A 93 year old German man has been convicted of Nazi crimes on Thursday. He has been handed a suspended two-year sentence for helping with murders of&nbsp;5,232 prisoners, mainly&nbsp;Jewish, at a Nazi concentration camp in World War II.

Bruno D. was an SS guard (Schutzstaffel) at the&nbsp;Stutthof concentration camp near Poland (then known as&nbsp;Gdansk).&nbsp;

He has been charged of assisting in murders between&nbsp;August 1944 and April 1945. While Bruno has confirmed that he was present at the camp during that time, he has argued that he did not participate in the killings and his presence, simply, did not count as guilt.

Being 17 or 18 years old at the time of the murders, Bruno was sentenced under juvenile&nbsp;guidelines, while the prosecutors called&nbsp;for atleast a three-year prison sentence.

As the former guard's health is not at its best, the court sessions limited it to only two to three hours per day.&nbsp;

In the session, he apologised for the general suffering that the camp 'prisoners' went through. “I would like to apologise to all the people who have gone through this hell of insanity and to their relatives and survivors,” he told the court. However, he did not admit to being a part of the killings — which was nearly 65,000 people.

Prosecutors have argued that many of these 65,000 people were shot in the back of the head or gassed with the lethal Zyklon B gas.

The Hamburg court is trying to bring justice to the people who lost their lives and/or their loved ones in the holocaust, even though many of the suspected individuals are now in old age. The court hearings started after&nbsp;a landmark conviction in 2011 opened the way to more prosecutions as it was the first time that working in a camp was sufficient grounds for culpability, with no proof of a specific crime.

A 93 year old German man has been convicted of Nazi crimes on Thursday. He has been handed a suspended two-year sentence for helping with murders of 5,232 prisoners, mainly Jewish, at a Nazi concentration camp in World War II.

A 93 year old German man has been convicted of Nazi crimes on Thursday. He has been handed a suspended two-year sentence for helping with murders of 5,232 prisoners, mainly Jewish, at a Nazi concentration camp in World War II. Bruno D. was an SS guard (Schutzstaffel) at the Stutthof concentration camp near Poland (then known as Gdansk). He has been charged of assisting in murders between August 1944 and April 1945. While Bruno has confirmed that he was present at the camp during that time, he has argued that he did not participate in the killings and his presence, simply, did not count as guilt. Being 17 or 18 years old at the time of the murders, Bruno was sentenced under juvenile guidelines, while the prosecutors called for atleast a three-year prison sentence. As the former guard's health is not at its best, the court sessions limited it to only two to three hours per day. In the session, he apologised for the general suffering that the camp 'prisoners' went through. “I would like to apologise to all the people who have gone through this hell of insanity and to their relatives and survivors,” he told the court. However, he did not admit to being a part of the killings — which was nearly 65,000 people. Prosecutors have argued that many of these 65,000 people were shot in the back of the head or gassed with the lethal Zyklon B gas. The Hamburg court is trying to bring justice to the people who lost their lives and/or their loved ones in the holocaust, even though many of the suspected individuals are now in old age. The court hearings started after a landmark conviction in 2011 opened the way to more prosecutions as it was the first time that working in a camp was sufficient grounds for culpability, with no proof of a specific crime.

Juvenile in 1944, ex-Nazi camp guard, 93, gets suspended sentence

The Ascension Day public holiday in Germany is better known for also being Father's Day and the tradition of men pals getting together to go walkabout and drink beer. This year coronavirus has put a stop to this as well and many of the usual festivities have been cancelled or significantly downsized.

Germans make a splash on Father's Day in spite of coronavirus

A curious squirrel in Munich is simply nuts about the beer-table made especially for its small paws by a bored schoolboy.

Curious squirrel enjoy its very own beer garden as it befriends bored Bavarians

A German national, Edgard Ziebat has been living in the transit area of New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport for the past 54 days.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nsg-medical-staff-tests-coronavirus-positive-over-745-cases-reported-in-capfs-297834" hreflang="en">NSG medical staff tests coronavirus positive; over 745 cases reported in CAPFs</a>

The 40-year-old was on his way from Hanoi to Istanbul on March 18. On that day India cancelled all flights to and from Turkey due to surge in coronavirus pandemic. On March 22, India put a hold on all international flights to contain the virus, three days later on March 25, India imposed complete lockdown. The lockdown is to be lifted on May 17.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-delhi-sends-hydroxychloroquine-to-uzbekistan-in-flight-that-brought-back-stranded-indian-nationals-297862">New Delhi sends hydroxychloroquine to Uzbekistan in flight that brought back stranded Indian nationals</a>

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesman confirmed the news and said: "We confirm that a foreign national is currently in the transit area of the international terminal of Delhi Airport due to non-availability of regular flight to transit onwards. Appropriate authorities were informed about this in&nbsp;good time. They are in dialogue with the foreign national."

Ziebat's case was unlike other stranded passengers, he has a criminal record in Germany with many cases of assault and other criminal activities. The German embassy has refused to take custody of Edgard Ziebat because he is at a foreign location. Due to his criminal record, India has denied Ziebat a visa.&nbsp;

Ziebat stays in the terminal with his only luggage, according to airport authorities the German is spending his time by reading newspaper talking to his friends and family over the phone, eating at few of the fast-food outlets that are still in operating within the terminal, interacting with housekeeping and security staff, taking walks within the transit area, and using the airport’s washrooms and toilets. The airport staff has provided Edgard Ziebat with recliner, mosquito net, toothpaste and food.&nbsp;

The airport staff is feeding the German as the 40-year-old has no money.&nbsp;

No international flights are active except cargo planes.&nbsp;

Ziebat was asked to go wherever he wants but no flights have been active thus he remains stranded. He was offered to accommodate in a relief flight to Turkey but the Turkish authorities refused to do so as it was only for Turkish nationals and permanent residents.&nbsp;

A German national, Edgard Ziebat has been living in the transit area of New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport for the past 54 days. Also read: NSG medical staff tests coronavirus positive; over 745 cases reported in CAPFs The 40-year-old was on his way from Hanoi to Istanbul on March 18.

A German national, Edgard Ziebat has been living in the transit area of New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport for the past 54 days. Also read: NSG medical staff tests coronavirus positive; over 745 cases reported in CAPFs The 40-year-old was on his way from Hanoi to Istanbul on March 18. On that day India cancelled all flights to and from Turkey due to surge in coronavirus pandemic. On March 22, India put a hold on all international flights to contain the virus, three days later on March 25, India imposed complete lockdown. The lockdown is to be lifted on May 17. Also read: New Delhi sends hydroxychloroquine to Uzbekistan in flight that brought back stranded Indian nationals Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesman confirmed the news and said: "We confirm that a foreign national is currently in the transit area of the international terminal of Delhi Airport due to non-availability of regular flight to transit onwards. Appropriate authorities were informed about this in good time. They are in dialogue with the foreign national." Ziebat's case was unlike other stranded passengers, he has a criminal record in Germany with many cases of assault and other criminal activities. The German embassy has refused to take custody of Edgard Ziebat because he is at a foreign location. Due to his criminal record, India has denied Ziebat a visa. Ziebat stays in the terminal with his only luggage, according to airport authorities the German is spending his time by reading newspaper talking to his friends and family over the phone, eating at few of the fast-food outlets that are still in operating within the terminal, interacting with housekeeping and security staff, taking walks within the transit area, and using the airport’s washrooms and toilets. The airport staff has provided Edgard Ziebat with recliner, mosquito net, toothpaste and food. The airport staff is feeding the German as the 40-year-old has no money. No international flights are active except cargo planes. Ziebat was asked to go wherever he wants but no flights have been active thus he remains stranded. He was offered to accommodate in a relief flight to Turkey but the Turkish authorities refused to do so as it was only for Turkish nationals and permanent residents.

German national stranded at Indira Gandhi International airport for 54 days due to nationwide lockdown

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

Angela Merkel quarantines herself

Germany reacted angrily saying that US President Donald Trump offered a huge amount to a German company to buy Coronavirus Vaccine. Germany says, we are not for sale.

