Police in Germany’s Hannover were on high alert on Saturday as a car ploughed into a crowd at a classic American car show. The incident ended up injuring at least five people, one of them critically.

The car show was held at the city’s Schützenplatz, an area designated for fairs and other community events of some 25 acres, DW reported.&nbsp;

Police said they were called to the area after reports of a car driving into the audience in an uncontrolled manner. Police on Twitter informed a large operation was being carried out at the incident site.

<h2>No terror link</h2>

After a preliminary investigation, police said a defect in the vehicle could have caused the “accident”.&nbsp;

Dennis Schmitt, a spokesperson for the police, confirmed the authorities didn’t find any terror connection and that the vehicle was impounded immediately for further investigation.

The police didn’t identify the car but a local newspaper quoted an eyewitness as claiming that it was a dark green Ford Mustang.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/indian-baby-ariha-in-german-custody-case-mother-dhara-pens-open-letter-to-indian-pm-modi-609438">Baby Ariha In German custody case: Mother Dhara pens open letter to Indian PM Modi</a>

Local media also reported how the driver of the car made efforts to apply brakes and pull out the key to stop the car, but to no avail.

<h2>Driver in utter shock</h2>

The eyewitness also claimed that the driver was in utter shock when he came out of the car after hitting the victims.&nbsp;

Some victims were reportedly tossed several metres away. Local media quoted another eyewitness as saying that the tyres on the vehicle spun as it suddenly accelerated before it pulled to the left and into the crowd.

<h2>About the car show</h2>

HAZ reports that the renowned "Street Mag Show" has earned its esteemed reputation as Germany's biggest extravaganza dedicated to showcasing American classic cars and iconic Harley Davidson motorcycles.

The event draws in crowds from far and wide, luring car and motorcycle enthusiasts to marvel at the dazzling display of dozens of vintage American cars, spanning from the glamorous 1930s to the retro-cool 1980s. With a magnificent array of vehicles on exhibit, attendees are transported back in time to relive the golden era of American automobile engineering and design.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/german-vice-chancellor-advocates-de-risking-in-china-relations-during-india-visit-617767">Also read:&nbsp;German vice-chancellor advocates de-risking in China relations during India visit</a>

For two exhilarating days, the "Street Mag Show" creates an electric atmosphere, pulsating with passion and admiration for these automotive and motorcycle masterpieces.&nbsp;

As the engines roar to life, a symphony of revving sounds fills the air, igniting the spirits of visitors who share a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry of these timeless machines.

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Police in Germany’s Hannover were on high alert on Saturday as a car ploughed into a crowd at a classic American car show. The incident ended up injuring at least five people, one of them critically.

Police in Germany’s Hannover were on high alert on Saturday as a car ploughed into a crowd at a classic American car show. The incident ended up injuring at least five people, one of them critically. The car show was held at the city’s Schützenplatz, an area designated for fairs and other community events of some 25 acres, DW reported. Police said they were called to the area after reports of a car driving into the audience in an uncontrolled manner. Police on Twitter informed a large operation was being carried out at the incident site. No terror link After a preliminary investigation, police said a defect in the vehicle could have caused the “accident”. Dennis Schmitt, a spokesperson for the police, confirmed the authorities didn’t find any terror connection and that the vehicle was impounded immediately for further investigation. The police didn’t identify the car but a local newspaper quoted an eyewitness as claiming that it was a dark green Ford Mustang. Also read: Baby Ariha In German custody case: Mother Dhara pens open letter to Indian PM Modi Local media also reported how the driver of the car made efforts to apply brakes and pull out the key to stop the car, but to no avail. Driver in utter shock The eyewitness also claimed that the driver was in utter shock when he came out of the car after hitting the victims. Some victims were reportedly tossed several metres away. Local media quoted another eyewitness as saying that the tyres on the vehicle spun as it suddenly accelerated before it pulled to the left and into the crowd. About the car show HAZ reports that the renowned "Street Mag Show" has earned its esteemed reputation as Germany's biggest extravaganza dedicated to showcasing American classic cars and iconic Harley Davidson motorcycles. The event draws in crowds from far and wide, luring car and motorcycle enthusiasts to marvel at the dazzling display of dozens of vintage American cars, spanning from the glamorous 1930s to the retro-cool 1980s. With a magnificent array of vehicles on exhibit, attendees are transported back in time to relive the golden era of American automobile engineering and design. Also read: German vice-chancellor advocates de-risking in China relations during India visit For two exhilarating days, the "Street Mag Show" creates an electric atmosphere, pulsating with passion and admiration for these automotive and motorcycle masterpieces. As the engines roar to life, a symphony of revving sounds fills the air, igniting the spirits of visitors who share a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry of these timeless machines. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Germany: Five left injured after out-of-control car ploughs into crowd at American car show

