency summit, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had backed a plan for Brexit to be postponed for up to a year.

But as the talks went into Thursday morning, Macron -- with backing from Belgium, Austria and some smaller EU states -- held out for a short delay of only a few weeks and demanded solid guarantees that London would not interfere in EU business during that time.

May has already said that if Britain is still an EU member when the European parliamentary election begins on May 23, UK voters will take part. But some EU leaders are unconvinced that she is sincere, despite one official telling reporters her presentation had been "solid".

Without a postponement, Britain would have ended its 46-year membership of the EU at midnight (2200 GMT) on Friday with no deal, risking economic chaos on both sides of the Channel.&nbsp;

May agreed to a divorce deal with the EU last November but MPs in London have rejected it three times, forcing her to turn to the main opposition Labour party in a bid to find a way through.

'As soon as possible'

But these talks are moving slowly, and the prime minister is under intense pressure from hardline Brexit supporters in her Conservative party not to compromise.

As she arrived, May said she wanted to leave the EU "as soon as possible".

"I've asked for an extension to June 30 but what is important is that any extension enables us to leave at the point at which we ratify the withdrawal agreement," she said.

She said she still hoped to leave the EU on May 22, the last day before Britain must hold European Parliament elections.

For as long as Britain is in the EU, it must take part in bloc elections for them to be valid.

EU leaders have already agreed one delay to Brexit, from March 29 to April 12, and Tusk has warned there is "little reason to believe" the British parliament can ratify May's deal by June 30.

A draft copy of the summit conclusions seen by AFP before the leaders sat down to finalise it said, "an extension should last only as long as necessary and, in any event, no longer than."

"If the withdrawal agreement is ratified by both parties before this date, the withdrawal will take place on the first day of the following month," the draft stated.

EU members want to ensure that a semi-detached Britain does not seek leverage in Brexit talks by intervening in choosing the next head of the European Commission or the next multi-year EU budget.

May's ministers have begun cross-party talks with Labour on a compromise to get the withdrawal agreement through the House of Commons.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wants Britain to commit to remaining within the EU customs union, an idea that many in Europe would be keen to accommodate.

"We would be generous in negotiating that, understanding that the UK couldn't be a silent partner in such an arrangement -- it would have to have a say in decisions being made," Irish premier Leo Varadkar said as he arrived at the summit.

European leaders agreed with Britain on Thursday to delay Brexit by up to six months, saving the continent from what could have been a chaotic no-deal departure at the end of the week.

European leaders agreed with Britain on Thursday to delay Brexit by up to six months, saving the continent from what could have been a chaotic no-deal departure at the end of the week. The deal struck during late night talks in Brussels means that if London remains in the EU after May 22, British voters will have to take part in European elections. Prime Minister Theresa May and the other 27 EU leaders "have agreed to a flexible extension until 31 October", European Council president Donald Tusk said in a tweet. "This means additional six months for the UK to find the best possible solution." France's President Emmanuel Macron was the strongest voice opposing a long extension, but most leaders backed it and the French had to settle for a promise that the delay will be reviewed at an EU summit on June 21. Most of the leaders gathered for the emergency summit, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had backed a plan for Brexit to be postponed for up to a year. But as the talks went into Thursday morning, Macron -- with backing from Belgium, Austria and some smaller EU states -- held out for a short delay of only a few weeks and demanded solid guarantees that London would not interfere in EU business during that time. May has already said that if Britain is still an EU member when the European parliamentary election begins on May 23, UK voters will take part. But some EU leaders are unconvinced that she is sincere, despite one official telling reporters her presentation had been "solid". Without a postponement, Britain would have ended its 46-year membership of the EU at midnight (2200 GMT) on Friday with no deal, risking economic chaos on both sides of the Channel. May agreed to a divorce deal with the EU last November but MPs in London have rejected it three times, forcing her to turn to the main opposition Labour party in a bid to find a way through. 'As soon as possible' But these talks are moving slowly, and the prime minister is under intense pressure from hardline Brexit supporters in her Conservative party not to compromise. As she arrived, May said she wanted to leave the EU "as soon as possible". "I've asked for an extension to June 30 but what is important is that any extension enables us to leave at the point at which we ratify the withdrawal agreement," she said. She said she still hoped to leave the EU on May 22, the last day before Britain must hold European Parliament elections. For as long as Britain is in the EU, it must take part in bloc elections for them to be valid. EU leaders have already agreed one delay to Brexit, from March 29 to April 12, and Tusk has warned there is "little reason to believe" the British parliament can ratify May's deal by June 30. A draft copy of the summit conclusions seen by AFP before the leaders sat down to finalise it said, "an extension should last only as long as necessary and, in any event, no longer than." "If the withdrawal agreement is ratified by both parties before this date, the withdrawal will take place on the first day of the following month," the draft stated. EU members want to ensure that a semi-detached Britain does not seek leverage in Brexit talks by intervening in choosing the next head of the European Commission or the next multi-year EU budget. May's ministers have begun cross-party talks with Labour on a compromise to get the withdrawal agreement through the House of Commons. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wants Britain to commit to remaining within the EU customs union, an idea that many in Europe would be keen to accommodate. "We would be generous in negotiating that, understanding that the UK couldn't be a silent partner in such an arrangement -- it would have to have a say in decisions being made," Irish premier Leo Varadkar said as he arrived at the summit.

European Union gives Britain six-month delay to Brexit date

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will host Britain Prime Minister Theresa May Tuesday, on the eve of a crucial EU summit when the British premier is hoping to convince the bloc to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/both-sides-must-compromise-in-cross-party-brexit-talks-british-pm-may-208641">grant her a new Brexit extension to June 30</a>.

Macron and May will are scheduled to meet at 6:00 pm on Tuesday. Then May will be travelling to Berlin to meet Merkel.

"The chancellor and the British prime minister will have an exchange of views on Britain's exit from the EU as well as on Wednesday's special summit of the European Council," said Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert.

Steffen Seibert also said that the final decisions for Brexit extensions will be made by all remaining 27 members of the European Union.

But there are "always good reasons in such difficult and highly charged situations in Britain and the EU 27 to first talk to each other before the first deadline," Seibert said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will host Britain Prime Minister Theresa May Tuesday, on the eve of a crucial EU summit when the British premier is hoping to convince the bloc to grant her a new Brexit extension to June 30.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will host Britain Prime Minister Theresa May Tuesday, on the eve of a crucial EU summit when the British premier is hoping to convince the bloc to grant her a new Brexit extension to June 30. Macron and May will are scheduled to meet at 6:00 pm on Tuesday. Then May will be travelling to Berlin to meet Merkel. "The chancellor and the British prime minister will have an exchange of views on Britain's exit from the EU as well as on Wednesday's special summit of the European Council," said Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert. Steffen Seibert also said that the final decisions for Brexit extensions will be made by all remaining 27 members of the European Union. But there are "always good reasons in such difficult and highly charged situations in Britain and the EU 27 to first talk to each other before the first deadline," Seibert said.

Macron, Merkel to host Theresa May for Brexit talks on Tuesday

Germany is prepared to agree to Britain's request for a postponement of Brexit if the parliament in London backs British Prime Minister Theresa May's exit deal, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday (March 21).

The European Union requires unanimous agreement from all member states to grant an extension to the so-called "Article 50" process that currently envisages a British exit from the European Union on March 29.

"I believe we can say, as Germany, we can meet that request," Merkel told German legislators ahead of Thursday's European Council meeting.

Merkel warned that an extension of the Brexit deadline to June 30, as requested by May, would be complicated because of the question of Britain's possible participation in the European Parliament elections.

Germany is prepared to agree to Britain's request for a postponement of Brexit if the parliament in London backs British Prime Minister Theresa May's exit deal, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday (March 21).

Germany is prepared to agree to Britain's request for a postponement of Brexit if the parliament in London backs British Prime Minister Theresa May's exit deal, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday (March 21). The European Union requires unanimous agreement from all member states to grant an extension to the so-called "Article 50" process that currently envisages a British exit from the European Union on March 29. "I believe we can say, as Germany, we can meet that request," Merkel told German legislators ahead of Thursday's European Council meeting. Merkel warned that an extension of the Brexit deadline to June 30, as requested by May, would be complicated because of the question of Britain's possible participation in the European Parliament elections.

Berlin can agree to Brexit delay if British Parliament backs May's deal: Merkel

=German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would struggle until the last possible moment to achieve an orderly Brexit, saying the interests of Germany, Britain and the EU were at stake.

"I will fight to the last hour of the deadline on March 29 for an orderly exit (of Britain from the European Union)," she told a conference in Berlin.

"We don't have a lot of time for it but still have a few days."

Merkel admitted she had been surprised by the bombshell announcement on Monday by House of Commons speaker John Bercow that he could not put Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan to another vote in its current form.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-warns-it-could-vote-against-brexit-extension-204598"> France warns it could vote against Brexit extension</a>

"I must confess that I was not familiar with the rules of order of the British parliament from the 17th century," she said with a wry smile.

And she stressed ahead of a crunch EU summit in Brussels Thursday and Friday at which Brexit is to take centre stage that the ball remained in London's court to plot the way forward.

"I am as of now unable to say what my position will be on Thursday because it depends on what Theresa May presents, what the situation looks like, (and) what may still happen in parliament," she said.

Merkel stressed that avoiding Britain crashing out of the EU without an exit deal was in the fundamental interest of all sides.

"We, together as the other 27 (EU member states), will react in an adequate manner and the less people play guessing games, the easier it will be," she said.

May is still hoping she can get the divorce agreement she struck with the European Union through parliament before March 29, despite MPs having rejected it twice.

But weeks of chaotic political deadlock in parliament have already forced May to concede that Brexit must be delayed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its 46-year membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place.

She had been hoping to ask EU leaders for only a short delay when they meet at the Brussels summit, warning that without a deal, any extension would be lengthy.

=German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would struggle until the last possible moment to achieve an orderly Brexit, saying the interests of Germany, Britain and the EU were at stake.