Germany-US Vaccine Row: Trump accused of trying to monopolise Corona vaccine

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

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

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

Angela Merkel's party in crucible as Thuringia votes again

Today in History: First successful gasoline-driven automobile, German zeppelins bomb Paris and more!

A racoon became a media star in Germany on Saturday (December 7) after it was spotted near a Christmas market in what witnesses described as a "drunken" state.

Was dazed and confused German racoon drunk before being shot dead?

European Union lawmakers gave final approval to German conservative Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday to take over at the helm of the bloc's executive European Commission from December 1.

Ursula von der Leyen: 1st woman chief of European Union

A look at jewels worth $1 billion euro recently stolen from German museum

Strong German exports to the United States helped Europe's largest economy to avoid a recession in the third quarter, data showed on Thursday, as companies benefitted from a weaker euro and trade diversion linked to the US - China tariff dispute.

The detailed trade figures underline that US&nbsp;demand for German goods remain strong, undaunted by President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/many-protesters-holed-up-in-university-as-hong-kong-protests-simmer-down-263617"> Donald Trump</a>'s threats to increase import tariffs on European cars.

Germany's export-reliant economy avoided slipping into recession in the third quarter as consumers, state spending and construction drove a 0.1 per cent quarterly expansion. Exports also fared better than in the previous three months.

Overall, exports grew 1.7&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;year-on-year in the third quarter after a 1.3 per cent decline in the second, with United States and France remaining Germany's two biggest customers, data compiled for Reuters from the Federal Statistics Office showed.

German exports to the US&nbsp;grew 7.6&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;year-on-year in the third quarter after a 5.3&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;increase in the previous three months. Exports to France rose 3.1 per cent year-on-year after stagnating in the second quarter.

"Exports to the US&nbsp;are running smoothly," Gabriel Felbermayr, president of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/global-protests-russia-and-china-risk-ending-up-on-the-wrong-side-of-history-259875">Kiel Institute</a> for the World Economy, told Reuters, adding that the euro had depreciated by 14&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;against the US&nbsp;dollar since the beginning of 2018. A weaker euro makes German exports less expensive.

"The strong dollar is one of the macroeconomic side effects of Trump's trade policy towards China. It leads to trade diversion," Felbermayr said. That means the United States is increasingly buying goods from the European Union and Germany as tariffs make competing imports from China more expensive.

The United States and China are locked in a trade war triggered by Trump. Both countries have levied punitive duties on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of each other's goods, roiling financial markets and threatening global growth.

But Felbermayr cautioned that the uncertainty created by Trump's trade policy in the medium term will lead to stronger production of German companies in the United States, which will weaken exports.

"The relocation of jobs is already taking place but is not yet visible in the export figures," he said.

The strong sales to the United States and France helped Germany to offset stagnating exports to China. They edged up only 0.3&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;year-on-year in the third quarter, compared with annual export growth rates of 1.8&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in the second quarter and 6.3 per cent in the first.

That suggests Germany can no longer rely on Chinese demand to fuel its export machine and with it, well-paid manufacturing jobs and tax revenues at home.

Strong German exports to the United States helped Europe's largest economy to avoid a recession in the third quarter, data showed on Thursday, as companies benefitted from a weaker euro and trade diversion linked to the US - China tariff dispute.

Strong German exports to the United States helped Europe's largest economy to avoid a recession in the third quarter, data showed on Thursday, as companies benefitted from a weaker euro and trade diversion linked to the US - China tariff dispute. The detailed trade figures underline that US demand for German goods remain strong, undaunted by President Donald Trump's threats to increase import tariffs on European cars. Germany's export-reliant economy avoided slipping into recession in the third quarter as consumers, state spending and construction drove a 0.1 per cent quarterly expansion. Exports also fared better than in the previous three months. Overall, exports grew 1.7 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter after a 1.3 per cent decline in the second, with United States and France remaining Germany's two biggest customers, data compiled for Reuters from the Federal Statistics Office showed. German exports to the US grew 7.6 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter after a 5.3 per cent increase in the previous three months. Exports to France rose 3.1 per cent year-on-year after stagnating in the second quarter. "Exports to the US are running smoothly," Gabriel Felbermayr, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, told Reuters, adding that the euro had depreciated by 14 per cent against the US dollar since the beginning of 2018. A weaker euro makes German exports less expensive. "The strong dollar is one of the macroeconomic side effects of Trump's trade policy towards China. It leads to trade diversion," Felbermayr said. That means the United States is increasingly buying goods from the European Union and Germany as tariffs make competing imports from China more expensive. The United States and China are locked in a trade war triggered by Trump. Both countries have levied punitive duties on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of each other's goods, roiling financial markets and threatening global growth. But Felbermayr cautioned that the uncertainty created by Trump's trade policy in the medium term will lead to stronger production of German companies in the United States, which will weaken exports. "The relocation of jobs is already taking place but is not yet visible in the export figures," he said. The strong sales to the United States and France helped Germany to offset stagnating exports to China. They edged up only 0.3 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter, compared with annual export growth rates of 1.8 per cent in the second quarter and 6.3 per cent in the first. That suggests Germany can no longer rely on Chinese demand to fuel its export machine and with it, well-paid manufacturing jobs and tax revenues at home.

German exports to United States jump despite trade tensions

Around three dozen mine staff in eastern Germany were rescued on Friday after being trapped 700 metres below ground following an unexplained blast in a potash mine, police said.

The local broadcaster MDR reported that firefighters had carried out a rescue operation, and shortly afterwards local police tweeted: "All personnel have been rescued".

Before the rescue, the mining authority had said one of the staff was seriously injured, according to the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung news website.

The personnel who were underground had taken refuge in a safe sector of the mine in Teutschenthal, about 150 km southwest of Berlin, and been supplied with oxygen.

The mining authority said had said it was possible that the trapped staff could be brought to the surface through a shaft that was intact.

The mine, located just outside the city of Halle, was closed in 1982 but is being used to deposit mining waste from elsewhere, the website said. Around 100 people are employed at the site.

Last month, Halle was shocked by an anti-Semitic shooting attack near a synagogue, in which two people were killed.

Around three dozen mine staff in eastern Germany were rescued on Friday after being trapped 700 metres below ground following an unexplained blast in a potash mine, police said.

Around three dozen mine staff in eastern Germany were rescued on Friday after being trapped 700 metres below ground following an unexplained blast in a potash mine, police said. The local broadcaster MDR reported that firefighters had carried out a rescue operation, and shortly afterwards local police tweeted: "All personnel have been rescued". Before the rescue, the mining authority had said one of the staff was seriously injured, according to the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung news website. The personnel who were underground had taken refuge in a safe sector of the mine in Teutschenthal, about 150 km southwest of Berlin, and been supplied with oxygen. The mining authority said had said it was possible that the trapped staff could be brought to the surface through a shaft that was intact. The mine, located just outside the city of Halle, was closed in 1982 but is being used to deposit mining waste from elsewhere, the website said. Around 100 people are employed at the site. Last month, Halle was shocked by an anti-Semitic shooting attack near a synagogue, in which two people were killed.

Three dozen rescued after blast in east German potash mine

Kurdish commander supports German plan. Turkey & Syria even clashed at the UNSC meeting. Watch this video to know more.

Turkey-Kurds conflict: Kurdish commander supports German plan

The top commander of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-chief-looks-to-focus-on-turkey-syria-at-nato-but-has-few-good-options-257946">Syria's Kurdish force</a> on Thursday welcomed a German proposal for an international force to establish a security zone in the north of the country.

"We demand and agree to this," Mazloum Abdi, head of the Syrian Democratic Forces,&nbsp;the moribund autonomous Kurdish region's de facto army, told reporters.

German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has said she would raise the plan with her counterparts at an ongoing NATO meeting in Brussels.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the German proposal would need U.N. approval to be implemented and therefore "needs to be discussed more in detail before any decision can be made".

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-heading-in-wrong-direction-with-syria-incursion-us-defence-secretary-mark-esper-257941">withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria</a> earlier this month was followed by a string of rapid changes on the ground, with a Turkish invasion and Russian and Syrian government forces also rushing to fill the vacuum.

Moscow and Ankara signed a deal requiring all Kurdish forces to pull back from the border to behind a line 30 kilometres inside Syria, meaning they lost control over a huge slice of the Kurdish heartland.

