German Chancellor Angela Merkel quarantines herself, the doctor who vaccinated her tested positive for coronavirus. Merkel said, she will be working from home in coming days and will do her regular test

Angela Merkel quarantines herself

German Chancellor Angela Merkel to stay in self-quarantine after being treated by a doctor who has since tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a government spokesman said on Sunday.

"The Chancellor has decided to quarantine herself at home. She will be tested regularly in the coming days... (and) fulfil her official business from home," Steffen Seibert said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, under the preventive measures against coronavirus, Merkel restricted gatherings of more than two people in Germany.

The country has already closed down schools, non-essential shops and urged people not to gather in groups but has not yet imposed blanket limits on group gatherings.&nbsp;

"Our own behaviour is the most effective way" of slowing the rate of infection, Merkel said of the unprecedented nationwide measures, which are initially slated to remain in force for two weeks.

The measures will be imposed by individual states, who will decide when to roll them out.&nbsp;

According to a report more than 20,000 people have been infected with coronavirus which first originated in China. While 70 people have died.

"It's of vital, vital importance to obey the rule" to remain at least two metres away from other people, Merkel said, adding "at that distance the risk of infection is close to zero."

Asked if she too was respecting the distancing requirements, Merkel said, "my life has fundamentally changed and mostly consists of telephone and video conferences".

Merkel spoke following a telephone conference with the premiers of Germany's 16 federal states, who have been criticised in recent days for failing to agree on a nationwide set of rules for infection control.

But while several regional leaders said in their own press conferences they would stick to the new rules, news agency DPA reported Bavaria would impose its own, tougher restrictions allowing people to leave the house alone or with one relative.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel to stay in self-quarantine after being treated by a doctor who has since tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a government spokesman said on Sunday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel to stay in self-quarantine after being treated by a doctor who has since tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a government spokesman said on Sunday. "The Chancellor has decided to quarantine herself at home. She will be tested regularly in the coming days... (and) fulfil her official business from home," Steffen Seibert said in a statement. Earlier in the day, under the preventive measures against coronavirus, Merkel restricted gatherings of more than two people in Germany. The country has already closed down schools, non-essential shops and urged people not to gather in groups but has not yet imposed blanket limits on group gatherings. "Our own behaviour is the most effective way" of slowing the rate of infection, Merkel said of the unprecedented nationwide measures, which are initially slated to remain in force for two weeks. The measures will be imposed by individual states, who will decide when to roll them out. According to a report more than 20,000 people have been infected with coronavirus which first originated in China. While 70 people have died. "It's of vital, vital importance to obey the rule" to remain at least two metres away from other people, Merkel said, adding "at that distance the risk of infection is close to zero." Asked if she too was respecting the distancing requirements, Merkel said, "my life has fundamentally changed and mostly consists of telephone and video conferences". Merkel spoke following a telephone conference with the premiers of Germany's 16 federal states, who have been criticised in recent days for failing to agree on a nationwide set of rules for infection control. But while several regional leaders said in their own press conferences they would stick to the new rules, news agency DPA reported Bavaria would impose its own, tougher restrictions allowing people to leave the house alone or with one relative. (With inputs from agencies)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel in self-quarantine after meeting virus-infected doctor

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday discussed the migrant crisis and the situation in Syria's rebel enclave of Idlib, with the leaders of France, Germany and Britain.&nbsp;

The four-party video conference that involved French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came after Turkey decided last month to re-open its border for refugees trying to reach Europe.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrants-head-to-greece-as-turkey-opens-floodgates-283547">Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates</a>

The move sparked tensions with Brussels, and with neighbouring Greece when thousands of migrants massed on the Turkish-Greek border.

"Humanitarian assistance for Idlib, and the refugee issue" were on the agenda according to the Turkish presidency, along with other issues such as fighting in Libya.&nbsp;

Erdogan's decision to open the gates for refugees heading to Europe came after more than 50 Turkish troops were killed by Syrian regime fire in the northwestern province of Idlib in February.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-migrant-crisis-tense-situation-on-the-greek-turkish-border-285032">Greece migrant crisis: Tense situation on the Greek-Turkish border</a>

Turkey is home to four million refugees mostly Syrians and is demanding more assistance from the European Union amid fears of another influx from Idlib, where the Syrian regime has launched an offensive backed by Russian airpower.

Ankara hopes for progress on a new migrant deal with Brussels by the next scheduled EU summit on March 26.&nbsp;

Macron's office said there was a convergence of views on the situation in Idlib and the need to step up humanitarian aid to civilians, during the conference that lasted about an hour.&nbsp;

But on the migrant issue, NATO and EU relations, "a number of clarifications have been requested by Europeans from Erdogan in order to achieve clearer and peaceful relations," the Elysee said.&nbsp;

Because of the growing spread of COVID-19, the meeting was held via video conference rather than in person in Istanbul.

The four leaders also discussed joint action against the coronavirus, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted.

Turkey recorded its first coronavirus-related death late on Tuesday and reported 98 cases.&nbsp;

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday discussed the migrant crisis and the situation in Syria's rebel enclave of Idlib, with the leaders of France, Germany and Britain.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday discussed the migrant crisis and the situation in Syria's rebel enclave of Idlib, with the leaders of France, Germany and Britain. The four-party video conference that involved French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came after Turkey decided last month to re-open its border for refugees trying to reach Europe. Also read: Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates The move sparked tensions with Brussels, and with neighbouring Greece when thousands of migrants massed on the Turkish-Greek border. "Humanitarian assistance for Idlib, and the refugee issue" were on the agenda according to the Turkish presidency, along with other issues such as fighting in Libya. Erdogan's decision to open the gates for refugees heading to Europe came after more than 50 Turkish troops were killed by Syrian regime fire in the northwestern province of Idlib in February. Also read: Greece migrant crisis: Tense situation on the Greek-Turkish border Turkey is home to four million refugees mostly Syrians and is demanding more assistance from the European Union amid fears of another influx from Idlib, where the Syrian regime has launched an offensive backed by Russian airpower. Ankara hopes for progress on a new migrant deal with Brussels by the next scheduled EU summit on March 26. Macron's office said there was a convergence of views on the situation in Idlib and the need to step up humanitarian aid to civilians, during the conference that lasted about an hour. But on the migrant issue, NATO and EU relations, "a number of clarifications have been requested by Europeans from Erdogan in order to achieve clearer and peaceful relations," the Elysee said. Because of the growing spread of COVID-19, the meeting was held via video conference rather than in person in Istanbul. The four leaders also discussed joint action against the coronavirus, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted. Turkey recorded its first coronavirus-related death late on Tuesday and reported 98 cases.

Erdogan discusses migrant crisis, Syria with Macron, Merkel and Johnson

Lawmakers in eastern German state Thuringia will try again to elect a new state premier Wednesday, re-running a vote that sank Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Social Union (CDU) party into what has been described as the biggest crisis in its history.

It is the second attempt in a month to form a working government in the former East German state, after CDU MPs there unleashed an earthquake in national politics by voting with the far-right AfD in February.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angela-merkels-party-in-crisis-after-heir-quits-over-far-right-row-279866">Angela Merkel's party in crisis after 'heir' quits over far right row</a>

Amid the national outrage, the liberal candidate elected during the first vote on February 5 stepped down, leaving the state rudderless.

But more significantly, the apparent cooperation of CDU politicians with the far-right triggered the departure of Merkel's designated successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and sparked a new leadership contest for the German chancellor's party.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/far-left-german-mps-accuse-merkel-over-soleimani-killing-283183">Far-left German MPs accuse Merkel over Soleimani killing</a>

The race to a new CDU leadership election on April 25 is a fresh struggle for control between supporters of the chancellor's centrist course and those who believe the party must tack right.

But so far none has offered a convincing answer to the CDU's conundrum in Thuringia, squeezed between the extremes of left and right.

Former state premier Bodo Ramelow of the far left is now up against far-right firebrand Bjoern Hoecke, with Merkel's conservatives once again the reluctant kingmakers.

Lawmakers in eastern German state Thuringia will try again to elect a new state premier Wednesday, re-running a vote that sank Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Social Union (CDU) party into what has been described as the biggest crisis in its history.

Lawmakers in eastern German state Thuringia will try again to elect a new state premier Wednesday, re-running a vote that sank Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Social Union (CDU) party into what has been described as the biggest crisis in its history. It is the second attempt in a month to form a working government in the former East German state, after CDU MPs there unleashed an earthquake in national politics by voting with the far-right AfD in February. Also read: Angela Merkel's party in crisis after 'heir' quits over far right row Amid the national outrage, the liberal candidate elected during the first vote on February 5 stepped down, leaving the state rudderless. But more significantly, the apparent cooperation of CDU politicians with the far-right triggered the departure of Merkel's designated successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and sparked a new leadership contest for the German chancellor's party. Also read: Far-left German MPs accuse Merkel over Soleimani killing The race to a new CDU leadership election on April 25 is a fresh struggle for control between supporters of the chancellor's centrist course and those who believe the party must tack right. But so far none has offered a convincing answer to the CDU's conundrum in Thuringia, squeezed between the extremes of left and right. Former state premier Bodo Ramelow of the far left is now up against far-right firebrand Bjoern Hoecke, with Merkel's conservatives once again the reluctant kingmakers.

Angela Merkel's party in crucible as Thuringia votes again

German interior minister refused to shake hands with Chancellor Angela Merkl over the fear of coronavirus.

As the deadly virus rapidly grows, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose to 188 after officials reported more cases of infection.

At a meeting on migration on Monday, Merkel extended her head in exchange of pleasantries to Seehofer during which he refuses to shake hands. Borth leaders can be seen laughing during the awkward interaction in a video which is being widely shared on social media.

Earlier also, Horst Seehofer had told reporters he had stopped offering handshakes amid the outbreak.

Thirteen of Germany's 16 federal states have now reported cases of the novel coronavirus, with the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia being most affected, according to the RKI.

More than half of the cases, 86, are in the western region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, where several schools and daycare centres will be closed on Monday to try to prevent the spread of the virus after staff members tested positive.

Worldwide, nearly 3,000 people have been killed and about 87,000 infected since the virus was first detected late last year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

While the numbers in China are still far lower than the huge daily increases reported during the first two weeks of February, COVID-19 has spread rapidly across borders, with South Korea, Italy and Iran emerging as hotspots. 
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German interior minister refused to shake hands with Chancellor Angela Merkl over the fear of coronavirus. As the deadly virus rapidly grows, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose to 188 after officials reported more cases of infection.

German interior minister refused to shake hands with Chancellor Angela Merkl over the fear of coronavirus. As the deadly virus rapidly grows, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose to 188 after officials reported more cases of infection. At a meeting on migration on Monday, Merkel extended her head in exchange of pleasantries to Seehofer during which he refuses to shake hands. Borth leaders can be seen laughing during the awkward interaction in a video which is being widely shared on social media. Earlier also, Horst Seehofer had told reporters he had stopped offering handshakes amid the outbreak. Thirteen of Germany's 16 federal states have now reported cases of the novel coronavirus, with the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia being most affected, according to the RKI. More than half of the cases, 86, are in the western region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, where several schools and daycare centres will be closed on Monday to try to prevent the spread of the virus after staff members tested positive. Worldwide, nearly 3,000 people have been killed and about 87,000 infected since the virus was first detected late last year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. While the numbers in China are still far lower than the huge daily increases reported during the first two weeks of February, COVID-19 has spread rapidly across borders, with South Korea, Italy and Iran emerging as hotspots.