Electric ‘noses’ are being installed in Germany to help sniff out forest fires at the earliest stage of smouldering and prevent major disasters. These devices come fitted with ultra-sensitive sensors and powered with AI learning, which can differentiate between smoke of various types and alert authorities accordingly.&nbsp;

For instance, the device, powered by solar electricity,&nbsp;can differentiate between smoke emanating from a diesel truck passing nearby or a legit forest fire.

<h2>Trials ongoing in Germany</h2>

A trial is currently underway in the heart of Eberswalde forest northeast of Berlin, a hotspot for wildfires in the country. More than 400 sensors have been installed in the area, or one device per hectare (2.5 acres).&nbsp;

These devices were created two years ago by Berlin-based startup Dryad Networks. Its co-founder Juergen Mueller says the ‘electric nose’ can detect and help put out the fire within 10-15 minutes of initial smouldering.

Watch:&nbsp;How did exactly Canadian wildfires start?&nbsp;

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"In 10, 15 minutes we can detect an incipient fire before it becomes an open fire," he said, adding that it was way faster than traditional systems involving monitoring through cameras.

He says that as soon as a wildfire is detected, the data is immediately relayed to a cloud-based monitoring system and local authorities are alerted.

<h2>10 nations experimenting with the device</h2>

As more and more nations experience a surge in deadly wildfire incidents owing to climate change, the makers of the device believe their sales would shoot up. Dryad Networks said 10 countries including the United States, Greece and Spain were already experimenting with the device.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-columbia-seeks-military-help-and-foreign-countries-amid-record-wildfires-616946">Also read:&nbsp;Canada: British Columbia seeks help of military, foreign countries to tackle record wildfires</a>

The startup sold 10,000 devices last year and is hoping to get at least 120 million devices installed by 2030 end.

<h2>‘Helpful in preventing disaster’</h2>

Raimund Engel, Brandenburg's forest fire protection officer, has hailed the devices as a useful addition to the visual detection method currently in practice.

"Because of climate change" the weather conditions in the forest-rich area are "very similar to some Mediterranean regions", Engel said, "with periods of drought and temperatures that sometimes reach up to 40 degree&nbsp;Celsius”

"The faster we detect the fire, the quicker firefighters can be on the scene,” he added, acknowledging that early intervention can greatly help authorities to prevent disasters before they rage out of control.

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Electric ‘noses’ are being installed in Germany to help sniff out forest fires at the earliest stage of smouldering and prevent major disasters. These devices come fitted with ultra-sensitive sensors and powered with AI learning, which can differentiate between smoke of various types and alert authorities accordingly.

