Hong Kong activist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joshua-wong-poster-child-of-hong-kongs-umbrella-movement-227835">Joshua Wong</a> has met <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-foreign-minister-heiko-maas-meeting-with-hong-kongs-joshua-wong-disrespectful-china-248822">Germany's foreign minister</a> as he carries abroad his call to support the growing pro-democracy movement in the former British colony, a meeting slammed on Tuesday by China as "disrespectful".

Posting a photo of himself and foreign minister Heiko Maas on his Twitter account, the 22-year-old said they spoke on the "protest situation and our cause to free election and democracy in HK".

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In Berlin I spoke to Foreign Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/HeikoMaas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HeikoMaas</a> on protests situation and our cause to free election and democracy in HK. Anticipating further discussion with members of German Bundestag in coming days. <a href="https://t.co/y8VCUZrE6s">pic.twitter.com/y8VCUZrE6s</a>
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshuawongcf/status/1171221980109885440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Beijing reacted angrily at their meeting during an event organised by Bild daily, saying "it is extremely wrong for German media and politicians to attempt to tap into the anti-China separatist wave".

"It is disrespectful of China's sovereignty and interference in China's internal affairs," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

"I want to stress once again that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. No foreign government, organisation or individual has the right to intervene," Hua said, adding that Beijing "strongly disapproves" of the meeting.

Wong, a prominent face in Hong Kong's growing pro-democracy protests, planned to hold talks with other German politicians during his visit to Berlin.

But there are no plans for Chancellor Angela Merkel to meet him, said her spokesman Steffen Seibert on Monday.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-protests-chief-carrie-lam-warns-us-over-interference-248765/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The activist's visit came on the heels of Merkel's trip to China, where she stressed Friday that the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong "must be guaranteed", after meeting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.

Ahead of her three-day visit to China, demonstrators in the semi-autonomous city appealed to the German chancellor to support them in her meetings with China's leadership.

Wong himself had written an open letter to Merkel, seeking her backing.

'Hong Kong the new Berlin'

 
Germany has emerged as a country of refuge for many Chinese dissidents in recent years, including Liu Xia, the widow of Chinese Nobel dissident Liu Xiaobo.

In May, two former Hong Kong independence activists were granted refugee status in Germany in what is one of the first cases of dissenters from the enclave receiving such protection.

Wong had arrived in Berlin late Monday after he was briefly detained in Hong Kong just before his departure to Germany following an error in his bail conditions from previous detention.

He was among several prominent democracy advocates held late last month in a roundup by police as the city reels from more than three months of unprecedented pro-democracy protests.

Bild reported that Wong turned up late at the event is organised, but was still able to meet Maas at the gathering.

In a brief speech at the event, Wong vowed to "protest until the day that we have free elections".

"If we are now in a new Cold War, Hong Kong is the new Berlin," he said, referring to the post-war split between communist East Berlin and the democratic West.

"'Stand with Hong Kong' is much more than just a mere slogan, we urge the free world to stand together with us in resisting the autocratic Chinese regime," he added.

Wong was due to hold a public discussion on Wednesday evening at Humboldt University in Berlin and later travel to the United States.

He launched his career as an activist at just 12 years old and became the poster child of the huge pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" protests of 2014 that failed to win any concessions from Beijing.

Wong has previously been jailed for involvement in those protests.

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has met Germany's foreign minister as he carries abroad his call to support the growing pro-democracy movement in the former British colony, a meeting slammed on Tuesday by China as "disrespectful".

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has met Germany's foreign minister as he carries abroad his call to support the growing pro-democracy movement in the former British colony, a meeting slammed on Tuesday by China as "disrespectful". Posting a photo of himself and foreign minister Heiko Maas on his Twitter account, the 22-year-old said they spoke on the "protest situation and our cause to free election and democracy in HK". In Berlin I spoke to Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas on protests situation and our cause to free election and democracy in HK. Anticipating further discussion with members of German Bundestag in coming days. pic.twitter.com/y8VCUZrE6s — Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) September 10, 2019 × Beijing reacted angrily at their meeting during an event organised by Bild daily, saying "it is extremely wrong for German media and politicians to attempt to tap into the anti-China separatist wave". "It is disrespectful of China's sovereignty and interference in China's internal affairs," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. "I want to stress once again that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. No foreign government, organisation or individual has the right to intervene," Hua said, adding that Beijing "strongly disapproves" of the meeting. Wong, a prominent face in Hong Kong's growing pro-democracy protests, planned to hold talks with other German politicians during his visit to Berlin. But there are no plans for Chancellor Angela Merkel to meet him, said her spokesman Steffen Seibert on Monday. Watch Video: The activist's visit came on the heels of Merkel's trip to China, where she stressed Friday that the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong "must be guaranteed", after meeting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. Ahead of her three-day visit to China, demonstrators in the semi-autonomous city appealed to the German chancellor to support them in her meetings with China's leadership. Wong himself had written an open letter to Merkel, seeking her backing. 'Hong Kong the new Berlin' Germany has emerged as a country of refuge for many Chinese dissidents in recent years, including Liu Xia, the widow of Chinese Nobel dissident Liu Xiaobo. In May, two former Hong Kong independence activists were granted refugee status in Germany in what is one of the first cases of dissenters from the enclave receiving such protection. Wong had arrived in Berlin late Monday after he was briefly detained in Hong Kong just before his departure to Germany following an error in his bail conditions from previous detention. He was among several prominent democracy advocates held late last month in a roundup by police as the city reels from more than three months of unprecedented pro-democracy protests. Bild reported that Wong turned up late at the event is organised, but was still able to meet Maas at the gathering. In a brief speech at the event, Wong vowed to "protest until the day that we have free elections". "If we are now in a new Cold War, Hong Kong is the new Berlin," he said, referring to the post-war split between communist East Berlin and the democratic West. "'Stand with Hong Kong' is much more than just a mere slogan, we urge the free world to stand together with us in resisting the autocratic Chinese regime," he added. Wong was due to hold a public discussion on Wednesday evening at Humboldt University in Berlin and later travel to the United States. He launched his career as an activist at just 12 years old and became the poster child of the huge pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" protests of 2014 that failed to win any concessions from Beijing. Wong has previously been jailed for involvement in those protests.

Wrong for German politicians to tap into anti-China separatist wave: China on Joshua Wong's meeting with foreign minister Heiko Maas

Adidas said supply shortages for North America will be fixed by the end of the year and the European market should return to growth after the German sportswear company reported weaker than expected second-quarter sales and profits.

Adidas said supply shortages for North America will be fixed by the end of the year and the European market should return to growth after the German sportswear company reported weaker than expected second-quarter sales and profits. Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted said he was more worried about the prospects for a currency war between the United States and China than about tariffs on Chinese-made shoes after Washington branded Beijing a currency manipulator on Monday. "There is no winner in a currency war, eventually everybody will lose as it will lead to a slowdown in the world economy," Rorsted told journalists, noting that a fall in currencies of its two top markets would be tough as the firm reports in euros. Adidas shares fell 1.6 per cent by 1000 GMT. The stock had rallied in recent weeks on hopes Adidas might lift its outlook after German rival Puma raised its sales and profit forecasts following a strong second quarter. "Given the recent rerating in the shares since April and narrowing valuation gap versus peers, the lack of a sales or earnings beat is unusual, and brand momentum remains concerning," Credit Suisse analysts wrote of Adidas. Second-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 4 per cent to 5.51 billion euros ($6.18 billion), shy of average analyst forecasts for 5.54 billion as the company saw a strong decline in the soccer category a year on from the World Cup. Operating profit rose 9 per cent to 643 million euros, also lagging average analyst forecasts for 651 million. Adidas warned in March that supply chain issues would hit sales growth in the first half, citing particular problems meeting North America demand for mid-market clothing. The shortages should be over by the end of the year, and have no impact in 2020, Rorsted said, noting that Adidas has built up capacity and accelerated the transfer of goods by air freight, but managed to make up for the higher costs elsewhere. He said the supply problems were unrelated to U.S.-China trade tensions, with few Adidas products for the U.S. market still produced in China. Adidas makes about 25 per cent of its sales in China, which accounts for about 20 per cent of manufacturing. EUROPE TO RETURN TO GROWTH Adidas quarterly sales were flat in Europe, recovering from a 3 per cent fall in the first quarter after the firm took steps to reduce its reliance on its Originals fashion line and boost sales of sports performance gear, with new product launches. Rorsted said Europe should return to growth by the end of the year, saying new shoe launches had been well received, such as 1980s-style Nite Jogger sneakers, Pulseboost running shoes and movie collaborations with Marvel and Toy Story. The company is celebrating its 70th anniversary on Friday and opening a new building at a glitzy ceremony in its small German hometown of Herzogenaurach. Athletes and celebrities including Pharrell Williams and rappers Run DMC are due to attend. Adidas has eroded Nike's dominance of the U.S. market in recent years, pushing retro styles and teaming up with singers such as Williams, Kanye West, and Beyonce. Nike has responded by ramping up spending on marketing, with its sales rising a currency-adjusted 10 per cent in the quarter ended May 31, as it grew faster than Adidas in China and Europe. Adidas said it was confident sales would accelerate in the second half, allowing it to confirm a full-year outlook for currency-neutral sales growth of 5-8 per cent and net income from continuing operations of between 1.88 and 1.95 billion euros. Sales of its long-struggling Reebok brand rose 3 per cent, driven by the popularity of retro styles. But Rorsted dismissed interest in the brand from former basketballer Shaquille O'Neal, saying Adidas was not in talks to sell it.

Adidas promises revival after sluggish quarter

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 7th, 2019

The German government is prepared for all possible scenarios regarding Britain's expected departure from the European Union, a spokeswoman said on Monday, adding that Berlin was still aiming to secure a Brexit deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/heres-how-boris-johnson-can-unite-a-country-mired-in-a-brexit-identity-crisis-239628">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> has promised to lead Britain out of the EU on October 31 with or without a deal.

"We still want Britain to have an orderly exit <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/divided-european-union-taps-bulgarias-kristalina-georgieva-as-international-monetary-fund-candidate-240499">from the European Union</a>," a spokeswoman told a news conference. "A no deal Brexit would be in nobody's interests."

The German government is prepared for all possible scenarios regarding Britain's expected departure from the European Union, a spokeswoman said on Monday, adding that Berlin was still aiming to secure a Brexit deal.

The German government is prepared for all possible scenarios regarding Britain's expected departure from the European Union, a spokeswoman said on Monday, adding that Berlin was still aiming to secure a Brexit deal. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to lead Britain out of the EU on October 31 with or without a deal. "We still want Britain to have an orderly exit from the European Union," a spokeswoman told a news conference. "A no deal Brexit would be in nobody's interests."

Germany: We are prepared for all Brexit scenarios but want to get a deal

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 4th, 2019

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/deutsche-bank-to-cut-18000-jobs-in-74-billion-euro-overhaul-233820">Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank</a> said Sunday it would cut 18,000 jobs by 2022, as the former leading light of the country's financial sector looks to escape years of turmoil.

The slashing of around one in five of its workforce, to 74,000 employees, is an unprecedented round of departures for Deutsche.

The bank said the layoffs would reduce annual costs by six billion euros ($6.7 billion) over the same period.

"Today we have announced the most fundamental transformation of Deutsche Bank in decades," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crisis-hit-deutsche-bank-pushes-out-british-ceo-129238">chief executive Christian Sewing</a> said, dubbing the scheme "a restart for Deutsche Bank".

The lender did not immediately make clear where the axe would fall.