Germany: Amid coronavirus fear, minister rejects handshake with Chancellor Angela Merkel

Eight MPs from Germany's radical-left Left party said Thursday they had filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Angela Merkel and her ministers, accusing them of complicity in the US killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

Their complaint relates to the US Air Force's massive Ramstein base in western Germany, believed to host a satellite relay station used to control American drones in the skies over Africa and the Middle East.

"The control signals for the drone attack (that killed Soleimani) can only have been transmitted via a satellite relay station on German territory, the US airbase in Ramstein," Left party MP Alexander Neu said in a statement.

January's drone strike in Iraq against Soleimani, a key Iranian general, brought Washington and Tehran to the brink of war for the second time in a year.

A copy of the criminal complaint Neu posted to his website targets Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and "other members of the federal government".

The Left accuses Merkel and her ministers of "abetting through negligence" Soleimani's killing.

"We cannot continue to accept that the federal government itself breaks international law by enabling and supporting the illegal US drone war," Neu said.

Last year, a German court ruled that the government must ensure that the US respects international law in operations conducted via Ramstein.

Three Yemenis had turned to the court after losing close relatives in a drone attack in 2012.

Judges found there was "clear factual evidence" showing that the US was using Ramstein base in drone missions in Yemen that "at least partially violated international law".

Eight MPs from Germany's radical-left Left party said Thursday they had filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Angela Merkel and her ministers, accusing them of complicity in the US killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

Eight MPs from Germany's radical-left Left party said Thursday they had filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Angela Merkel and her ministers, accusing them of complicity in the US killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Their complaint relates to the US Air Force's massive Ramstein base in western Germany, believed to host a satellite relay station used to control American drones in the skies over Africa and the Middle East. "The control signals for the drone attack (that killed Soleimani) can only have been transmitted via a satellite relay station on German territory, the US airbase in Ramstein," Left party MP Alexander Neu said in a statement. January's drone strike in Iraq against Soleimani, a key Iranian general, brought Washington and Tehran to the brink of war for the second time in a year. A copy of the criminal complaint Neu posted to his website targets Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and "other members of the federal government". The Left accuses Merkel and her ministers of "abetting through negligence" Soleimani's killing. "We cannot continue to accept that the federal government itself breaks international law by enabling and supporting the illegal US drone war," Neu said. Last year, a German court ruled that the government must ensure that the US respects international law in operations conducted via Ramstein. Three Yemenis had turned to the court after losing close relatives in a drone attack in 2012. Judges found there was "clear factual evidence" showing that the US was using Ramstein base in drone missions in Yemen that "at least partially violated international law".

Far-left German MPs accuse Merkel over Soleimani killing

Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU will choose a new leader at a special congress on April 25 as the party scrambles to prepare for the veteran German chancellor's departure.

Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU will choose a new leader at a special congress on April 25 as the party scrambles to prepare for the veteran German chancellor's departure. Merkel's Christian Democratic Union was plunged into turmoil after her heir apparent, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, resigned as party leader this month over her supposed failure to stop regional lawmakers from cooperating with the far right. The surprise move threw open the race to succeed Merkel, who has been in power for more than 14 years and plans to bow out at the next general elections slated for 2021. Kramp-Karrenbauer, widely known as "AKK", held top-level talks with party grandees in Berlin on Monday to decide the way forward. Also Read: Angela Merkel's party in crisis after 'heir' quits over far right row The top-level deliberations came a day after the CDU suffered its second-worst result ever in a regional election, coming third in Hamburg with just 11.5 per cent of the vote. It is also engulfed in an internal debate as to how it should position itself against the extremes of right and left that have reshaped the nation's political landscape. Far-right crisis After barely a year as head of the party, AKK announced her resignation on February 10. It came after regional lawmakers in the eastern state of Thuringia defied an edict from Berlin not to ally with the extremes, by voting with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). It was the latest sign that the defence minister had failed to stamp her authority on the CDU and become a credible candidate to succeed Merkel, who according to polls is still Germany's most popular politician. Also Read: Merkel's conservatives gather for stormy congress er experience also laid bare the challenge for her successor - how to make their mark while Merkel remains in office as chancellor. In the starting blocks are two politicians who promise to break with Merkel's centrist course and lead the CDU rightwards, in a bid to win back voters from AfD. While Friedrich Merz recently described her fourth government as "abysmal", young Health Minister Jens Spahn is a rising party star. Facing them are two more moderate candidates: North Rhine-Westphalia state premier Armin Laschet and Norbert Roettgen, a former environment minister dismissed by Merkel in 2012. Self-destruction The choice of leader will set the tone for the future of a party that has dominated German politics since the federal republic was founded in 1949. Polls highlight the urgent need for action, as only 27 per cent say they would back the CDU, ahead of 23 per cent for the Greens and 14 per cent for the far right. Beyond the high-profile personalities, the conservatives also need to clarify what they stand for in an increasingly splintered political landscape that hinders stable majorities, be it in Berlin or the 16 state parliaments. Top of the list is whether the CDU will stick to its rigid policy of refusing to cooperate with either the far right or the far left, an increasingly difficult position to maintain. Thuringia is a textbook case, as last year's regional elections produced no clear governing majority following a surge by the AfD. CDU state lawmakers voted with the far-right, breaching a historic political taboo, to install a liberal state premier. But after a nationwide outcry, the regional CDU retreated - only to be publicly rebuked by Berlin chiefs for its plan to "tolerate" a minority government led by radical-left successors of the one-party state in communist East Germany.

Germany's CDU to decide on Merkel successor in April

<div>Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idlib-fighting-turkey-defence-minister-threatens-to-activate-s-400-missiles-against-russia-281961">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> called for "concrete action" to prevent a crisis in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idlib-fighting-turkey-defence-minister-threatens-to-activate-s-400-missiles-against-russia-281961">Syria</a>'s last rebel stronghold in a phone call with his French and German counterparts, his office said Friday.</div>

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<div>A humanitarian crisis has unfolded in the northwestern province of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idlib-fighting-turkey-defence-minister-threatens-to-activate-s-400-missiles-against-russia-281961">Idlib </a>as the Syrian regime, backed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idlib-fighting-turkey-defence-minister-threatens-to-activate-s-400-missiles-against-russia-281961">Russian air strikes</a>, presses on with an offensive that has forced nearly one million civilians to flee their homes.</div>

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Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idlib-fighting-turkey-defence-minister-threatens-to-activate-s-400-missiles-against-russia-281961"> Idlib fighting: Turkey defence minister threatens to activate S-400 missiles against Russia</a>

"The president stressed the need to stop the aggression of the regime and its supporters in Idlib, and emphasised the importance of providing strong support through concrete actions to prevent a humanitarian crisis," the presidency said following the call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macrons-lieutenant-benjamin-griveaux-out-of-paris-mayoral-race-for-sexting-280720">Emmanuel Macron</a>.
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<div>Merkel and Macron spoke by phone on Thursday with Russian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-russia-talks-on-syrias-idlib-inconclusive-280239">Vladimir Putin</a>, calling for the fighting to end and seeking a four-way summit including Erdogan.</div>

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<div>A Kremlin spokesman told reporters on Friday that "the possibility of holding a summit is under discussion", adding that there was still no clear decision.</div>

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Watch: Turkey-Russia talks on Syria's Idlib inconclusive

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-russia-talks-on-syrias-idlib-inconclusive-280239/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<div>Turkey has lost 16 military personnel in Idlib this month in clashes with Syrian forces, and has bolstered its positions while calling for regime troops to pull back.</div>

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<div>It is determined to prevent a fresh influx of displaced people adding to the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it already hosts.</div>

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<div>Erdogan also addressed the conflict in Libya with Merkel and Macron, saying they should work together.</div>

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<div>Libya has been mired in chaos since 2011 when a NATO-backed uprising led to the killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.</div>

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<div>Moscow backs military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who launched an offensive last April against the rival government in Tripoli, which Turkey supports.</div>

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<div>France has publicly denied taking sides in the conflict but analysts say it supports Haftar alongside Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.</div>

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<div>After a recent peace conference in Berlin, countries including Russia, Turkey, France and Egypt agreed to end foreign interference in Libya and respect a UN arms embargo, but violations have continued.</div>

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for "concrete action" to prevent a crisis in Syria's last rebel stronghold in a phone call with his French and German counterparts, his office said Friday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for "concrete action" to prevent a crisis in Syria's last rebel stronghold in a phone call with his French and German counterparts, his office said Friday. A humanitarian crisis has unfolded in the northwestern province of Idlib as the Syrian regime, backed by Russian air strikes, presses on with an offensive that has forced nearly one million civilians to flee their homes. Also read: Idlib fighting: Turkey defence minister threatens to activate S-400 missiles against Russia "The president stressed the need to stop the aggression of the regime and its supporters in Idlib, and emphasised the importance of providing strong support through concrete actions to prevent a humanitarian crisis," the presidency said following the call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. Merkel and Macron spoke by phone on Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling for the fighting to end and seeking a four-way summit including Erdogan. A Kremlin spokesman told reporters on Friday that "the possibility of holding a summit is under discussion", adding that there was still no clear decision. Watch: Turkey-Russia talks on Syria's Idlib inconclusive Turkey has lost 16 military personnel in Idlib this month in clashes with Syrian forces, and has bolstered its positions while calling for regime troops to pull back. It is determined to prevent a fresh influx of displaced people adding to the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it already hosts. Erdogan also addressed the conflict in Libya with Merkel and Macron, saying they should work together. Libya has been mired in chaos since 2011 when a NATO-backed uprising led to the killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Moscow backs military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who launched an offensive last April against the rival government in Tripoli, which Turkey supports. France has publicly denied taking sides in the conflict but analysts say it supports Haftar alongside Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. After a recent peace conference in Berlin, countries including Russia, Turkey, France and Egypt agreed to end foreign interference in Libya and respect a UN arms embargo, but violations have continued.

Turkish President Erdogan urges 'concrete action' over Idlib crisis

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday confirmed that there were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-8-killed-at-shisha-bars-in-germany-shooter-found-dead-say-police-281690">multiple clues indicating that a suspected gunman in Hanau had acted out of racism</a> and right-wing extremism. She also said that the authorities would do everything possible to clarify the background to the attack.

"There are many indications at the moment that the perpetrator acted on right-wing extremist, racist motives, out of hatred towards people of other origins, religion or appearance," Merkel told reporters on Thursday.

"Racism is poison, hatred is poison and this poison exists in society and it is to blame for too many crimes," she added.