Abdi has thanked Russia for its new role as the guarantor of a buffer between his forces and those of the Kurds' archfoe Ankara but added he had "reservations" because <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-lifts-turkey-sanctions-quits-blood-stained-syria-257796">Kurdish people in that zone</a> would be left unprotected.

The German initiative was embraced by the United States but has so far struggled to gain traction, and few details are yet available.

Abdi said he had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron but admitted that the plan was still embryonic and needed an endorsement from Russia, the dominant foreign broker on the Syrian conflict.

"We have communicated with many European countries, including those who announced the initiative. Two days ago I had a phone call with President Macron and we spoke about this project," Abdi said.

"I think it is under development... It needs American and Russian support," he said.

The top commander of Syria's Kurdish force on Thursday welcomed a German proposal for an international force to establish a security zone in the north of the country.

The top commander of Syria's Kurdish force on Thursday welcomed a German proposal for an international force to establish a security zone in the north of the country. "We demand and agree to this," Mazloum Abdi, head of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the moribund autonomous Kurdish region's de facto army, told reporters. German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has said she would raise the plan with her counterparts at an ongoing NATO meeting in Brussels. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the German proposal would need U.N. approval to be implemented and therefore "needs to be discussed more in detail before any decision can be made". The withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria earlier this month was followed by a string of rapid changes on the ground, with a Turkish invasion and Russian and Syrian government forces also rushing to fill the vacuum. Moscow and Ankara signed a deal requiring all Kurdish forces to pull back from the border to behind a line 30 kilometres inside Syria, meaning they lost control over a huge slice of the Kurdish heartland. Abdi has thanked Russia for its new role as the guarantor of a buffer between his forces and those of the Kurds' archfoe Ankara but added he had "reservations" because Kurdish people in that zone would be left unprotected. The German initiative was embraced by the United States but has so far struggled to gain traction, and few details are yet available. Abdi said he had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron but admitted that the plan was still embryonic and needed an endorsement from Russia, the dominant foreign broker on the Syrian conflict. "We have communicated with many European countries, including those who announced the initiative. Two days ago I had a phone call with President Macron and we spoke about this project," Abdi said. "I think it is under development... It needs American and Russian support," he said.

Kurds welcome German plan for international force in Syria

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-urges-european-unity-30-years-after-prague-exodus-252914">The German government gave its blessing Wednesday to draft climate legislation</a>, even though it has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and scientists alike as an unambitious package.

"For the first time, Germany's climate goals are becoming legally binding," environment minister Svenja Schulze said in a statement.

"Germany missing its climate targets cannot happen again," she added after ministers admitted the country will not succeed in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) output by 40 per cent compared with 1990 by next year.

By 2050, the country should be climate neutral -&nbsp;a goal that "will for the first time be anchored in the law", said Schulze.

Over the coming decade, Berlin now targets greenhouse gas output to fall 55 per cent compared with 1990, while some 65 per cent of Germany's electricity should come from renewables.

To get there, ministers agreed to extend CO2 pricing from energy and industry -&nbsp;already regulated at the European Union level -&nbsp;to areas like transport and construction.

They will gradually raise the CO2 price each year from a low starting level of $11&nbsp;per tonne and allow a growing role for markets from 2025.

That represents "the economically most efficient way to reduce emissions and hit climate goals," the federal government said on its website.

On top of pricing, there will be subsidies for big-ticket items like electric vehicles or insulation and heating for buildings.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-to-commit-at-least-100-billion-euros-on-climate-action-250843">And the government will invest in electric car charging points, public transport and passenger rail</a>, as well as levying higher charges on short-haul flights.

Parliament must now debate and vote on the package that has been hammered out in weeks of talks between Merkel's conservatives&nbsp;and junior coalition partners the social democrats.

The parties were forced into action as unusually hot and dry summers, years of car industry emissions scandals and months of "Fridays for Future" marches by students shot the climate up the political agenda.

Speaking to ZDF public television, Schulze had argued for a "more gentle" climate debate, after days in which Extinction Rebellion protestors attempted to hobble road traffic in Berlin.

"Climate protection isn't just something for a few people, but for everyone," she said.

The German government gave its blessing Wednesday to draft climate legislation, even though it has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and scientists alike as an unambitious package.

The German government gave its blessing Wednesday to draft climate legislation, even though it has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and scientists alike as an unambitious package. "For the first time, Germany's climate goals are becoming legally binding," environment minister Svenja Schulze said in a statement. "Germany missing its climate targets cannot happen again," she added after ministers admitted the country will not succeed in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) output by 40 per cent compared with 1990 by next year. By 2050, the country should be climate neutral - a goal that "will for the first time be anchored in the law", said Schulze. Over the coming decade, Berlin now targets greenhouse gas output to fall 55 per cent compared with 1990, while some 65 per cent of Germany's electricity should come from renewables. To get there, ministers agreed to extend CO2 pricing from energy and industry - already regulated at the European Union level - to areas like transport and construction. They will gradually raise the CO2 price each year from a low starting level of $11 per tonne and allow a growing role for markets from 2025. That represents "the economically most efficient way to reduce emissions and hit climate goals," the federal government said on its website. On top of pricing, there will be subsidies for big-ticket items like electric vehicles or insulation and heating for buildings. And the government will invest in electric car charging points, public transport and passenger rail, as well as levying higher charges on short-haul flights. Parliament must now debate and vote on the package that has been hammered out in weeks of talks between Merkel's conservatives and junior coalition partners the social democrats. The parties were forced into action as unusually hot and dry summers, years of car industry emissions scandals and months of "Fridays for Future" marches by students shot the climate up the political agenda. Speaking to ZDF public television, Schulze had argued for a "more gentle" climate debate, after days in which Extinction Rebellion protestors attempted to hobble road traffic in Berlin. "Climate protection isn't just something for a few people, but for everyone," she said.

German government presses on with criticised climate law

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government reached a deal Friday on a broad climate plan for Germany, a coalition source said, as tens of thousands of protesters rallied <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-strike-against-climate-change-kicks-off-in-australia-250731">demanding more environmental protection</a>.

Germany will pledge at least 100 billion euros ($110 billion) on climate action by 2030, said a summary of a sweeping environmental protection plan agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition Friday.

"By 2030, a total of ... a three-digit billion euro figure will be made available for climate protection and the energy transition," according to the document seen by AFP.

After marathon overnight talks dragging more than 18 hours, the coalition reached "an agreement with many measures and an annual monitoring mechanism" on meeting climate targets, said a government source.

The plan, which covers a slew of measures from tackling emissions in the energy and industrial sectors, to incentives for zero-emission electric vehicles or public transport, was due to be unveiled at a press conference later Friday.

As the politicians emerged red-eyed from the session, across Germany, protesters were out in the streets with colourful banners and posters with slogans like "make rainforests great again" or "I want a hot date, not a hot planet".

In the biggest international wave of Fridays for Future climate strikes to date started by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg, a major bridge in central Berlin was blocked off by demonstrators who strung red and white tape across the streets, while in the financial capital Frankfurt, sit-ins were underway.

After two blistering summers and thousands of youths joining school strikes week after week, climate has shot to the top of the political agenda in the EU's biggest economy.&nbsp;

For Merkel's coalition government, the stakes are also rising.

With the economy already projected to slide into recession in the third quarter, balancing the interests of its crucial export industries while not alienating young voters with their green demands was proving to be a tough balancing act.

'Life-destroying crisis'

The EU's biggest economy is set to miss climate targets for next year but has committed itself to meeting the 2030 goal of a 55-per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels.

Export powerhouse Germany accounts for around two per cent of the worldwide emissions blamed for heating the Earth's atmosphere, melting ice caps, rising sea levels and intensifying violent weather events.

Merkel, a scientist by profession, was once known as the "climate chancellor" as she pushed forward a green energy transition that vastly increased clean renewables such as wind and solar power.

However, many of those gains have been eroded by an increased reliance on dirty coal, in part to offset the phase-out by 2022 of nuclear power that Merkel decided after Japan's 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Her government this year announced a coal phase-out by 2038, but faces local opposition from mining regions, especially in the ex-communist east, where the far-right AfD party has capitalised on fears over job losses.