Electric ‘noses’ are being installed in Germany to help sniff out forest fires at the earliest stage of smouldering and prevent major disasters. These devices come fitted with ultra-sensitive sensors and powered with AI learning, which can differentiate between smoke of various types and alert authorities accordingly. For instance, the device, powered by solar electricity, can differentiate between smoke emanating from a diesel truck passing nearby or a legit forest fire. Trials ongoing in Germany A trial is currently underway in the heart of Eberswalde forest northeast of Berlin, a hotspot for wildfires in the country. More than 400 sensors have been installed in the area, or one device per hectare (2.5 acres). These devices were created two years ago by Berlin-based startup Dryad Networks. Its co-founder Juergen Mueller says the ‘electric nose’ can detect and help put out the fire within 10-15 minutes of initial smouldering. Watch: How did exactly Canadian wildfires start? × "In 10, 15 minutes we can detect an incipient fire before it becomes an open fire," he said, adding that it was way faster than traditional systems involving monitoring through cameras. He says that as soon as a wildfire is detected, the data is immediately relayed to a cloud-based monitoring system and local authorities are alerted. 10 nations experimenting with the device As more and more nations experience a surge in deadly wildfire incidents owing to climate change, the makers of the device believe their sales would shoot up. Dryad Networks said 10 countries including the United States, Greece and Spain were already experimenting with the device. Also read: Canada: British Columbia seeks help of military, foreign countries to tackle record wildfires The startup sold 10,000 devices last year and is hoping to get at least 120 million devices installed by 2030 end. ‘Helpful in preventing disaster’ Raimund Engel, Brandenburg's forest fire protection officer, has hailed the devices as a useful addition to the visual detection method currently in practice. "Because of climate change" the weather conditions in the forest-rich area are "very similar to some Mediterranean regions", Engel said, "with periods of drought and temperatures that sometimes reach up to 40 degree Celsius” "The faster we detect the fire, the quicker firefighters can be on the scene,” he added, acknowledging that early intervention can greatly help authorities to prevent disasters before they rage out of control. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

German startup installing electric ‘noses’ in forests to help early detection of wildfires

Germany is facing a threat of drought and lower water levels. With an anticipation of a hotter summer ahead, German companies are looking for ways to innovate and adapt to the weather conditions. German chemicals giant BASF, together with the shipping company Stolt, has developed a ship that can sail in such shallow waters.

Rhine cargo ships built for shallow water get underway in hopes of beating drought drama

Germany's statistics office on Thursday released data for Europe's largest economy, marking the country's second contraction in as many months.

German economy shrinks over the last 6 months | Guest Interview

Germany has struck a controversial deal with China. It has sold about 25% stakes of the Hamburg port to COSCO. China is increasing its investment in global ports. Will China use the ports for military exploitation? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Germany strikes deal with China on Hamburg port

On Monday, two of the biggest unions in Germany will go on strike, bringing the country's transportation system to a virtual halt. Soon after midnight, employees at ports, railroads, buses, and subways began to leave for a 24-hour strike. In order to help their members deal with the nationwide rise in living expenses, unions are calling for increased pay.

Germany: Strike brings public transport network to halt | Details

A major strike brought much of Germany's air traffic, rail service and commuter lines to a halt on Monday as workers demand wage hikes in the face of brisk inflation. Workers at airports, ports, railways, buses and metro lines throughout much of Europe's top economy heeded a call by the Verdi and EVG unions for the 24-hour walkout. "A labour struggle that has no impact is toothless," Verdi boss Frank Werneke told public broadcaster Phoenix.

'Mega-strike' disrupts travel in Germany

Germany witnessed one of its most horrific shootings. a 35-year-old German citizen shot 7 people including an unborn child. The shooter also killed himself. this tragic event took place at the Jehovah community hall in the city of Hamburg. police say there is no immediate indication of a terror motive in the crime. Mohammed Saleh gets us this report.

Germany's horrific tragedy: Shooter open-fires at event, kills 7

A shooting in Hamburg, Germany's northernmost city, resulted in the deaths of eight persons and the serious injuries of others. At two in the morning, the incident happened in a Jehovah's Witness church.

Shooter kills eight at Jehovah's Witnesses center in Germany

An 81-year-old man opened fire on Tuesday (February 28) near a primary school in the north-western town of Bramsche in Germany and critically injured a teen, police said, adding that the shooter also critically injured himself with the weapon. Both of them were taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, a police spokesperson in the city of Osnabrueck further informed, asserting that "there was no danger to the public". &nbsp;

The shooting took place near the Martinusschule Primary School. However, it was not related to the school, an official statement, roughly translated from German, highlighted. "The elementary school was not affected by the use of firearms and at no time was there any danger to the students or teachers," the Osnabrueck Police stated. The scene was cordoned off, and the police investigation is ongoing. "Perpetrators and victims were apparently known, a connection with the school can be ruled out according to the current status of the investigation," the police further stressed.