At least ten people were killed including the gunman in two shooting incidents on Thursday.&nbsp;

The shooter targeted shisha bars in Hanau as police launched a manhunt to nab the culprits. Police quickly moved to seal off the two streets in Hanau.&nbsp;

Hours after the incident, the police found the suspected gunman dead at his home. During the search at his home, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/investigators-see-xenophobic-motive-behind-germany-shootings-281785">investigators also found text and video material </a>indicating "xenophobic motive" behind the shooting.

King's College London counter-terrorism expert Peter Neumann tweeted of the text that it contained "various, but mostly extreme-right views, with a do-it-yourself ideology, cobbled together out of parts found on the internet".

"The pattern is clear, and not at all new," he added.

Meanwhile, European Union&nbsp;expressed shock and sadness over the shooting.

"I am deeply shocked by the tragedy that took place last night in Hanau. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, to whom I want to extend my sincerest condolences. We mourn with you today," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a former German government minister, tweeted.

EU Council head Charles Michel and European Parliament speaker David Sassoli echoed the sentiments in their own tweets.

Far-right attacks have become a particular concern for German authorities.&nbsp;

In October, a deadly anti-Semitic gun attack in the eastern city of Halle on the holy day of Yom Kippur underscored the rising threat of neo-Nazi violence. The rampage, in which two people were shot dead, was streamed live.

Last June, a conservative politician Walter Luebcke, an advocate of liberal refugee policy, was shot at his home.&nbsp;

On Friday police arrested 12 members of a German extreme-right group believed to have been plotting "shocking" large-scale attacks on mosques similar to the ones carried out in New Zealand last year.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday confirmed that there were multiple clues indicating that a suspected gunman in Hanau had acted out of racism and right-wing extremism.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday confirmed that there were multiple clues indicating that a suspected gunman in Hanau had acted out of racism and right-wing extremism. She also said that the authorities would do everything possible to clarify the background to the attack. "There are many indications at the moment that the perpetrator acted on right-wing extremist, racist motives, out of hatred towards people of other origins, religion or appearance," Merkel told reporters on Thursday. "Racism is poison, hatred is poison and this poison exists in society and it is to blame for too many crimes," she added. At least ten people were killed including the gunman in two shooting incidents on Thursday. The shooter targeted shisha bars in Hanau as police launched a manhunt to nab the culprits. Police quickly moved to seal off the two streets in Hanau. Hours after the incident, the police found the suspected gunman dead at his home. During the search at his home, investigators also found text and video material indicating "xenophobic motive" behind the shooting. King's College London counter-terrorism expert Peter Neumann tweeted of the text that it contained "various, but mostly extreme-right views, with a do-it-yourself ideology, cobbled together out of parts found on the internet". "The pattern is clear, and not at all new," he added. Meanwhile, European Union expressed shock and sadness over the shooting. "I am deeply shocked by the tragedy that took place last night in Hanau. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, to whom I want to extend my sincerest condolences. We mourn with you today," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a former German government minister, tweeted. EU Council head Charles Michel and European Parliament speaker David Sassoli echoed the sentiments in their own tweets. Far-right attacks have become a particular concern for German authorities. In October, a deadly anti-Semitic gun attack in the eastern city of Halle on the holy day of Yom Kippur underscored the rising threat of neo-Nazi violence. The rampage, in which two people were shot dead, was streamed live. Last June, a conservative politician Walter Luebcke, an advocate of liberal refugee policy, was shot at his home. On Friday police arrested 12 members of a German extreme-right group believed to have been plotting "shocking" large-scale attacks on mosques similar to the ones carried out in New Zealand last year. (With inputs from agencies)

Shooter in Germany acted on right-wing, racist motives, says Angela Merkel

German Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leader-of-angela-merkels-party-threatens-to-resign-if-party-doesnt-support-her-263928">Angela Merkel</a>'s party and her plans to stay on until 2021 were plunged into disarray Monday after her heir-apparent gave up her leadership ambitions in a deepening crisis over ties between the centre and far right.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leader-of-angela-merkels-party-threatens-to-resign-if-party-doesnt-support-her-263928">Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer</a>, the leader of the centre-right <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leader-of-angela-merkels-party-threatens-to-resign-if-party-doesnt-support-her-263928">Christian Democratic Union</a> (CDU), opted out barely a year in the post, a period marked by internal battles over whether to cooperate with the anti-immigrant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leader-of-angela-merkels-party-threatens-to-resign-if-party-doesnt-support-her-263928">Alternative for Germany</a> (AfD).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leader-of-angela-merkels-party-threatens-to-resign-if-party-doesnt-support-her-263928">Angela Merkel's protege wins 'loyalty' after challenging critics</a>

She announced that she was standing down as CDU leader and would not seek to be the party's candidate for chancellor in next year's general elections.

AKK, as Kramp-Karrenbauer is popularly known, blamed the "unresolved relationship of parts of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-conservatives-gather-for-stormy-congress-263787">CDU </a>with the (far-right) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-conservatives-gather-for-stormy-congress-263787">AfD </a>and (far-left) Left party" for her decision, a party source said.

"This is an unusually serious situation for the CDU," said close Merkel ally and Economy Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-conservatives-gather-for-stormy-congress-263787">Peter Altmaier</a>.

"This is about our future as a modern people's party of the centre."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-conservatives-gather-for-stormy-congress-263787">Merkel's conservatives gather for stormy congress</a>

While the party has a policy of no cooperation with either far left or far right at a national level, regional CDU lawmakers last week went rogue and voted with MPs from the AfD to oust a far-left state premier in tiny central Thuringia.

The breach in the political dam towards the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-conservatives-gather-for-stormy-congress-263787">AfD </a>in Thuringia prompted Merkel's junior partners in the national government, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), to call urgent talks at the weekend about the partnership's future.

AKK's departure, the most prominent political head to roll after the Thuringia crisis, was "unsettling," SPD board member Michael Roth tweeted Monday.

It remains uncertain "whether decent democrats stand together in the battle for democracy and against nationalism," he added.

With the race to the chancellery wide open again, Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the aftershocks could be huge.

"It's very possible that the chancellor's exit is coming closer," it wrote.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party and her plans to stay on until 2021 were plunged into disarray Monday after her heir-apparent gave up her leadership ambitions in a deepening crisis over ties between the centre and far right.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party and her plans to stay on until 2021 were plunged into disarray Monday after her heir-apparent gave up her leadership ambitions in a deepening crisis over ties between the centre and far right. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), opted out barely a year in the post, a period marked by internal battles over whether to cooperate with the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD). Also read: Angela Merkel's protege wins 'loyalty' after challenging critics She announced that she was standing down as CDU leader and would not seek to be the party's candidate for chancellor in next year's general elections. AKK, as Kramp-Karrenbauer is popularly known, blamed the "unresolved relationship of parts of the CDU with the (far-right) AfD and (far-left) Left party" for her decision, a party source said. "This is an unusually serious situation for the CDU," said close Merkel ally and Economy Minister Peter Altmaier. "This is about our future as a modern people's party of the centre." Also read: Merkel's conservatives gather for stormy congress While the party has a policy of no cooperation with either far left or far right at a national level, regional CDU lawmakers last week went rogue and voted with MPs from the AfD to oust a far-left state premier in tiny central Thuringia. The breach in the political dam towards the AfD in Thuringia prompted Merkel's junior partners in the national government, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), to call urgent talks at the weekend about the partnership's future. AKK's departure, the most prominent political head to roll after the Thuringia crisis, was "unsettling," SPD board member Michael Roth tweeted Monday. It remains uncertain "whether decent democrats stand together in the battle for democracy and against nationalism," he added. With the race to the chancellery wide open again, Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the aftershocks could be huge. "It's very possible that the chancellor's exit is coming closer," it wrote.

Angela Merkel's party in crisis after 'heir' quits over far right row

The United Kingdom leaves the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/barnier-warns-european-union-and-britain-must-rebuild-after-brexit-276906">European Union</a> on Friday with a mixture of joy, anger and indifference, casting off into the unknown in one of the biggest blows yet to Europe's attempt to forge unity from the ruins of World War Two.

The EU's most powerful leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, cast Brexit - due at 2300 GMT - as a sad moment that was a turning point for Europe. The EU warned that leaving would be worse than staying.

Watch: What will be UK and EU relations post-Brexit?

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In the United Kingdom's most significant geopolitical move since its lost its empire, it turns its back on 47 years of membership and must begin charting its own course for generations to come.

In pics<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/chief-characters-in-britains-brexit-saga-277805">: Chief characters in Britain's years-long Brexit saga</a>

At the stroke of midnight in Brussels, the EU will lose 15% of its economy, its biggest military spender and the world's international financial capital - London.

Brexit supporters burned an EU flag outside Downing Street, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson lives. Some EU supporters were mocked by a larger group of Brexiteers nearby chanting "Bye-bye EU" and "Shame on you" to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.

"This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act," said Johnson, one of the leaders of the "Leave" campaign in the 2016 referendum. "It is a moment of real national renewal and change."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-newsnew-dawn-or-biggest-gamble-uk-headlines-on-brexit-day-277638">'New dawn' or 'biggest gamble'? UK headlines on Brexit day</a>

Johnson planned to celebrate with English sparkling wine and a distinctly British array of canapés including Shropshire blue cheese and Yorkshire puddings with beef and horseradish.

In Brussels, the European Union's flag was removed from outside the British embassy. The official symbol of the EU, a circle of 12 stars on a blue background, was pulled in, leaving only Britain's Union Jack flying on the flagpole.

Leaving the EU was once far-fetched: the UK joined in 1973 as “the sick man of Europe” and less than two decades ago British leaders were arguing about whether to join the euro.

But the turmoil of the euro zone crisis, fears about mass immigration and a series of miscalculations by former Prime Minister David Cameron prompted the 52% to 48% vote to leave.

Also read<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-what-changes-and-what-stays-the-same-for-uk-277885">: Brexit - What changes and what stays the same for UK?</a>

Anticlimax?

The final parting of the EU's most reluctant member is an anticlimax of sorts.

Beyond the symbolism of the Union Jack flag also being lowered at the European Council building in Brussels at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT), put away with the flags of non-EU countries, little will change until the end of 2020.

By then, Johnson has promised to strike a broad free trade agreement with the EU, the world's biggest trading bloc.

"These negotiations certainly won’t be easy," Merkel said, cautioning London that if it deviated from the EU's rules then its access to the EU's market would be limited.

Macron said Britain it could not expect to be treated the same way as when it was part of the club.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-brexit-new-fast-track-global-talent-visa-unveiled-by-united-kingdom-276861">After Brexit, new fast track 'global talent visa' unveiled by United Kingdom</a>

"You can't be in and out," Macron told the French in a televised address. "The British people chose to leave the European Union. It won't have the same obligations, so it will no longer have the same rights."

US President Donald Trump has long supported Brexit. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Britons wanted to escape the "tyranny of Brussels".

Some Britons will celebrate and some will weep - but many will do neither.

'Independence day'

For proponents, Brexit is "independence day" - an escape from what they cast as a doomed German-dominated project with a doomed single currency that is failing its 500 million people.