Car-mad Germany has also lagged badly behind in the transport sector, where state-coddled auto giants VW, Daimler and BMW have long focused on gas-guzzling SUVs more than hybrid or zero-emission electric cars.

Mindful of the 800,000 jobs tied to the auto sector, Merkel's government is also cautious that new environment taxes could set off the type of "yellow-vest" anti-government protests that have plagued neighbouring France.

But the young warn that delaying action is not an option, calling the threat existential with devastating consequences during their lifetimes.

"We are heading for a life-destroying crisis and so far nothing has happened," said Linus Steinmetz of the student movement.

"That's why we're raising the pressure -- together we're strong."

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government reached a deal Friday on a broad climate plan for Germany, a coalition source said, as tens of thousands of protesters rallied demanding more environmental protection.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government reached a deal Friday on a broad climate plan for Germany, a coalition source said, as tens of thousands of protesters rallied demanding more environmental protection. Germany will pledge at least 100 billion euros ($110 billion) on climate action by 2030, said a summary of a sweeping environmental protection plan agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition Friday. "By 2030, a total of ... a three-digit billion euro figure will be made available for climate protection and the energy transition," according to the document seen by AFP. After marathon overnight talks dragging more than 18 hours, the coalition reached "an agreement with many measures and an annual monitoring mechanism" on meeting climate targets, said a government source. The plan, which covers a slew of measures from tackling emissions in the energy and industrial sectors, to incentives for zero-emission electric vehicles or public transport, was due to be unveiled at a press conference later Friday. As the politicians emerged red-eyed from the session, across Germany, protesters were out in the streets with colourful banners and posters with slogans like "make rainforests great again" or "I want a hot date, not a hot planet". In the biggest international wave of Fridays for Future climate strikes to date started by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg, a major bridge in central Berlin was blocked off by demonstrators who strung red and white tape across the streets, while in the financial capital Frankfurt, sit-ins were underway. After two blistering summers and thousands of youths joining school strikes week after week, climate has shot to the top of the political agenda in the EU's biggest economy. For Merkel's coalition government, the stakes are also rising. With the economy already projected to slide into recession in the third quarter, balancing the interests of its crucial export industries while not alienating young voters with their green demands was proving to be a tough balancing act. 'Life-destroying crisis' The EU's biggest economy is set to miss climate targets for next year but has committed itself to meeting the 2030 goal of a 55-per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels. Export powerhouse Germany accounts for around two per cent of the worldwide emissions blamed for heating the Earth's atmosphere, melting ice caps, rising sea levels and intensifying violent weather events. Merkel, a scientist by profession, was once known as the "climate chancellor" as she pushed forward a green energy transition that vastly increased clean renewables such as wind and solar power. However, many of those gains have been eroded by an increased reliance on dirty coal, in part to offset the phase-out by 2022 of nuclear power that Merkel decided after Japan's 2011 Fukushima disaster. Her government this year announced a coal phase-out by 2038, but faces local opposition from mining regions, especially in the ex-communist east, where the far-right AfD party has capitalised on fears over job losses. Car-mad Germany has also lagged badly behind in the transport sector, where state-coddled auto giants VW, Daimler and BMW have long focused on gas-guzzling SUVs more than hybrid or zero-emission electric cars. Mindful of the 800,000 jobs tied to the auto sector, Merkel's government is also cautious that new environment taxes could set off the type of "yellow-vest" anti-government protests that have plagued neighbouring France. But the young warn that delaying action is not an option, calling the threat existential with devastating consequences during their lifetimes. "We are heading for a life-destroying crisis and so far nothing has happened," said Linus Steinmetz of the student movement. "That's why we're raising the pressure -- together we're strong."

Germany to commit at least 100 billion euros on climate action

China's fifth annual World Robot Conference opened to the public in Beijing on Thursday (August 22), with bionic flying birds, robo-superheroes, and Taiji-playing robots all on show. A robotic flying bird, inspired by a herring gull and created by German automation firm Festo, wowed as it soared over crowds of people.

Bionic flying bird soars at China robot show

The German economy could have continued to shrink over the summer as industrial production drops amid a dearth of orders, the Bundesbank said on Monday, suggesting that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-yen-and-bond-bulls-charge-on-as-share-markets-falter-242412">euro zone's biggest economy is now in a recession</a>.

German growth contracted in the second quarter on slumping exports as a global trade war, China's slowdown and Brexit uncertainty sapped confidence, dealing a blow to an export-focused economy.

"Overall economic performance could again decline slightly," the Bundesbank said in a monthly report.

"The main reason for this is the continuing downturn in the industry," the central bank said, pointing to a significant decline in orders and a big drop in sentiment indicators for manufacturing firms.

While domestic consumption continues to isolate the economy, the jobs market is already showing signs of weakness and confidence in the services sector is also dropping, the Bundesbank added.

Still, the construction boom is likely to continue, providing some support.

While Germany has so far rejected the idea of boosting public spending to offset the slowdown, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said that Berlin has the financial strength to counter any future economic crisis "with full force".

Speaking on Sunday, Scholz said the global financial crisis in 2008/2009 had cost Germany roughly 50 billion euros and the government could again muster such a sum, if necessary.

Obsessed with running a balanced budget, Germany has produced surpluses for years, ignoring calls for more spending to boost growth.

The German economy could have continued to shrink over the summer as industrial production drops amid a dearth of orders, the Bundesbank said on Monday, suggesting that the euro zone's biggest economy is now in a recession.

The German economy could have continued to shrink over the summer as industrial production drops amid a dearth of orders, the Bundesbank said on Monday, suggesting that the euro zone's biggest economy is now in a recession. German growth contracted in the second quarter on slumping exports as a global trade war, China's slowdown and Brexit uncertainty sapped confidence, dealing a blow to an export-focused economy. "Overall economic performance could again decline slightly," the Bundesbank said in a monthly report. "The main reason for this is the continuing downturn in the industry," the central bank said, pointing to a significant decline in orders and a big drop in sentiment indicators for manufacturing firms. While domestic consumption continues to isolate the economy, the jobs market is already showing signs of weakness and confidence in the services sector is also dropping, the Bundesbank added. Still, the construction boom is likely to continue, providing some support. While Germany has so far rejected the idea of boosting public spending to offset the slowdown, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said that Berlin has the financial strength to counter any future economic crisis "with full force". Speaking on Sunday, Scholz said the global financial crisis in 2008/2009 had cost Germany roughly 50 billion euros and the government could again muster such a sum, if necessary. Obsessed with running a balanced budget, Germany has produced surpluses for years, ignoring calls for more spending to boost growth.

German economy could continue to shrink: Bundesbank

End of road as Volkswagen rolls out last Beetle

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-rescue-sailboat-defies-italys-salvini-docks-in-italy-233653">Migrants on board</a> a German rescue ship refused entry into Italy will be taken to a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-enters-migrant-ships-dispute-with-appeal-for-safe-ports-188565">Maltese port</a> before being relocated to other European states, Malta's prime minister said on Sunday.

The German-flagged Alan Kurdi, which has 65 migrants on board, decided on Saturday to change course for Malta after a standoff with the Italian government.

It is the latest of several vessels carrying migrants that have faced problems trying to dock in an Italian port in the past couple of weeks.

Italy's migration policy has led to clashes between NGOs and Italian authorities over rules that effectively close off the country's ports to their boats.

In a tweet on Sunday, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said following talks with the European Commission and Germany the 65 migrants on the ship would be transferred to one of its boats and brought to a Maltese port.

"All rescued persons on board will be immediately relocated to other EU member states," he said, adding that none of the migrants would remain in Malta.

German interior minister Horst Seehofer welcomed the development in a statement, saying 94 of 123 migrants from ships that were allowed to land in Malta would be shared among EU member states. "In the spirit of European solidarity, we will take up to 40 of them."

Italy's coalition government, which includes the right-wing League, has been blaming European partners for leaving it to deal with sea arrivals alone.

New rules were adopted last month threatening NGO ships entering Italian waters without permission with a fine of up to 50,000 euros and the impounding of their vessels.