But with executives looking to find synergies in the integration of subsidiary Postbank and central infrastructure roles, many jobs are likely to go in home country Germany.

The new round of job cuts comes on top of some 6,000 already carried out over the past year.

Bosses expect the restructuring plan to sap second-quarter results by some three billion euros this year, making for a net loss of 2.8 billion.

Over the whole year, Deutsche is likely to plunge back into the red after a brief flirtation with profitability in 2018.

The bank does not plan to pay out dividends this year or next.

Last chance

The restructuring could be the last chance for Deutsche after much-hyped merger talks with crosstown rival Commerzbank fell through earlier this year.

Negotiations collapsed despite the backing of the finance ministry in Berlin, which feared to see a vital link in the financing of the country's economy bought up from abroad.

Over the past four years, the firm's market capitalization has fallen by 75 percent, making it a potential target for takeovers by bigger fish.

As markets closed Friday, Deutsche was worth 15 billion euros ($17 billion), placing it firmly at the back of the pack in a European industry dominated by the likes of HSBC (165 billion euros), Spain's Banco Santander (69 billion) and France's BNP Paribas (54 billion).

"Deutsche plays in the first division and should lay the foundations for things to stay that way" over the weekend, urged economy minister Peter Altmaier in the tabloid-style Bild's Sunday edition.

Since he took the helm in early 2018, Sewing has attempted to refocus the sprawling group on stable revenue-generating business areas, including retail banking and so-called transaction banking for businesses.

Meanwhile, Deutsche's focus has shifted from its attempt to compete with US-based global giants back to its home turf of Germany and Europe.

Investment banking burned&nbsp;

In particular, tough cuts to the former flagship investment banking unit have been on the agenda since May.

Sunday's announcements target the once-proud division.

Deutsche will stop almost all share trading activity and is in talks with France's BNP Paribas to sell off some of its business and staff in the field.

On Friday, Garth Ritchie, the head of Deutsche's South African investment banking unit, was first out of the door.

The unit's business had fallen back by 20 percent in the first quarter of 2018 alone, and it was no longer bringing in the fat profits of former years.

Especially in the US, it was for years plagued by lawsuits and scandals, including some linked to the so-called "Panama Papers" leak of sensitive documents about offshore dealings.

On top of the rank-and-file cuts, Deutsche is also rebuilding its board, sending away compliance chief Sylvie Matherat and two other executives.

The group will also create a so-called "bad bank" unit to host some 74 billion euros of low-quality assets, notably those linked to derivatives transactions -- highly speculative financial products.

Deutsche's woes are a microcosm of a struggling German banking sector that was once widely envied.

Last year, more than 32,000 jobs were cut in the industry, or 5.4 percent of the total workforce of 565,000, according to Barkow Consulting figures.

Bosses complain that low interest rates in the eurozone, sluggish economic growth, and competition from new online platforms are sapping their performance. 
&nbsp;

Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank said Sunday it would cut 18,000 jobs by 2022, as the former leading light of the country's financial sector looks to escape years of turmoil.

Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank said Sunday it would cut 18,000 jobs by 2022, as the former leading light of the country's financial sector looks to escape years of turmoil. The slashing of around one in five of its workforce, to 74,000 employees, is an unprecedented round of departures for Deutsche. The bank said the layoffs would reduce annual costs by six billion euros ($6.7 billion) over the same period. "Today we have announced the most fundamental transformation of Deutsche Bank in decades," chief executive Christian Sewing said, dubbing the scheme "a restart for Deutsche Bank". The lender did not immediately make clear where the axe would fall. But with executives looking to find synergies in the integration of subsidiary Postbank and central infrastructure roles, many jobs are likely to go in home country Germany. The new round of job cuts comes on top of some 6,000 already carried out over the past year. Bosses expect the restructuring plan to sap second-quarter results by some three billion euros this year, making for a net loss of 2.8 billion. Over the whole year, Deutsche is likely to plunge back into the red after a brief flirtation with profitability in 2018. The bank does not plan to pay out dividends this year or next. Last chance The restructuring could be the last chance for Deutsche after much-hyped merger talks with crosstown rival Commerzbank fell through earlier this year. Negotiations collapsed despite the backing of the finance ministry in Berlin, which feared to see a vital link in the financing of the country's economy bought up from abroad. Over the past four years, the firm's market capitalization has fallen by 75 percent, making it a potential target for takeovers by bigger fish. As markets closed Friday, Deutsche was worth 15 billion euros ($17 billion), placing it firmly at the back of the pack in a European industry dominated by the likes of HSBC (165 billion euros), Spain's Banco Santander (69 billion) and France's BNP Paribas (54 billion). "Deutsche plays in the first division and should lay the foundations for things to stay that way" over the weekend, urged economy minister Peter Altmaier in the tabloid-style Bild's Sunday edition. Since he took the helm in early 2018, Sewing has attempted to refocus the sprawling group on stable revenue-generating business areas, including retail banking and so-called transaction banking for businesses. Meanwhile, Deutsche's focus has shifted from its attempt to compete with US-based global giants back to its home turf of Germany and Europe. Investment banking burned In particular, tough cuts to the former flagship investment banking unit have been on the agenda since May. Sunday's announcements target the once-proud division. Deutsche will stop almost all share trading activity and is in talks with France's BNP Paribas to sell off some of its business and staff in the field. On Friday, Garth Ritchie, the head of Deutsche's South African investment banking unit, was first out of the door. The unit's business had fallen back by 20 percent in the first quarter of 2018 alone, and it was no longer bringing in the fat profits of former years. Especially in the US, it was for years plagued by lawsuits and scandals, including some linked to the so-called "Panama Papers" leak of sensitive documents about offshore dealings. On top of the rank-and-file cuts, Deutsche is also rebuilding its board, sending away compliance chief Sylvie Matherat and two other executives. The group will also create a so-called "bad bank" unit to host some 74 billion euros of low-quality assets, notably those linked to derivatives transactions -- highly speculative financial products. Deutsche's woes are a microcosm of a struggling German banking sector that was once widely envied. Last year, more than 32,000 jobs were cut in the industry, or 5.4 percent of the total workforce of 565,000, according to Barkow Consulting figures. Bosses complain that low interest rates in the eurozone, sluggish economic growth, and competition from new online platforms are sapping their performance.

Deutsche Bank to slash 18,000 jobs by 2022

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

Germany's Angela Merkel seen shaking again in Berlin

Wearing a balaclava and a headlamp under the cover of night, Andrea slips under an imposing fence into the backyard of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-looms-london-and-berlin-promote-closer-business-ties-201153">Berlin</a> supermarket.

After a few steps, he reaches his target, a rubbish bin overflowing with pasta, tropical fruits and truffle olive oil, all still in their packaging and, at least visibly, ready for consumption.

"You've got to be fast, respect the sites and most importantly, evade police because it is illegal in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-preferred-successor-says-wont-seek-post-before-2021-218090">Germany</a> to take unsold goods from a bin," said the anti-food-waste activist of his midnight run.&nbsp;

A master's student in physics, 22-year-old Andrea, who declined to give his full name, said he was not dumpster diving out of financial need.

Rather, he participates in the raids, sometimes in a group, for "political reasons".

"I'm fighting the system that's based on over-consumption. My grandmother always said: 'don't throw food away'. But people prefer to dump things rather than give them away for free," he complained.

Filling up his 60-litre (16-gallon) backpack, Andrea said he typically shares his haul with his flatmates, or cooks it up and distributes it free in a soup kitchen.

But his activism comes at great personal risk.

Carrying a penalty reaching up to hundreds of euros (dollars), dumpster diving is considered theft in Germany.

Objects disposed of in a bin on private grounds remain the property of the person who threw them away until they are collected by the dump truck.

Nevertheless, hundreds of activists across Germany still choose to carry on in the hope that they can force the industry to take action to end food waste.

11 million tonnes&nbsp;

Government data show that 11 million tonnes of food are dumped annually in Germany.

The WWF believes that the scale of the problem is up to 18 million tonnes a year if agricultural waste is included.

In a case that sparked waves in Germany, two students were sentenced in January for "serious theft" to eight hours of social work and 225 euros in fines each for having taken items from a supermarket bin.

"Anyone who has looked into a supermarket dump is immediately hit by the amplitude of the trash that's still consumable," the two students, who only wanted to be identified as Caro and Franzi, told AFP.

Their case has become the clarion call in the fight to decriminalise dumpster diving.

In a petition that has already won 126,000 signatures, they are urging the government to require major chains to provide their unsold goods to charity, as is the case in France or Belgium.

A similar petition calling for EU-wide change has collected 1.5 million signatures.

"A law like in France would be the next step if companies don't take their own initiative," warned Tanja Draeger de Teran, a food specialist at the environmental group WWF.&nbsp;

In France, a law from 2016 against food waste bans supermarkets bigger than 400 square metres (4,300 square feet) from throwing food away and making it unconsumable.

But in Germany, it is left up to the discretion of industry.

Amid growing disquiet over the food waste, hundreds of protesters in early June descended on the streets of Berlin in a first protest calling for dumpster diving to be decriminalised.&nbsp;

The city-state of Hamburg is now also considering legalising dumpster diving.

&nbsp;Risk of contamination

The food and agriculture ministry have however warned that consuming food that has been disposed of could have health consequences as "the cold chain have been interrupted and that could lead to contamination".

Supermarkets are already working "very well" with food banks on a voluntary basis, added the ministry.

Johanna Matuzak, the spokeswoman for the food banks, said 1.5 million people were reaping the benefits of voluntary cooperation with supermarkets.

But activists warned that in the absence of restrictive measures for supermarkets, there is little hope for real change.

"Here, like on the question of plastic waste, we think it's not normal that only consumers are being targeted while the professionals" are actually responsible for 60 per cent of global food waste, said Draeger de Teran.&nbsp;

Franzi and Caro also said there was little chance that the problem could be solved if there were only voluntary measures.

"We've only got one planet. The massive food waste problem across the world is one of the causes of global warming of the planet. We have to take immediate action," they said in an email.&nbsp;

At the beginning of May, a UN panel on biodiversity published a report on food waste and said it was one of the main reasons for a major rise in carbon emissions.

Cutting down on the food waste deluge would also help feed 10 billion people by 2050, it said.

Wearing a balaclava and a headlamp under the cover of night, Andrea slips under an imposing fence into the backyard of a Berlin supermarket. After a few steps, he reaches his target, a rubbish bin overflowing with pasta, tropical fruits and truffle olive oil, all still in their packaging and, at least visibly, ready for consumption.