Gun violence in Germany is not as rampant as the United States but several incidents have made headlines in the recent times. Last year, in January, a shooter opened fire at the Heidelberg University in the south-western part of the European country, killing one and injuring several others, before killing himself. Months later, two people were found dead in another shooting incident at a supermarket in Frankfurt. "Based on consistent witness statements, a man first shot a woman in the grocery store and then apparently took his own life," a police statement said at the time. The man was 58 while the woman was 53.

(With agency inputs)

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An 81-year-old man opened fire on Tuesday (February 28) near a primary school in the north-western town of Bramsche in Germany and critically injured a teen, police said, adding that the shooter also critically injured himself with the weapon.

An 81-year-old man opened fire on Tuesday (February 28) near a primary school in the north-western town of Bramsche in Germany and critically injured a teen, police said, adding that the shooter also critically injured himself with the weapon. Both of them were taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, a police spokesperson in the city of Osnabrueck further informed, asserting that "there was no danger to the public". The shooting took place near the Martinusschule Primary School. However, it was not related to the school, an official statement, roughly translated from German, highlighted. "The elementary school was not affected by the use of firearms and at no time was there any danger to the students or teachers," the Osnabrueck Police stated. The scene was cordoned off, and the police investigation is ongoing. "Perpetrators and victims were apparently known, a connection with the school can be ruled out according to the current status of the investigation," the police further stressed. Gun violence in Germany is not as rampant as the United States but several incidents have made headlines in the recent times. Last year, in January, a shooter opened fire at the Heidelberg University in the south-western part of the European country, killing one and injuring several others, before killing himself. Months later, two people were found dead in another shooting incident at a supermarket in Frankfurt. "Based on consistent witness statements, a man first shot a woman in the grocery store and then apparently took his own life," a police statement said at the time. The man was 58 while the woman was 53. (With agency inputs) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

81-year-old opens fire near school in Germany; injures self, teen

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel may no longer be at the helm but she returned to headlines on Monday when her office said that the 68-year-old leader received a call in January from someone posing as Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine's ex-president. Two Russian pranksters - Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, known as Vovan and Lexus - are believed to be linked to the call, highlighted a report by German state-run broadcaster Deutsche Welle. The duo released excerpts of the call on Telegram during which the German ex-chancellor reportedly said that the Minsk agreement bought precious time for Ukraine.

Russian comedians Vladimir Kuznetsov or Krasnov are known for their pranks against politicians and celebrities. They have so far targeted Polish President Andrzej Duda (twice in two years), former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Elton John and Prince Harry. The conversation, which they claim to have with Merkel, was assisted by German-Ukrainian interpreter from the German Foreign Ministry's language service, reports suggest. Following the call, Merkel emailed the ministry about “impression that she gained of the caller during the call."

Watch: Russia-Ukraine War: WION's ground report from Ukraine-Poland border

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What is Minsk agreement 
Merkel and former French President Francois Hollande brokered the 2014 Minsk deal with Poroshenko and Russian president Vladimir Putin. The details have been revealed at a time when Russia's invasion of Ukraine is set to complete a year on February 24. While the first agreement was signed in 2014, the second agreement was signed in 2015. The deal - aimed at resolving geopolitical tensions between the two nations - was also signed to stop the fighting in the rebel-held region of Donbas.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antony-blinken-claims-plans-to-send-lethal-support-to-russia-for-the-ukraine-war-563737">China planning to send 'lethal support' to Russia for the Ukraine war, claims Blinken</a>

A ceasefire, military withdrawal from the line of contact and prisoner exchange were among the highlights of the first section. In the second section, deals with the Ukrainian government - to restore control over its eastern border and holding local elections in the occupied territories&nbsp; - were underlined. This was expected to be followed by the political reintegration of Donbas into Ukraine.

However, despite involvement of France and Germany, it failed to bring peace in Ukraine in the years that followed. While some critics suggested the deal was in favour of Moscow, others said it was convoluted.

Merkel, however, has been a supporter of the agreement.