On June 29, Italian police arrested the German captain of the Dutch-flagged Sea-Watch 3, operated by a German charity, after the vessel docked at the island port of Lampedusa though she was later released.

Lonely

Earlier on Sunday, 41 migrants on another rescue boat were taken ashore at Lampedusa despite repeated warnings from Italy's interior minister Matteo Salvini they would not be allowed to disembark.

Salvini, head of the ruling League party and also deputy prime minister, has taken a tough line against migrant rescue ships and accuses other EU countries of not doing their share.

Salvini responded angrily when Germany's Seehofer asked him in a letter to rethink his closed ports policy.

"Dear German government, I'm not reopening the ports ... if anything we're going to put ... (the migrants) in a car and take them to the German embassy," Salvini said in a video on his Facebook page.

In a tweet on Sunday Germany’s Europe minister Michael Roth thanked Malta over the Alan Kurdi. "What we need is a sustainable European solution based on solidarity, humanity &amp; efficiency. We must act right now,” Roth said.

Italy has been one of the main targets for migrants looking to get to Europe through North Africa, especially from Libya.

Salvini's hardline stance on migrants and rescue ships has helped boost his party's popularity.

A poll published in Italy's Corriere Della Sera on Saturday said 59% of Italians were in favor of shutting Italian ports to migrants and NGO vessels.

But there are signs of tension in the ruling coalition, where the League governs alongside the populist 5-Star Movement.

On Saturday, Salvini said on his Facebook page he "felt lonely" and called on fellow ministers to help more over migrants, singling out the Defense Ministry and the Treasury.

The Treasury said it had been closely following things and had done everything to try and impose the ban on vessels entering Italian waters and docking.

The Defense Ministry, which oversees the navy, was reported by the Italian media as saying it had offered Salvini's ministry assistance in recent days.

Migrants on board a German rescue ship refused entry into Italy will be taken to a Maltese port before being relocated to other European states, Malta's prime minister said on Sunday.

Migrants on board a German rescue ship refused entry into Italy will be taken to a Maltese port before being relocated to other European states, Malta's prime minister said on Sunday. The German-flagged Alan Kurdi, which has 65 migrants on board, decided on Saturday to change course for Malta after a standoff with the Italian government. It is the latest of several vessels carrying migrants that have faced problems trying to dock in an Italian port in the past couple of weeks. Italy's migration policy has led to clashes between NGOs and Italian authorities over rules that effectively close off the country's ports to their boats. In a tweet on Sunday, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said following talks with the European Commission and Germany the 65 migrants on the ship would be transferred to one of its boats and brought to a Maltese port. "All rescued persons on board will be immediately relocated to other EU member states," he said, adding that none of the migrants would remain in Malta. German interior minister Horst Seehofer welcomed the development in a statement, saying 94 of 123 migrants from ships that were allowed to land in Malta would be shared among EU member states. "In the spirit of European solidarity, we will take up to 40 of them." Italy's coalition government, which includes the right-wing League, has been blaming European partners for leaving it to deal with sea arrivals alone. New rules were adopted last month threatening NGO ships entering Italian waters without permission with a fine of up to 50,000 euros and the impounding of their vessels. On June 29, Italian police arrested the German captain of the Dutch-flagged Sea-Watch 3, operated by a German charity, after the vessel docked at the island port of Lampedusa though she was later released. Lonely Earlier on Sunday, 41 migrants on another rescue boat were taken ashore at Lampedusa despite repeated warnings from Italy's interior minister Matteo Salvini they would not be allowed to disembark. Salvini, head of the ruling League party and also deputy prime minister, has taken a tough line against migrant rescue ships and accuses other EU countries of not doing their share. Salvini responded angrily when Germany's Seehofer asked him in a letter to rethink his closed ports policy. "Dear German government, I'm not reopening the ports ... if anything we're going to put ... (the migrants) in a car and take them to the German embassy," Salvini said in a video on his Facebook page. In a tweet on Sunday Germany’s Europe minister Michael Roth thanked Malta over the Alan Kurdi. "What we need is a sustainable European solution based on solidarity, humanity & efficiency. We must act right now,” Roth said. Italy has been one of the main targets for migrants looking to get to Europe through North Africa, especially from Libya. Salvini's hardline stance on migrants and rescue ships has helped boost his party's popularity. A poll published in Italy's Corriere Della Sera on Saturday said 59% of Italians were in favor of shutting Italian ports to migrants and NGO vessels. But there are signs of tension in the ruling coalition, where the League governs alongside the populist 5-Star Movement. On Saturday, Salvini said on his Facebook page he "felt lonely" and called on fellow ministers to help more over migrants, singling out the Defense Ministry and the Treasury. The Treasury said it had been closely following things and had done everything to try and impose the ban on vessels entering Italian waters and docking. The Defense Ministry, which oversees the navy, was reported by the Italian media as saying it had offered Salvini's ministry assistance in recent days.

Malta to relocate migrants on German rescue ship

Rival Afghans will meet Sunday in Qatar, officials said, in a fresh attempt to make political headway as the United States seeks a peace deal with the Taliban within three months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-will-keep-strong-intel-presence-in-afghanistan-even-after-troops-withdrawal-donald-trump-232171">President Donald Trump</a> said in an interview broadcast Monday that he wants to withdraw US forces from Afghanistan, but will leave a strong intelligence presence there to counter what he termed the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-will-keep-strong-intel-presence-in-afghanistan-even-after-troops-withdrawal-donald-trump-232171">Harvard of terrorists</a>."

The Taliban, who on Monday killed six people with a powerful bomb targeted at Afghanistan's defence ministry, has refused to negotiate with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-to-visit-pakistan-in-bid-to-step-up-peace-effort-230645">President Ashraf Ghani</a>, and a previous attempt to bring the insurgents together with government officials in Doha collapsed in April in a dispute over attendees.

Germany, a key player in international support for the post-Taliban government, and Qatar, which maintains contacts with the militants, said that they jointly extended invitations for dialogue in Doha on Sunday and Monday.

The Afghans "will participate only in their personal capacity and on an equal footing," Markus Potzel, Germany's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said in a statement released Monday by the United States.

"Afghanistan stands at a critical moment of opportunity for progress towards peace," he said.

"An essential component of any process leading to this objective will be direct engagement between Afghans," he said.

The meeting comes after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-weighing-full-range-of-options-to-counter-iran-including-a-military-strike-mike-pompeo-on-iran-227800">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> paid a previously unannounced visit last week to Kabul where he voiced hope for a peace deal with the Taliban "before September 1."

The ambitious timeframe would allow a deal before Afghanistan holds elections in September, which Western officials fear could inject a new dose of instability.

Trump wants to pull all US troops from Afghanistan, believing that America's longest war launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks -- no longer makes military or financial sense.

But he said the US will "be leaving very strong intelligence, far more than you would normally think," in an interview with the Fox News Channel's "Tucker Carlson Tonight."

"It just seems to be a lab for terrorists... I call it the Harvard of terrorists," Trump said.

Taliban attack wounds children

The Taliban have refused to halt their violence, believing that they have the upper hand as the United States is eager to leave.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazen-attack-in-kabul-demonstrates-talibans-callous-disregard-for-afghans-us-232196">Monday's bombing </a>was followed by Taliban gunmen storming a nearby building, trigging a gunbattle with special forces.

The bombing and shootout wounded dozens of people, including 50 children, most of whom were hurt by flying glass, officials said.

Save the Children branded the strike "utterly deplorable," warning that "children's smaller bodies sustain more serious injuries than adults" and that the trauma of such attacks can stay with them for years.

The White House condemned the "brazen" attack, saying it "demonstrates the Taliban's callous disregard for their fellow Afghans, who have repeatedly voiced the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict."

But Washington made no move to interrupt its seventh round of talks with the Taliban in Doha that started on Saturday.

"Once the timeline for the withdrawal of foreign forces is set in the presence of international observers, then we will begin the talks to the Afghan sides, but we will not talk to the Kabul administration as a government," tweeted Suhail Shaheen, the spokesman for the Taliban's office in Qatar.

Under a peace deal, the United States plans to pull its roughly 14,000 troops from Afghanistan.