They hope departure will herald reforms to reshape Britain and propel it ahead of its European rivals.

Karen Evans, a 47-year-old hairdresser carrying a Union Jack, dismissed the concerns of "Remainers": "They lost. They need to get over it. They are bad losers. This is a day for celebrating."

Opponents believe Brexit is a folly that will weaken the West, shrivel what is left of Britain's global clout, undermine its economy and ultimately lead to a less cosmopolitan set of islands in the northern Atlantic. They say Britain will now have little option but to cosy up to Trump.

David Tucker, a pro-European of 75, said he had come to London from Wales to march in the hope that others would keep alive the hope that Britain would one day rejoin the EU:

"It is a tragedy," he said. "We were once part of the world's most powerful economic bloc. Now we are just an inward-looking island that is going to get smaller."

"It's a very sad day," said engineer Roger Olsen, 63. "I think it is a disaster. An absolutely wrong thing. And I think time will prove that we have taken the wrong course."

Brexit was always about much more than Europe.

The referendum exposed deep divisions and triggered soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to empire and modern Britishness.

Brexit has tested the very fabric of the supposedly united kingdom: England and Wales voted to leave the bloc but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay.

Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, used the moment to demand a second independence referendum. A poll on Thursday suggested a slim majority of Scots would now back a split because of Brexit.

But after the twists and turns of 3-1/2-years, many voters are simply happy the wrangling is over. "I just wanted to see it done with," said Lee Stokes, a 44-year-old project manager. 
&nbsp;

The United Kingdom leaves the European Union on Friday with a mixture of joy, anger and indifference, casting off into the unknown in one of the biggest blows yet to Europe's attempt to forge unity from the ruins of World War Two.

The United Kingdom leaves the European Union on Friday with a mixture of joy, anger and indifference, casting off into the unknown in one of the biggest blows yet to Europe's attempt to forge unity from the ruins of World War Two. The EU's most powerful leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, cast Brexit - due at 2300 GMT - as a sad moment that was a turning point for Europe. The EU warned that leaving would be worse than staying. Watch: What will be UK and EU relations post-Brexit? × In the United Kingdom's most significant geopolitical move since its lost its empire, it turns its back on 47 years of membership and must begin charting its own course for generations to come. In pics: Chief characters in Britain's years-long Brexit saga At the stroke of midnight in Brussels, the EU will lose 15% of its economy, its biggest military spender and the world's international financial capital - London. Brexit supporters burned an EU flag outside Downing Street, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson lives. Some EU supporters were mocked by a larger group of Brexiteers nearby chanting "Bye-bye EU" and "Shame on you" to the tune of Auld Lang Syne. "This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act," said Johnson, one of the leaders of the "Leave" campaign in the 2016 referendum. "It is a moment of real national renewal and change." Also read: 'New dawn' or 'biggest gamble'? UK headlines on Brexit day Johnson planned to celebrate with English sparkling wine and a distinctly British array of canapés including Shropshire blue cheese and Yorkshire puddings with beef and horseradish. In Brussels, the European Union's flag was removed from outside the British embassy. The official symbol of the EU, a circle of 12 stars on a blue background, was pulled in, leaving only Britain's Union Jack flying on the flagpole. Leaving the EU was once far-fetched: the UK joined in 1973 as “the sick man of Europe” and less than two decades ago British leaders were arguing about whether to join the euro. But the turmoil of the euro zone crisis, fears about mass immigration and a series of miscalculations by former Prime Minister David Cameron prompted the 52% to 48% vote to leave. Also read: Brexit - What changes and what stays the same for UK? Anticlimax? The final parting of the EU's most reluctant member is an anticlimax of sorts. Beyond the symbolism of the Union Jack flag also being lowered at the European Council building in Brussels at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT), put away with the flags of non-EU countries, little will change until the end of 2020. By then, Johnson has promised to strike a broad free trade agreement with the EU, the world's biggest trading bloc. "These negotiations certainly won’t be easy," Merkel said, cautioning London that if it deviated from the EU's rules then its access to the EU's market would be limited. Macron said Britain it could not expect to be treated the same way as when it was part of the club. Also read: After Brexit, new fast track 'global talent visa' unveiled by United Kingdom "You can't be in and out," Macron told the French in a televised address. "The British people chose to leave the European Union. It won't have the same obligations, so it will no longer have the same rights." US President Donald Trump has long supported Brexit. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Britons wanted to escape the "tyranny of Brussels". Some Britons will celebrate and some will weep - but many will do neither. 'Independence day' For proponents, Brexit is "independence day" - an escape from what they cast as a doomed German-dominated project with a doomed single currency that is failing its 500 million people. They hope departure will herald reforms to reshape Britain and propel it ahead of its European rivals. Karen Evans, a 47-year-old hairdresser carrying a Union Jack, dismissed the concerns of "Remainers": "They lost. They need to get over it. They are bad losers. This is a day for celebrating." Opponents believe Brexit is a folly that will weaken the West, shrivel what is left of Britain's global clout, undermine its economy and ultimately lead to a less cosmopolitan set of islands in the northern Atlantic. They say Britain will now have little option but to cosy up to Trump. David Tucker, a pro-European of 75, said he had come to London from Wales to march in the hope that others would keep alive the hope that Britain would one day rejoin the EU: "It is a tragedy," he said. "We were once part of the world's most powerful economic bloc. Now we are just an inward-looking island that is going to get smaller." "It's a very sad day," said engineer Roger Olsen, 63. "I think it is a disaster. An absolutely wrong thing. And I think time will prove that we have taken the wrong course." Brexit was always about much more than Europe. The referendum exposed deep divisions and triggered soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to empire and modern Britishness. Brexit has tested the very fabric of the supposedly united kingdom: England and Wales voted to leave the bloc but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay. Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, used the moment to demand a second independence referendum. A poll on Thursday suggested a slim majority of Scots would now back a split because of Brexit. But after the twists and turns of 3-1/2-years, many voters are simply happy the wrangling is over. "I just wanted to see it done with," said Lee Stokes, a 44-year-old project manager.

Britain cuts loose from EU with delight, anger and indifference

World leaders have agreed to UN arms embargo on Libya and to stop providing military support to the country's warring factions. However, the Berlin Summit failed to achieve its main goal of brokering a seize fire. Libya's warring factions and their allies met in Berlin in the first major international summit on the Libyan conflict in recent years. German chancellor Angela Merkel called for a political solution but she did not rule out military intervention in the North African countries civil war.

Libya peace summit in Berlin: World leaders agree on UN arms embargo

Turkey will not refrain from "teaching a lesson" to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-asks-russia-to-get-libyan-general-to-accept-truce-273642">Khalifa Haftar</a> if his eastern Libyan forces continue attacks against the country's internationally recognized government, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-and-iran-top-agenda-in-merkel-putin-meeting-273573">Tayyip Erdogan</a> said on Tuesday.

He said Haftar had "run away" from Moscow after Monday's peace talks between him and the head of the Tripoli-based government, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-libyas-haftar-left-moscow-without-signing-ceasefire-deal-274174">Fayez al-Serraj</a>, failed to lead to an open-ended ceasefire to end their nine-month conflict.

Watch:&nbsp;Libya: Forces Loyal to General Haftar Announce Ceasefire

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"If the putschist Haftar's attacks against the people and legitimate government of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-russia-want-to-safeguard-iran-nuclear-deal-macron-274067">Libya</a> continue, we will never refrain from teaching him the lesson he deserves," Erdogan said in a speech to his AK Party lawmakers in parliament.

"It is our duty to protect our kin in Libya," Erdogan added, saying that Turkey had deep historical and social ties with the north African country and that Haftar would have taken over the entire nation if Ankara had not intervened.

He said Turkey will join Germany, Britain, and Russia at a summit which Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-have-not-heard-about-any-pressure-from-china-merkel-on-huaweis-5g-rollout-in-germany-269201">Angela Merkel</a> is to host in Berlin on Sunday to discuss Libya, which has been mired in chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Serraj signed the ceasefire agreement but Haftar left Moscow without signing the accord, the TASS news agency cited the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday.

Turkey will not refrain from "teaching a lesson" to Khalifa Haftar if his eastern Libyan forces continue attacks against the country's internationally recognized government, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Turkey will not refrain from "teaching a lesson" to Khalifa Haftar if his eastern Libyan forces continue attacks against the country's internationally recognized government, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. He said Haftar had "run away" from Moscow after Monday's peace talks between him and the head of the Tripoli-based government, Fayez al-Serraj, failed to lead to an open-ended ceasefire to end their nine-month conflict. Watch: Libya: Forces Loyal to General Haftar Announce Ceasefire × "If the putschist Haftar's attacks against the people and legitimate government of Libya continue, we will never refrain from teaching him the lesson he deserves," Erdogan said in a speech to his AK Party lawmakers in parliament. "It is our duty to protect our kin in Libya," Erdogan added, saying that Turkey had deep historical and social ties with the north African country and that Haftar would have taken over the entire nation if Ankara had not intervened. He said Turkey will join Germany, Britain, and Russia at a summit which Chancellor Angela Merkel is to host in Berlin on Sunday to discuss Libya, which has been mired in chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Serraj signed the ceasefire agreement but Haftar left Moscow without signing the accord, the TASS news agency cited the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday.

Turkey ready to 'teach a lesson' to Haftar if Libyan forces continue attacks

A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">killing</a> of a&nbsp;top&nbsp;general and turmoil in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany.

Russia's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-fully-respect-iraqs-sovereignty-says-irans-un-ambassador-after-ballistic-missile-strike-273064">Vladimir Putin</a> will hold talks with German Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angela-merkel-visits-auschwitz-for-first-time-266657">Angela Merkel</a> in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, her first visit since May 2018 when the two leaders met at Sochi on the Black Sea.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crimea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crimea</a>: The President watched the joint exercises of the Northern and Black Sea fleets <a href="https://t.co/ZusR628AYx">https://t.co/ZusR628AYx</a> <a href="https://t.co/DJn09l0VWe">pic.twitter.com/DJn09l0VWe</a>
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) <a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia_E/status/1215291712173694976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Putin visited Syria and Turkey this week and is keen to stress his role as a regional powerbroker.

German Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-plotting-imminent-action-threatening-hundreds-of-american-lives-pompeo-271975">Heiko Maas</a>, who will attend the talks, said a "key reason" for the&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;was the escalating crisis in&nbsp;Libya, where Germany is acting as a mediator in a conflict he has warned could become a "second Syria".

"We are involving Europe and those players who are influential there, for that we need Russia," Maas told Germany's NTV television. "For us, it's not too far to fly to Moscow to discuss that with Putin."

Merkel is to invite Putin to a Berlin conference on&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;later this month, diplomatic sources told reporters.

Putin and Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/sports-has-emerged-as-battlefield-for-freedom-of-expression-270322">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> called for a ceasefire in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;on Wednesday, although they are seen as supporting opposing sides in the conflict.

While Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-haftar-forces-seize-large-parts-of-sirte-city-272759">Tripoli</a> government, Moscow is accused of backing mercenaries supporting strongman Khalifa Haftar in his fight against the government.