=German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would struggle until the last possible moment to achieve an orderly Brexit, saying the interests of Germany, Britain and the EU were at stake. "I will fight to the last hour of the deadline on March 29 for an orderly exit (of Britain from the European Union)," she told a conference in Berlin. "We don't have a lot of time for it but still have a few days." Merkel admitted she had been surprised by the bombshell announcement on Monday by House of Commons speaker John Bercow that he could not put Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan to another vote in its current form. Also read: France warns it could vote against Brexit extension "I must confess that I was not familiar with the rules of order of the British parliament from the 17th century," she said with a wry smile. And she stressed ahead of a crunch EU summit in Brussels Thursday and Friday at which Brexit is to take centre stage that the ball remained in London's court to plot the way forward. "I am as of now unable to say what my position will be on Thursday because it depends on what Theresa May presents, what the situation looks like, (and) what may still happen in parliament," she said. Merkel stressed that avoiding Britain crashing out of the EU without an exit deal was in the fundamental interest of all sides. "We, together as the other 27 (EU member states), will react in an adequate manner and the less people play guessing games, the easier it will be," she said. May is still hoping she can get the divorce agreement she struck with the European Union through parliament before March 29, despite MPs having rejected it twice. But weeks of chaotic political deadlock in parliament have already forced May to concede that Brexit must be delayed, amid fears of an economic shock if Britain ends its 46-year membership of the EU with no new arrangements in place. She had been hoping to ask EU leaders for only a short delay when they meet at the Brussels summit, warning that without a deal, any extension would be lengthy.

Angela Merkel says will 'fight to last hour' for orderly Brexit

Angela Merkel's chief of staff on Monday joined the growing chorus of criticism of Arsenal's German midfielder <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Mesut+Ozil">Mesut Ozil</a> for reportedly inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to his wedding this summer as his witness.

The 30-year-old Ozil, who has Turkish family roots, sparked controversy last May when he was photographed with Erdogan, raising questions about the footballer's loyalty to Germany on the eve of their disastrous World Cup campaign.

After 92 appearances for Germany, including a key role in the 2014 World Cup victory, Ozil suddenly quit the national squad last July, accusing German football officials of racism.

On Sunday, Germany's top-selling tabloid Bild reported that Ozil, 30, and his model fiancee Amine Gulse, 25, a former Miss Turkey, personally presented Erdogan in Istanbul with an invitation to their wedding this summer, asking the Turkish leader to appear as the footballer's witness.

The invite immediately drew sharp criticism in Germany, whose government has been sharply at odds with Ankara over a range of human rights questions in recent years.

Helge Braun, a CDU politician and chief of staff to German Chancellor Merkel, told Bild it "makes one sad" that Ozil would make a such a move despite having already been sharply criticised by the German public over his first meeting with Erdogan.&nbsp;

"The fact that this has continued will have disappointed a lot of football fans - me too!" said Braun.

The politician accepted Ozil's was "a private decison" which one must respect, but appealed to the footballer as a role model, especially for young Turks in Germany.

"Footballers are symbolic figures in our society, with whom people identify with much more than ministers," added Braun.

"And so the question is raised: how much does someone wearing the German national jersey stand for Germany?"

'It's a pity'

Braun's comments come after German politician Cem Ozdemir, whose parents are Turkish, said on Sunday that he found it "inappropriate" for Ozil to invite the Turkish leader.

Ozil -- one of the world's most popular footballers on social media with 31 million followers on his official Facebook account, 19.1 million on Instagram account and 23.9 million on Twitter -- has an obligation as a role model, added Ozdemir.

Another lawmaker, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, was equally unimpressed by his invitation to Erdogan.

"The wedding is the private matter of Mesut Ozil, but he is a world star, who people look up to, so of course it's a pity from a political point of view," Lambsdorff told newspaper Welt.

Ozil has dated Gulse since 2017 and the couple announced their engagement in June 2018.

The Arsenal midfielder, a third-generation German, whipped up a political storm when he was pictured alongside Erdogan last May.

Criticism intensified after the red-faced defending champions crashed out of the first round of the World Cup in Russia.

In the wake of the World Cup fiasco, Ozil announced his resignation from the national squad, saying: "I am German when we win, an immigrant when we lose".

Angela Merkel's chief of staff on Monday joined the growing chorus of criticism of Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil for reportedly inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to his wedding this summer as his witness.

Angela Merkel's chief of staff on Monday joined the growing chorus of criticism of Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil for reportedly inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to his wedding this summer as his witness. The 30-year-old Ozil, who has Turkish family roots, sparked controversy last May when he was photographed with Erdogan, raising questions about the footballer's loyalty to Germany on the eve of their disastrous World Cup campaign. After 92 appearances for Germany, including a key role in the 2014 World Cup victory, Ozil suddenly quit the national squad last July, accusing German football officials of racism. On Sunday, Germany's top-selling tabloid Bild reported that Ozil, 30, and his model fiancee Amine Gulse, 25, a former Miss Turkey, personally presented Erdogan in Istanbul with an invitation to their wedding this summer, asking the Turkish leader to appear as the footballer's witness. The invite immediately drew sharp criticism in Germany, whose government has been sharply at odds with Ankara over a range of human rights questions in recent years. Helge Braun, a CDU politician and chief of staff to German Chancellor Merkel, told Bild it "makes one sad" that Ozil would make a such a move despite having already been sharply criticised by the German public over his first meeting with Erdogan. "The fact that this has continued will have disappointed a lot of football fans - me too!" said Braun. The politician accepted Ozil's was "a private decison" which one must respect, but appealed to the footballer as a role model, especially for young Turks in Germany. "Footballers are symbolic figures in our society, with whom people identify with much more than ministers," added Braun. "And so the question is raised: how much does someone wearing the German national jersey stand for Germany?" 'It's a pity' Braun's comments come after German politician Cem Ozdemir, whose parents are Turkish, said on Sunday that he found it "inappropriate" for Ozil to invite the Turkish leader. Ozil -- one of the world's most popular footballers on social media with 31 million followers on his official Facebook account, 19.1 million on Instagram account and 23.9 million on Twitter -- has an obligation as a role model, added Ozdemir. Another lawmaker, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, was equally unimpressed by his invitation to Erdogan. "The wedding is the private matter of Mesut Ozil, but he is a world star, who people look up to, so of course it's a pity from a political point of view," Lambsdorff told newspaper Welt. Ozil has dated Gulse since 2017 and the couple announced their engagement in June 2018. The Arsenal midfielder, a third-generation German, whipped up a political storm when he was pictured alongside Erdogan last May. Criticism intensified after the red-faced defending champions crashed out of the first round of the World Cup in Russia. In the wake of the World Cup fiasco, Ozil announced his resignation from the national squad, saying: "I am German when we win, an immigrant when we lose".

Angela Merkel's chief of staff 'disappointed' with Mesut Ozil's wedding invite to Erdogan

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.

A possible delay to the March 29 exit date, which British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek, will top the agenda when EU leaders meet in Brussels late next week.

While German conservatives would prefer Britain to stay in the EU or else adopt Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal, senior conservative lawmaker Detlef Seif said that failing those scenarios he would back a delay until end-2020.

In the event of a such delay, Seif told Reuters: "I am of the view that we should change the EU`s guidelines."

After Britain voted to leave in 2016, European negotiators stuck firmly to a two-stage approach, refusing to discuss anything about future trading ties until London settled its financial obligations, agreed mutually acceptable rules for expatriate citizens, and found a way to avoid trouble on the EU`s only land border with the United Kingdom – with the British province of Northern Ireland.

However, the difficulties of negotiating the divorce deal without opening up negotiations on future trading terms have led to problems over EU insistence on a "backstop" insurance policy for the border that has caused British lawmakers to refuse to ratify the deal.

Seif said shifting beyond the two-stage approach could assuage the concerns of Brexiteer members of parliament, including the European Research Group (ERG), who fear the backstop could leave Britain trapped in the customs union forever against its will.

"Psychologically, it is important that we change this, because the European Research Group thinks this is a trick," Seif said.

FUTURE RELATIONSHIP

In the event of a Brexit delay to end-2020, EU leaders could instruct their officials to negotiate with Britain on their future relationship: "In these 21 months to the end of 2020, we could say that we really want to negotiate straight away on the future relationship."

The development of new technology during this period could allow for `light touch` checks at the Irish border.

"Reasonable grounds for this (extension), would be to try to get these technical developments to make the backstop superfluous," Seif added, stressing that Britain would have to say what it wanted from an extension for it to be granted.

He believed Merkel`s conservative bloc in the German lower house could back the idea: "I expect that could find a majority."

Any suggestion from EU powerhouse Germany that Brussels should abandon its "sequencing" and switch to a form of talks more agreeable to London is likely to be seized on by May`s opponents in Britain as an indication a better deal is possible if they hold out.

However, it could also prompt other EU governments, keen to see an end to the uncertainty, to be wary of extending the Brexit deadline.

Merkel wants an orderly Brexit. The leader of her Christian Democratic Union said on Friday the EU should agree to a delay of Britain`s departure from the bloc if it would prevent a disorderly exit.

A German government spokesman said the next move on how to proceed with Brexit must come from London.

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday. A possible delay to the March 29 exit date, which British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek, will top the agenda when EU leaders meet in Brussels late next week. While German conservatives would prefer Britain to stay in the EU or else adopt Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal, senior conservative lawmaker Detlef Seif said that failing those scenarios he would back a delay until end-2020. In the event of a such delay, Seif told Reuters: "I am of the view that we should change the EU`s guidelines." After Britain voted to leave in 2016, European negotiators stuck firmly to a two-stage approach, refusing to discuss anything about future trading ties until London settled its financial obligations, agreed mutually acceptable rules for expatriate citizens, and found a way to avoid trouble on the EU`s only land border with the United Kingdom – with the British province of Northern Ireland. However, the difficulties of negotiating the divorce deal without opening up negotiations on future trading terms have led to problems over EU insistence on a "backstop" insurance policy for the border that has caused British lawmakers to refuse to ratify the deal. Seif said shifting beyond the two-stage approach could assuage the concerns of Brexiteer members of parliament, including the European Research Group (ERG), who fear the backstop could leave Britain trapped in the customs union forever against its will. "Psychologically, it is important that we change this, because the European Research Group thinks this is a trick," Seif said. FUTURE RELATIONSHIP In the event of a Brexit delay to end-2020, EU leaders could instruct their officials to negotiate with Britain on their future relationship: "In these 21 months to the end of 2020, we could say that we really want to negotiate straight away on the future relationship." The development of new technology during this period could allow for `light touch` checks at the Irish border. "Reasonable grounds for this (extension), would be to try to get these technical developments to make the backstop superfluous," Seif added, stressing that Britain would have to say what it wanted from an extension for it to be granted. He believed Merkel`s conservative bloc in the German lower house could back the idea: "I expect that could find a majority." Any suggestion from EU powerhouse Germany that Brussels should abandon its "sequencing" and switch to a form of talks more agreeable to London is likely to be seized on by May`s opponents in Britain as an indication a better deal is possible if they hold out. However, it could also prompt other EU governments, keen to see an end to the uncertainty, to be wary of extending the Brexit deadline. Merkel wants an orderly Brexit. The leader of her Christian Democratic Union said on Friday the EU should agree to a delay of Britain`s departure from the bloc if it would prevent a disorderly exit. A German government spokesman said the next move on how to proceed with Brexit must come from London.