In return, the Taliban would provide assurances that they will never allow their territory to be a base for foreign attacks -- the primary reason for the US invasion nearly 18 years ago.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US negotiator with the Taliban, said that dialogue among Afghans was an essential part of a peace deal.

"Mutual acceptance, seeking consensus, and agreeing to resolve political differences without force is what is needed to learn from the tragedy of the last 40 years," Khalilzad said, referring to Afghanistan's nearly incessant conflict since the Soviet invasion in 1979.

"I wish participants success," he tweeted.

Rival Afghans will meet Sunday in Qatar, officials said, in a fresh attempt to make political headway as the United States seeks a peace deal with the Taliban within three months.

Rival Afghans will meet Sunday in Qatar, officials said, in a fresh attempt to make political headway as the United States seeks a peace deal with the Taliban within three months. President Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast Monday that he wants to withdraw US forces from Afghanistan, but will leave a strong intelligence presence there to counter what he termed the "Harvard of terrorists." The Taliban, who on Monday killed six people with a powerful bomb targeted at Afghanistan's defence ministry, has refused to negotiate with President Ashraf Ghani, and a previous attempt to bring the insurgents together with government officials in Doha collapsed in April in a dispute over attendees. Germany, a key player in international support for the post-Taliban government, and Qatar, which maintains contacts with the militants, said that they jointly extended invitations for dialogue in Doha on Sunday and Monday. The Afghans "will participate only in their personal capacity and on an equal footing," Markus Potzel, Germany's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said in a statement released Monday by the United States. "Afghanistan stands at a critical moment of opportunity for progress towards peace," he said. "An essential component of any process leading to this objective will be direct engagement between Afghans," he said. The meeting comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a previously unannounced visit last week to Kabul where he voiced hope for a peace deal with the Taliban "before September 1." The ambitious timeframe would allow a deal before Afghanistan holds elections in September, which Western officials fear could inject a new dose of instability. Trump wants to pull all US troops from Afghanistan, believing that America's longest war launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks -- no longer makes military or financial sense. But he said the US will "be leaving very strong intelligence, far more than you would normally think," in an interview with the Fox News Channel's "Tucker Carlson Tonight." "It just seems to be a lab for terrorists... I call it the Harvard of terrorists," Trump said. Taliban attack wounds children The Taliban have refused to halt their violence, believing that they have the upper hand as the United States is eager to leave. Monday's bombing was followed by Taliban gunmen storming a nearby building, trigging a gunbattle with special forces. The bombing and shootout wounded dozens of people, including 50 children, most of whom were hurt by flying glass, officials said. Save the Children branded the strike "utterly deplorable," warning that "children's smaller bodies sustain more serious injuries than adults" and that the trauma of such attacks can stay with them for years. The White House condemned the "brazen" attack, saying it "demonstrates the Taliban's callous disregard for their fellow Afghans, who have repeatedly voiced the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict." But Washington made no move to interrupt its seventh round of talks with the Taliban in Doha that started on Saturday. "Once the timeline for the withdrawal of foreign forces is set in the presence of international observers, then we will begin the talks to the Afghan sides, but we will not talk to the Kabul administration as a government," tweeted Suhail Shaheen, the spokesman for the Taliban's office in Qatar. Under a peace deal, the United States plans to pull its roughly 14,000 troops from Afghanistan. In return, the Taliban would provide assurances that they will never allow their territory to be a base for foreign attacks -- the primary reason for the US invasion nearly 18 years ago. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US negotiator with the Taliban, said that dialogue among Afghans was an essential part of a peace deal. "Mutual acceptance, seeking consensus, and agreeing to resolve political differences without force is what is needed to learn from the tragedy of the last 40 years," Khalilzad said, referring to Afghanistan's nearly incessant conflict since the Soviet invasion in 1979. "I wish participants success," he tweeted.

Fresh bid set to bring Afghans to table for peace deal

On 5th International Yoga Day in 2019, German Envoy says, ''Yoga Brings Happiness; Brings Brain, Body & Soul Together'' Watch this video to know more.

International Yoga Day 2019: German Envoy says, ''Yoga Brings Happiness''

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blog: How Germany sees its D-Day defeat

German Chancellor<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-coalition-in-crisis-talks-after-european-union-vote-debacle-221923/amp">&nbsp;Angela&nbsp;Merkel's</a> favoured successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer sparked outrage on social media on Tuesday with an apparent call for limits to free speech around elections.&nbsp;

The CDU chief's comment came after her party and its centre-left coalition partner SPD suffered their worst scores in Sunday's European election -- a result partly blamed on the fact that some 70 YouTube stars had urged Germans not to vote for either party.

Addressing the issue on Monday night, Kramp-Karrenbauer said if 70 newspaper editors had called to boycott parties ahead of an election, that would be classed "clearly as propaganda".

"The question is... what are rules from the analogue realm and which rules should apply to the digital realm? "I'll tackle this discussion quite aggressively," said Kramp-Karrenbauer, or AKK as she is dubbed in Germany.

Her comments immediately sparked a storm on social media with #AKKRuecktritt (AKKresign), #annegate, #Zensur (censorship) and #Meinungsfreiheit (freedom of opinion) making up the top four topics trending on Twitter in Germany.

Many users pointed to article five in the German constitution guaranteeing freedom of opinion, speech and writing.The German Federation of Journalists also hit out against AKK's call, calling it "not just nonsense but also a violation of the constitution".

SPD general secretary Lars Klingbeil also warned that any attempt to limit freedom of expression "will definitely not be possible with my party". "This is absurd. Nobody would get upset if an actor or an athlete made an election recommendation", said Klingbeil.

Kramp-Karrenbauer later tried to downplay her comments, saying it was "ridiculous to insinuate that I want to regulate expressions of opinion".

Freedom of opinion is a precious value in a democracy. "But what we have to talk about are rules that apply during elections," she wrote on Twitter. AKK, 56, replaced&nbsp;Merkel&nbsp;as head of the CDU last December and is expected to seek the top job when&nbsp;Merkel's term ends in 2021.

The 70 Youtubers' call to vote against CDU, SPD and far-right AfD was a follow-up to an hour-long video rant from another online star Rezo, who blamed the centre-right-led coalition for failing to tackle poverty and climate change.

Put online on May 18, the clip had been viewed 12.6 million times by Tuesday, tumbling&nbsp;Merkel's party into the crisis-fighting mode.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's favoured successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer sparked outrage on social media on Tuesday with an apparent call for limits to free speech around elections.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's favoured successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer sparked outrage on social media on Tuesday with an apparent call for limits to free speech around elections. The CDU chief's comment came after her party and its centre-left coalition partner SPD suffered their worst scores in Sunday's European election -- a result partly blamed on the fact that some 70 YouTube stars had urged Germans not to vote for either party. Addressing the issue on Monday night, Kramp-Karrenbauer said if 70 newspaper editors had called to boycott parties ahead of an election, that would be classed "clearly as propaganda". "The question is... what are rules from the analogue realm and which rules should apply to the digital realm? "I'll tackle this discussion quite aggressively," said Kramp-Karrenbauer, or AKK as she is dubbed in Germany. Her comments immediately sparked a storm on social media with #AKKRuecktritt (AKKresign), #annegate, #Zensur (censorship) and #Meinungsfreiheit (freedom of opinion) making up the top four topics trending on Twitter in Germany. Many users pointed to article five in the German constitution guaranteeing freedom of opinion, speech and writing.The German Federation of Journalists also hit out against AKK's call, calling it "not just nonsense but also a violation of the constitution". SPD general secretary Lars Klingbeil also warned that any attempt to limit freedom of expression "will definitely not be possible with my party". "This is absurd. Nobody would get upset if an actor or an athlete made an election recommendation", said Klingbeil. Kramp-Karrenbauer later tried to downplay her comments, saying it was "ridiculous to insinuate that I want to regulate expressions of opinion". Freedom of opinion is a precious value in a democracy. "But what we have to talk about are rules that apply during elections," she wrote on Twitter. AKK, 56, replaced Merkel as head of the CDU last December and is expected to seek the top job when Merkel's term ends in 2021. The 70 Youtubers' call to vote against CDU, SPD and far-right AfD was a follow-up to an hour-long video rant from another online star Rezo, who blamed the centre-right-led coalition for failing to tackle poverty and climate change. Put online on May 18, the clip had been viewed 12.6 million times by Tuesday, tumbling Merkel's party into the crisis-fighting mode.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's successor sparks freedom of speech uproar

Residents hoofing it to work in a leafy area of Frankfurt have an unusual companion in the mornings - Jenny the Arabian mare. When Werner Weischedel opens the stable door in the morning, Jenny begins her daily walk around the German city's Fechenheim district, meandering freely along tram tracks and riverside walkways.