Wearing a balaclava and a headlamp under the cover of night, Andrea slips under an imposing fence into the backyard of a Berlin supermarket. After a few steps, he reaches his target, a rubbish bin overflowing with pasta, tropical fruits and truffle olive oil, all still in their packaging and, at least visibly, ready for consumption. "You've got to be fast, respect the sites and most importantly, evade police because it is illegal in Germany to take unsold goods from a bin," said the anti-food-waste activist of his midnight run. A master's student in physics, 22-year-old Andrea, who declined to give his full name, said he was not dumpster diving out of financial need. Rather, he participates in the raids, sometimes in a group, for "political reasons". "I'm fighting the system that's based on over-consumption. My grandmother always said: 'don't throw food away'. But people prefer to dump things rather than give them away for free," he complained. Filling up his 60-litre (16-gallon) backpack, Andrea said he typically shares his haul with his flatmates, or cooks it up and distributes it free in a soup kitchen. But his activism comes at great personal risk. Carrying a penalty reaching up to hundreds of euros (dollars), dumpster diving is considered theft in Germany. Objects disposed of in a bin on private grounds remain the property of the person who threw them away until they are collected by the dump truck. Nevertheless, hundreds of activists across Germany still choose to carry on in the hope that they can force the industry to take action to end food waste. 11 million tonnes Government data show that 11 million tonnes of food are dumped annually in Germany. The WWF believes that the scale of the problem is up to 18 million tonnes a year if agricultural waste is included. In a case that sparked waves in Germany, two students were sentenced in January for "serious theft" to eight hours of social work and 225 euros in fines each for having taken items from a supermarket bin. "Anyone who has looked into a supermarket dump is immediately hit by the amplitude of the trash that's still consumable," the two students, who only wanted to be identified as Caro and Franzi, told AFP. Their case has become the clarion call in the fight to decriminalise dumpster diving. In a petition that has already won 126,000 signatures, they are urging the government to require major chains to provide their unsold goods to charity, as is the case in France or Belgium. A similar petition calling for EU-wide change has collected 1.5 million signatures. "A law like in France would be the next step if companies don't take their own initiative," warned Tanja Draeger de Teran, a food specialist at the environmental group WWF. In France, a law from 2016 against food waste bans supermarkets bigger than 400 square metres (4,300 square feet) from throwing food away and making it unconsumable. But in Germany, it is left up to the discretion of industry. Amid growing disquiet over the food waste, hundreds of protesters in early June descended on the streets of Berlin in a first protest calling for dumpster diving to be decriminalised. The city-state of Hamburg is now also considering legalising dumpster diving. Risk of contamination The food and agriculture ministry have however warned that consuming food that has been disposed of could have health consequences as "the cold chain have been interrupted and that could lead to contamination". Supermarkets are already working "very well" with food banks on a voluntary basis, added the ministry. Johanna Matuzak, the spokeswoman for the food banks, said 1.5 million people were reaping the benefits of voluntary cooperation with supermarkets. But activists warned that in the absence of restrictive measures for supermarkets, there is little hope for real change. "Here, like on the question of plastic waste, we think it's not normal that only consumers are being targeted while the professionals" are actually responsible for 60 per cent of global food waste, said Draeger de Teran. Franzi and Caro also said there was little chance that the problem could be solved if there were only voluntary measures. "We've only got one planet. The massive food waste problem across the world is one of the causes of global warming of the planet. We have to take immediate action," they said in an email. At the beginning of May, a UN panel on biodiversity published a report on food waste and said it was one of the main reasons for a major rise in carbon emissions. Cutting down on the food waste deluge would also help feed 10 billion people by 2050, it said.

In Germany, activists battle food waste with dumpster diving

How cities around the globe fight rising rents

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - 2 July 2019

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

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

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

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

Swedish teen inspires climate protesters in Berlin

On Women's Day, activists unite across globe, brave crackdown by police

Less than a month before <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-ready-to-give-uk-more-guarantees-on-brexit-chief-negotiator-michel-barnier-200761">Britain is due to leave the European Union</a>, London and Berlin signed a partnership deal on Monday (March 4) aimed at deepening their business ties, arguing that regardless of Brexit "the 21st century belongs to cities".

Along with other European cities, Berlin is jostling for a piece of London's financial technology industry and has stepped up efforts to promote the German capital as an affordable and creative alternative to other centres.

But Monday's agreement, signed by the two cities' economic development agencies, aims to promote investment both by British companies in Berlin and German companies in London.

"Brexit or no Brexit, we want to show the world that London is open for business, talent and investment from across the world," said Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor of London for business.

The United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on March 29 but still has no deal in place governing its exit terms, after lawmakers voted in January to reject an agreement Prime Minister Theresa May reached last year with the bloc.

Agrawal said that in all scenarios Brexit was not good for the UK, but added that independent research had shown the British capital would prove more resilient than other regions to Brexit, which Londoners opposed in Britain's 2016 referendum.

He described London and Berlin as like-minded. Both are hubs for technology companies, which the development agencies pledged to support with Monday's deal.

"Of course we are concerned about Brexit," said Knut Hechtfischer, co-founder of Ubitricity, a German firm founded in 2008 that provides charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. He helped promote the Berlin-London partnership.

The founders of Ubitricity had a strikingly simple idea which could end one of the main drawbacks of electric cars especially in large cities, the lack of enough spaces to charge up the vehicles, by putting charging sockets on lamp posts. At the end of 2018 Ubitricity together with its partner, Siemens installed the first charging points in street lights in London.

Hechtfischer said his company was concerned about Brexit, but London would remain an important market regardless of its outcome. "The transformation to electric mobility, the demand for charging infrastructure, which results from it and the need for clean air in inner cities, all these things are universal topics, which have nothing to do with the Brexit," he said, adding: ": "London will still be London whatever politicians decide in March or later. It will be an exciting city it is and it will also be an interesting market for us."

Less than a month before Britain is due to leave the European Union, London and Berlin signed a partnership deal on Monday (March 4) aimed at deepening their business ties, arguing that regardless of Brexit "the 21st century belongs to cities".

Less than a month before Britain is due to leave the European Union, London and Berlin signed a partnership deal on Monday (March 4) aimed at deepening their business ties, arguing that regardless of Brexit "the 21st century belongs to cities". Along with other European cities, Berlin is jostling for a piece of London's financial technology industry and has stepped up efforts to promote the German capital as an affordable and creative alternative to other centres. But Monday's agreement, signed by the two cities' economic development agencies, aims to promote investment both by British companies in Berlin and German companies in London. "Brexit or no Brexit, we want to show the world that London is open for business, talent and investment from across the world," said Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor of London for business. The United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on March 29 but still has no deal in place governing its exit terms, after lawmakers voted in January to reject an agreement Prime Minister Theresa May reached last year with the bloc. Agrawal said that in all scenarios Brexit was not good for the UK, but added that independent research had shown the British capital would prove more resilient than other regions to Brexit, which Londoners opposed in Britain's 2016 referendum. He described London and Berlin as like-minded. Both are hubs for technology companies, which the development agencies pledged to support with Monday's deal. "Of course we are concerned about Brexit," said Knut Hechtfischer, co-founder of Ubitricity, a German firm founded in 2008 that provides charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. He helped promote the Berlin-London partnership. The founders of Ubitricity had a strikingly simple idea which could end one of the main drawbacks of electric cars especially in large cities, the lack of enough spaces to charge up the vehicles, by putting charging sockets on lamp posts. At the end of 2018 Ubitricity together with its partner, Siemens installed the first charging points in street lights in London. Hechtfischer said his company was concerned about Brexit, but London would remain an important market regardless of its outcome. "The transformation to electric mobility, the demand for charging infrastructure, which results from it and the need for clean air in inner cities, all these things are universal topics, which have nothing to do with the Brexit," he said, adding: ": "London will still be London whatever politicians decide in March or later. It will be an exciting city it is and it will also be an interesting market for us."

As Brexit looms, London and Berlin promote closer business ties

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

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

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

Merkel opens spy agency's massive new Berlin headquarters

Germany's domestic spy agency will investigate Alternative for Germany (AfD) to see whether the anti-immigrant party's policies breach constitutional safeguards against extremism, its chief said on Tuesday.

The BfV has classified Germany's main opposition party as a "case to investigate", domestic intelligence chief Thomas Haldenwang said, but the probe would fall short of full-blown surveillance of the AfD.

Germany's constitution contains strict protections against extremism, allowing for the close monitoring and even the outlawing of far-left or far-right parties. The measure is rare, though the BfV has previously monitored other political parties.

The AfD surged into the national parliament in a 2017 election, drawing votes from mainstream parties by focusing on voters' concerns over immigration. It is represented in all 16 of Germany's regional parliaments.

"The BfV has initial indications that the AfD's policies are against the democratic constitutional order," Haldenwang told a news conference in Berlin.

"But those indications are not sufficiently concentrated to start monitoring the party using espionage methods," he said.

Haldenwang, whose predecessor Hans-Georg Maassen was moved over his alleged far-right sympathies, said the spy agency would pay closer attention to the AfD's youth wing and elements close to regional AfD leader Bjoern Hoecke.

Hoecke has decried Germany's main memorial to Holocaust victims as a "monument of shame". The BfV said some members close to Hoecke had ties to organisations that have already been classified as extremist.

"Whoever discriminates against people on the basis of their origins is being racist and nationalist. Parts of the AfD are a case for the domestic intelligence office," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted, alluding to the report.

"But observing them won't solve the problems. Above all we need to deal with the AfD objectively and politically."

AfD co-leader Alexander Gauland condemned Haldenwang's announcement: "It is completely clear that we think this BfV decision is wrong. It's also completely clear that we will take legal action against this decision."

Haldenwang said the BfV was concerned by a increase in momentum among right-wing extremist groups in recent years.

The German state of Thuringia said in September it would examine whether the regional chapter of the AfD was pursuing unconstitutional goals.

At that time, the states of Lower Saxony and Bremen also said their own security services tasked with policing unconstitutional activity had placed the regional chapters of the AfD's youth wing under surveillance because of suspected ties to extremists.

Germany's domestic spy agency will investigate Alternative for Germany (AfD) to see whether the anti-immigrant party's policies breach constitutional safeguards against extremism, its chief said on Tuesday.

Germany's domestic spy agency will investigate Alternative for Germany (AfD) to see whether the anti-immigrant party's policies breach constitutional safeguards against extremism, its chief said on Tuesday. The BfV has classified Germany's main opposition party as a "case to investigate", domestic intelligence chief Thomas Haldenwang said, but the probe would fall short of full-blown surveillance of the AfD. Germany's constitution contains strict protections against extremism, allowing for the close monitoring and even the outlawing of far-left or far-right parties. The measure is rare, though the BfV has previously monitored other political parties. The AfD surged into the national parliament in a 2017 election, drawing votes from mainstream parties by focusing on voters' concerns over immigration. It is represented in all 16 of Germany's regional parliaments. "The BfV has initial indications that the AfD's policies are against the democratic constitutional order," Haldenwang told a news conference in Berlin. "But those indications are not sufficiently concentrated to start monitoring the party using espionage methods," he said. Haldenwang, whose predecessor Hans-Georg Maassen was moved over his alleged far-right sympathies, said the spy agency would pay closer attention to the AfD's youth wing and elements close to regional AfD leader Bjoern Hoecke. Hoecke has decried Germany's main memorial to Holocaust victims as a "monument of shame". The BfV said some members close to Hoecke had ties to organisations that have already been classified as extremist. "Whoever discriminates against people on the basis of their origins is being racist and nationalist. Parts of the AfD are a case for the domestic intelligence office," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted, alluding to the report. "But observing them won't solve the problems. Above all we need to deal with the AfD objectively and politically." AfD co-leader Alexander Gauland condemned Haldenwang's announcement: "It is completely clear that we think this BfV decision is wrong. It's also completely clear that we will take legal action against this decision." Haldenwang said the BfV was concerned by a increase in momentum among right-wing extremist groups in recent years. The German state of Thuringia said in September it would examine whether the regional chapter of the AfD was pursuing unconstitutional goals. At that time, the states of Lower Saxony and Bremen also said their own security services tasked with policing unconstitutional activity had placed the regional chapters of the AfD's youth wing under surveillance because of suspected ties to extremists.

Germany's domestic spy agency to investigate far-right AfD

55 flights cancelled in airports across Berlin due to security staff strike

Dismayed by the German government's failure to meet climate protection targets, dairy farmer Heiner Luetke Schwienhorst has filed a lawsuit against Berlin to force it into action.

"Some describe this as a fight between David and Goliath. To me, that's beside the point," said Schwienhorst, who suffered his poorest harvest in three decades after a record drought.