Merkel ally floats idea of broader talks with UK if Brexit delayed

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged British MPs to reject Wednesday a potentially chaotic no-deal exit from the EU, saying that an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-to-vote-today-on-whether-they-want-no-deal-brexit-203112">"orderly" Brexit</a> was in both sides' interest.

"Achieving an orderly exit together, and I particularly want to repeat this today, remains in our mutual interest," Merkel said, expressing "regret" that Britain's parliament on Tuesday had rejected for a second time the withdrawal deal agreed between Brussels and Prime Minister Theresa May.

"That remains our objective."

Merkel said it was up to the British parliament to provide clarity about how it wants to proceed with the divorce agreement.

She praised the "unity" of the 27 remaining member states during the Brexit negotiations.

"And because we 27 are working for each other and with each other, it is also important to reach a sensible result," she told reporters after talks with her counterpart from Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith.

"But we can't make it happen on our own. Rather, we are dependent on finding common solutions."

The House of Commons is expected later Wednesday to vote against leaving the bloc without a deal, although it remains the default option come March 29 unless an alternative can be secured.

A further vote is scheduled for Thursday on delaying Britain's departure date but there is no agreement on how long an extension should be and no certainty the EU will agree to it.

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said Brussels had done "everything it can" and must now brace for the possibility of a messy divorce.

Asked whether she would be open to a delay, Merkel said she would wait for the outcome of the votes in the British parliament before deciding on the next steps.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged British MPs to reject Wednesday a potentially chaotic no-deal exit from the EU, saying that an "orderly" Brexit was in both sides' interest.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged British MPs to reject Wednesday a potentially chaotic no-deal exit from the EU, saying that an "orderly" Brexit was in both sides' interest. "Achieving an orderly exit together, and I particularly want to repeat this today, remains in our mutual interest," Merkel said, expressing "regret" that Britain's parliament on Tuesday had rejected for a second time the withdrawal deal agreed between Brussels and Prime Minister Theresa May. "That remains our objective." Merkel said it was up to the British parliament to provide clarity about how it wants to proceed with the divorce agreement. She praised the "unity" of the 27 remaining member states during the Brexit negotiations. "And because we 27 are working for each other and with each other, it is also important to reach a sensible result," she told reporters after talks with her counterpart from Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith. "But we can't make it happen on our own. Rather, we are dependent on finding common solutions." The House of Commons is expected later Wednesday to vote against leaving the bloc without a deal, although it remains the default option come March 29 unless an alternative can be secured. A further vote is scheduled for Thursday on delaying Britain's departure date but there is no agreement on how long an extension should be and no certainty the EU will agree to it. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said Brussels had done "everything it can" and must now brace for the possibility of a messy divorce. Asked whether she would be open to a delay, Merkel said she would wait for the outcome of the votes in the British parliament before deciding on the next steps.

'Orderly' Brexit in everyone's interest: Merkel

An Iraqi man confessed in a German court Tuesday to the murder of a teenage girl but denied raping her in a case that inflamed anti-immigrant tensions last year.

"My vision went black and then it happened," Ali Bashar, 22, testified through an interpreter. "I don't know how it could have happened."

His trial for the rape and murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl Susanna Maria Feldman started Tuesday under tight security in Wiesbaden, the city where the killing took place.&nbsp;

Bashar denied the rape charge, claiming that he and the girl, who had known each other for several months, had consensual sex before she fell, got angry and threatened to call the police.

For the murder alone, Bashar faces a likely life prison term, which in Germany usually translates to 15 years behind bars.

To Germany's far right, Bashar, who is also accused of twice raping an 11-year-old girl, has become a symbol of the threat allegedly posed by a wave of mostly Middle Eastern newcomers.

Several dozen protesters outside the court displayed a sign reading "No Leniency for Muslims" and a washing line with articles listing violent crimes allegedly committed by immigrants.

One of the activists, Robert Emil Vogelmann, told AFP that the group had collated more than 250 articles and police reports over the past year and charged that this was "just the tip of the iceberg".

Right-wing fury

Before the trial, the anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD) party again blamed Chancellor Angela Merkel's grand coalition or "GroKo" government for Susanna's death.

"The problem isn't 'the right' but the knife-man immigration caused by the GroKo that has caused ever more bloody crimes," the party wrote in a Facebook post.

Several regional AfD lawmakers tried to attend the court hearing but were denied entry because there were no open seats left.&nbsp;

The AfD became the biggest opposition party when it entered parliament in 2017, riding a wave of public anger over sexual assaults and other violent crimes committed by some recent migrants.

In another case last year, the fatal stabbing of a German man in the eastern city of Chemnitz, allegedly by immigrants, sparked outbursts of mob violence in which far-right extremists hunted people of foreign appearance through the streets.

Bashar, along with his parents and five siblings, first arrived in Germany in 2015, the peak year of the influx which would bring more than one million people to Europe's biggest economy.

His request for asylum was rejected in December 2016, but -- in a case critics label as symptomatic of an overwhelmed system -- he obtained a temporary residence permit pending his appeal.

Merkel later conceded that "the case shows how important it is that people who don't have residency rights quickly face a court and can be speedily sent back home".

Shallow grave&nbsp;

In May last year, Bashar allegedly beat, raped and strangled Susanna to death in a wooded area near his refugee shelter.

Her body was then buried in a shallow grave covered with leaves, twigs and soil, near railway tracks.

Prosecutors said Bashar then sent false messages from Susanna's smartphone to her parents, indicating she had left for an impromptu trip to Paris.

When her remains were found two weeks later, Bashar and his family had left Germany for Arbil, northern Iraq.

He was however arrested by Kurdish security forces and, despite the absence of a formal extradition treaty between Baghdad and Berlin, taken back to Germany.

In a controversial operation personally joined by federal police chief Dieter Romann, Bashar was put on a flight back to Germany, with pictures of him disembarking under heavy police guard making front pages.

Bashar also faces charges for a park robbery in which he allegedly beat and strangled a man and threatened him with a knife.

He faces a separate trial from March 19, accused of having twice raped an 11-year-old girl, who was believed to have also been sexually assaulted by an Afghan youth as well as Bashar's younger brother.

An Iraqi man confessed in a German court Tuesday to the murder of a teenage girl but denied raping her in a case that inflamed anti-immigrant tensions last year.

An Iraqi man confessed in a German court Tuesday to the murder of a teenage girl but denied raping her in a case that inflamed anti-immigrant tensions last year. "My vision went black and then it happened," Ali Bashar, 22, testified through an interpreter. "I don't know how it could have happened." His trial for the rape and murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl Susanna Maria Feldman started Tuesday under tight security in Wiesbaden, the city where the killing took place. Bashar denied the rape charge, claiming that he and the girl, who had known each other for several months, had consensual sex before she fell, got angry and threatened to call the police. For the murder alone, Bashar faces a likely life prison term, which in Germany usually translates to 15 years behind bars. To Germany's far right, Bashar, who is also accused of twice raping an 11-year-old girl, has become a symbol of the threat allegedly posed by a wave of mostly Middle Eastern newcomers. Several dozen protesters outside the court displayed a sign reading "No Leniency for Muslims" and a washing line with articles listing violent crimes allegedly committed by immigrants. One of the activists, Robert Emil Vogelmann, told AFP that the group had collated more than 250 articles and police reports over the past year and charged that this was "just the tip of the iceberg". Right-wing fury Before the trial, the anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD) party again blamed Chancellor Angela Merkel's grand coalition or "GroKo" government for Susanna's death. "The problem isn't 'the right' but the knife-man immigration caused by the GroKo that has caused ever more bloody crimes," the party wrote in a Facebook post. Several regional AfD lawmakers tried to attend the court hearing but were denied entry because there were no open seats left. The AfD became the biggest opposition party when it entered parliament in 2017, riding a wave of public anger over sexual assaults and other violent crimes committed by some recent migrants. In another case last year, the fatal stabbing of a German man in the eastern city of Chemnitz, allegedly by immigrants, sparked outbursts of mob violence in which far-right extremists hunted people of foreign appearance through the streets. Bashar, along with his parents and five siblings, first arrived in Germany in 2015, the peak year of the influx which would bring more than one million people to Europe's biggest economy. His request for asylum was rejected in December 2016, but -- in a case critics label as symptomatic of an overwhelmed system -- he obtained a temporary residence permit pending his appeal. Merkel later conceded that "the case shows how important it is that people who don't have residency rights quickly face a court and can be speedily sent back home". Shallow grave In May last year, Bashar allegedly beat, raped and strangled Susanna to death in a wooded area near his refugee shelter. Her body was then buried in a shallow grave covered with leaves, twigs and soil, near railway tracks. Prosecutors said Bashar then sent false messages from Susanna's smartphone to her parents, indicating she had left for an impromptu trip to Paris. When her remains were found two weeks later, Bashar and his family had left Germany for Arbil, northern Iraq. He was however arrested by Kurdish security forces and, despite the absence of a formal extradition treaty between Baghdad and Berlin, taken back to Germany. In a controversial operation personally joined by federal police chief Dieter Romann, Bashar was put on a flight back to Germany, with pictures of him disembarking under heavy police guard making front pages. Bashar also faces charges for a park robbery in which he allegedly beat and strangled a man and threatened him with a knife. He faces a separate trial from March 19, accused of having twice raped an 11-year-old girl, who was believed to have also been sexually assaulted by an Afghan youth as well as Bashar's younger brother.

Iraqi admits killing 14-year-old German girl but denies rape

Talks between <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-says-no-solution-for-now-to-break-brexit-deadlock-201582">British and EU officials</a> to break the Brexit deadlock will "almost certainly" last into the weekend, Britain's attorney general said on Thursday, ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote in London next week.