Haftar said he would fight on despite the call for a ceasefire.

The Kremlin said last week that Saturday's talks would cover the "escalation of tensions" in the Middle East after the US killed&nbsp;top&nbsp;Iranian commander General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Qasem Soleimani</a> in a drone strike close to Baghdad.

Putin warned the killing could "seriously aggravate the situation in the region".

Watch:&nbsp;Iran gives black box to Ukraine

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Iran, an ally of Moscow, responded with missile attacks on Iraq bases housing American troops.

While Germany condemned the tit-for-tat violence and urged Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict, Putin said using force would "not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East".

Tehran has announced a further rollback on its commitment to a 2015 nuclear accord following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Russia and Germany are among world powers still backing the deal.

The talks also come after a Ukrainian airliner crashed in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;on Wednesday killing all 176 onboard. Canada and the US have suggested&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;downed it with a missile, which Tehran denies.

The Kremlin said the talks would also cover the conflict in Ukraine.&nbsp;

The war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and has killed more than 13,000 people.

Putin in December held talks with Ukrainian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-given-important-data-on-iran-plane-crash-ukraine-foreign-minister-273408">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> in Paris in the "Normandy format" hosted by German and French leaders.

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Thanked <a href="https://twitter.com/HeikoMaas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HeikoMaas</a> for German support and sympathy after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ps752?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ps752</a> tragedy. During the phone call we agreed to cooperate for independent and transparent investigation. We discussed also "Minsk settlement". Waiting for news ater the meeting between Merkel and Putin on 11 January.
— Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) <a href="https://twitter.com/VPrystaiko/status/1215373166224330752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gets-access-to-crashed-planes-black-boxes-foreign-minister-273477">Vadym Prystaiko</a> tweeted on Friday that he had spoken to Maas about the Ukraine conflict and was "waiting for news" to emerge from the talks.

Political analysts in Kiev said they expected the topic to be overshadowed by&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;tensions, while Merkel could ask Putin to push Tehran for a transparent investigation of the plane crash.

A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany.

A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany. Russia's Vladimir Putin will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, her first visit since May 2018 when the two leaders met at Sochi on the Black Sea. #Crimea: The President watched the joint exercises of the Northern and Black Sea fleets https://t.co/ZusR628AYx pic.twitter.com/DJn09l0VWe — President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 9, 2020 × Putin visited Syria and Turkey this week and is keen to stress his role as a regional powerbroker. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who will attend the talks, said a "key reason" for the meeting was the escalating crisis in Libya, where Germany is acting as a mediator in a conflict he has warned could become a "second Syria". "We are involving Europe and those players who are influential there, for that we need Russia," Maas told Germany's NTV television. "For us, it's not too far to fly to Moscow to discuss that with Putin." Merkel is to invite Putin to a Berlin conference on Libya later this month, diplomatic sources told reporters. Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a ceasefire in Libya on Wednesday, although they are seen as supporting opposing sides in the conflict. While Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed Tripoli government, Moscow is accused of backing mercenaries supporting strongman Khalifa Haftar in his fight against the government. Haftar said he would fight on despite the call for a ceasefire. The Kremlin said last week that Saturday's talks would cover the "escalation of tensions" in the Middle East after the US killed top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike close to Baghdad. Putin warned the killing could "seriously aggravate the situation in the region". Watch: Iran gives black box to Ukraine × Iran, an ally of Moscow, responded with missile attacks on Iraq bases housing American troops. While Germany condemned the tit-for-tat violence and urged Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict, Putin said using force would "not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East". Tehran has announced a further rollback on its commitment to a 2015 nuclear accord following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Russia and Germany are among world powers still backing the deal. The talks also come after a Ukrainian airliner crashed in Iran on Wednesday killing all 176 onboard. Canada and the US have suggested Iran downed it with a missile, which Tehran denies. The Kremlin said the talks would also cover the conflict in Ukraine. The war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and has killed more than 13,000 people. Putin in December held talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris in the "Normandy format" hosted by German and French leaders. Thanked @HeikoMaas for German support and sympathy after #ps752 tragedy. During the phone call we agreed to cooperate for independent and transparent investigation. We discussed also "Minsk settlement". Waiting for news ater the meeting between Merkel and Putin on 11 January. — Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) January 9, 2020 × Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted on Friday that he had spoken to Maas about the Ukraine conflict and was "waiting for news" to emerge from the talks. Political analysts in Kiev said they expected the topic to be overshadowed by Iran tensions, while Merkel could ask Putin to push Tehran for a transparent investigation of the plane crash.

Libya and Iran top agenda in Merkel-Putin meeting

The US sanctions slapped on a controversial <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-threatens-sanctions-over-russia-germany-gas-pipeline-190030/amp">Russian gas pipeline</a> to Europe will likely delay the project's completion by several months to the second half of 2020, a top German official said Monday.

"I expect the pipeline to be finished in the second half of 2020," Peter Beyer, Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-coalition-in-crisis-talks-after-european-union-vote-debacle-221923">Angela Merkel</a>'s transatlantic coordinator, told German radio.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was initially slated for completion in early 2020 with a view to being operational in mid-2020.

Moscow and Berlin have reacted angrily to the sanctions imposed by Washington on Friday over the 9.5 billion euro ($10.6 billion) pipeline under the Baltic Sea that aims to double Russia's natural gas deliveries to Germany.

The American announcement of asset freezes and visa bans targeting companies working on the project immediately led to Swiss pipe-laying contractor Allseas halting its work.

Speaking to Deutschlandfunk radio, Beyer said that although the sanctions would "postpone the completion" of the pipeline, he believed "alternative" solutions could be found that would nonetheless "be more expensive".

The United States has long opposed Nord Stream 2, saying the pipeline would give Russia too much influence over security and economic issues in western Europe.

It would also allow Russia to reroute supplies from overland pipes running through Ukraine, with Kiev expressing concerns that this would deprive them of vital leverage over its giant neighbour.

Critics however have also pointed out that Washington's resistance to Nord Stream 2 comes as the US is trying to sell more of its own, more costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe.

Relying more on American LNG "would be considerably more expensive for German consumers," Beyer said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/russian-government-unable-to-find-any-documents-on-whereabouts-of-subhash-chandra-bose-mea-238154">Russian government </a>on Monday insisted the sanctions would not be allowed to derail the project as Moscow weighs its response to Washington.

"Such sanctions are unacceptable for us, and we are confident that such measures won't prevent finishing the construction of such an important project," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"In any case, we won't leave such steps unanswered," he said.

"As to when and how this will be done, this will depend on Russia's national interest."

In Berlin, Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said discussions were ongoing with the different parties to find a solution.

"And we will continue to express our view that we don't condone such extra-territorial sanctions," she said.

The US sanctions slapped on a controversial Russian gas pipeline to Europe will likely delay the project's completion by several months to the second half of 2020, a top German official said Monday.

The US sanctions slapped on a controversial Russian gas pipeline to Europe will likely delay the project's completion by several months to the second half of 2020, a top German official said Monday. "I expect the pipeline to be finished in the second half of 2020," Peter Beyer, Chancellor Angela Merkel's transatlantic coordinator, told German radio. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was initially slated for completion in early 2020 with a view to being operational in mid-2020. Moscow and Berlin have reacted angrily to the sanctions imposed by Washington on Friday over the 9.5 billion euro ($10.6 billion) pipeline under the Baltic Sea that aims to double Russia's natural gas deliveries to Germany. The American announcement of asset freezes and visa bans targeting companies working on the project immediately led to Swiss pipe-laying contractor Allseas halting its work. Speaking to Deutschlandfunk radio, Beyer said that although the sanctions would "postpone the completion" of the pipeline, he believed "alternative" solutions could be found that would nonetheless "be more expensive". The United States has long opposed Nord Stream 2, saying the pipeline would give Russia too much influence over security and economic issues in western Europe. It would also allow Russia to reroute supplies from overland pipes running through Ukraine, with Kiev expressing concerns that this would deprive them of vital leverage over its giant neighbour. Critics however have also pointed out that Washington's resistance to Nord Stream 2 comes as the US is trying to sell more of its own, more costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe. Relying more on American LNG "would be considerably more expensive for German consumers," Beyer said. The Russian government on Monday insisted the sanctions would not be allowed to derail the project as Moscow weighs its response to Washington. "Such sanctions are unacceptable for us, and we are confident that such measures won't prevent finishing the construction of such an important project," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "In any case, we won't leave such steps unanswered," he said. "As to when and how this will be done, this will depend on Russia's national interest." In Berlin, Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said discussions were ongoing with the different parties to find a solution. "And we will continue to express our view that we don't condone such extra-territorial sanctions," she said.

Berlin expects US sanctions to slightly delay Russian pipeline

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-stop-brexit-uks-johnson-gets-down-to-work-268636">Boris&nbsp;Johnson</a>&nbsp;will use the prospect of a&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;cliff-edge&nbsp;at the&nbsp;end&nbsp;of&nbsp;2020&nbsp;to&nbsp;demand&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-appeals-to-wto-against-the-european-unions-discriminative-palm-oil-restrictions-268519">European Union</a> gives him a comprehensive free&nbsp;trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;in less than 11 months.

In his boldest move since winning a majority in Thursday's election,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;will use his control of parliament to outlaw any extension of the&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;transition period beyond&nbsp;2020.

"Our manifesto made clear that we will not extend&nbsp;the implementation period and the new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/welcoming-new-lawmakers-johnson-vows-a-speedy-brexit-268427">Withdrawal Agreement Bill</a> will legally prohibit government agreeing to any extension," a senior government official said on Tuesday.

After the United Kingdom leaves the&nbsp;European Union on January&nbsp;31, it enters a transition period in which it remains an&nbsp;EU&nbsp;member in all but name while both sides try to hammer out a&nbsp;deal&nbsp;on their post-Brexit&nbsp;relationship.

A comprehensive free&nbsp;trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;would encompass everything from financial services and rules of origin to tariffs, state aid rules and fishing, though the scope and sequencing of any future&nbsp;deal&nbsp;is still up for discussion.

Sterling dropped as much as 0.7 per cent&nbsp;to $1.3236 in Asia after ITV first reported the move.

By enshrining in law his campaign promise not to extend&nbsp;the transition period beyond the&nbsp;end&nbsp;of&nbsp;2020,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;cuts the amount of time he has to strike a&nbsp;trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;to 10-11 months from nearly three years.

While&nbsp;Johnson's large majority gives him the flexibility to change the law should he need to, he is sending a message to the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;whose leaders have cautioned London that more time would be needed for a comprehensive&nbsp;trade&nbsp;deal.

"We are going to make sure that we get this&nbsp;deal&nbsp;done in time," Michael Gove, one of the most senior ministers in&nbsp;Johnson's government, told the BBC.

Johnson&nbsp;and US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-democrats-seek-testimony-from-bolton-and-other-trump-aides-268609">Donald Trump</a> said on Monday they looked forward to continued close cooperation and the negotiation of an "ambitious" UK-US&nbsp;free&nbsp;trade&nbsp;agreement.