"The attitude of political representatives, the way they trivialise climate targets by giving up what they have set, is something that we need to bring to political accountability. That is important," he told AFP.

Together with two other farmers and Greenpeace, Schwienhorst has launched a challenge against the German government for having "given up" trying to achieve cuts in greenhouse gas emissions set out under its own climate target, as well as under European law.

A dairy farmer near Hamburg and a livestock farmer on the North Sea island of Pellworm have joined the first such lawsuit to seek "climate protection, not monetary compensation".

Berlin had pledged to take action to slash greenhouse gas emissions in Germany by 40 per cent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.

But in its latest annual climate protection report published in June, the government admitted that it was now expecting to achieve 32 per cent in reductions compared to 1990.

The shortfall of 8 percentage points is equivalent to about 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

"It was clear in the climate protection report that the government is not planning to take further measures in order to reach the target. Instead, it has simply given up," said Anike Peters of Greenpeace.

"We're saying we're not going to accept this. Because it's not about a lack of technical possibilities to reach the target, rather it's about a lack of political will.

'Do what you promised'

With the help of lawyer Roda Verheyen, the plaintiffs lodged their case at the administrative court in Berlin at the end of October.

The court now needs to decide if there is any merit to the case.

Verheyen is no stranger to such climate cases.&nbsp;

In another high profile case in Germany, she helped bring to court a challenge by a Peruvian farmer against energy giant RWE over climate change damage in the Andes.

While the initial ruling went against them, the case is now at the appeals court.

Verheyen said that in her latest case, the issue is whether the government can be held liable for failing to implement climate protection measures, as the targets it set are not written into law.

"Here the plaintiff families say, yes. Do what you've promised, government, implement the 2020 climate protection goal."

The environment ministry, which is taking the lead in responding to the case, said the plaintiffs had every right to bring the issue to court "to seek public attention" and increase the pressure for better climate protection.

"Although Germany's climate protection efforts have made progress, they have not yet reached our goals," ministry spokesman Andreas Kuebler told AFP. "That's why we're focusing on getting ahead in climate protection.

"We are united in the same goal," Kuebler said. It was up to the court to decide whether the legal action was justified.

'Frightening'

For Schwienhorst, who has run the dairy farm in Vetschau, eastern Germany, for 30 years, the impact of a warming Earth is apparent.

Compared to the 1990s, the period of vegetation growth in a year has lengthened, while maximum temperatures have also pushed above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

"The change in the last decades is already impressive. But what happened this summer is simply frightening," he said, referring to a record drought unseen in Germany since 1911.

The dry spell has stretched from late spring, even halting water traffic across the country, including on the Rhine, one of Europe's busiest commercial arteries.

"We are still now in the phase when rain isn't expected. I'm speechless," said Schwienhorst. That those who dismiss such weather phenomena as one-offs are "impertinent", he added.

The climate also has a direct impact on his livelihood.

A summer with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius put the cows under great stress, and the drought meant his poorest harvest in the last three decades.

Schwienhorst pointed to the barn, which was far from full. This year's cereal crop -- for human consumption -- was 35 per cent below the previous year.

His losses in livestock feed crop were even more serious: up to 50 per cent, forcing him to buy 400 bales of hay.

Crucially, the farm has been forced to use up a rolling four-month reserve of feed for the cows by the summer.

"There's still hope that this weather will turn, that after this dry phase a wet phase will come. But looking at the trend, change is happening. That is indisputable."

Dismayed by the German government's failure to meet climate protection targets, dairy farmer Heiner Luetke Schwienhorst has filed a lawsuit against Berlin to force it into action.

Dismayed by the German government's failure to meet climate protection targets, dairy farmer Heiner Luetke Schwienhorst has filed a lawsuit against Berlin to force it into action. "Some describe this as a fight between David and Goliath. To me, that's beside the point," said Schwienhorst, who suffered his poorest harvest in three decades after a record drought. "The attitude of political representatives, the way they trivialise climate targets by giving up what they have set, is something that we need to bring to political accountability. That is important," he told AFP. Together with two other farmers and Greenpeace, Schwienhorst has launched a challenge against the German government for having "given up" trying to achieve cuts in greenhouse gas emissions set out under its own climate target, as well as under European law. A dairy farmer near Hamburg and a livestock farmer on the North Sea island of Pellworm have joined the first such lawsuit to seek "climate protection, not monetary compensation". Berlin had pledged to take action to slash greenhouse gas emissions in Germany by 40 per cent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. But in its latest annual climate protection report published in June, the government admitted that it was now expecting to achieve 32 per cent in reductions compared to 1990. The shortfall of 8 percentage points is equivalent to about 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. "It was clear in the climate protection report that the government is not planning to take further measures in order to reach the target. Instead, it has simply given up," said Anike Peters of Greenpeace. "We're saying we're not going to accept this. Because it's not about a lack of technical possibilities to reach the target, rather it's about a lack of political will. 'Do what you promised' With the help of lawyer Roda Verheyen, the plaintiffs lodged their case at the administrative court in Berlin at the end of October. The court now needs to decide if there is any merit to the case. Verheyen is no stranger to such climate cases. In another high profile case in Germany, she helped bring to court a challenge by a Peruvian farmer against energy giant RWE over climate change damage in the Andes. While the initial ruling went against them, the case is now at the appeals court. Verheyen said that in her latest case, the issue is whether the government can be held liable for failing to implement climate protection measures, as the targets it set are not written into law. "Here the plaintiff families say, yes. Do what you've promised, government, implement the 2020 climate protection goal." The environment ministry, which is taking the lead in responding to the case, said the plaintiffs had every right to bring the issue to court "to seek public attention" and increase the pressure for better climate protection. "Although Germany's climate protection efforts have made progress, they have not yet reached our goals," ministry spokesman Andreas Kuebler told AFP. "That's why we're focusing on getting ahead in climate protection. "We are united in the same goal," Kuebler said. It was up to the court to decide whether the legal action was justified. 'Frightening' For Schwienhorst, who has run the dairy farm in Vetschau, eastern Germany, for 30 years, the impact of a warming Earth is apparent. Compared to the 1990s, the period of vegetation growth in a year has lengthened, while maximum temperatures have also pushed above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). "The change in the last decades is already impressive. But what happened this summer is simply frightening," he said, referring to a record drought unseen in Germany since 1911. The dry spell has stretched from late spring, even halting water traffic across the country, including on the Rhine, one of Europe's busiest commercial arteries. "We are still now in the phase when rain isn't expected. I'm speechless," said Schwienhorst. That those who dismiss such weather phenomena as one-offs are "impertinent", he added. The climate also has a direct impact on his livelihood. A summer with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius put the cows under great stress, and the drought meant his poorest harvest in the last three decades. Schwienhorst pointed to the barn, which was far from full. This year's cereal crop -- for human consumption -- was 35 per cent below the previous year. His losses in livestock feed crop were even more serious: up to 50 per cent, forcing him to buy 400 bales of hay. Crucially, the farm has been forced to use up a rolling four-month reserve of feed for the cows by the summer. "There's still hope that this weather will turn, that after this dry phase a wet phase will come. But looking at the trend, change is happening. That is indisputable."

German farmer sues government over failure to meet climate protection targets

Dismayed by the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/europe/germany-annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-to-replace-merkel-as-cdu-leader-182312"> German government</a>'s failure to meet climate protection targets, dairy farmer Heiner Luetke Schwienhorst has filed a lawsuit against Berlin to force it into action.

"Some describe this as a fight between David and Goliath. To me, that's beside the point," said Schwienhorst, who suffered his poorest harvest in three decades after a record drought.

"The attitude of political representatives, the way they trivialise climate targets by giving up what they have set, is something that we need to bring to political accountability. That is important," he told AFP.

Together with two other farmers and Greenpeace, Schwienhorst has launched a challenge against the German government for having "given up" trying to achieve cuts in greenhouse gas emissions set out under its own climate target, as well as under European law.

A dairy farmer near Hamburg and a livestock farmer on the North Sea island of Pellworm have joined the first such lawsuit to seek "climate protection, not monetary compensation".

Berlin had pledged to take action to slash greenhouse gas emissions in Germany by 40 per cent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.

But in its latest annual climate protection report published in June, the government admitted that it was now expecting to achieve 32 per cent in reductions compared to 1990.

The shortfall of 8 percentage points is equivalent to about 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

"It was clear in the climate protection report that the government is not planning to take further measures in order to reach the target. Instead, it has simply given up," said Anike Peters of Greenpeace.

"We're saying we're not going to accept this. Because it's not about a lack of technical possibilities to reach the target, rather it's about a lack of political will.

'Do what you promised'&nbsp;

With the help of lawyer Roda Verheyen, the plaintiffs lodged their case at the administrative court in Berlin at the end of October.

The court now needs to decide if there is any merit to the case.

Verheyen is no stranger to such climate cases.&nbsp;

In another high profile case in Germany, she helped bring to court a challenge by a Peruvian farmer against energy giant RWE over climate change damage in the Andes.

While the initial ruling went against them, the case is now at the appeals court.

Verheyen said that in her latest case, the issue is whether the government can be held liable for failing to implement climate protection measures, as the targets it set are not written into law.

"Here the plaintiff families say, yes. Do what you've promised, government, implement the 2020 climate protection goal."

The environment ministry, which is taking the lead in responding to the case, said the plaintiffs had every right to bring the issue to court "to seek public attention" and increase the pressure for better climate protection.

"Although Germany's climate protection efforts have made progress, they have not yet reached our goals," ministry spokesman Andreas Kuebler told AFP. "That's why we're focusing on getting ahead in climate protection.

"We are united in the same goal," Kuebler said. It was up to the court to decide whether the legal action was justified.

'Frightening'&nbsp;

For Schwienhorst, who has run the dairy farm in Vetschau, eastern Germany, for 30 years, the impact of a warming Earth is apparent.

Compared to the 1990s, the period of vegetation growth in a year has lengthened, while maximum temperatures have also pushed above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

"The change in the last decades is already impressive. But what happened this summer is simply frightening," he said, referring to a record drought unseen in Germany since 1911.

The dry spell has stretched from late spring, even halting water traffic across the country, including on the Rhine, one of Europe's busiest commercial arteries.

"We are still now in the phase when rain isn't expected. I'm speechless," said Schwienhorst. That those who dismiss such weather phenomena as one-offs are "impertinent", he added.

The climate also has a direct impact on his livelihood.

A summer with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius put the cows under great stress, and the drought meant his poorest harvest in the last three decades.

Schwienhorst pointed to the barn, which was far from full. This year's cereal crop&nbsp;for human consumption&nbsp;was 35 per cent below the previous year.

His losses in livestock feed crop were even more serious: up to 50 per cent, forcing him to buy 400 bales of hay.

Crucially, the farm has been forced to use up a rolling four-month reserve of feed for the cows by the summer.

"There's still hope that this weather will turn, that after this dry phase a wet phase will come. But looking at the trend, change is happening. That is indisputable."