With just three weeks to go until the scheduled departure date of March 29, the concern is growing about the possibility of Britain crashing out of the bloc after 46 years of membership with no deal in place.

Ahead of Tuesday's vote, the British government of Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking legally-binding changes to the agreement it struck with the EU in November but which was resoundingly rejected by parliament in January.

"These discussions are running, they're going to be resuming very shortly, they're going to be continuing almost certainly throughout the weekend," Geoffrey Cox, who is leading the talks, told British MPs.

Talks have focused on the current deal's so-called "backstop" solution, designed to keep the Irish border open but which critics say could lock Britain into a customs union with the EU indefinitely.

'Still waiting for proposal'

On a visit to Britain, France's Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau urged British politicians to "live up to the moment" as they prepared for the vote.

"So far, we are still waiting for a proposal from London, it's really a British initiative which has to come," she said.

But she later insisted on BBC radio the EU "cannot reopen" the withdrawal agreement "because it is balanced."

"The solution is on the table. The withdrawal agreement is the best possible solution."

Cox rejected criticism that Britain had not presented viable plans to the EU, telling MPs the proposals were "detailed, coherent, careful" and "as clear as day".

No-deal risks 'bitterness'&nbsp;

European Commission secretary general Martin Selmayr said progress was still possible, despite the failure of talks in Brussels so far.

"These things often happen at the very last minute," he told a Brookings Institution event in Washington.

"We have to wait for the next couple of days and weeks. We have to be very patient."

Loiseau said the EU did not want to activate the backstop either but rejected Britain's calls for an escape mechanism to be built into it, saying "what is not possible is that one of the parties decide unilaterally to leave".

If May loses Tuesday's vote, MPs will then vote on Wednesday on whether to proceed without a deal.

If MPs reject that outcome, they would then vote on Thursday on whether to ask the EU for a delay.

The request for a delay would have to be accepted unanimously by all member states and Britain would have to leave the EU on March 29 if it is rejected.

Loiseau said France had been "preparing for all scenarios" and that no deal "will not be a disaster for France or the European Union", although was concerned it could trigger cross-Channel animosity.

"I'm worried that... there would be bitterness between nations and there would be British-bashing in France and French-bashing or European-bashing in London," she told the Guardian newspaper.

"Why would be there be an extension without a reason?" Loiseau said.

"We have been in discussions for quite a long time now. There needs to be something specific to justify an extension," she added, pointing out that was the position of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Talks between British and EU officials to break the Brexit deadlock will "almost certainly" last into the weekend, Britain's attorney general said on Thursday, ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote in London next week.

Talks between British and EU officials to break the Brexit deadlock will "almost certainly" last into the weekend, Britain's attorney general said on Thursday, ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote in London next week. With just three weeks to go until the scheduled departure date of March 29, the concern is growing about the possibility of Britain crashing out of the bloc after 46 years of membership with no deal in place. Ahead of Tuesday's vote, the British government of Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking legally-binding changes to the agreement it struck with the EU in November but which was resoundingly rejected by parliament in January. "These discussions are running, they're going to be resuming very shortly, they're going to be continuing almost certainly throughout the weekend," Geoffrey Cox, who is leading the talks, told British MPs. Talks have focused on the current deal's so-called "backstop" solution, designed to keep the Irish border open but which critics say could lock Britain into a customs union with the EU indefinitely. 'Still waiting for proposal' On a visit to Britain, France's Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau urged British politicians to "live up to the moment" as they prepared for the vote. "So far, we are still waiting for a proposal from London, it's really a British initiative which has to come," she said. But she later insisted on BBC radio the EU "cannot reopen" the withdrawal agreement "because it is balanced." "The solution is on the table. The withdrawal agreement is the best possible solution." Cox rejected criticism that Britain had not presented viable plans to the EU, telling MPs the proposals were "detailed, coherent, careful" and "as clear as day". No-deal risks 'bitterness' European Commission secretary general Martin Selmayr said progress was still possible, despite the failure of talks in Brussels so far. "These things often happen at the very last minute," he told a Brookings Institution event in Washington. "We have to wait for the next couple of days and weeks. We have to be very patient." Loiseau said the EU did not want to activate the backstop either but rejected Britain's calls for an escape mechanism to be built into it, saying "what is not possible is that one of the parties decide unilaterally to leave". If May loses Tuesday's vote, MPs will then vote on Wednesday on whether to proceed without a deal. If MPs reject that outcome, they would then vote on Thursday on whether to ask the EU for a delay. The request for a delay would have to be accepted unanimously by all member states and Britain would have to leave the EU on March 29 if it is rejected. Loiseau said France had been "preparing for all scenarios" and that no deal "will not be a disaster for France or the European Union", although was concerned it could trigger cross-Channel animosity. "I'm worried that... there would be bitterness between nations and there would be British-bashing in France and French-bashing or European-bashing in London," she told the Guardian newspaper. "Why would be there be an extension without a reason?" Loiseau said. "We have been in discussions for quite a long time now. There needs to be something specific to justify an extension," she added, pointing out that was the position of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

UK eyes weekend talks to break Brexit deadlock

Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and their Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners have agreed a plan to strip some Germans who fight for the Islamic State militant group of their citizenship, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said on Monday.

More than 1,000 Germans have left their country for war zones in the Middle East since 2013 and the government has been debating how to deal with them as US-backed forces are poised to take the last patch of territory from Islamic State in Syria.

About a third have returned to Germany, another third are believed to have died and the rest are believed to be still in Iraq and Syria, including some detained by Iraqi forces and US-backed fighters in Syria.

An Interior Ministry spokeswoman told a news conference that three criteria must be met to allow the government to denaturalise Germans who take up arms for the Islamist group.

Such individuals must have second citizenship and be adults. They would be stripped of their citizenship should they fight for Islamic State after the new rules come into effect.

The compromise ended a dispute over the issue between conservative Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and SPD Justice Minister Katarina Barley.

US President Donald Trump last month urged Britain, France and Germany to take back more than 800 captured Islamic State fighters and put them on trial.

Germany said it would take back fighters only if the suspects have consular access.

Britain last month revoked the citizenship of a teenager who had left London when she was aged 15 to join Islamic State in Syria.

The case of Shamima Begum highlighted the security, legal and ethical dilemmas facing European governments dealing with citizens who had sworn allegiance to a group determined to destroy the West.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and their Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners have agreed a plan to strip some Germans who fight for the Islamic State militant group of their citizenship, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said on Monday.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and their Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners have agreed a plan to strip some Germans who fight for the Islamic State militant group of their citizenship, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said on Monday. More than 1,000 Germans have left their country for war zones in the Middle East since 2013 and the government has been debating how to deal with them as US-backed forces are poised to take the last patch of territory from Islamic State in Syria. About a third have returned to Germany, another third are believed to have died and the rest are believed to be still in Iraq and Syria, including some detained by Iraqi forces and US-backed fighters in Syria. An Interior Ministry spokeswoman told a news conference that three criteria must be met to allow the government to denaturalise Germans who take up arms for the Islamist group. Such individuals must have second citizenship and be adults. They would be stripped of their citizenship should they fight for Islamic State after the new rules come into effect. The compromise ended a dispute over the issue between conservative Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and SPD Justice Minister Katarina Barley. US President Donald Trump last month urged Britain, France and Germany to take back more than 800 captured Islamic State fighters and put them on trial. Germany said it would take back fighters only if the suspects have consular access. Britain last month revoked the citizenship of a teenager who had left London when she was aged 15 to join Islamic State in Syria. The case of Shamima Begum highlighted the security, legal and ethical dilemmas facing European governments dealing with citizens who had sworn allegiance to a group determined to destroy the West.

Germany to strip Islamic State fighters of citizenship

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Saturday that Washington's plan to swiftly pull its soldiers out of Syria risks allowing Russia and Iran to boost their role in the region.

Islamic State group fighters have been boxed into a scrap of land in the battle for their last remaining territory in northeastern Syria and their final defeat is expected imminently.

Once they are defeated, US forces are set to soon withdraw after President Donald Trump in December announced the pullout of around 2,000 troops.

But Washington is struggling to convince allies to stay on in Syria after it leaves and Merkel warned of the risks of leaving a vacuum in the region.

"Is it a good idea for the Americans to suddenly and quickly withdraw from Syria? Or will it once more strengthen the capacity of Iran and Russia to exert their influence?" Merkel said at the Munich Security Conference.

Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan on Friday pledged ongoing backing for the fight against IS -- but kept allies guessing as to how that would be achieved once US forces pull out, and won no solid pledges of support.

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said the US had told partners in the global anti-IS coalition that its soldiers would leave in "weeks rather than months".

The decision has stunned allies including France, which contributes artillery and about 1,200 forces in the region, including soldiers who train Iraqi troops.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian asked why the US would create a vacuum in Syria that could benefit its enemy Iran, calling the approach a "mystery".

A French government source told AFP it was "totally out of the question" to have French troops on the ground without US forces.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Saturday that Washington's plan to swiftly pull its soldiers out of Syria risks allowing Russia and Iran to boost their role in the region.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Saturday that Washington's plan to swiftly pull its soldiers out of Syria risks allowing Russia and Iran to boost their role in the region. Islamic State group fighters have been boxed into a scrap of land in the battle for their last remaining territory in northeastern Syria and their final defeat is expected imminently. Once they are defeated, US forces are set to soon withdraw after President Donald Trump in December announced the pullout of around 2,000 troops. But Washington is struggling to convince allies to stay on in Syria after it leaves and Merkel warned of the risks of leaving a vacuum in the region. "Is it a good idea for the Americans to suddenly and quickly withdraw from Syria? Or will it once more strengthen the capacity of Iran and Russia to exert their influence?" Merkel said at the Munich Security Conference. Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan on Friday pledged ongoing backing for the fight against IS -- but kept allies guessing as to how that would be achieved once US forces pull out, and won no solid pledges of support. Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said the US had told partners in the global anti-IS coalition that its soldiers would leave in "weeks rather than months". The decision has stunned allies including France, which contributes artillery and about 1,200 forces in the region, including soldiers who train Iraqi troops. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian asked why the US would create a vacuum in Syria that could benefit its enemy Iran, calling the approach a "mystery". A French government source told AFP it was "totally out of the question" to have French troops on the ground without US forces.