If the United Kingdom and the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;failed to strike a&nbsp;deal&nbsp;on their future relationship and the transition period was not extended, then&nbsp;trade&nbsp;between the two would be on World&nbsp;Trade&nbsp;Organisation (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fate-of-wto-top-court-threatened-with-trump-administrations-move-to-block-new-appointments-267597">WTO</a>) terms more burdensome for businesses.

The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;hopes to start&nbsp;trade&nbsp;talks with Britain by March, leaving just 10 months to strike a&nbsp;deal&nbsp;and get it approved by London and the&nbsp;EU, including member states’ parliaments.

The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;insists it will not seal a&nbsp;trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with a large, economically powerful neighbour without solid provisions to guarantee fair competition.

The&nbsp;EU’s&nbsp;demands will focus on environmental and labour standards, as well as state aid rules to ensure Britain would not be able to offer products on the bloc’s single market at unfairly low prices.

Britain’s conundrum is that it will be under pressure to loosen rules on agricultural and food standards to strike a bilateral&nbsp;trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with the United States.

But this would be crossing a red line for the&nbsp;EU, which would restrict access to its market to protect its own producers.

Fishing is a particularly thorny issue as&nbsp;EU&nbsp;countries will no longer be able to operate in British waters as they do now.

With industry supply chains in the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;crossing borders multiple times for products like cars and drugs, agreeing exact rules to designate where products come from - and hence what regulations and taxes apply will also be fraught.

"It will be very complicated. It’s about an array of relations, in&nbsp;trade, in fishing and cooperation in security and foreign policy,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told an&nbsp;EU&nbsp;summit news conference on Friday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will use the prospect of a Brexit cliff-edge at the end of 2020 to demand the European Union gives him a comprehensive free trade deal in less than 11 months.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will use the prospect of a Brexit cliff-edge at the end of 2020 to demand the European Union gives him a comprehensive free trade deal in less than 11 months. In his boldest move since winning a majority in Thursday's election, Johnson will use his control of parliament to outlaw any extension of the Brexit transition period beyond 2020. "Our manifesto made clear that we will not extend the implementation period and the new Withdrawal Agreement Bill will legally prohibit government agreeing to any extension," a senior government official said on Tuesday. After the United Kingdom leaves the European Union on January 31, it enters a transition period in which it remains an EU member in all but name while both sides try to hammer out a deal on their post-Brexit relationship. A comprehensive free trade deal would encompass everything from financial services and rules of origin to tariffs, state aid rules and fishing, though the scope and sequencing of any future deal is still up for discussion. Sterling dropped as much as 0.7 per cent to $1.3236 in Asia after ITV first reported the move. By enshrining in law his campaign promise not to extend the transition period beyond the end of 2020, Johnson cuts the amount of time he has to strike a trade deal to 10-11 months from nearly three years. While Johnson's large majority gives him the flexibility to change the law should he need to, he is sending a message to the EU whose leaders have cautioned London that more time would be needed for a comprehensive trade deal. "We are going to make sure that we get this deal done in time," Michael Gove, one of the most senior ministers in Johnson's government, told the BBC. Johnson and US President Donald Trump said on Monday they looked forward to continued close cooperation and the negotiation of an "ambitious" UK-US free trade agreement. If the United Kingdom and the EU failed to strike a deal on their future relationship and the transition period was not extended, then trade between the two would be on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms more burdensome for businesses. The EU hopes to start trade talks with Britain by March, leaving just 10 months to strike a deal and get it approved by London and the EU, including member states’ parliaments. The EU insists it will not seal a trade deal with a large, economically powerful neighbour without solid provisions to guarantee fair competition. The EU’s demands will focus on environmental and labour standards, as well as state aid rules to ensure Britain would not be able to offer products on the bloc’s single market at unfairly low prices. Britain’s conundrum is that it will be under pressure to loosen rules on agricultural and food standards to strike a bilateral trade deal with the United States. But this would be crossing a red line for the EU, which would restrict access to its market to protect its own producers. Fishing is a particularly thorny issue as EU countries will no longer be able to operate in British waters as they do now. With industry supply chains in the EU crossing borders multiple times for products like cars and drugs, agreeing exact rules to designate where products come from - and hence what regulations and taxes apply will also be fraught. "It will be very complicated. It’s about an array of relations, in trade, in fishing and cooperation in security and foreign policy,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told an EU summit news conference on Friday.

Boris Johnson uses threat of Brexit cliff edge to demand European Union trade deal by end of 2020

Germany's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-conservatives-gather-for-stormy-congress-263787">Angela&nbsp;Merkel</a>&nbsp;crossed the gates of the former Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland on Friday for the first time in her 14 years as chancellor, promising to battle a new wave of anti-Semitism.

Merkel&nbsp;is only the third chancellor ever to visit the Nazi German camp where a million Jews were killed between 1940 and 1945 and which has come to symbolise the Holocaust as a whole.

Her trip, which comes ahead of the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation by Soviet troops on January 27, is being seen as an important political message.

On the eve of her visit, 65-year-old&nbsp;Merkel&nbsp;said that "the fight against anti-Semitism and against all forms of hate" was a priority for her government.

She also hailed a new 60-million-euro ($66-million) donation for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation that was approved by Germany's federal states on Thursday.

Merkel&nbsp;began her visit by walking under the Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei" (Work will set you free) that still hangs over the gates of the camp.

She will also hold a minute's silence by the Death Wall where thousands of prisoners were shot dead and visit the site of a gas chamber and a crematorium.

The visit "is a particularly important signal of attention and solidarity at a time when Auschwitz survivors are victims of anti-Semitic insults and hate-filled emails," said Christoph Heubner, deputy chairman of the Auschwitz International Committee.

Merkel&nbsp;was accompanied during the visit by a survivor of the camp, 87-year-old Bogdan Stanislaw Bartnikowski, as well as Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Josef Schuster, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, also took part in the visit.

In total, 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau, including non-Jewish Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Roma and anti-Nazi fighters.

Many were killed the same day they arrived at the camp.

"There is no other place of memory that demonstrates with such precision what happened during the Shoah," Schuster told AFP ahead of the visit.

Merkel&nbsp;follows in the footsteps of previous German chancellors Helmut Schmidt, who came in 1977, and Helmut Kohl, who visited in 1989 and 1995.

She has already visited several of the former camps in Germany over many years and has been to Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre five times.

In 2008, she became the first German leader to address the Israeli parliament. In that speech, she spoke of the "shame" that Germans still feel.

Merkel&nbsp;has called the Holocaust a "break with civilisation" and has voiced concern about the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany.

Her visit comes two months after an attack aimed at a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle in which two people were killed,&nbsp;part of a growing trend.

Police figures show that anti-Semitic offences rose by almost 10 percent in Germany last year from the previous year to 1,646-&nbsp;the highest level in a decade.

Germany's far-right AfD party, some of whose members have been accused of using anti-Semitic rhetoric, has called for a rethink of the way Germany remembers its Nazi past.

Senior AfD lawmaker Bjoern Hoecke has called for a "180-degree shift" in the culture of atonement.

The timing of the visit is also significant because of questions over&nbsp;Merkel's political future as tensions persist within the governing coalition.

German media reported that she wanted to make the trip ahead of any potential political crisis.

Merkel&nbsp;intends to step down at the end of her mandate in 2021 but there is a chance that the date could be brought forward if her junior coalition partners, the Social Democrats, pull out of the government.

Germany's Angela Merkel crossed the gates of the former Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland on Friday for the first time in her 14 years as chancellor, promising to battle a new wave of anti-Semitism.

Germany's Angela Merkel crossed the gates of the former Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland on Friday for the first time in her 14 years as chancellor, promising to battle a new wave of anti-Semitism. Merkel is only the third chancellor ever to visit the Nazi German camp where a million Jews were killed between 1940 and 1945 and which has come to symbolise the Holocaust as a whole. Her trip, which comes ahead of the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation by Soviet troops on January 27, is being seen as an important political message. On the eve of her visit, 65-year-old Merkel said that "the fight against anti-Semitism and against all forms of hate" was a priority for her government. She also hailed a new 60-million-euro ($66-million) donation for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation that was approved by Germany's federal states on Thursday. Merkel began her visit by walking under the Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei" (Work will set you free) that still hangs over the gates of the camp. She will also hold a minute's silence by the Death Wall where thousands of prisoners were shot dead and visit the site of a gas chamber and a crematorium. The visit "is a particularly important signal of attention and solidarity at a time when Auschwitz survivors are victims of anti-Semitic insults and hate-filled emails," said Christoph Heubner, deputy chairman of the Auschwitz International Committee. Merkel was accompanied during the visit by a survivor of the camp, 87-year-old Bogdan Stanislaw Bartnikowski, as well as Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Josef Schuster, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, also took part in the visit. In total, 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau, including non-Jewish Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Roma and anti-Nazi fighters. Many were killed the same day they arrived at the camp. "There is no other place of memory that demonstrates with such precision what happened during the Shoah," Schuster told AFP ahead of the visit. Merkel follows in the footsteps of previous German chancellors Helmut Schmidt, who came in 1977, and Helmut Kohl, who visited in 1989 and 1995. She has already visited several of the former camps in Germany over many years and has been to Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre five times. In 2008, she became the first German leader to address the Israeli parliament. In that speech, she spoke of the "shame" that Germans still feel. Merkel has called the Holocaust a "break with civilisation" and has voiced concern about the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany. Her visit comes two months after an attack aimed at a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle in which two people were killed, part of a growing trend. Police figures show that anti-Semitic offences rose by almost 10 percent in Germany last year from the previous year to 1,646- the highest level in a decade. Germany's far-right AfD party, some of whose members have been accused of using anti-Semitic rhetoric, has called for a rethink of the way Germany remembers its Nazi past. Senior AfD lawmaker Bjoern Hoecke has called for a "180-degree shift" in the culture of atonement. The timing of the visit is also significant because of questions over Merkel's political future as tensions persist within the governing coalition. German media reported that she wanted to make the trip ahead of any potential political crisis. Merkel intends to step down at the end of her mandate in 2021 but there is a chance that the date could be brought forward if her junior coalition partners, the Social Democrats, pull out of the government.

Angela Merkel visits Auschwitz for first time

Germany's main automobile industry body said on Wednesday it expects global car sales to fall by 5 per cent&nbsp;this year, the steepest drop since the financial crisis, and warned of more job cuts in 2020 as a result.

"The competition is getting tougher, the headwinds are getting stronger," Bernhard Mattes, president of industry association VDA, told reporters, adding that the association expected global car sales to fall by 4.1 million to 80.1 million this year.

Germany's export-dependent car industry is struggling with weaker foreign demand, tariff disputes sparked by US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-china-says-no-time-limit-on-trade-deal-with-us-266194">Donald Trump</a>'s 'America First' policies and business uncertainty linked to Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

The sector, an important driver of overall growth in Europe's largest economy, is also having trouble adjusting to stricter regulation following an emissions-cheating scandal and managing a broader shift away from combustion engines toward electric cars.