Dismayed by the German government's failure to meet climate protection targets, dairy farmer Heiner Luetke Schwienhorst has filed a lawsuit against Berlin to force it into action. "Some describe this as a fight between David and Goliath. To me, that's beside the point," said Schwienhorst, who suffered his poorest harvest in three decades after a record drought. "The attitude of political representatives, the way they trivialise climate targets by giving up what they have set, is something that we need to bring to political accountability. That is important," he told AFP. Together with two other farmers and Greenpeace, Schwienhorst has launched a challenge against the German government for having "given up" trying to achieve cuts in greenhouse gas emissions set out under its own climate target, as well as under European law. A dairy farmer near Hamburg and a livestock farmer on the North Sea island of Pellworm have joined the first such lawsuit to seek "climate protection, not monetary compensation". Berlin had pledged to take action to slash greenhouse gas emissions in Germany by 40 per cent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. But in its latest annual climate protection report published in June, the government admitted that it was now expecting to achieve 32 per cent in reductions compared to 1990. The shortfall of 8 percentage points is equivalent to about 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. "It was clear in the climate protection report that the government is not planning to take further measures in order to reach the target. Instead, it has simply given up," said Anike Peters of Greenpeace. "We're saying we're not going to accept this. Because it's not about a lack of technical possibilities to reach the target, rather it's about a lack of political will. 'Do what you promised' With the help of lawyer Roda Verheyen, the plaintiffs lodged their case at the administrative court in Berlin at the end of October. The court now needs to decide if there is any merit to the case. Verheyen is no stranger to such climate cases. In another high profile case in Germany, she helped bring to court a challenge by a Peruvian farmer against energy giant RWE over climate change damage in the Andes. While the initial ruling went against them, the case is now at the appeals court. Verheyen said that in her latest case, the issue is whether the government can be held liable for failing to implement climate protection measures, as the targets it set are not written into law. "Here the plaintiff families say, yes. Do what you've promised, government, implement the 2020 climate protection goal." The environment ministry, which is taking the lead in responding to the case, said the plaintiffs had every right to bring the issue to court "to seek public attention" and increase the pressure for better climate protection. "Although Germany's climate protection efforts have made progress, they have not yet reached our goals," ministry spokesman Andreas Kuebler told AFP. "That's why we're focusing on getting ahead in climate protection. "We are united in the same goal," Kuebler said. It was up to the court to decide whether the legal action was justified. 'Frightening' For Schwienhorst, who has run the dairy farm in Vetschau, eastern Germany, for 30 years, the impact of a warming Earth is apparent. Compared to the 1990s, the period of vegetation growth in a year has lengthened, while maximum temperatures have also pushed above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). "The change in the last decades is already impressive. But what happened this summer is simply frightening," he said, referring to a record drought unseen in Germany since 1911. The dry spell has stretched from late spring, even halting water traffic across the country, including on the Rhine, one of Europe's busiest commercial arteries. "We are still now in the phase when rain isn't expected. I'm speechless," said Schwienhorst. That those who dismiss such weather phenomena as one-offs are "impertinent", he added. The climate also has a direct impact on his livelihood. A summer with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius put the cows under great stress, and the drought meant his poorest harvest in the last three decades. Schwienhorst pointed to the barn, which was far from full. This year's cereal crop for human consumption was 35 per cent below the previous year. His losses in livestock feed crop were even more serious: up to 50 per cent, forcing him to buy 400 bales of hay. Crucially, the farm has been forced to use up a rolling four-month reserve of feed for the cows by the summer. "There's still hope that this weather will turn, that after this dry phase a wet phase will come. But looking at the trend, change is happening. That is indisputable."

German farmers sue government over missed climate targets

Hanukkah illuminates Berlin with menorah lighting

A ban on older diesel vehicles is the only way to bring pollution down to within permitted limits, a judge in Berlin said on Tuesday, signalling he may rule in favour of a diesel driving ban in parts of the German capital.

Judge Ulrich Marticke made his comments in court ahead of a ruling expected later in the day.

While he said the level of harmful nitrogen dioxide in the air was declining, he added there was no reasonable doubt that a ban on older diesel vehicles was the only way to cut pollution to permitted limits.

The case was brought against the city-state by environmental lobby group DUH, which wants Berlin to reduce air pollution by banning diesel vehicles up to the Euro 4 standard from the end of 2018 and for Euro 5 standard cars from September 2019. The latest standard is Euro 6.

Local broadcaster rbb reported on Friday that Berlin authorities were looking at imposing driving bans on older diesel cars on 20 streets, including major routes in the city.

Volkswagen's admission in 2015 that it cheated US diesel emissions tests led to the discovery that diesel vehicles from several manufacturers routinely exceed pollution limits in normal driving conditions, prompting a regulatory crackdown.

Environmental groups have been encouraged by a federal court ruling in February that allowed cities to ban older diesel cars.

A ban is due to take effect in Frankfurt, Germany's financial capital, from February. The city of Hamburg this year voluntarily blocked diesel models that fail to meet the Euro-6 emissions standard from selected trunk roads.

A ban on older diesel vehicles is the only way to bring pollution down to within permitted limits, a judge in Berlin said on Tuesday, signalling he may rule in favour of a diesel driving ban in parts of the German capital.

A ban on older diesel vehicles is the only way to bring pollution down to within permitted limits, a judge in Berlin said on Tuesday, signalling he may rule in favour of a diesel driving ban in parts of the German capital. Judge Ulrich Marticke made his comments in court ahead of a ruling expected later in the day. While he said the level of harmful nitrogen dioxide in the air was declining, he added there was no reasonable doubt that a ban on older diesel vehicles was the only way to cut pollution to permitted limits. The case was brought against the city-state by environmental lobby group DUH, which wants Berlin to reduce air pollution by banning diesel vehicles up to the Euro 4 standard from the end of 2018 and for Euro 5 standard cars from September 2019. The latest standard is Euro 6. Local broadcaster rbb reported on Friday that Berlin authorities were looking at imposing driving bans on older diesel cars on 20 streets, including major routes in the city. Volkswagen's admission in 2015 that it cheated US diesel emissions tests led to the discovery that diesel vehicles from several manufacturers routinely exceed pollution limits in normal driving conditions, prompting a regulatory crackdown. Environmental groups have been encouraged by a federal court ruling in February that allowed cities to ban older diesel cars. A ban is due to take effect in Frankfurt, Germany's financial capital, from February. The city of Hamburg this year voluntarily blocked diesel models that fail to meet the Euro-6 emissions standard from selected trunk roads.

Diesel ban only way to cut pollution: Berlin

France and Germany are pushing for an EU-wide initiative to fund innovation and research in tech start-up projects across the bloc so that Europe can compete more effectively against the likes of China and the United States.

Europe has long been seen as a laggard in developing new technologies compared with the United States, which has a strong venture capital industry funding Silicon Valley start-ups.

The more risk-averse culture in Europe has also been cited as an obstacle to creating a "European Google", partly because failure can carry more stigma than it does across the Atlantic.

Berlin and Paris called for the European Innovation Council to fund "ambitious" tech start-ups in a paper presented to European Union leaders at the Balkan summit last week.

"A joint effort is also needed to further improve the venture capital environment and regulations to allow successful market transfer of breakthrough innovations, as well as the foundation and growth of disruptive deep technology companies in Europe," the paper, seen by Reuters, said.

EU heavyweights France and Germany are pushing for reforms in various sectors before a summit of EU leaders in June and want Europe to be ahead in new digital technologies.

In the paper, they say the aim is to create a network to bring breakthrough innovations in science to the marketplace and to open up the network to other interested EU countries.

France and Germany want national initiatives to be complemented by EU ones, which can have more added value for the establishment and the growth of tech start-ups, the paper said.

France has already promised to spend 1.5 billion euros ($1.75 billion) on artificial intelligence by 2022 to reverse a brain drain and catch up with dominant US&nbsp;and Chinese tech giants.

Berlin and Paris want their project to focus on tech leaders in academia as well as entrepreneurs and to provide funding for high-risk tech projects.

Europe has long been seen as a laggard in developing new technologies compared with the United States

France and Germany are pushing for an EU-wide initiative to fund innovation and research in tech start-up projects across the bloc so that Europe can compete more effectively against the likes of China and the United States. Europe has long been seen as a laggard in developing new technologies compared with the United States, which has a strong venture capital industry funding Silicon Valley start-ups. The more risk-averse culture in Europe has also been cited as an obstacle to creating a "European Google", partly because failure can carry more stigma than it does across the Atlantic. Berlin and Paris called for the European Innovation Council to fund "ambitious" tech start-ups in a paper presented to European Union leaders at the Balkan summit last week. "A joint effort is also needed to further improve the venture capital environment and regulations to allow successful market transfer of breakthrough innovations, as well as the foundation and growth of disruptive deep technology companies in Europe," the paper, seen by Reuters, said. EU heavyweights France and Germany are pushing for reforms in various sectors before a summit of EU leaders in June and want Europe to be ahead in new digital technologies. In the paper, they say the aim is to create a network to bring breakthrough innovations in science to the marketplace and to open up the network to other interested EU countries. France and Germany want national initiatives to be complemented by EU ones, which can have more added value for the establishment and the growth of tech start-ups, the paper said. France has already promised to spend 1.5 billion euros ($1.75 billion) on artificial intelligence by 2022 to reverse a brain drain and catch up with dominant US and Chinese tech giants. Berlin and Paris want their project to focus on tech leaders in academia as well as entrepreneurs and to provide funding for high-risk tech projects.

France and Germany push for EU funding for technology start-ups

Some 5,000 supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) marched through the streets of Berlin on Sunday, but they were heavily outnumbered by anti-AfD demonstrations.

The AfD's anti-immigration, anti-European Union and anti-Muslim messages helped it become the third largest party in the German Bundestag in last September's vote but it has had little impact on parliamentary debate since then.

The AfD demonstrators, bussed in from around Germany, marched from Berlin's main station, down the banks of the Spree river to the Brandenburg Gate near the German parliament.

But there were around 20,000 anti-AfD protesters - according to police estimates - most of them younger people, highlighting the divisions that have emerged in Germany since the 2015 refugee crisis.

The AfD supporters, mostly older, waved German and AfD flags and carried placards demanding "Democracy not Merkelatorship."

Senior AfD lawmaker Beatrix von Storch, who addressed the supporters as they set off from the central station, said: "The rule of Islam in Germany is the rule of evil."

Berliners responded with at least 13 registered counter-demonstrations. These included one by the city's club scene, which put on a techno music party, aiming to "Bass the AfD away" with music blasting from speakers on 20 public address trucks.

"We want to be loud enough to drown out the racist speeches," an activist named Rosa told RBB public television. The thudding techno beat echoed across the city centre on Sunday afternoon.

Another group of anti-AfD protesters were on a boat on the Spree river holding up placards saying "You stink!"

The AfD is now the largest opposition party following the deal between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats to renew their grand coalition.

As a result, the AfD, founded as an anti-European Union party by a group of academics in 2013, has a host of powerful committee chairmanships, but has so far failed to capitalise on them.

Sunday's protests were broadly peaceful, with only one minor injury reported amid a heavy police presence.

The AfD's anti-immigration, anti-European Union and anti-Muslim messages helped it become the third largest party in the German Bundestag in last September's vote but it has had little impact on parliamentary debate since then

Some 5,000 supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) marched through the streets of Berlin on Sunday, but they were heavily outnumbered by anti-AfD demonstrations. The AfD's anti-immigration, anti-European Union and anti-Muslim messages helped it become the third largest party in the German Bundestag in last September's vote but it has had little impact on parliamentary debate since then. The AfD demonstrators, bussed in from around Germany, marched from Berlin's main station, down the banks of the Spree river to the Brandenburg Gate near the German parliament. But there were around 20,000 anti-AfD protesters - according to police estimates - most of them younger people, highlighting the divisions that have emerged in Germany since the 2015 refugee crisis. The AfD supporters, mostly older, waved German and AfD flags and carried placards demanding "Democracy not Merkelatorship." Senior AfD lawmaker Beatrix von Storch, who addressed the supporters as they set off from the central station, said: "The rule of Islam in Germany is the rule of evil." Berliners responded with at least 13 registered counter-demonstrations. These included one by the city's club scene, which put on a techno music party, aiming to "Bass the AfD away" with music blasting from speakers on 20 public address trucks. "We want to be loud enough to drown out the racist speeches," an activist named Rosa told RBB public television. The thudding techno beat echoed across the city centre on Sunday afternoon. Another group of anti-AfD protesters were on a boat on the Spree river holding up placards saying "You stink!" The AfD is now the largest opposition party following the deal between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats to renew their grand coalition. As a result, the AfD, founded as an anti-European Union party by a group of academics in 2013, has a host of powerful committee chairmanships, but has so far failed to capitalise on them. Sunday's protests were broadly peaceful, with only one minor injury reported amid a heavy police presence.