US pullout from Syria risks boosting Russia, Iran influence: Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday labelled as "frightening" tough US trade rhetoric planning to declare European car imports a national security threat.

"If these cars... suddenly spell a threat to US national security, than that is frightening to us," she said.&nbsp;

Merkel pointed out that the biggest car plant of German luxury brand BMW was not in Bavaria but in South Carolina, from where it exports vehicles to China.

"All I can say is it would be good if we could resume proper talks with one another," she said at the Munich Security Conference.

"Then we will find a solution."

A US Commerce Department report has concluded that auto imports threaten national security, setting the stage for possible tariffs by the White House, two people familiar with the matter said Thursday.

The investigation, ordered by President Donald Trump in May, is "positive" with respect to the central question of whether the imports "impair" US national security, said a European auto industry source.

"It's going to say that auto imports are a threat to national security," said an official with another auto company.

The report, which is expected to be delivered to the White House by a Sunday deadline, has been seen as a major risk for foreign automakers.&nbsp;

Trump has threatened to slap 25 per cent duties on European autos, especially targeting Germany, which he says has harmed the American car industry.

After receiving the report, the US president will have 90 days to decide whether to move ahead with tariffs.

Trump in July reached a trade truce with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, with the two pledging no new tariffs while the negotiations continued.

Brussels has already drawn up a list of 20 billion euros ($22.6 billion) in US exports for retaliatory tariffs should Washington press ahead, the Commission's Director-General for Trade Jean-Luc Demarty told the European Parliament last month.

The White House has used the national security argument -- saying that undermining the American manufacturing base impairs military readiness, among other claims -- to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, drawing instant retaliation from the EU, Canada, Mexico and China.

Trading partners have sometimes reacted with outrage at the suggestion their exports posed a threat to US national security.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday labelled as "frightening" tough US trade rhetoric planning to declare European car imports a national security threat.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday labelled as "frightening" tough US trade rhetoric planning to declare European car imports a national security threat. "If these cars... suddenly spell a threat to US national security, than that is frightening to us," she said. Merkel pointed out that the biggest car plant of German luxury brand BMW was not in Bavaria but in South Carolina, from where it exports vehicles to China. "All I can say is it would be good if we could resume proper talks with one another," she said at the Munich Security Conference. "Then we will find a solution." A US Commerce Department report has concluded that auto imports threaten national security, setting the stage for possible tariffs by the White House, two people familiar with the matter said Thursday. The investigation, ordered by President Donald Trump in May, is "positive" with respect to the central question of whether the imports "impair" US national security, said a European auto industry source. "It's going to say that auto imports are a threat to national security," said an official with another auto company. The report, which is expected to be delivered to the White House by a Sunday deadline, has been seen as a major risk for foreign automakers. Trump has threatened to slap 25 per cent duties on European autos, especially targeting Germany, which he says has harmed the American car industry. After receiving the report, the US president will have 90 days to decide whether to move ahead with tariffs. Trump in July reached a trade truce with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, with the two pledging no new tariffs while the negotiations continued. Brussels has already drawn up a list of 20 billion euros ($22.6 billion) in US exports for retaliatory tariffs should Washington press ahead, the Commission's Director-General for Trade Jean-Luc Demarty told the European Parliament last month. The White House has used the national security argument -- saying that undermining the American manufacturing base impairs military readiness, among other claims -- to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, drawing instant retaliation from the EU, Canada, Mexico and China. Trading partners have sometimes reacted with outrage at the suggestion their exports posed a threat to US national security.

Merkel says US calling European cars a threat is 'frightening'

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday inaugurated the new, fortress-like Berlin headquarters of Germany's scandal-plagued BND foreign intelligence service.

Located where the Berlin Wall once dissected the city, the huge 1.1-billion-euro ($1.25-billion) complex now houses 4,000 of the spy agency's 6,500 staff.

Built on the former site of an East German sports stadium, it is one of the world's largest secret service bases, covering 10 hectares (25 acres) -- the equivalent to 36 football fields.

Pointing to a host of global threats from terrorism to cyber-attacks, Merkel thanked the BND staff for their work "so that millions of Germans can live in safety".

For the BND, which until now has been cloistered away in a former Nazi settlement outside Munich since its founding after World War II, its bold new presence is meant to signal a more self-confident global role.

The massive limestone and aluminium-fronted structure in central Berlin affords Federal Intelligence Service chief Bruno Kahl a view of the chancellery building, which he reports to.

The BND, hit by a series of scandals -- most recently the 2013 revelations of fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden -- has also signalled greater transparency to a sceptical public.

Mid-year it even plans to open a visitor centre, having already built up its online presence and stepped up open recruitment activities for the next generation of German spies.

'Healthy distrust'

For many Germans, given their country's fascist and totalitarian past, the idea of a secret service evokes images not just of James Bond but also of the Gestapo and Stasi.

The far-left opposition Die Linke party routinely demands the abolition of Germany's three intelligence agencies, also including the domestic BfV and military spy service MAD.

Merkel stressed that while the Stasi "was used against the populace", the BND serves the country and is subject to laws and parliamentary oversight.

"A healthy distrust is helpful, but being overly suspicious is a hindrance," said Merkel.

Many Germans were shocked by Snowden's revelations that the BND had closely cooperated with US and British services in the near-blanket surveillance of the world's digital communications.

Merkel, who grew up in the East German police state, herself expressed anger at news that Washington had for years tapped her mobile phone, insisting that spying on allies "is not on".

But Germany was soon forced to admit that the BND had itself eavesdropped on targets including the French presidency, the EU and international media organisations.

Last year the world's largest internet hub, the De-Cix exchange in Frankfurt, challenged the BND over its mass capture of international communications, but a German federal court in May approved the surveillance.

The massive operation to build the new BND headquarters, too, did not pass without delays, budget blow-outs and glitches.&nbsp;

In 2011, the agency had to admit that the blueprints for the sprawling new complex had been stolen, but played down the security risks posed by the loss.

And in 2015, thieves broke into the building site and stole newly fitted water taps, causing massive flooding damage that media dubbed the "Watergate" scandal.

Former BND chief Gerhard Schindler on Friday complained that the agency's technical surveillance had stayed behind at the old Bavarian base, saying there was "no rational, logical reason" for this.

&nbsp;

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday inaugurated the new, fortress-like Berlin headquarters of Germany's scandal-plagued BND foreign intelligence service. Located where the Berlin Wall once dissected the city, the huge 1.

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday inaugurated the new, fortress-like Berlin headquarters of Germany's scandal-plagued BND foreign intelligence service. Located where the Berlin Wall once dissected the city, the huge 1.1-billion-euro ($1.25-billion) complex now houses 4,000 of the spy agency's 6,500 staff. Built on the former site of an East German sports stadium, it is one of the world's largest secret service bases, covering 10 hectares (25 acres) -- the equivalent to 36 football fields. Pointing to a host of global threats from terrorism to cyber-attacks, Merkel thanked the BND staff for their work "so that millions of Germans can live in safety". For the BND, which until now has been cloistered away in a former Nazi settlement outside Munich since its founding after World War II, its bold new presence is meant to signal a more self-confident global role. The massive limestone and aluminium-fronted structure in central Berlin affords Federal Intelligence Service chief Bruno Kahl a view of the chancellery building, which he reports to. The BND, hit by a series of scandals -- most recently the 2013 revelations of fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden -- has also signalled greater transparency to a sceptical public. Mid-year it even plans to open a visitor centre, having already built up its online presence and stepped up open recruitment activities for the next generation of German spies. 'Healthy distrust' For many Germans, given their country's fascist and totalitarian past, the idea of a secret service evokes images not just of James Bond but also of the Gestapo and Stasi. The far-left opposition Die Linke party routinely demands the abolition of Germany's three intelligence agencies, also including the domestic BfV and military spy service MAD. Merkel stressed that while the Stasi "was used against the populace", the BND serves the country and is subject to laws and parliamentary oversight. "A healthy distrust is helpful, but being overly suspicious is a hindrance," said Merkel. Many Germans were shocked by Snowden's revelations that the BND had closely cooperated with US and British services in the near-blanket surveillance of the world's digital communications. Merkel, who grew up in the East German police state, herself expressed anger at news that Washington had for years tapped her mobile phone, insisting that spying on allies "is not on". But Germany was soon forced to admit that the BND had itself eavesdropped on targets including the French presidency, the EU and international media organisations. Last year the world's largest internet hub, the De-Cix exchange in Frankfurt, challenged the BND over its mass capture of international communications, but a German federal court in May approved the surveillance. The massive operation to build the new BND headquarters, too, did not pass without delays, budget blow-outs and glitches. In 2011, the agency had to admit that the blueprints for the sprawling new complex had been stolen, but played down the security risks posed by the loss. And in 2015, thieves broke into the building site and stole newly fitted water taps, causing massive flooding damage that media dubbed the "Watergate" scandal. Former BND chief Gerhard Schindler on Friday complained that the agency's technical surveillance had stayed behind at the old Bavarian base, saying there was "no rational, logical reason" for this.

Merkel opens spy agency's massive new Berlin headquarters

Clown-faced politicians and cinema mix at Nice Carnival

France and Germany will on Wednesday announce a 65 million euro ($74 million) contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint programme to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source and two other sources familiar with the matter said.

Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which will build the jet that is expected to replace Dassault's Rafale and Germany's Eurofighters by 2024, will start work on the concept and architectures of the program, the source said.

The French and German governments are expected to award the companies involved additional contracts to advance technologies and work on demonstrators this summer.

French President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-condemns-macron-plan-for-national-day-marking-armenian-genocide-195576">Emmanuel Macron</a> and German Chancellor Angela Merkel first announced plans in July 2017 for the new Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which will include a fighter jet and a range of associated weapons, including drones.

After nearly two years of preparatory work by the companies involved, Wednesday's agreements and contract signing will pave the way for the programme to begin in earnest.

The initial contracts being signed on Wednesday will run for two years, the sources said.

Airbus and Dassault have been waiting for initial contracts to be signed to start work on the new project.

France's Safran and Germany's MTU Aero Engines are expected to join forces to develop the engine for the new warplane, while French electronics firm Thales and European missile maker MBDA would also participate.

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly and German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen will preside over the signing ceremony at a Safran site in northeastern Paris on Wednesday.