"Capacity utilization has declined, limited-term employment contracts are not being renewed, and the instrument of short-time work is being employed once again," Mattes said. This meant that the number of permanent staff in car factories was likely to fall further.

Mattes said the association already expected a drop in employment this year, and this trend would worsen in 2020, though he gave no figures for the predicted layoffs.

In 2018, employment in the car industry in Germany reached 834,000, its highest level since 1991.

VDA expects car sales in Germany to fall by 4 per cent&nbsp;to 3.43 million in 2020 and to drop by 2 per cent&nbsp;to 15.3 million in Europe.

The US&nbsp;market for light vehicles is seen shrinking by 3 per cent&nbsp;to 16.5 million while car sales in China are expected to go down by 2 per cent&nbsp;to 20.5 million, VDA said.

Mattes called on Chancellor Angela Merkel's shaky ruling coalition to get its act together and help companies to better master the structural changes in the car industry that also include trends like digitisation and autonomous driving.

"Now it must be all about improving the framework conditions in Germany as an industrial business location," Mattes said. "What we need right now, therefore, is a stable government capable of taking action."

Germany's main automobile industry body said on Wednesday it expects global car sales to fall by 5 per cent this year, the steepest drop since the financial crisis, and warned of more job cuts in 2020 as a result.

Germany's main automobile industry body said on Wednesday it expects global car sales to fall by 5 per cent this year, the steepest drop since the financial crisis, and warned of more job cuts in 2020 as a result. "The competition is getting tougher, the headwinds are getting stronger," Bernhard Mattes, president of industry association VDA, told reporters, adding that the association expected global car sales to fall by 4.1 million to 80.1 million this year. Germany's export-dependent car industry is struggling with weaker foreign demand, tariff disputes sparked by US President Donald Trump's 'America First' policies and business uncertainty linked to Britain's decision to leave the European Union. The sector, an important driver of overall growth in Europe's largest economy, is also having trouble adjusting to stricter regulation following an emissions-cheating scandal and managing a broader shift away from combustion engines toward electric cars. "Capacity utilization has declined, limited-term employment contracts are not being renewed, and the instrument of short-time work is being employed once again," Mattes said. This meant that the number of permanent staff in car factories was likely to fall further. Mattes said the association already expected a drop in employment this year, and this trend would worsen in 2020, though he gave no figures for the predicted layoffs. In 2018, employment in the car industry in Germany reached 834,000, its highest level since 1991. VDA expects car sales in Germany to fall by 4 per cent to 3.43 million in 2020 and to drop by 2 per cent to 15.3 million in Europe. The US market for light vehicles is seen shrinking by 3 per cent to 16.5 million while car sales in China are expected to go down by 2 per cent to 20.5 million, VDA said. Mattes called on Chancellor Angela Merkel's shaky ruling coalition to get its act together and help companies to better master the structural changes in the car industry that also include trends like digitisation and autonomous driving. "Now it must be all about improving the framework conditions in Germany as an industrial business location," Mattes said. "What we need right now, therefore, is a stable government capable of taking action."

German car industry to slash more jobs in 2020

European members of NATO have increased their defence spending for four years in a row, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday, ahead of next week's summit.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Washington's allies of failing to pay their fair share, straining ties in the alliance as it celebrates its 70th birthday.

Officials are worried that Trump's frustration -- combined with doubts about the direction of the alliance expressed by France's President Emmanuel Macron -- will overshadow next week's summit.

So NATO has coordinated a week of spending announcements in Brussels to encourage a display of unity in London.

On Friday, Stoltenberg said European countries and Canada would increase defence spending by 4.6 per cent in 2019, stressing that they would have spent a combined $130 billion between 2016 and the end of next year.

This would keep the countries on course to spend two per cent of their GDP on defence by 2024. But only nine countries have hit the target so far, and Germany admits it will not do so.

"President Trump is right about the importance of the European allies and Canada spending more and he has conveyed that message very clearly to allies several times," Stoltenberg told reporters.

"But European allies and Canada should not invest in defence to please President Trump. They should invest in defence because we are facing new challenges, our security environment has become more dangerous."

Bid to mollify Trump

Stoltenberg said the NATO members apart from the US had mainly been cutting defence budgets before 2014 when they signed up to a pledge to "move towards" the two per cent of GDP target by 2024.

But Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted this week that Germany, Europe's economic powerhouse and a frequent target of Trump's ire, will not hit the goal until "the early 2030s".

France's Macron outraged the allies this month by demanding a new strategy that focused more on terrorism and less on deterring Russia, complaining that NATO was experiencing "brain death".

Stoltenberg, meanwhile, is attempting to mollify Trump ahead of the summit by talking up a billion-dollar contact with US planemaker Boeing to upgrade NATO reconnaissance planes.

And the allies have agreed to lower the cap on US support for NATO's relatively small $2.5-billion operating budget, meaning Germany and other Europeans -- but not France -- pay a bigger share.

The 29 NATO leaders will gather in Watford near London on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

European members of NATO have increased their defence spending for four years in a row, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday, ahead of next week's summit.

European members of NATO have increased their defence spending for four years in a row, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday, ahead of next week's summit. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Washington's allies of failing to pay their fair share, straining ties in the alliance as it celebrates its 70th birthday. Officials are worried that Trump's frustration -- combined with doubts about the direction of the alliance expressed by France's President Emmanuel Macron -- will overshadow next week's summit. So NATO has coordinated a week of spending announcements in Brussels to encourage a display of unity in London. On Friday, Stoltenberg said European countries and Canada would increase defence spending by 4.6 per cent in 2019, stressing that they would have spent a combined $130 billion between 2016 and the end of next year. This would keep the countries on course to spend two per cent of their GDP on defence by 2024. But only nine countries have hit the target so far, and Germany admits it will not do so. "President Trump is right about the importance of the European allies and Canada spending more and he has conveyed that message very clearly to allies several times," Stoltenberg told reporters. "But European allies and Canada should not invest in defence to please President Trump. They should invest in defence because we are facing new challenges, our security environment has become more dangerous." Bid to mollify Trump Stoltenberg said the NATO members apart from the US had mainly been cutting defence budgets before 2014 when they signed up to a pledge to "move towards" the two per cent of GDP target by 2024. But Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted this week that Germany, Europe's economic powerhouse and a frequent target of Trump's ire, will not hit the goal until "the early 2030s". France's Macron outraged the allies this month by demanding a new strategy that focused more on terrorism and less on deterring Russia, complaining that NATO was experiencing "brain death". Stoltenberg, meanwhile, is attempting to mollify Trump ahead of the summit by talking up a billion-dollar contact with US planemaker Boeing to upgrade NATO reconnaissance planes. And the allies have agreed to lower the cap on US support for NATO's relatively small $2.5-billion operating budget, meaning Germany and other Europeans -- but not France -- pay a bigger share. The 29 NATO leaders will gather in Watford near London on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

NATO praises Europe defence spending boost as summit looms

The United States is to cut its contribution to NATO's operating budget, officials said Thursday, with Germany increasing payments as the alliance tries to appease President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-hong-kong-democracy-act-china-threatens-firm-countermeasures-264966">Donald Trump</a> ahead of a summit next week.

Trump has repeatedly criticised European members for freeloading on the US, singling out Germany,&nbsp;the continent's economic powerhouse, for lagging behind on an alliance commitment to spend at least two per cent of GDP on defence.

While most of Trump's anger has been focused on European national defence budgets, there has also been American grumbling about how much Washington contributes to NATO's own running costs, and the 29-member alliance has now agreed to a change.

"All allies have agreed a new cost-sharing formula. Under the new formula, cost shares attributed to most European allies and Canada will go up, while the US share will come down," a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-says-death-greatly-exaggerated-to-adopt-new-strategies-on-space-china-263436">NATO</a> official said.

"This is an important demonstration of allies' commitment to the alliance and to fairer burden-sharing."

The US currently pays 22.1 per cent of the NATO budget,&nbsp;which totalled $2.5 billion (2.37 billion euros) in 2019,&nbsp;and Germany 14.8 per cent, under a formula based on each country's gross national income.&nbsp;

Under the new agreement, the US will cut its contribution to 16.35 per cent of the total, Germany's will rise to the same level and other allies will pay more.

Though the sums involved are small in military terms,&nbsp;the 29 alliance members spent a total of nearly a trillion dollars on defence in 2018,&nbsp;not all allies are happy with the move.

Diplomats say France has refused to go along with the new arrangement and will keep its contribution the same at 10.5 per cent, arguing that the deal to change the figures was cooked up between Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel without properly consulting other allies.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is expected to announce new figures on Friday showing how much more allies have spent since Trump came to power in 2016 in a bid to improve the mood going into Wednesday's leaders' <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-attend-nato-summit-in-london-days-before-uk-vote-262476">meeting in London</a>.

There are fears Trump will repeat his performance at the 2016 summit in Brussels, where he launched into an extraordinary public tirade during a breakfast meeting with Merkel, berating her for weak defence spending and accusing her of cosying up to Russia.

Adding to the clouds over the London gathering are French President Emmanuel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-says-frances-macron-comments-on-nato-dangerous-261350">Macron's attack on NATO</a> as "brain dead" and ongoing tensions with fellow NATO ally Turkey over its purchase of Russian missiles and its military operation in northern Syria.

The United States is to cut its contribution to NATO's operating budget, officials said Thursday, with Germany increasing payments as the alliance tries to appease President Donald Trump ahead of a summit next week.

The United States is to cut its contribution to NATO's operating budget, officials said Thursday, with Germany increasing payments as the alliance tries to appease President Donald Trump ahead of a summit next week. Trump has repeatedly criticised European members for freeloading on the US, singling out Germany, the continent's economic powerhouse, for lagging behind on an alliance commitment to spend at least two per cent of GDP on defence. While most of Trump's anger has been focused on European national defence budgets, there has also been American grumbling about how much Washington contributes to NATO's own running costs, and the 29-member alliance has now agreed to a change. "All allies have agreed a new cost-sharing formula. Under the new formula, cost shares attributed to most European allies and Canada will go up, while the US share will come down," a NATO official said. "This is an important demonstration of allies' commitment to the alliance and to fairer burden-sharing." The US currently pays 22.1 per cent of the NATO budget, which totalled $2.5 billion (2.37 billion euros) in 2019, and Germany 14.8 per cent, under a formula based on each country's gross national income. Under the new agreement, the US will cut its contribution to 16.35 per cent of the total, Germany's will rise to the same level and other allies will pay more. Though the sums involved are small in military terms, the 29 alliance members spent a total of nearly a trillion dollars on defence in 2018, not all allies are happy with the move. Diplomats say France has refused to go along with the new arrangement and will keep its contribution the same at 10.5 per cent, arguing that the deal to change the figures was cooked up between Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel without properly consulting other allies. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is expected to announce new figures on Friday showing how much more allies have spent since Trump came to power in 2016 in a bid to improve the mood going into Wednesday's leaders' meeting in London. There are fears Trump will repeat his performance at the 2016 summit in Brussels, where he launched into an extraordinary public tirade during a breakfast meeting with Merkel, berating her for weak defence spending and accusing her of cosying up to Russia. Adding to the clouds over the London gathering are French President Emmanuel Macron's attack on NATO as "brain dead" and ongoing tensions with fellow NATO ally Turkey over its purchase of Russian missiles and its military operation in northern Syria.