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Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel may no longer be at the helm but she returned to headlines on Monday when her office said that the 68-year-old leader received a call in January from someone posing as Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine's ex-president.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel may no longer be at the helm but she returned to headlines on Monday when her office said that the 68-year-old leader received a call in January from someone posing as Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine's ex-president. Two Russian pranksters - Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, known as Vovan and Lexus - are believed to be linked to the call, highlighted a report by German state-run broadcaster Deutsche Welle. The duo released excerpts of the call on Telegram during which the German ex-chancellor reportedly said that the Minsk agreement bought precious time for Ukraine. Russian comedians Vladimir Kuznetsov or Krasnov are known for their pranks against politicians and celebrities. They have so far targeted Polish President Andrzej Duda (twice in two years), former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Elton John and Prince Harry. The conversation, which they claim to have with Merkel, was assisted by German-Ukrainian interpreter from the German Foreign Ministry's language service, reports suggest. Following the call, Merkel emailed the ministry about “impression that she gained of the caller during the call." Watch: Russia-Ukraine War: WION's ground report from Ukraine-Poland border × What is Minsk agreement Merkel and former French President Francois Hollande brokered the 2014 Minsk deal with Poroshenko and Russian president Vladimir Putin. The details have been revealed at a time when Russia's invasion of Ukraine is set to complete a year on February 24. While the first agreement was signed in 2014, the second agreement was signed in 2015. The deal - aimed at resolving geopolitical tensions between the two nations - was also signed to stop the fighting in the rebel-held region of Donbas. Also read: China planning to send 'lethal support' to Russia for the Ukraine war, claims Blinken A ceasefire, military withdrawal from the line of contact and prisoner exchange were among the highlights of the first section. In the second section, deals with the Ukrainian government - to restore control over its eastern border and holding local elections in the occupied territories - were underlined. This was expected to be followed by the political reintegration of Donbas into Ukraine. However, despite involvement of France and Germany, it failed to bring peace in Ukraine in the years that followed. While some critics suggested the deal was in favour of Moscow, others said it was convoluted. Merkel, however, has been a supporter of the agreement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Did Russian comedians posing as Ukraine leader call Angela Merkel? Here's what happened

German authorities announced on Friday (January 13) that they will end the mandatory requirement to wear masks on long-distance trains and buses from February 2 as the Covid pandemic situation has stabilised in the country. With this, Spain is the only large European nation to maintain mask rules on such trains and public transport, with the government saying the rules would remain in place till at least March, a report by news agency AFP on Friday said.

The mask mandate (in long-distance trains and buses)&nbsp;in Germany, which had been imposed since the early days of the virus outbreak, was set to expire&nbsp;on April 7 but is now ending sooner. However, German health minister Karl Lauterbach on Friday encouraged people to continue wearing masks voluntarily "on the basis of personal responsibility."&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-asks-china-arrivals-for-negative-covid-test-549730">Germany makes negative pre-departure Covid test report must for travellers from China</a>

Lauterbach said Covid should not be trivialised and warned of potential long-term impacts. He added that several factors. including a higher level of immunity in the public and a reduced chance of new mutations. contributed to the change in the policy. The health minister added the Covid situation was tense but manageable in hospitals.&nbsp;

Since the onset of the pandemic, Germany has reported more than 37.58 million cases and 163,425 deaths. Several states in the country have already relaxed mask rules in regional public transport. However, it is the central government's responsibility to change mask rules in the long-distance train and bus network.&nbsp;

Germany has scrapped the bulk of Covid restrictions which were imposed at the height of the virus outbreak. However, it is still one of the few countries in Europe to have a mask requirement. People must wear masks at doctors’ practices, while masks and negative tests are still required to enter hospitals and nursing homes in Germany, a report by the Associated Press on Friday said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-covid-committee-might-quiz-von-der-leyen-over-pfizer-vaccine-contract-551787">EU Covid committee might quiz von der Leyen about Pfizer vaccine contract</a>

Last month, the country's governing coalition had argued whether the remaining virus restrictions should be dropped after Christian Drosten, a top virologist,&nbsp;said that the pandemic is over. “We are experiencing the first endemic wave with SARS-COV 2 this winter; my assessment is that, with this, the pandemic is over,” Drosten told the Tagesspiegel, adding his only reservation would be a major new mutation which he did not expect at the moment.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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German authorities announced on Friday (January 13) that they will end the mandatory requirement to wear masks on long-distance trains and buses from February 2 as the Covid pandemic situation has stabilised in the country.