Germany's far-right AfD supporters outnumbered by protesters in Berlin

Germany's role in the Syrian <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-us-france-says-highly-likely-evidence-will-be-removed-from-syria-attack-site-131026">peace process must be to </a>secure the channels of communication with Russia that are necessary to achieve a political solution to the country's seven-year-old civil war, foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday.

Maas's remarks came as Western foreign ministers braced for another round of diplomacy on the conflict at a Toronto summit this weekend, from which Russia, the strongest international backer of Syrian President Bashir al-Assad, will be absent.

Germany backed missile strikes by the United States, Britain and France against Syrian targets over the suspected use of chemical weapons by Assad's forces, but also wants to avoid further isolating Russia, despite a sharp cooling in relations.

"The aim we are pursuing in the foreign ministry is to keep Germany an appreciable part of the peace initiative," Maas told a joint news conference with visiting Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland.

"The aim ... is that in our role we can be the ones who can prop open the window for dialogue with Russia," he added.

Since taking office earlier this year, Maas, a Social Democrat, has spearheaded a harsher line towards Moscow, one which has divided his party, which sees itself as the heir to Germany's pioneering "Ostpolitik" policy of opening up to the Soviet Union in the 1970s.

"We have to use this moment to get the political process going again," he added. "We also need Russia for this dialogue."

Since taking office earlier this year, Maas, a Social Democrat, has spearheaded a harsher line towards Moscow.

Germany's role in the Syrian peace process must be to secure the channels of communication with Russia that are necessary to achieve a political solution to the country's seven-year-old civil war, foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday. Maas's remarks came as Western foreign ministers braced for another round of diplomacy on the conflict at a Toronto summit this weekend, from which Russia, the strongest international backer of Syrian President Bashir al-Assad, will be absent. Germany backed missile strikes by the United States, Britain and France against Syrian targets over the suspected use of chemical weapons by Assad's forces, but also wants to avoid further isolating Russia, despite a sharp cooling in relations. "The aim we are pursuing in the foreign ministry is to keep Germany an appreciable part of the peace initiative," Maas told a joint news conference with visiting Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. "The aim ... is that in our role we can be the ones who can prop open the window for dialogue with Russia," he added. Since taking office earlier this year, Maas, a Social Democrat, has spearheaded a harsher line towards Moscow, one which has divided his party, which sees itself as the heir to Germany's pioneering "Ostpolitik" policy of opening up to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. "We have to use this moment to get the political process going again," he added. "We also need Russia for this dialogue."

Syria strikes: 'Can open window for dialogue with Russia,' says German foreign minister

Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said on Saturday he would remain in Berlin while a German court considers whether to extradite him to Spain on a charge of misuse of public funds but he hoped to return to live in Belgium eventually.

A German court on Thursday rejected an extradition request for Puigdemont on the more serious charge of rebellion for his role in the campaign for the region`s independence that could have resulted in a decades-long jail sentence in Spain.

"My wish is to return to Belgium. But only after the end of the proceedings here in Germany, not before," he told reporters in Berlin.

"My plan is to remain of course in Berlin. It is my residence now until the end of this process," he said.&nbsp

Puigdemont, who fled Spain five months ago for Belgium after his administration`s declaration of independence from Spain led to Madrid taking direct control of the regional government, was arrested last month on a Spanish-issued warrant as he entered Germany.

The Spanish government has said it would respect the German court`s decision. But Spain's Supreme Court said on Friday it was considering consulting the European Court of Justice on the ruling, without giving more details.

Spain`s Supreme Court reactivated international arrest warrants last month for Puigdemont and four other Catalan politicians who went into self-imposed exile last year.

Puigdemont, who fled Spain five months ago for Belgium after his administration`s declaration of independence from Spain led to Madrid taking direct control of the regional government, was arrested last month on a Spanish-issued warrant as he entered Germany

Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said on Saturday he would remain in Berlin while a German court considers whether to extradite him to Spain on a charge of misuse of public funds but he hoped to return to live in Belgium eventually. A German court on Thursday rejected an extradition request for Puigdemont on the more serious charge of rebellion for his role in the campaign for the region`s independence that could have resulted in a decades-long jail sentence in Spain. "My wish is to return to Belgium. But only after the end of the proceedings here in Germany, not before," he told reporters in Berlin. "My plan is to remain of course in Berlin. It is my residence now until the end of this process," he said. Puigdemont, who fled Spain five months ago for Belgium after his administration`s declaration of independence from Spain led to Madrid taking direct control of the regional government, was arrested last month on a Spanish-issued warrant as he entered Germany. The Spanish government has said it would respect the German court`s decision. But Spain's Supreme Court said on Friday it was considering consulting the European Court of Justice on the ruling, without giving more details. Spain`s Supreme Court reactivated international arrest warrants last month for Puigdemont and four other Catalan politicians who went into self-imposed exile last year.

Catalan ex-leader Puigdemont hopes to return to Belgium

At least 48 people were injured, 10 of them seriously, when a school bus in Germany crashed into a wall Tuesday, police said.

The accident, whose cause was not immediately clear, occurred at about 7:00 am (0600 GMT) en route to a school in the southwestern town of Eberbach.

&quot;The fully occupied school bus drove for reasons that were not immediately clear at full speed into several other vehicles and then into the wall of an electronics shop,&quot; police said in a statement.

Forty-three of those hurt were children and a total of 10 victims suffered grave injuries. The driver was slightly hurt, a police spokesman told DPA news agency.

Three rescue helicopters helped rush victims to local hospitals while first responders and ambulances were dispatched to treat the more lightly injured at the scene, the police statement said.&nbsp;

The site of the accident was cleared of traffic as investigators began work to determine the cause of the crash.

&nbsp;

Three rescue helicopters helped rush victims to local hospitals

At least 48 people were injured, 10 of them seriously, when a school bus in Germany crashed into a wall Tuesday, police said. The accident, whose cause was not immediately clear, occurred at about 7:00 am (0600 GMT) en route to a school in the southwestern town of Eberbach. "The fully occupied school bus drove for reasons that were not immediately clear at full speed into several other vehicles and then into the wall of an electronics shop," police said in a statement. Forty-three of those hurt were children and a total of 10 victims suffered grave injuries. The driver was slightly hurt, a police spokesman told DPA news agency. Three rescue helicopters helped rush victims to local hospitals while first responders and ambulances were dispatched to treat the more lightly injured at the scene, the police statement said. The site of the accident was cleared of traffic as investigators began work to determine the cause of the crash.

48 injured in German school bus crash

Germany&#39;s veteran chancellor Angela Merkel, often called the world&#39;s most powerful woman, will embark on a fourth term with diminished influence and little vision for shaping Europe&#39;s future, analysts say.&nbsp;

After wrapping up more than 24 hours of talks Friday between her conservatives and the Social Democrats on forming a new &quot;grand coalition&quot; government, Merkel insisted the preliminary deal would break the deadlock in Germany and pave the way to a &quot;fresh start&quot; for Europe.

But before the ink was even dry on the roadmap for her new administration, observers branded Merkel and the team she&#39;s likely to lead a &quot;losers&#39;&quot; coalition with little ambition or power to tackle the major challenges facing the country and the continent.

&quot;In fact this &#39;grand coalition&#39; is only a mini-coalition with just 53 percent&quot; of seats in parliament following the September election that saw both parties cede millions of voters to the far-right, anti-immigration AfD party, political scientist Karl-Rudolf Korte of Duisburg-Essen University said.

This compares with the lavish, nearly 80-percent majority the parties enjoyed during Merkel&#39;s previous term, he told public broadcaster ZDF.

Merkel insisted the accord with the Social Democrats, which must still be approved by the party&#39;s rank and file, would ensure Germany&#39;s enduring stability and prosperity.

&quot;We will work earnestly, today and during the next term, to create the conditions so that we can also live well in Germany in the next 10 years and 15 years,&quot; she told reporters, flanked by SPD leader Martin Schulz and the head of Bavaria&#39;s Christian Social Union, Horst Seehofer. 
However influential news magazine Der Spiegel branded the alliance led by Merkel, who has been in power since 2005, a &quot;paleo-coalition&quot; of political dinosaurs bereft of fresh blood to propel renewal.

While France&#39;s young president Emmanuel Macron said he was &quot;happy&quot; about progress in ending Germany&#39;s four-month-long political limbo, critics at home savaged the tired-looking troupe.

&quot;The losers of the September election have come together again and you have to say that this programme blueprint doesn&#39;t even begin to address the problems in our society,&quot; charged Dietmar Bartsch, a leading figure with the far-left Linke opposition party. &nbsp;

Nicola Beer of the pro-business Free Democrats said the deal showed little imagination or &quot;future-oriented pragmatism&quot; and would thus feed disillusionment and support &quot;for the extreme right and left&quot; of the political spectrum.

The 28-page joint policy outlines included pledges to join France in a push to &quot;strengthen and reform&quot; the eurozone, to limit the influx of asylum seekers to Germany to around 200,000 a year, and to refrain from tax hikes given the healthy state coffers.

But the absence of grand new initiatives led political scientist Werner Patzelt of Dresden&#39;s Technical Institute to conclude that more-of-the-same from Berlin could boost the AfD in particular.

&quot;It will hand them success in upcoming state elections and they&#39;ll step up calls for Merkel to resign,&quot; he said, attributing her relative weakness to the record refugee influx in 2015 that undermined her standing with many voters.

Although Merkel stunned many observers abroad by winning re-election despite her controversial open-border stance, her struggle to form a viable coalition has revived speculation about the twilight of her reign. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;Angela Merkel is past her zenith,&quot; Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin&#39;s Free University told business daily Handelsblatt.

&quot;In the interest of her party&#39;s electoral strength, she should not stay in office for the entire legislative term&quot; running until 2021.

A majority of Germans now share this view according to a poll published this week, with 56 percent calling for her to leave the stage before the next scheduled elections.