US to cut spending on NATO budget, Germany to pay more

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is in the pole position to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor threatened to step down if the party doesn't back her, forcing the party to back her and pledge her loyalty.&nbsp;

"If you are of the view that the Germany I want is not the Germany you imagine, if you are of the view that the way I want to go with you is not the way you think is the right one, then let's speak today and let's end it today, here, now, said Kramp-Karrenbauer to delegates in a conference speech, responding to the criticism of her leadership.&nbsp;

Kramp-Karrenbauer was elected as the head of Christian Democratic Party (CDU) in December 2018 after Merkel announced to step down as party chief. However,&nbsp;Kramp-Karrenbauer has been in the middle of many controversies that have severely dented her popularity and raised questions of her suitability once Merkel leaves office as German chancellor.&nbsp;

"But, dear friends, if you want this Germany, if you want to take this path together ... then let's roll up our sleeves here and now and make a start," she added before delegates gave her a seven-minute standing ovation to support her.&nbsp;

The meeting was held under the banner of "Germany's strong middle" as the CDU aimed to regain its position where Greens have surged.&nbsp;

So far, the performance of Merkel's would-be successor has been under-par as the party&nbsp;suffered losses in the election to the European Parliament in May and setbacks in regional polls. An INSA poll on Monday predicted that CDU's popularity is down to 25 per cent from 32.9 per cent support it received in the 2017 federal election.&nbsp;

"It isn't and it hasn't been an easy year," she said.

Recent surveys indicate that Germans prefer Merz when it comes to who should&nbsp;succeed Merkel as chancellor at the next elections.

Kramp-Karrenbauer also in a veiled attack targetted&nbsp;64-year-old lawyer Friedrich Merz, who narrowly lost to her in last year's leadership vote. "To stand here as a party and say that everything we have done in the last 14 years was wrong is not a good election strategy," she warned.

Merz, who narrowly lost out to Kramp-Karrenbauer in last year's leadership vote, grabbed headlines recently when she described the performance of CDU-led government as "abysmal" and accused Merkel of poor leadership.&nbsp;

"They were and are 14 good years for Germany and we can all be proud of that,"&nbsp;Kramp-Karrenbauer said in her speech.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is in the pole position to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor threatened to step down if the party doesn't back her, forcing the party to back her and pledge her loyalty.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is in the pole position to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor threatened to step down if the party doesn't back her, forcing the party to back her and pledge her loyalty. "If you are of the view that the Germany I want is not the Germany you imagine, if you are of the view that the way I want to go with you is not the way you think is the right one, then let's speak today and let's end it today, here, now, said Kramp-Karrenbauer to delegates in a conference speech, responding to the criticism of her leadership. Kramp-Karrenbauer was elected as the head of Christian Democratic Party (CDU) in December 2018 after Merkel announced to step down as party chief. However, Kramp-Karrenbauer has been in the middle of many controversies that have severely dented her popularity and raised questions of her suitability once Merkel leaves office as German chancellor. "But, dear friends, if you want this Germany, if you want to take this path together ... then let's roll up our sleeves here and now and make a start," she added before delegates gave her a seven-minute standing ovation to support her. The meeting was held under the banner of "Germany's strong middle" as the CDU aimed to regain its position where Greens have surged. So far, the performance of Merkel's would-be successor has been under-par as the party suffered losses in the election to the European Parliament in May and setbacks in regional polls. An INSA poll on Monday predicted that CDU's popularity is down to 25 per cent from 32.9 per cent support it received in the 2017 federal election. "It isn't and it hasn't been an easy year," she said. Recent surveys indicate that Germans prefer Merz when it comes to who should succeed Merkel as chancellor at the next elections. Kramp-Karrenbauer also in a veiled attack targetted 64-year-old lawyer Friedrich Merz, who narrowly lost to her in last year's leadership vote. "To stand here as a party and say that everything we have done in the last 14 years was wrong is not a good election strategy," she warned. Merz, who narrowly lost out to Kramp-Karrenbauer in last year's leadership vote, grabbed headlines recently when she described the performance of CDU-led government as "abysmal" and accused Merkel of poor leadership. "They were and are 14 good years for Germany and we can all be proud of that," Kramp-Karrenbauer said in her speech. (with inputs from agencies)

Angela Merkel's protege wins 'loyalty' after challenging critics

The German economy escaped a recession in the third quarter as consumers, state spending and construction drove a 0.1 per cent&nbsp;quarterly expansion, defying expectations of another contraction in Europe's largest economy, preliminary data showed on Thursday.

On an annual basis, gross domestic product expanded 0.5 per cent&nbsp;from July through September after a 0.3 per cent&nbsp;expansion in the previous three months, seasonally adjusted figures from the Federal Statistics Office showed.

"The German economy got away with a black eye: the technical recession could be avoided," Deka bank analyst Andreas Scheuerle said, but he added it was still too early to give the all-clear.

"Germany's economy is suffering from enormous global political uncertainty. Germany's flagship industry, the automobile sector, is not running smoothly anymore," he said.

Germany's manufacturers, whose exports have been a bedrock of the country's economic strength for decades, are struggling with weaker foreign demand, tariff disputes sparked by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's 'America First' policies and business uncertainty linked to Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

The automobile sector, an important driver of overall growth, is also having trouble adjusting to stricter regulation following an emission cheating scandal and managing a broader shift away from combustion engines toward electric cars.

"We do not have a technical recession, but the growth numbers are still too weak," Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told ARD public television.

The Statistics Office said private households increased their spending from July through September while state spending and construction also supported overall growth.

Exports edged up on the quarter while imports remained broadly flat, the office said, suggesting that net trade could have been a positive impulse on the economy as well.

Alexander Krueger from Bankhaus Lampe said that he expected meagre growth rates in the coming quarters as the trade outlook remained clouded. "The economic slowdown in China, the global trade dispute and the Brexit chaos are all pointing to a weaker economic momentum," Krueger said.

The Statistics Office revised the quarterly GDP rate for the second quarter to a 0.2 per cent&nbsp;quarter-on-quarter contraction from a previously reported 0.1 per cent&nbsp;decline.

But it revised up the growth figures for the first quarter to a 0.5 per cent&nbsp;expansion from a 0.4 per cent&nbsp;increase reported earlier.

Analysts polled by Reuters for the third quarter had expected a 0.1 per cent&nbsp;contraction quarter-on-quarter and a 0.5 per cent&nbsp;expansion year-on-year in seasonally adjusted terms.

The German economy escaped a recession in the third quarter as consumers, state spending and construction drove a 0.1 per cent quarterly expansion, defying expectations of another contraction in Europe's largest economy, preliminary data showed on Thursday.

The German economy escaped a recession in the third quarter as consumers, state spending and construction drove a 0.1 per cent quarterly expansion, defying expectations of another contraction in Europe's largest economy, preliminary data showed on Thursday. On an annual basis, gross domestic product expanded 0.5 per cent from July through September after a 0.3 per cent expansion in the previous three months, seasonally adjusted figures from the Federal Statistics Office showed. "The German economy got away with a black eye: the technical recession could be avoided," Deka bank analyst Andreas Scheuerle said, but he added it was still too early to give the all-clear. "Germany's economy is suffering from enormous global political uncertainty. Germany's flagship industry, the automobile sector, is not running smoothly anymore," he said. Germany's manufacturers, whose exports have been a bedrock of the country's economic strength for decades, are struggling with weaker foreign demand, tariff disputes sparked by US President Donald Trump's 'America First' policies and business uncertainty linked to Britain's decision to leave the European Union. The automobile sector, an important driver of overall growth, is also having trouble adjusting to stricter regulation following an emission cheating scandal and managing a broader shift away from combustion engines toward electric cars. "We do not have a technical recession, but the growth numbers are still too weak," Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told ARD public television. The Statistics Office said private households increased their spending from July through September while state spending and construction also supported overall growth. Exports edged up on the quarter while imports remained broadly flat, the office said, suggesting that net trade could have been a positive impulse on the economy as well. Alexander Krueger from Bankhaus Lampe said that he expected meagre growth rates in the coming quarters as the trade outlook remained clouded. "The economic slowdown in China, the global trade dispute and the Brexit chaos are all pointing to a weaker economic momentum," Krueger said. The Statistics Office revised the quarterly GDP rate for the second quarter to a 0.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter contraction from a previously reported 0.1 per cent decline. But it revised up the growth figures for the first quarter to a 0.5 per cent expansion from a 0.4 per cent increase reported earlier. Analysts polled by Reuters for the third quarter had expected a 0.1 per cent contraction quarter-on-quarter and a 0.5 per cent expansion year-on-year in seasonally adjusted terms.

'Suffering' German economy dodges recession in third quarter

German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls on Europe to develop new weapons. Watch video to know more.

Angela Merkel Calls on Europe to Develop New Weapons

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that she expected Britain's parliament to approve British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with the European Union.

The United Kingdom voted by 52 per cent-48 per cent&nbsp;in 2016 to quit the EU, albeit without deciding how it would be done. Parliament, however, has been deadlocked since a 2017 snap election over how, when and even whether to leave.

Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October&nbsp;31 "do or die", demanded a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">December&nbsp;12 election</a> after parliament - where he has no majority - frustrated his attempts to ratify the last-minute divorce deal he struck with the EU in October.

"I give this treaty a very, very big chance of being agreed to in Britain too and that would be good for all of us," Merkel told a business event in Berlin.

Johnson on Monday won the most significant boost of the election campaign to date when Nigel Farage's Brexit Party pulled out of 317 Conservative-held seats in a bid to prevent opponents of Brexit controlling the next parliament.

The move dramatically increases the chances that Johnson will stay as prime minister before finally delivering on the 2016 referendum result to take Britain out of the European Union.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that she expected Britain's parliament to approve British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with the European Union.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that she expected Britain's parliament to approve British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with the European Union. The United Kingdom voted by 52 per cent-48 per cent in 2016 to quit the EU, albeit without deciding how it would be done. Parliament, however, has been deadlocked since a 2017 snap election over how, when and even whether to leave. Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October 31 "do or die", demanded a December 12 election after parliament - where he has no majority - frustrated his attempts to ratify the last-minute divorce deal he struck with the EU in October. "I give this treaty a very, very big chance of being agreed to in Britain too and that would be good for all of us," Merkel told a business event in Berlin. Johnson on Monday won the most significant boost of the election campaign to date when Nigel Farage's Brexit Party pulled out of 317 Conservative-held seats in a bid to prevent opponents of Brexit controlling the next parliament. The move dramatically increases the chances that Johnson will stay as prime minister before finally delivering on the 2016 referendum result to take Britain out of the European Union.

Think British parliament will approve Brexit deal: Germany's Merkel

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