Jenny the horse trots the streets of Frankfurt

A German woman who joined the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-defeated-caliphate-eliminated-says-us-ally-in-syria-205079">Islamic State jihadist group</a> went on trial Tuesday accused of the war crime of letting a five-year-old <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/germany-to-investigate-yazidi-womans-claim-of-running-into-her-isis-captor-160491&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjF3Za8-cLhAhWTFIgKHZ-CDT4QFggEMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw34slMZQ78MLUfD9ky6uhzu">Yazidi</a> "slave" girl die of thirst in the sun.

The case against Jennifer Wenisch, 27, is believed to be the first anywhere in the world for international crimes committed by IS militants against members of the Yazidi minority.

She faces a maximum term of life in jail if found guilty of committing murder and of murder as a war crime, as well membership in a terrorist organisation and violations of the German War Weapons Control Act.

It is Germany's first trial of a female IS returnee, prosecutor Claudia Gorf told the Munich court.

Wenisch -- wearing a white blouse and black jacket, her dark hair not covered -- showed no emotion and did not speak, but shielded her face with a paper folder while photographers were in the room at the start.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad, herself a Yazidi survivor of IS enslavement and torture, said in a statement that the trial "is a very big moment for me and for the entire Yazidi community".

Prominent London-based human rights lawyer Amal Clooney is part of the team representing the dead Yazidi girl's mother, although Clooney did not appear on the trial's opening day.

'Agonising death'&nbsp;

German prosecutors allege Wenisch and her IS husband "purchased" the Yazidi woman and child as household "slaves" whom they held captive while living in then IS-occupied Mosul, Iraq, in 2015.

"After the girl fell ill and wet her mattress, the husband of the accused chained her up outside as punishment and let the child die an agonising death of thirst in the scorching heat," prosecutors charge.

"The accused allowed her husband to do so and did nothing to save the girl."

German media said the defendant's husband, Taha Sabah Noori Al-J., had beaten both the mother and child and that Wenisch allegedly also once held a pistol to the woman's head.

The trial is being held under tight security in a court for state security and terrorism cases, with hearings initially scheduled until September 30.

Morality police&nbsp;

Wenisch -- who reportedly left school after the eighth grade and has no job or qualifications -- converted to Islam in 2013 and travelled the following year via Turkey and Syria to Iraq where she joined the IS.

Recruited in mid-2015 to the group's self-styled hisbah morality police, she patrolled city parks in IS-occupied Fallujah and Mosul.

Armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol and an explosives vest, her task was to ensure strict IS rules on dress code, public behaviour and bans on alcohol and tobacco.

In January 2016, months after the Yazidi child's death, she visited the German embassy in Ankara to apply for new identity papers. When she left the mission, she was arrested and extradited days later to Germany.

For lack of actionable evidence against her at the time, she was allowed to return to her home in the German state of Lower Saxony but quickly sought to return to IS territory.

FBI informant

Der Spiegel reported that an FBI informant posed as an accomplice who offered to take Wenisch and her two-year-old child back to the IS "caliphate".

While they were sitting in a bugged car, headed for Turkey, Wenisch allegedly spoke of her time at the IS and incriminated herself.

She said that the child's death had been "hard-core even for the IS" and unjust because only God had the right to use fire as punishment, adding that her husband had later been beaten as punishment by the IS.

Police followed her car for several hours and listened to a live audio feed, then arrested Wenisch at a highway stop.

Amal Clooney, the wife of Hollywood star George Clooney, has been involved in a campaign to get IS crimes against the Yazidi recognised as a "genocide".

"I hope this will be the first of many trials that will finally bring ISIS to justice in line with international law," the lawyer said in a statement, using an alternative acronym for the group.

A German woman who joined the Islamic State jihadist group went on trial Tuesday accused of the war crime of letting a five-year-old Yazidi "slave" girl die of thirst in the sun.

A German woman who joined the Islamic State jihadist group went on trial Tuesday accused of the war crime of letting a five-year-old Yazidi "slave" girl die of thirst in the sun. The case against Jennifer Wenisch, 27, is believed to be the first anywhere in the world for international crimes committed by IS militants against members of the Yazidi minority. She faces a maximum term of life in jail if found guilty of committing murder and of murder as a war crime, as well membership in a terrorist organisation and violations of the German War Weapons Control Act. It is Germany's first trial of a female IS returnee, prosecutor Claudia Gorf told the Munich court. Wenisch -- wearing a white blouse and black jacket, her dark hair not covered -- showed no emotion and did not speak, but shielded her face with a paper folder while photographers were in the room at the start. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad, herself a Yazidi survivor of IS enslavement and torture, said in a statement that the trial "is a very big moment for me and for the entire Yazidi community". Prominent London-based human rights lawyer Amal Clooney is part of the team representing the dead Yazidi girl's mother, although Clooney did not appear on the trial's opening day. 'Agonising death' German prosecutors allege Wenisch and her IS husband "purchased" the Yazidi woman and child as household "slaves" whom they held captive while living in then IS-occupied Mosul, Iraq, in 2015. "After the girl fell ill and wet her mattress, the husband of the accused chained her up outside as punishment and let the child die an agonising death of thirst in the scorching heat," prosecutors charge. "The accused allowed her husband to do so and did nothing to save the girl." German media said the defendant's husband, Taha Sabah Noori Al-J., had beaten both the mother and child and that Wenisch allegedly also once held a pistol to the woman's head. The trial is being held under tight security in a court for state security and terrorism cases, with hearings initially scheduled until September 30. Morality police Wenisch -- who reportedly left school after the eighth grade and has no job or qualifications -- converted to Islam in 2013 and travelled the following year via Turkey and Syria to Iraq where she joined the IS. Recruited in mid-2015 to the group's self-styled hisbah morality police, she patrolled city parks in IS-occupied Fallujah and Mosul. Armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol and an explosives vest, her task was to ensure strict IS rules on dress code, public behaviour and bans on alcohol and tobacco. In January 2016, months after the Yazidi child's death, she visited the German embassy in Ankara to apply for new identity papers. When she left the mission, she was arrested and extradited days later to Germany. For lack of actionable evidence against her at the time, she was allowed to return to her home in the German state of Lower Saxony but quickly sought to return to IS territory. FBI informant Der Spiegel reported that an FBI informant posed as an accomplice who offered to take Wenisch and her two-year-old child back to the IS "caliphate". While they were sitting in a bugged car, headed for Turkey, Wenisch allegedly spoke of her time at the IS and incriminated herself. She said that the child's death had been "hard-core even for the IS" and unjust because only God had the right to use fire as punishment, adding that her husband had later been beaten as punishment by the IS. Police followed her car for several hours and listened to a live audio feed, then arrested Wenisch at a highway stop. Amal Clooney, the wife of Hollywood star George Clooney, has been involved in a campaign to get IS crimes against the Yazidi recognised as a "genocide". "I hope this will be the first of many trials that will finally bring ISIS to justice in line with international law," the lawyer said in a statement, using an alternative acronym for the group.

German Islamic State woman accused of letting Yazidi 'slave' girl die of thirst

The German cabinet will hold a secret session on Wednesday to discuss safeguard measures regarding the possible <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-should-stop-unreasonable-suppression-of-huawei-china-193706">participation of China's Huawei </a>Technologies in building Germany's 5G network, the daily Handelsblatt said, citing government sources.

Huawei faces international scrutiny over its ties with the Chinese government and suspicion that Beijing could use Huawei's technology for spying, which the company denies.