Germany's veteran chancellor Angela Merkel, often called the world's most powerful woman, will embark on a fourth term with diminished influence and little vision for shaping Europe's future, analysts say

Germany's veteran chancellor Angela Merkel, often called the world's most powerful woman, will embark on a fourth term with diminished influence and little vision for shaping Europe's future, analysts say. After wrapping up more than 24 hours of talks Friday between her conservatives and the Social Democrats on forming a new "grand coalition" government, Merkel insisted the preliminary deal would break the deadlock in Germany and pave the way to a "fresh start" for Europe. But before the ink was even dry on the roadmap for her new administration, observers branded Merkel and the team she's likely to lead a "losers'" coalition with little ambition or power to tackle the major challenges facing the country and the continent. "In fact this 'grand coalition' is only a mini-coalition with just 53 percent" of seats in parliament following the September election that saw both parties cede millions of voters to the far-right, anti-immigration AfD party, political scientist Karl-Rudolf Korte of Duisburg-Essen University said. This compares with the lavish, nearly 80-percent majority the parties enjoyed during Merkel's previous term, he told public broadcaster ZDF. Merkel insisted the accord with the Social Democrats, which must still be approved by the party's rank and file, would ensure Germany's enduring stability and prosperity. "We will work earnestly, today and during the next term, to create the conditions so that we can also live well in Germany in the next 10 years and 15 years," she told reporters, flanked by SPD leader Martin Schulz and the head of Bavaria's Christian Social Union, Horst Seehofer. However influential news magazine Der Spiegel branded the alliance led by Merkel, who has been in power since 2005, a "paleo-coalition" of political dinosaurs bereft of fresh blood to propel renewal. While France's young president Emmanuel Macron said he was "happy" about progress in ending Germany's four-month-long political limbo, critics at home savaged the tired-looking troupe. "The losers of the September election have come together again and you have to say that this programme blueprint doesn't even begin to address the problems in our society," charged Dietmar Bartsch, a leading figure with the far-left Linke opposition party. Nicola Beer of the pro-business Free Democrats said the deal showed little imagination or "future-oriented pragmatism" and would thus feed disillusionment and support "for the extreme right and left" of the political spectrum. The 28-page joint policy outlines included pledges to join France in a push to "strengthen and reform" the eurozone, to limit the influx of asylum seekers to Germany to around 200,000 a year, and to refrain from tax hikes given the healthy state coffers. But the absence of grand new initiatives led political scientist Werner Patzelt of Dresden's Technical Institute to conclude that more-of-the-same from Berlin could boost the AfD in particular. "It will hand them success in upcoming state elections and they'll step up calls for Merkel to resign," he said, attributing her relative weakness to the record refugee influx in 2015 that undermined her standing with many voters. Although Merkel stunned many observers abroad by winning re-election despite her controversial open-border stance, her struggle to form a viable coalition has revived speculation about the twilight of her reign. "Angela Merkel is past her zenith," Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin's Free University told business daily Handelsblatt. "In the interest of her party's electoral strength, she should not stay in office for the entire legislative term" running until 2021. A majority of Germans now share this view according to a poll published this week, with 56 percent calling for her to leave the stage before the next scheduled elections.

Merkel risks leading weak 'losers' coalition for Germany

Wes Anderson&rsquo;s stop-motion animation film &quot;Isle of Dogs&quot; will get a world premiere at the Berlin film festival on February 15, 2018.&nbsp;

The movie is set in a&nbsp;dystopian future in Japan where all dogs have been exiled to a quarantine island after a mysterious &ldquo;canine flu&rdquo; grips the country.

&quot;Isle of Dogs&quot;&nbsp;follows the lead character, a 12-year-old named Atari as he searches for his dog, Spots.

Voices of the most-active dogs have been lent by actors Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton and Tilda Swinton.

Even before the trailer launch, the movie saw itself steaming in controversy when the makers decided to cast American voices in place of Japanese even though the movie is set in Japan. It has since been announced that Canadian-Japanese actor&nbsp;Koyu Rankin will voice the key role of Atari, the boy.&nbsp;

Wes Anderson had previously directed &quot;The Grand Budapest Hotel&#39; which was also successful in securing the opening gala spot at the Berlin film festival in 2014. &quot;The Grand Budapest Hotel&quot; had gone ahead to win the most Oscar nominations that year -- and won four, for&nbsp;best makeup, production design, costume design and score.

&quot;Isle of Dogs&quot;&nbsp;is due for release on March 23 in the US, March 29 in Australia, and March 30 in the UK.

Watch the trailer:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dt__kig8PVU" width="970"></iframe>

The stop-motion animation of a dystopian dog island will premiere in Berlin in February 2018

Wes Anderson’s stop-motion animation film "Isle of Dogs" will get a world premiere at the Berlin film festival on February 15, 2018. The movie is set in a dystopian future in Japan where all dogs have been exiled to a quarantine island after a mysterious “canine flu” grips the country. "Isle of Dogs" follows the lead character, a 12-year-old named Atari as he searches for his dog, Spots. Voices of the most-active dogs have been lent by actors Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton and Tilda Swinton. Even before the trailer launch, the movie saw itself steaming in controversy when the makers decided to cast American voices in place of Japanese even though the movie is set in Japan. It has since been announced that Canadian-Japanese actor Koyu Rankin will voice the key role of Atari, the boy. Wes Anderson had previously directed "The Grand Budapest Hotel' which was also successful in securing the opening gala spot at the Berlin film festival in 2014. "The Grand Budapest Hotel" had gone ahead to win the most Oscar nominations that year -- and won four, for best makeup, production design, costume design and score. "Isle of Dogs" is due for release on March 23 in the US, March 29 in Australia, and March 30 in the UK. Watch the trailer:

Wes Anderson's 'Isle of Dogs' to open Berlin film festival

The leaders of Germany&#39;s Social Democrats (SPD) agreed on Monday to enter talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel&#39;s conservatives on forming a government that could end political deadlock in Europe&#39;s largest economy.

The centre-left SPD set the contours of its demands in coalition talks with the conservatives expected to start next year in a document seen by Reuters, with proposals on issues like the economy and immigration likely to cause friction.

Merkel turned to the SPD after she failed to form a three-way alliance with the left-leaning Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats, plunging Germany into a political impasse and raising doubt about her future after 12 years in power.

On the highly divisive issue of immigration, one of the main reasons for the collapse of Merkel&#39;s first effort, the SPD said it opposed a conservative plan to extend a ban on the right to family reunions for some asylum seekers that expires in March.

&quot;Family reunions and the cohabitation of a family lead to good integration,&quot; the SPD document said. &quot;That&#39;s why we are against the extension the suspension of family reunions.&quot;

Merkel could also face complications emanating from her own conservative camp.

Her arch-conservative allies in Bavaria on Monday named a right-winger to be their candidate for the premiership in a regional election next year. The move raises the risk of disputes in Merkel&#39;s conservative bloc and weaken her hand as she negotiates with the SPD.

Markus Soeder will be the Christian Social Union (CSU) candidate for premier in a vote in the rich state of Bavaria next autumn where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is set to enter the regional parliament for the first time.

Macron or Merkel&#39;s Europe?

Merkel&#39;s Christian Democrats (CDU) and their sister party CSU bled support to the AfD in the general election on September 24 and the Bavaria-based CSU fears the far-right party will steal conservative voters angry with the chancellor&#39;s decision in 2015 to open Germany&#39;s door to more than a million asylum seekers.

The future of current Bavarian premier Horst Seehofer had been in question since the election. After the election losses, Merkel reluctantly accepted a CSU demand to put a limit on the number of asylum seekers Germany will accept each year.

The SPD did not stake out a position on the conservatives&#39;&nbsp;upper limit on refugees in their document.

The SPD, which has governed in coalition under Merkel since 2013, suffered its worst election result in postwar history and is reluctant to join another &quot;grand coalition&quot;.

It dropped its pledge to sit in opposition after Merkel failed to form a government, bowing to pressure from President Frank-Walter Steimeier to unwind the impasse.

The SPD will hold a party congress in Berlin on December 7-9, where it is expected to debate its position in coalition talks.

The future of the European Union and eurozone reforms championed by French President Emmanuel Macron are another policy issue that could complicate life for Merkel.

The SPD said during the election that Germany should embrace Macron`s proposals.

In its position document, the SPD said Germany should work with Macron on strengthening the European project through economic policies geared to fight high youths unemployment.

It did not mention key elements of Macron&#39;s demands that the eurozone should have its own budget and finance minister but it did mention his plan for closer cooperation in defence.

On the economy, the SPD&#39;s proposals for more rights for workers and employee-friendly regulation of the large temporary work sector could draw fire from the CSU.

&nbsp;

Merkel turned to the SPD after she failed to form a three-way alliance with the left-leaning Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats, plunging Germany into a political impasse and raising doubt about her future after 12 years in power

The leaders of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) agreed on Monday to enter talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives on forming a government that could end political deadlock in Europe's largest economy. The centre-left SPD set the contours of its demands in coalition talks with the conservatives expected to start next year in a document seen by Reuters, with proposals on issues like the economy and immigration likely to cause friction. Merkel turned to the SPD after she failed to form a three-way alliance with the left-leaning Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats, plunging Germany into a political impasse and raising doubt about her future after 12 years in power. On the highly divisive issue of immigration, one of the main reasons for the collapse of Merkel's first effort, the SPD said it opposed a conservative plan to extend a ban on the right to family reunions for some asylum seekers that expires in March. "Family reunions and the cohabitation of a family lead to good integration," the SPD document said. "That's why we are against the extension the suspension of family reunions." Merkel could also face complications emanating from her own conservative camp. Her arch-conservative allies in Bavaria on Monday named a right-winger to be their candidate for the premiership in a regional election next year. The move raises the risk of disputes in Merkel's conservative bloc and weaken her hand as she negotiates with the SPD. Markus Soeder will be the Christian Social Union (CSU) candidate for premier in a vote in the rich state of Bavaria next autumn where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is set to enter the regional parliament for the first time. Macron or Merkel's Europe? Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and their sister party CSU bled support to the AfD in the general election on September 24 and the Bavaria-based CSU fears the far-right party will steal conservative voters angry with the chancellor's decision in 2015 to open Germany's door to more than a million asylum seekers. The future of current Bavarian premier Horst Seehofer had been in question since the election. After the election losses, Merkel reluctantly accepted a CSU demand to put a limit on the number of asylum seekers Germany will accept each year. The SPD did not stake out a position on the conservatives' upper limit on refugees in their document. The SPD, which has governed in coalition under Merkel since 2013, suffered its worst election result in postwar history and is reluctant to join another "grand coalition". It dropped its pledge to sit in opposition after Merkel failed to form a government, bowing to pressure from President Frank-Walter Steimeier to unwind the impasse. The SPD will hold a party congress in Berlin on December 7-9, where it is expected to debate its position in coalition talks. The future of the European Union and eurozone reforms championed by French President Emmanuel Macron are another policy issue that could complicate life for Merkel. The SPD said during the election that Germany should embrace Macron`s proposals. In its position document, the SPD said Germany should work with Macron on strengthening the European project through economic policies geared to fight high youths unemployment. It did not mention key elements of Macron's demands that the eurozone should have its own budget and finance minister but it did mention his plan for closer cooperation in defence. On the economy, the SPD's proposals for more rights for workers and employee-friendly regulation of the large temporary work sector could draw fire from the CSU.

Germany's SPD lay out position for talks with Merkel

Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to cruise to victory in elections Sunday but also to face the breakthrough into parliament of hard-right populists for the first time in Germany&#39;s post-war history.

Voting begins at 0600 GMT in Europe&#39;s biggest economy and exit polls are announced at 1600 GMT, with few expecting surprises given Merkel&#39;s double-digit poll lead.

For months, the woman now dubbed the &quot;eternal chancellor&quot; has been the favourite over her centre-left rival Martin Schulz and looked set to win another term and match the 16-year reign of her mentor Helmut Kohl.

To many in the West, a fourth Merkel victory will come as a relief in a turbulent world, with hopes she will serve as a calm-headed counterweight to US President Donald Trump and Russia&#39;s Vladimir Putin and as the key EU ally to reformist French President Emmanuel Macron.

But the election is also expected to mark a milestone for the four-year-old Alternative for Germany (AfD) which, like right-wing populists elsewhere, rails against migrants, Muslims and mainstream parties.

It has been polling at 11-13 percent and could become Germany&#39;s third strongest party, driven by anger over the influx of one million migrants and refugees, many from war-torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, since 2015.