Germany removed a key obstacle to progress on the project last week when it bowed to French demands and excluded Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter from a multibillion-euro tender to replace ageing Tornado fighter jets that are fitted to carry US nuclear weapons.

Paris, Germany's closest European partner, had warned that buying the F-35, in particular, would derail plans to develop the new Franco-German fighter by 2040 since it would constitute a potential competitor to that project.

France and Germany will add Spain as a full partner in the programme this summer, sources told Reuters in December.

Britain, which is due to exit the European Union in March, unveiled its own rival aircraft development programme, dubbed Tempest, at the Farnborough Air Show in July.

European military and industry executives say they believe the two programmes could and should eventually be merged given the need to compete internationally and the many billions of euros needed to develop a new combat aircraft.

The French army source said France and Germany were open to more European partners joining the programme.

Germany's embargo on arms sales to Saudi Arabia has been a source of friction with France, which has been unable to deliver Meteor missiles built for Saudi Arabia by MBDA, sources said.&nbsp;

France and Germany will on Wednesday announce a 65 million euro ($74 million) contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint programme to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source and two other sources familiar with the matter said.

France and Germany will on Wednesday announce a 65 million euro ($74 million) contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint programme to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source and two other sources familiar with the matter said. Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which will build the jet that is expected to replace Dassault's Rafale and Germany's Eurofighters by 2024, will start work on the concept and architectures of the program, the source said. The French and German governments are expected to award the companies involved additional contracts to advance technologies and work on demonstrators this summer. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel first announced plans in July 2017 for the new Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which will include a fighter jet and a range of associated weapons, including drones. After nearly two years of preparatory work by the companies involved, Wednesday's agreements and contract signing will pave the way for the programme to begin in earnest. The initial contracts being signed on Wednesday will run for two years, the sources said. Airbus and Dassault have been waiting for initial contracts to be signed to start work on the new project. France's Safran and Germany's MTU Aero Engines are expected to join forces to develop the engine for the new warplane, while French electronics firm Thales and European missile maker MBDA would also participate. French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly and German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen will preside over the signing ceremony at a Safran site in northeastern Paris on Wednesday. Germany removed a key obstacle to progress on the project last week when it bowed to French demands and excluded Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter from a multibillion-euro tender to replace ageing Tornado fighter jets that are fitted to carry US nuclear weapons. Paris, Germany's closest European partner, had warned that buying the F-35, in particular, would derail plans to develop the new Franco-German fighter by 2040 since it would constitute a potential competitor to that project. France and Germany will add Spain as a full partner in the programme this summer, sources told Reuters in December. Britain, which is due to exit the European Union in March, unveiled its own rival aircraft development programme, dubbed Tempest, at the Farnborough Air Show in July. European military and industry executives say they believe the two programmes could and should eventually be merged given the need to compete internationally and the many billions of euros needed to develop a new combat aircraft. The French army source said France and Germany were open to more European partners joining the programme. Germany's embargo on arms sales to Saudi Arabia has been a source of friction with France, which has been unable to deliver Meteor missiles built for Saudi Arabia by MBDA, sources said.

France and Germany to launch first contracts on future combat jets

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-spain-recognises-venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-as-acting-president-195050">German Chancellor Angela Merkel</a> share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis.

Merkel, on a two-day visit to Japan, said that Germany recognises opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president, joining many European nations, and said he should organise new elections as soon as possible.

"Guaido is the person with whom we are talking and who we expect to initiate an election process as quickly as possible, and he is the legitimate interim president for this task from the German perspective and also from the perspective of many European partners," Merkel told a news conference with Abe.

"And we hope that this process is as short as possible and of course peaceful," she added.

Abe emphasized his cooperation with Merkel during a visit aimed a forging an "alliance of multilateralists" to resist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-constitution-rejects-use-of-iraq-as-a-base-for-attacking-a-neighbouring-country-barham-saleh-195059">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>'s "America First" approach to trade and China's pursuit of narrow national interests.

"Our responsibility towards working for global prosperity and security has merely increased," he said, adding that the two leaders would work for a global order "based on rules."

Merkel referred to an EU-Japan trade deal that entered into force on February 1, saying: "All in all, a trip at a time in which we have demonstrated that, even at times when multilateral agreements are in difficult straits, we are ready to conclude such things."

"..very good win-win situations can occur when all partners talk to each other. Of course, fairness and reciprocity are part of this, but that is what we advocate."

Abe did not comment on Guaido's status, but he said Japan wanted a stable, democratic and prompt solution to Venezuela's political crisis. Several European nations have joined the United States in recognising Guaido as interim president, intensifying a global showdown over Nicolas Maduro's socialist rule.

Merkel said Germany would do everything possible to avoid a no-deal Brexit, but she did not want to see Britain's divorce deal with the EU - the so-called Withdrawal Agreement - renegotiated.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she would seek a "pragmatic solution" to a parliamentary impasse over the terms on which Britain leaves the European Union when she tries to reopen talks with Brussels less than two months before Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29.

"There are definitely options for preserving the integrity of the single market, even when Northern Ireland isn't part of it because it is part of Britain, while at the same time meeting the desire to have if possible no border controls," Merkel said.

"To solve this point you have to be creative and listen to each other, and such discussions can and must be conducted," she added. "We can still use the time to perhaps reach an agreement if everyone shows good will."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis. Merkel, on a two-day visit to Japan, said that Germany recognises opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president, joining many European nations, and said he should organise new elections as soon as possible. "Guaido is the person with whom we are talking and who we expect to initiate an election process as quickly as possible, and he is the legitimate interim president for this task from the German perspective and also from the perspective of many European partners," Merkel told a news conference with Abe. "And we hope that this process is as short as possible and of course peaceful," she added. Abe emphasized his cooperation with Merkel during a visit aimed a forging an "alliance of multilateralists" to resist US President Donald Trump's "America First" approach to trade and China's pursuit of narrow national interests. "Our responsibility towards working for global prosperity and security has merely increased," he said, adding that the two leaders would work for a global order "based on rules." Merkel referred to an EU-Japan trade deal that entered into force on February 1, saying: "All in all, a trip at a time in which we have demonstrated that, even at times when multilateral agreements are in difficult straits, we are ready to conclude such things." "..very good win-win situations can occur when all partners talk to each other. Of course, fairness and reciprocity are part of this, but that is what we advocate." Abe did not comment on Guaido's status, but he said Japan wanted a stable, democratic and prompt solution to Venezuela's political crisis. Several European nations have joined the United States in recognising Guaido as interim president, intensifying a global showdown over Nicolas Maduro's socialist rule. Merkel said Germany would do everything possible to avoid a no-deal Brexit, but she did not want to see Britain's divorce deal with the EU - the so-called Withdrawal Agreement - renegotiated. British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she would seek a "pragmatic solution" to a parliamentary impasse over the terms on which Britain leaves the European Union when she tries to reopen talks with Brussels less than two months before Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29. "There are definitely options for preserving the integrity of the single market, even when Northern Ireland isn't part of it because it is part of Britain, while at the same time meeting the desire to have if possible no border controls," Merkel said. "To solve this point you have to be creative and listen to each other, and such discussions can and must be conducted," she added. "We can still use the time to perhaps reach an agreement if everyone shows good will."

Japan, Germany share responsibility to work towards global peace: PM Abe

British Prime Minister Theresa May unveils her <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pms-office-says-reports-of-parliament-seizing-control-from-govt-over-brexit-extremely-concerning-191516">Brexit "Plan B"</a> to parliament on Monday after MPs shredded her EU divorce deal, deepening the political gridlock 10 weeks from departure day.

Britain will leave the European Union on March 29 without a deal unless MPs can force a delay or get their act together in time and come up with an alternative plan that Brussels is also happy with.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/worlds-largest-economies-india-likely-to-surpass-uk-this-year-says-pwc-191559">The world's fifth-biggest economy</a> could lose preferential access to its largest export market overnight, affecting every sector, leading to rising costs and disruption at British ports.

London and Brussels have spent the best part of two years working on a divorce agreement but MPs in parliament's lower House of Commons comprehensively rejected it on Tuesday.

May's government then survived a confidence vote on Wednesday and set about talks with figures from rival parties.

But the main opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn stayed away, saying a "no-deal" departure must be ruled out first -- something May says is impossible.

May spoke to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, and to EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk by telephone Friday to discuss where to go next on Brexit.

EU chiefs have so far ruled out renegotiating the agreement, but have signalled they could postpone the withdrawal if May changes her "red lines" on leaving the EU's customs union and blocking the free movement of citizens.

Amendments 
After May sets out her plans for the way ahead, lawmakers are set to table a series of amendments, to be voted upon on January 29.

At least two cross-party groups of MPs are planning to table amendments to enable backbenchers to delay or frustrate May's proposals.

One would suspend the withdrawal process if there is no new deal with Brussels by the end of February.

A second would enable backbenchers to choose to debate and vote on Brexit issues, one day a week -- breaking the convention that the government controls the parliamentary timetable.

May's Downing Street office has called them "extremely concerning".

"You've got a Leave population and a Remain parliament," said International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, one of the senior Brexiteers in May's cabinet.

"Parliament has not got the right to hijack the Brexit process... and in fact steal the result from the people," he told BBC television.

Britain voted by a 52-48 margin in favour of leaving the EU in a referendum in 2016 that exposed deep divisions in British society.

Irish backstop 
One of the most problematic areas of the divorce deal is the so-called backstop on the Irish border -- a legal guarantee that the frontier would remain free-flowing if Britain and the EU cannot agree a long-term free trade pact.&nbsp;

Britain could not unilaterally pull out of the backstop.

The Sunday Times newspaper claimed that May would propose a separate arrangement with Dublin.

"She wants to offer a bilateral treaty to Ireland that would remove the hated 'backstop' from the EU withdrawal treaty and prevent a hard border by other means," the weekly broadsheet said.

Aides believe that would help win over Conservative eurosceptics on her backbenches, and the party's Democratic Unionist Party allies -- counted upon for a majority. The DUP are Northern Ireland's biggest party.

Graham Brady, who chairs the Conservative backbenchers' group, said he thought May could get her Brexit deal past Conservative rebels if the Irish backstop "can be sorted out".

"So much of the vote against was from people who simply cannot support a potentially permanent backstop, if that can be sorted out then I think we might get that withdrawal agreement through," he told BBC radio.