Wednesday's meeting will focus on whether a security catalogue, prepared by the Federal Network Agency and the cyber defence agency (BSI), along with certification rules and a no-spy agreement with China, will be enough to ensure future 5G mobile networks are safe, the paper said.

The session, to be held after the regular cabinet meeting, and attended by the German foreign, interior, economy, finance, and transport ministers, will discuss measures proposed last week by Deutsche Telekom to safeguard national security, the paper said.

On Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany needed guarantees that Huawei would not hand over data to the Chinese state before the telecoms equipment supplier can participate in building its 5G network.

The German cabinet will hold a secret session on Wednesday to discuss safeguard measures regarding the possible participation of China's Huawei Technologies in building Germany's 5G network, the daily Handelsblatt said, citing government sources.

The German cabinet will hold a secret session on Wednesday to discuss safeguard measures regarding the possible participation of China's Huawei Technologies in building Germany's 5G network, the daily Handelsblatt said, citing government sources. Huawei faces international scrutiny over its ties with the Chinese government and suspicion that Beijing could use Huawei's technology for spying, which the company denies. Wednesday's meeting will focus on whether a security catalogue, prepared by the Federal Network Agency and the cyber defence agency (BSI), along with certification rules and a no-spy agreement with China, will be enough to ensure future 5G mobile networks are safe, the paper said. The session, to be held after the regular cabinet meeting, and attended by the German foreign, interior, economy, finance, and transport ministers, will discuss measures proposed last week by Deutsche Telekom to safeguard national security, the paper said. On Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany needed guarantees that Huawei would not hand over data to the Chinese state before the telecoms equipment supplier can participate in building its 5G network.

German cabinet to hold secret session on Huawei's role in 5G network: Report

Germany on Tuesday detained a German-Afghan man on suspicion he was spying for Iran while working for the German army as a linguistic and cultural adviser.

The 50-year-old identified as Abdul Hamid S. was arrested in western <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/germanys-frankfurt-airport-security-staff-begin-one-day-strike-190454&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjUmfGS5u_fAhVIqI8KHWxdDEkQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PQkeNQSQJ5Xw4ti9dAUHm">Germany</a>, federal prosecutors said in a statement.

"The accused was a language evaluator and cultural issues adviser of the German armed forces. In this capacity, he is believed to have passed on information to an Iranian intelligence service," they added.

According to Spiegel Online, he is suspected of working for Iranian secret services for several years.

While working for the German army, he had access to highly sensitive information including on troop deployment in Afghanistan, the report added.

Previous cases of infiltration by a foreign agency have sparked outrage and shock in Germany.

In 2016, Markus Reichel, himself a former intelligence agent for Germany, was convicted for spying for both the CIA and the Russian secret service.

He admitted handing over "scores of documents and internal information" to the CIA, including papers detailing Germany's counter-espionage strategies.

Reichel also delivered three classified documents to the Russians.

In 2011, Germany jailed a married couple for spying for the Russian secret services for more than 20 years.

The pair, identified only by the code names Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag, were planted in former West Germany from 1988 by the Soviet Union's KGB and later worked for its successor the SVR.

The couple had obtained NATO and EU political and military secrets, focussed especially on the relationship between NATO and the EU with eastern European and central Asian countries.

Germany on Tuesday detained a German-Afghan man on suspicion he was spying for Iran while working for the German army as a linguistic and cultural adviser. The 50-year-old identified as Abdul Hamid S.

Germany on Tuesday detained a German-Afghan man on suspicion he was spying for Iran while working for the German army as a linguistic and cultural adviser. The 50-year-old identified as Abdul Hamid S. was arrested in western Germany, federal prosecutors said in a statement. "The accused was a language evaluator and cultural issues adviser of the German armed forces. In this capacity, he is believed to have passed on information to an Iranian intelligence service," they added. According to Spiegel Online, he is suspected of working for Iranian secret services for several years. While working for the German army, he had access to highly sensitive information including on troop deployment in Afghanistan, the report added. Previous cases of infiltration by a foreign agency have sparked outrage and shock in Germany. In 2016, Markus Reichel, himself a former intelligence agent for Germany, was convicted for spying for both the CIA and the Russian secret service. He admitted handing over "scores of documents and internal information" to the CIA, including papers detailing Germany's counter-espionage strategies. Reichel also delivered three classified documents to the Russians. In 2011, Germany jailed a married couple for spying for the Russian secret services for more than 20 years. The pair, identified only by the code names Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag, were planted in former West Germany from 1988 by the Soviet Union's KGB and later worked for its successor the SVR. The couple had obtained NATO and EU political and military secrets, focussed especially on the relationship between NATO and the EU with eastern European and central Asian countries.

Germany arrests German-Afghan army adviser for 'spying for Iran'

A far-right German MP was seriously injured in a "politically motivated" gang attack in the north of the country, police said Tuesday.

Frank Magnitz, leader in Bremen of the anti-immigration populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), was assaulted in the city centre on Monday afternoon.

"Given the victim's work, we believe that this is a politically motivated act," police said.

The AfD party published a photo of Magnitz unconscious on a hospital bed, his face bleeding and swollen with a gash on his forehead.&nbsp;

It said three masked men had carried out the attack.

"They hit him with a piece of wood until he was unconscious and then kicked him on the ground," a statement from the party said, adding that a construction worker had intervened to stop the assault.

"Today is a dark day for democracy in Germany."

AfD leader Joerg Meuthen tweeted that Magnitz was "beaten almost to death" in a "cowardly and sickening" attack.&nbsp;

Johannes Kahrs, an MP from the Social Democrats, junior partners in the ruling coalition, said "violence is never acceptable" and that "extremism in any form is rubbish". He wished Magnitz a quick recovery.

Cem Ozdemir of the opposition Greens party said he hoped those responsible could be "found and convicted soon" and that, even against a far-right party, "nothing justifies violence".

"Those who fight hate with hate only allow hate to win in the end," said the politician of Turkish origin. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Last week, an explosive device detonated in a rubbish bin damaged an AfD office in Saxony. Three suspects were detained.

And last weekend in Lower Saxony, the home of a local AfD politician was targeted with graffiti and a party office was attacked with a paint bomb.&nbsp;

The AfD entered Germany's parliament with almost 13 percent of the vote in September 2017, making it the strongest opposition party in the Bundestag lower house.

The party is expected to make gains in European elections in May and three regional polls in the former communist east later this year.

A far-right German MP was seriously injured in a "politically motivated" gang attack in the north of the country, police said Tuesday. Frank Magnitz, leader in Bremen of the anti-immigration populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), was assaulted in the city centre on Monday afternoon.

A far-right German MP was seriously injured in a "politically motivated" gang attack in the north of the country, police said Tuesday. Frank Magnitz, leader in Bremen of the anti-immigration populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), was assaulted in the city centre on Monday afternoon. "Given the victim's work, we believe that this is a politically motivated act," police said. The AfD party published a photo of Magnitz unconscious on a hospital bed, his face bleeding and swollen with a gash on his forehead. It said three masked men had carried out the attack. "They hit him with a piece of wood until he was unconscious and then kicked him on the ground," a statement from the party said, adding that a construction worker had intervened to stop the assault. "Today is a dark day for democracy in Germany." AfD leader Joerg Meuthen tweeted that Magnitz was "beaten almost to death" in a "cowardly and sickening" attack. Johannes Kahrs, an MP from the Social Democrats, junior partners in the ruling coalition, said "violence is never acceptable" and that "extremism in any form is rubbish". He wished Magnitz a quick recovery. Cem Ozdemir of the opposition Greens party said he hoped those responsible could be "found and convicted soon" and that, even against a far-right party, "nothing justifies violence". "Those who fight hate with hate only allow hate to win in the end," said the politician of Turkish origin. Last week, an explosive device detonated in a rubbish bin damaged an AfD office in Saxony. Three suspects were detained. And last weekend in Lower Saxony, the home of a local AfD politician was targeted with graffiti and a party office was attacked with a paint bomb. The AfD entered Germany's parliament with almost 13 percent of the vote in September 2017, making it the strongest opposition party in the Bundestag lower house. The party is expected to make gains in European elections in May and three regional polls in the former communist east later this year.

German far-right MP seriously injured in targeted attack

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