&quot;The AfD&#39;s entry into the Bundestag marks an epochal step forward for the far right,&quot; said Joerg Forbrig of think-tank the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

By entering parliament, he said, &quot;the xenophobic, revisionist and anti-European political force&quot; will have heightened visibility and access to campaign finance, dozens of offices and hundreds of staff.

After a &quot;vicious&quot; campaign, in which the AfD demanded an end to German guilt over two world wars, Forbig warned that &quot;German democracy is about to face its biggest stress test ever&quot;.

At Merkel&#39;s final major stump speech Friday in the southern city of Munich, right-wing activists tried to drown her out with whistles and vuvuzelas and chants of &quot;get lost&quot;.

But the 63-year-old refused to be derailed from her stability-and-prosperity mantra, telling the crowd that &quot;the future of Germany will definitely not be built with whistles and hollers&quot;.

Schulz, for his part, recalled with pride the SPD&#39;s history of resisting the Nazi regime and told a Berlin rally that &quot;this Alternative for Germany is no alternative. They are a shame for our nation.&quot;

Aside from the populist noise, the past two months of campaigning have been widely criticised as lacklustre, with few hot-button issues dividing the main contenders.

The more outspoken Schulz, former president of the European Parliament, has told voters to reject Merkel&#39;s &quot;sleeping-pill politics&quot; and vote against &quot;another four years of stagnation and lethargy&quot;.

In greying Germany, more than half of the 61 million voters are aged 52 or older, and especially Merkel&#39;s conservatives have pitched a low-key and reassuring message of stability and prosperity.

On Saturday, Merkel -- who has signalled she was running again mainly out of a sense of duty -- urged her supporters to cast their ballots with a folksy call to &quot;bring home the bacon&quot;.

For the past term, Merkel&#39;s CDU has ruled with the SPD as its junior partner in a &quot;grand coalition&quot;, marked by broad agreement on major topics, from foreign policy to migration.

Governing in Merkel&#39;s shadow has cost the SPD voter support, and polls give it 21-22 percent compared to 34-36 percent for Merkel&#39;s conservative bloc, which also includes the Bavarian CSU.

Looking at the surveys, many rank-and-file SPD members believe the traditional working class party would benefit from a stint in opposition to rekindle its fighting spirit.

This would leave the presumed winner Merkel in need of new coalition partners -- possibly the liberal and pro-business Free Democrats, who are hoping for a comeback after crashing out of parliament four years ago.

Another potential partner would be the ecologist and left-leaning Greens party, which, however, starkly differs with the FDP on issues from climate change to migration policy.

For months, she is dubbed as the "eternal chancellor" and has been a favourite over her centre-left rival Martin Schulz

Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to cruise to victory in elections Sunday but also to face the breakthrough into parliament of hard-right populists for the first time in Germany's post-war history. Voting begins at 0600 GMT in Europe's biggest economy and exit polls are announced at 1600 GMT, with few expecting surprises given Merkel's double-digit poll lead. For months, the woman now dubbed the "eternal chancellor" has been the favourite over her centre-left rival Martin Schulz and looked set to win another term and match the 16-year reign of her mentor Helmut Kohl. To many in the West, a fourth Merkel victory will come as a relief in a turbulent world, with hopes she will serve as a calm-headed counterweight to US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin and as the key EU ally to reformist French President Emmanuel Macron. But the election is also expected to mark a milestone for the four-year-old Alternative for Germany (AfD) which, like right-wing populists elsewhere, rails against migrants, Muslims and mainstream parties. It has been polling at 11-13 percent and could become Germany's third strongest party, driven by anger over the influx of one million migrants and refugees, many from war-torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, since 2015. "The AfD's entry into the Bundestag marks an epochal step forward for the far right," said Joerg Forbrig of think-tank the German Marshall Fund of the United States. By entering parliament, he said, "the xenophobic, revisionist and anti-European political force" will have heightened visibility and access to campaign finance, dozens of offices and hundreds of staff. After a "vicious" campaign, in which the AfD demanded an end to German guilt over two world wars, Forbig warned that "German democracy is about to face its biggest stress test ever". At Merkel's final major stump speech Friday in the southern city of Munich, right-wing activists tried to drown her out with whistles and vuvuzelas and chants of "get lost". But the 63-year-old refused to be derailed from her stability-and-prosperity mantra, telling the crowd that "the future of Germany will definitely not be built with whistles and hollers". Schulz, for his part, recalled with pride the SPD's history of resisting the Nazi regime and told a Berlin rally that "this Alternative for Germany is no alternative. They are a shame for our nation." Aside from the populist noise, the past two months of campaigning have been widely criticised as lacklustre, with few hot-button issues dividing the main contenders. The more outspoken Schulz, former president of the European Parliament, has told voters to reject Merkel's "sleeping-pill politics" and vote against "another four years of stagnation and lethargy". In greying Germany, more than half of the 61 million voters are aged 52 or older, and especially Merkel's conservatives have pitched a low-key and reassuring message of stability and prosperity. On Saturday, Merkel -- who has signalled she was running again mainly out of a sense of duty -- urged her supporters to cast their ballots with a folksy call to "bring home the bacon". For the past term, Merkel's CDU has ruled with the SPD as its junior partner in a "grand coalition", marked by broad agreement on major topics, from foreign policy to migration. Governing in Merkel's shadow has cost the SPD voter support, and polls give it 21-22 percent compared to 34-36 percent for Merkel's conservative bloc, which also includes the Bavarian CSU. Looking at the surveys, many rank-and-file SPD members believe the traditional working class party would benefit from a stint in opposition to rekindle its fighting spirit. This would leave the presumed winner Merkel in need of new coalition partners -- possibly the liberal and pro-business Free Democrats, who are hoping for a comeback after crashing out of parliament four years ago. Another potential partner would be the ecologist and left-leaning Greens party, which, however, starkly differs with the FDP on issues from climate change to migration policy.

Merkel heads for German poll win, hard-right AfD for first seats

With a mission to spread a liberal form of Islam, a mosque where men and women pray side by side has opened its doors in Berlin, complete with female imams.

The Arabic phrase &quot;Allahu Akbar&quot; (&#39;God is greatest&#39;) resonated through the crowded Ibn-Rushd-Goethe-Mosque Friday as US-Malaysian Ani Zonneveld, one of the world&#39;s few female imams, launched the call to prayer.

Then one of the founders of the new place of worship, lawyer and women&#39;s rights activist Seyran Ates, opened the event with words of welcome before Christian and Jewish guests and a large media contingent.

&quot;We want to send a signal against Islamic terror and the misuse of our religion,&quot; said Turkish-born Ates, 54, dressed in a long white robe. &quot;We want to practise our religion together.&quot;

Ates -- no stranger to breaking taboos, having called for a &quot;sexual revolution&quot; in the Muslim world -- vowed she would not allow ultra-conservatives &quot;to rob me of my right to be Muslim&quot;.

Kneeling on green carpets, the faithful -- men and women, side by side -- bowed to Mecca for the traditional prayer as the imam spoke in German.

Some of the women wore veils or head coverings, others did not.

&nbsp;&#39;Depoliticise&#39; Islam&nbsp;

The new mosque, the 88th in the German capital, is located in a rented room on the third floor of the Protestant Johanniskirche (St. John&#39;s Church) building.

All Muslims -- Sunni or Shia, Alawite or Sufi -- are welcome in the mosque named after one of Germany&#39;s greatest writers, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and 12th century Islamic scholar Ibn Rushd, also known as Averroes.

The seven founding members said they want to open their prayer hall to all groups, including gays and lesbians.

&quot;This mosque allows Muslims to define themselves in a new way,&quot; said co-founder and German Islam scholar Abdel-Hakim Ourghi.&nbsp;

He added that &quot;we will try to depoliticise Islam&quot;, as the religion was being torn by rival political movements. &quot;Because religion is a private matter.&quot;

Police stood guard outside the entrance of the building.

The founders said they had not received any threats or insults, but that they fully expected not everyone would be happy.

Time for change&nbsp;

Germany, with some four million Muslims, has been the target of jihadist attacks, the deadliest last December when a truck tore through a Berlin Christmas market crowd killing 12 people.

The arrival of more than one million refugees, most from mainly Muslim countries, since 2015 has worsened the fears of some Germans.

Ates -- who has campaigned against forced marriages, domestic violence and so-called &quot;honour killings&quot; among Muslim migrants -- said the project was eight years in the making.

&quot;Many left along the way,&quot; she said. &quot;They told us it was dangerous, that they were afraid.&quot;

Elham Manea, a Swiss political scientist of Yemeni background, said the time had come for change, with other so-called liberal mosques having also opened in the United States, Britain and Switzerland.&nbsp;

The Berlin mosque, financed by private donations, is located in the Berlin district of Moabit, which has a large immigrant population.&nbsp;

It was in this neighbourhood that Tunisian Anis Amri, the Christmas market attacker, frequented a radical mosque that has since been.&nbsp;

'We want to send a signal against Islamic terror and the misuse of our religion,' said Seyran Ates, one of the mosque's founders

With a mission to spread a liberal form of Islam, a mosque where men and women pray side by side has opened its doors in Berlin, complete with female imams. The Arabic phrase "Allahu Akbar" ('God is greatest') resonated through the crowded Ibn-Rushd-Goethe-Mosque Friday as US-Malaysian Ani Zonneveld, one of the world's few female imams, launched the call to prayer. Then one of the founders of the new place of worship, lawyer and women's rights activist Seyran Ates, opened the event with words of welcome before Christian and Jewish guests and a large media contingent. "We want to send a signal against Islamic terror and the misuse of our religion," said Turkish-born Ates, 54, dressed in a long white robe. "We want to practise our religion together." Ates -- no stranger to breaking taboos, having called for a "sexual revolution" in the Muslim world -- vowed she would not allow ultra-conservatives "to rob me of my right to be Muslim". Kneeling on green carpets, the faithful -- men and women, side by side -- bowed to Mecca for the traditional prayer as the imam spoke in German. Some of the women wore veils or head coverings, others did not. 'Depoliticise' Islam The new mosque, the 88th in the German capital, is located in a rented room on the third floor of the Protestant Johanniskirche (St. John's Church) building. All Muslims -- Sunni or Shia, Alawite or Sufi -- are welcome in the mosque named after one of Germany's greatest writers, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and 12th century Islamic scholar Ibn Rushd, also known as Averroes. The seven founding members said they want to open their prayer hall to all groups, including gays and lesbians. "This mosque allows Muslims to define themselves in a new way," said co-founder and German Islam scholar Abdel-Hakim Ourghi. He added that "we will try to depoliticise Islam", as the religion was being torn by rival political movements. "Because religion is a private matter." Police stood guard outside the entrance of the building. The founders said they had not received any threats or insults, but that they fully expected not everyone would be happy. Time for change Germany, with some four million Muslims, has been the target of jihadist attacks, the deadliest last December when a truck tore through a Berlin Christmas market crowd killing 12 people. The arrival of more than one million refugees, most from mainly Muslim countries, since 2015 has worsened the fears of some Germans. Ates -- who has campaigned against forced marriages, domestic violence and so-called "honour killings" among Muslim migrants -- said the project was eight years in the making. "Many left along the way," she said. "They told us it was dangerous, that they were afraid." Elham Manea, a Swiss political scientist of Yemeni background, said the time had come for change, with other so-called liberal mosques having also opened in the United States, Britain and Switzerland. The Berlin mosque, financed by private donations, is located in the Berlin district of Moabit, which has a large immigrant population. It was in this neighbourhood that Tunisian Anis Amri, the Christmas market attacker, frequented a radical mosque that has since been.

Taboo-breaking liberal mosque opens in Berlin

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