He said it was in Ireland's interests to help Britain leave the EU with a deal, saying they would be far more hurt by a no-deal Brexit that Britain as most of their trade comes through the UK.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said Sunday that he and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar were in no mood to support alterations to the withdrawal agreement (WA) or the backstop.

"We remain united and focused on protecting Ireland," he said.

"That includes continued support for the EU/UK agreed WA in full, including the backstop as negotiated."

British Prime Minister Theresa May unveils her Brexit "Plan B" to parliament on Monday after MPs shredded her EU divorce deal, deepening the political gridlock 10 weeks from departure day.

British Prime Minister Theresa May unveils her Brexit "Plan B" to parliament on Monday after MPs shredded her EU divorce deal, deepening the political gridlock 10 weeks from departure day. Britain will leave the European Union on March 29 without a deal unless MPs can force a delay or get their act together in time and come up with an alternative plan that Brussels is also happy with. The world's fifth-biggest economy could lose preferential access to its largest export market overnight, affecting every sector, leading to rising costs and disruption at British ports. London and Brussels have spent the best part of two years working on a divorce agreement but MPs in parliament's lower House of Commons comprehensively rejected it on Tuesday. May's government then survived a confidence vote on Wednesday and set about talks with figures from rival parties. But the main opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn stayed away, saying a "no-deal" departure must be ruled out first -- something May says is impossible. May spoke to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, and to EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk by telephone Friday to discuss where to go next on Brexit. EU chiefs have so far ruled out renegotiating the agreement, but have signalled they could postpone the withdrawal if May changes her "red lines" on leaving the EU's customs union and blocking the free movement of citizens. Amendments After May sets out her plans for the way ahead, lawmakers are set to table a series of amendments, to be voted upon on January 29. At least two cross-party groups of MPs are planning to table amendments to enable backbenchers to delay or frustrate May's proposals. One would suspend the withdrawal process if there is no new deal with Brussels by the end of February. A second would enable backbenchers to choose to debate and vote on Brexit issues, one day a week -- breaking the convention that the government controls the parliamentary timetable. May's Downing Street office has called them "extremely concerning". "You've got a Leave population and a Remain parliament," said International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, one of the senior Brexiteers in May's cabinet. "Parliament has not got the right to hijack the Brexit process... and in fact steal the result from the people," he told BBC television. Britain voted by a 52-48 margin in favour of leaving the EU in a referendum in 2016 that exposed deep divisions in British society. Irish backstop One of the most problematic areas of the divorce deal is the so-called backstop on the Irish border -- a legal guarantee that the frontier would remain free-flowing if Britain and the EU cannot agree a long-term free trade pact. Britain could not unilaterally pull out of the backstop. The Sunday Times newspaper claimed that May would propose a separate arrangement with Dublin. "She wants to offer a bilateral treaty to Ireland that would remove the hated 'backstop' from the EU withdrawal treaty and prevent a hard border by other means," the weekly broadsheet said. Aides believe that would help win over Conservative eurosceptics on her backbenches, and the party's Democratic Unionist Party allies -- counted upon for a majority. The DUP are Northern Ireland's biggest party. Graham Brady, who chairs the Conservative backbenchers' group, said he thought May could get her Brexit deal past Conservative rebels if the Irish backstop "can be sorted out". "So much of the vote against was from people who simply cannot support a potentially permanent backstop, if that can be sorted out then I think we might get that withdrawal agreement through," he told BBC radio. He said it was in Ireland's interests to help Britain leave the EU with a deal, saying they would be far more hurt by a no-deal Brexit that Britain as most of their trade comes through the UK. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said Sunday that he and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar were in no mood to support alterations to the withdrawal agreement (WA) or the backstop. "We remain united and focused on protecting Ireland," he said. "That includes continued support for the EU/UK agreed WA in full, including the backstop as negotiated."

Brexit: UK PM May to unveil 'Plan B' today

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that "we still have time to negotiate" after the British Parliament comprehensively rejected the Brexit deal Prime Minister Theresa May had reached with the European Union.&nbsp;

May lost the vote by 432 votes to 202 — <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-parliament-votes-down-pm-mays-eu-brexit-deal-by-230-votes-190586">the largest government defeat in modern British history</a>. She will now face a no-confidence vote brought by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.&nbsp;

May is expected to win the trust vote, but no one really knows what will happen on Brexit.&nbsp;

The United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the European Union on March 29, a little over two months from now.&nbsp;

Anything could happen in that time — the UK may leave without a Brexit deal, it may delay Brexit, or a second referendum (whether or not to actually leave the EU) could be held.&nbsp;

"We still have time to negotiate but we're now waiting on what the prime minister proposes," Merkel said Wednesday to the news channel NTV.

"I very much regret that the British lower house last night rejected the agreement," she said.

"We believe it is up to the British side, as the prime minister has announced, to tell us what happens next.

"We want to limit the damage, and there certainly will be damage..., as much as possible.

"That's why of course we will continue to pursue an orderly solution. But we are also ready in case there is no such orderly solution."&nbsp;

France meanwhile is speeding up preparations for a "no deal" Brexit, AFP quoted a French presidential source as saying.&nbsp;

"The scenario we don't want is a no deal and the risks multiplied yesterday," the source said.

"The prime minister will meet tomorrow with the key ministers concerned to take stock of the preparations and accelerate them," the source added.

(With inputs from AFP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that "we still have time to negotiate" after the British Parliament comprehensively rejected the Brexit deal Prime Minister Theresa May had reached with the European Union.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that "we still have time to negotiate" after the British Parliament comprehensively rejected the Brexit deal Prime Minister Theresa May had reached with the European Union. May lost the vote by 432 votes to 202 — the largest government defeat in modern British history. She will now face a no-confidence vote brought by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. May is expected to win the trust vote, but no one really knows what will happen on Brexit. The United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the European Union on March 29, a little over two months from now. Anything could happen in that time — the UK may leave without a Brexit deal, it may delay Brexit, or a second referendum (whether or not to actually leave the EU) could be held. "We still have time to negotiate but we're now waiting on what the prime minister proposes," Merkel said Wednesday to the news channel NTV. "I very much regret that the British lower house last night rejected the agreement," she said. "We believe it is up to the British side, as the prime minister has announced, to tell us what happens next. "We want to limit the damage, and there certainly will be damage..., as much as possible. "That's why of course we will continue to pursue an orderly solution. But we are also ready in case there is no such orderly solution." France meanwhile is speeding up preparations for a "no deal" Brexit, AFP quoted a French presidential source as saying. "The scenario we don't want is a no deal and the risks multiplied yesterday," the source said. "The prime minister will meet tomorrow with the key ministers concerned to take stock of the preparations and accelerate them," the source added. (With inputs from AFP)

'Still time to negotiate,' Germany's Merkel says after UK PM May loses Brexit vote

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that it was necessary to keep trying to secure an orderly Brexit but she stressed that Germany was prepared if Britain did end up exiting the European Union in a disorderly fashion.

She said she regretted that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/risk-of-no-deal-has-never-seemed-so-high-says-eu-negotiator-after-may-loses-brexit-vote-in-parliament-190702">British parliament had rejected a Brexit deal</a> negotiated with the European Union and said British Prime Minister Theresa May needed to say how Britain would proceed.

"We think now it is up to the British side," Merkel said. "We want to keep damage to a minimum, and there will be damage with the departure of Britain."

"We will of course try to find an orderly solution but we are also prepared for the scenario that there may not be an orderly solution," Merkel added.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier warned on Wednesday that the British Parliament's overwhelming rejection of a negotiated Brexit deal increases the risk that Britain will crash out of the European Union without an agreement.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that it was necessary to keep trying to secure an orderly Brexit but she stressed that Germany was prepared if Britain did end up exiting the European Union in a disorderly fashion.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that it was necessary to keep trying to secure an orderly Brexit but she stressed that Germany was prepared if Britain did end up exiting the European Union in a disorderly fashion. She said she regretted that the British parliament had rejected a Brexit deal negotiated with the European Union and said British Prime Minister Theresa May needed to say how Britain would proceed. "We think now it is up to the British side," Merkel said. "We want to keep damage to a minimum, and there will be damage with the departure of Britain." "We will of course try to find an orderly solution but we are also prepared for the scenario that there may not be an orderly solution," Merkel added. EU negotiator Michel Barnier warned on Wednesday that the British Parliament's overwhelming rejection of a negotiated Brexit deal increases the risk that Britain will crash out of the European Union without an agreement.

We must still strive for orderly Brexit: Angela Merkel

By Louise Thompson&nbsp;

A cross-parliamentary group of MPs has struck again, landing another major blow against the government ahead of the vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal on January 15. The manoeuvre changes the parliamentary timetable to give the prime minister just three days to come up with a new plan if she loses the vote. This was highly controversial in constitutional terms and the debate was extremely heated. Here’s what it means for the next stage of Brexit.

What does the amendment passed by parliament say?

Since the meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal was delayed in December, MPs have been pulling out all the stops to find creative ways of forcing the government’s hand. The amendments made to the Finance Bill were an example of this.

Now, MPs have voted through a business motion that drastically shortens the Brexit timeline should May lose the vote on her final Brexit deal on January 15. According to the amendment, she must return to the House of Commons within three days for a vote on the further options. This is instead of the plan currently in place, which would have given her 21 days to present a new plan.

Who is behind the amendment?

This is a cross-party amendment. A quick glance at the list of signatories shows some very familiar faces. Conservative backbencher Dominic Grieve has been a continual thorn in May’s side as she tries to pass Brexit legislation. Back in September 2017, he was writing about the need to challenge the government on its withdrawal legislation, which he felt was not up to scratch. His crusade to strengthen parliament’s voice on the issue has continued ever since. Now you can expect to see a “Grieve amendment” attached to almost any piece of Brexit-related legislation in parliament.

Also on the list is Chris Leslie, the Labour backbencher who has been similarly passionate about holding the government to account, tabling hundreds of amendments to May’s Brexit bills. Both are on the Politico’s list of Brexit troublemakers, where Leslie is described as an “amendment tabling machine”.

The SNP, Lib Dems, Plaid and the Greens have also signed up to the amendment. The smaller parties would typically always work together, but opposition to the prime minister’s Brexit timetable is now coming from MPs of all parties, including a significant number of her own.

Why was the selection of the amendment so controversial?

MPs spent the morning of January 9 in a heated debate about whether or not the amendment was constitutional – did it fall within the boundaries of parliamentary procedure? Many directed significant ire at Speaker John Bercow for selecting it for consideration, implying that he may be straying from the impartiality which the occupant of the chair should stand by. For some, it was a case of the speaker rewriting or reinterpreting parliamentary rules, something that parliamentary correspondent Mark D'Arcy described as a “massive ruling” that could alter the course of Brexit should the prime minister lose the vote on the final deal.

This was because the amendment was tabled to a business motion. This is different from tabling amendments to a piece of legislation like the EU Withdrawal Bill. Typically, only the government can amend the business or timetable of the House and as such, amendments would normally only come from government. There was some speculation that the amendment was a test, putting the speaker in an awkward position as he had to decide what to do with it. It later became apparent that the amendment had been selected (perhaps to placate MPs and allow the matter to be on the record). In the speaker’s words, it came down to a distinction between motion and an amendment, with this being one of the latter, as well as a discussion about the meaning of the word “forthwith” and whether this meant that a motion was unamendable or not.

It was clearly a difficult decision for Bercow, who repeatedly said he had to think carefully and make a judgement. But with reports that the House of Commons clerks had advised against the move, it seemed that the speaker really was taking a decision alone. It means that although parliament was not able to debate the amendment, Grieve was able to officially move it, and as a result, the House of Commons could vote on it. It was passed by 308 votes to 297.

Is this amendment enough to stop a no-deal Brexit?It is clear evidence of opposition to a no-deal Brexit and a growing consensus around the need for a clear decision to be expressed by parliament on a suitable alternative to the deal currently on the table.

On its own, the amendment is not going to stop a no-deal Brexit. But it does speed up the timetable by which the government would need to come back to the House of Commons with a new plan of action should the vote on the deal be lost. As such, it is part of parliament’s wider attempt to rewrite the Brexit story.

Does it currently look like May will lose the Brexit deal vote?

The prime minister’s assurances over Christmas about the Northern Ireland border may have quelled the opposition from a handful of MPs, but it still looks likely that she will lose the vote on the final deal. It was reported that she planned to repeatedly put the deal to a vote until it passed. Grieve’s amendment aimed to prevent this. But it’s not really clear if the prime minister has a Plan B.

What is Labour planning on doing if she loses the vote?

At the moment we are expecting Labour to table a &nbsp;motion of no confidence in the government if the prime minister loses the vote on January 15. But the Grieve amendment may complicate things a little bit. Should party leader Jeremy Corbyn hang tight and see what comes back in the three-day window, or table it right away? His chances of winning would depend on the timing and on whether or not a plan B does emerge from the government benches.

(Louise Thompson is Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Manchester)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/brexit-what-does-the-latest-parliamentary-upset-mean-for-theresa-may-109591">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Louise Thompson A cross-parliamentary group of MPs has struck again, landing another major blow against the government ahead of the vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal on January 15.

By Louise Thompson A cross-parliamentary group of MPs has struck again, landing another major blow against the government ahead of the vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal on January 15. The manoeuvre changes the parliamentary timetable to give the prime minister just three days to come up with a new plan if she loses the vote. This was highly controversial in constitutional terms and the debate was extremely heated. Here’s what it means for the next stage of Brexit. What does the amendment passed by parliament say? Since the meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal was delayed in December, MPs have been pulling out all the stops to find creative ways of forcing the government’s hand. The amendments made to the Finance Bill were an example of this. Now, MPs have voted through a business motion that drastically shortens the Brexit timeline should May lose the vote on her final Brexit deal on January 15. According to the amendment, she must return to the House of Commons within three days for a vote on the further options. This is instead of the plan currently in place, which would have given her 21 days to present a new plan. Who is behind the amendment? This is a cross-party amendment. A quick glance at the list of signatories shows some very familiar faces. Conservative backbencher Dominic Grieve has been a continual thorn in May’s side as she tries to pass Brexit legislation. Back in September 2017, he was writing about the need to challenge the government on its withdrawal legislation, which he felt was not up to scratch. His crusade to strengthen parliament’s voice on the issue has continued ever since. Now you can expect to see a “Grieve amendment” attached to almost any piece of Brexit-related legislation in parliament. Also on the list is Chris Leslie, the Labour backbencher who has been similarly passionate about holding the government to account, tabling hundreds of amendments to May’s Brexit bills. Both are on the Politico’s list of Brexit troublemakers, where Leslie is described as an “amendment tabling machine”. The SNP, Lib Dems, Plaid and the Greens have also signed up to the amendment. The smaller parties would typically always work together, but opposition to the prime minister’s Brexit timetable is now coming from MPs of all parties, including a significant number of her own. Why was the selection of the amendment so controversial? MPs spent the morning of January 9 in a heated debate about whether or not the amendment was constitutional – did it fall within the boundaries of parliamentary procedure? Many directed significant ire at Speaker John Bercow for selecting it for consideration, implying that he may be straying from the impartiality which the occupant of the chair should stand by. For some, it was a case of the speaker rewriting or reinterpreting parliamentary rules, something that parliamentary correspondent Mark D'Arcy described as a “massive ruling” that could alter the course of Brexit should the prime minister lose the vote on the final deal. This was because the amendment was tabled to a business motion. This is different from tabling amendments to a piece of legislation like the EU Withdrawal Bill. Typically, only the government can amend the business or timetable of the House and as such, amendments would normally only come from government. There was some speculation that the amendment was a test, putting the speaker in an awkward position as he had to decide what to do with it. It later became apparent that the amendment had been selected (perhaps to placate MPs and allow the matter to be on the record). In the speaker’s words, it came down to a distinction between motion and an amendment, with this being one of the latter, as well as a discussion about the meaning of the word “forthwith” and whether this meant that a motion was unamendable or not. It was clearly a difficult decision for Bercow, who repeatedly said he had to think carefully and make a judgement. But with reports that the House of Commons clerks had advised against the move, it seemed that the speaker really was taking a decision alone. It means that although parliament was not able to debate the amendment, Grieve was able to officially move it, and as a result, the House of Commons could vote on it. It was passed by 308 votes to 297. Is this amendment enough to stop a no-deal Brexit?It is clear evidence of opposition to a no-deal Brexit and a growing consensus around the need for a clear decision to be expressed by parliament on a suitable alternative to the deal currently on the table. On its own, the amendment is not going to stop a no-deal Brexit. But it does speed up the timetable by which the government would need to come back to the House of Commons with a new plan of action should the vote on the deal be lost. As such, it is part of parliament’s wider attempt to rewrite the Brexit story. Does it currently look like May will lose the Brexit deal vote? The prime minister’s assurances over Christmas about the Northern Ireland border may have quelled the opposition from a handful of MPs, but it still looks likely that she will lose the vote on the final deal. It was reported that she planned to repeatedly put the deal to a vote until it passed. Grieve’s amendment aimed to prevent this. But it’s not really clear if the prime minister has a Plan B. What is Labour planning on doing if she loses the vote? At the moment we are expecting Labour to table a motion of no confidence in the government if the prime minister loses the vote on January 15. But the Grieve amendment may complicate things a little bit. Should party leader Jeremy Corbyn hang tight and see what comes back in the three-day window, or table it right away? His chances of winning would depend on the timing and on whether or not a plan B does emerge from the government benches. (Louise Thompson is Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Manchester) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Brexit row: What does the latest parliamentary upset mean for Theresa May?

Germany "takes total responsibility for crimes committed" by the Nazis in Greece, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday on a visit to Athens.

Tensions linger over wartime reparations for the Nazis' World War II occupation of Greece with Berlin arguing the issue was settled in 1960 in a deal with several European governments.&nbsp;

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Greece amid tight security on Thursday, as she looks to turn the page on the biting austerity measures that sparked major protests during her last official visit to Athens in 2014.

Nearly 2,000 police personnel were deployed to supervise Merkel's visit and authorities have banned demonstrations around the home of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, where the two leaders are set to meet.

Relations between Greece and Germany have calmed since her previous visits in 2012 and 2014, which were overshadowed by angry anti-austerity rallies.&nbsp;

But small protests by leftist parties and neo-Nazi groups were expected outside the no-go zone, while a police source said the authorities had opened an inquiry into five envelopes containing "a powder of unknown origin", which were sent to regional universities this week.

Merkel's visit is seen as a chance to leave behind a fraught period caused by tough German demands for Greek austerity accompanying EU bailouts for the country during the eurozone sovereign debt crisis.

Greece, which left eight years of bailout programmes behind last year, has also been deeply affected by the European migrant crisis in recent years. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Ahead of the trip, Merkel's spokeswoman Martina Fietz said she and far-left leader Tsipras would discuss "European and international" issues.

Germany "takes total responsibility for crimes committed" by the Nazis in Greece, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday on a visit to Athens. Tensions linger over wartime reparations for the Nazis' World War II occupation of Greece with Berlin arguing the issue was settled in 1960 in a deal with several European governments.

Germany "takes total responsibility for crimes committed" by the Nazis in Greece, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday on a visit to Athens. Tensions linger over wartime reparations for the Nazis' World War II occupation of Greece with Berlin arguing the issue was settled in 1960 in a deal with several European governments. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Greece amid tight security on Thursday, as she looks to turn the page on the biting austerity measures that sparked major protests during her last official visit to Athens in 2014. Nearly 2,000 police personnel were deployed to supervise Merkel's visit and authorities have banned demonstrations around the home of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, where the two leaders are set to meet. Relations between Greece and Germany have calmed since her previous visits in 2012 and 2014, which were overshadowed by angry anti-austerity rallies. But small protests by leftist parties and neo-Nazi groups were expected outside the no-go zone, while a police source said the authorities had opened an inquiry into five envelopes containing "a powder of unknown origin", which were sent to regional universities this week. Merkel's visit is seen as a chance to leave behind a fraught period caused by tough German demands for Greek austerity accompanying EU bailouts for the country during the eurozone sovereign debt crisis. Greece, which left eight years of bailout programmes behind last year, has also been deeply affected by the European migrant crisis in recent years. Ahead of the trip, Merkel's spokeswoman Martina Fietz said she and far-left leader Tsipras would discuss "European and international" issues.

Merkel says Germany takes responsibility for Nazi crimes in Greece

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