German authorities announced on Friday (January 13) that they will end the mandatory requirement to wear masks on long-distance trains and buses from February 2 as the Covid pandemic situation has stabilised in the country. With this, Spain is the only large European nation to maintain mask rules on such trains and public transport, with the government saying the rules would remain in place till at least March, a report by news agency AFP on Friday said. The mask mandate (in long-distance trains and buses) in Germany, which had been imposed since the early days of the virus outbreak, was set to expire on April 7 but is now ending sooner. However, German health minister Karl Lauterbach on Friday encouraged people to continue wearing masks voluntarily "on the basis of personal responsibility." ALSO READ | Germany makes negative pre-departure Covid test report must for travellers from China Lauterbach said Covid should not be trivialised and warned of potential long-term impacts. He added that several factors. including a higher level of immunity in the public and a reduced chance of new mutations. contributed to the change in the policy. The health minister added the Covid situation was tense but manageable in hospitals. Since the onset of the pandemic, Germany has reported more than 37.58 million cases and 163,425 deaths. Several states in the country have already relaxed mask rules in regional public transport. However, it is the central government's responsibility to change mask rules in the long-distance train and bus network. Germany has scrapped the bulk of Covid restrictions which were imposed at the height of the virus outbreak. However, it is still one of the few countries in Europe to have a mask requirement. People must wear masks at doctors’ practices, while masks and negative tests are still required to enter hospitals and nursing homes in Germany, a report by the Associated Press on Friday said. ALSO READ | EU Covid committee might quiz von der Leyen about Pfizer vaccine contract Last month, the country's governing coalition had argued whether the remaining virus restrictions should be dropped after Christian Drosten, a top virologist, said that the pandemic is over. “We are experiencing the first endemic wave with SARS-COV 2 this winter; my assessment is that, with this, the pandemic is over,” Drosten told the Tagesspiegel, adding his only reservation would be a major new mutation which he did not expect at the moment. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Covid: Germany to end mask mandate in long-distance trains, buses from Feb 2

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Wednesday (January 4) that the current Covid wave from China must be taken "very very" seriously. Addressing a press conference, Baerbock said, “Looking at Covid and China, these too are issues we briefly discussed yesterday. We have very similar views. Our goal is a common European solution. We must take the current Covid wave from China very, very seriously."

Baerbock said since China hardly releases any details, European cooperation is very crucial and collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) is equally important for full transparency on what the situation in China is like right now,&nbsp;news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Since the onset of the pandemic, Germany has recorded more than 37.4 million Covid cases and 161,714 deaths, according to WHO data.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-joins-the-list-of-countries-requiring-covid-negative-test-from-travellers-from-china-548761">Qatar joins the list of countries requiring Covid negative test from travellers from China</a>

Currently, the German government has not imposed any restrictions on travellers arriving from China despite other European Countries such as France, Italy and the United Kingdom (UK) doing so.&nbsp;

In France, travellers from China have to provide a negative PCR or antigen test undertaken less than 48 hours before departure. In Italy, the government has ordered Covid antigen swabs and virus sequencing for such travellers.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;European Union countries enforce traveller Covid curbs amid deteriorating situation

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On the other hand, from January 5, all travellers to the UK from China must submit a negative test before boarding. The government also said it will test a sample of arrivals to monitor new variants.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-asks-china-to-provide-a-more-realistic-picture-of-covid-19-situation-549382">WHO asks China to provide a 'more realistic picture' of Covid-19 situation</a>

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has condemned ''discriminatory practices'' as more and more countries are imposing restrictions on Chinese travellers.&nbsp;

“(Such measures) should not be used as an opportunity to engage in political manipulation, discriminatory practices or affect normal exchanges and cooperation between people,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press conference on Wednesday and pointed out that virus-related curbs should be scientific and appropriate, Reuters also reported.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Wednesday (January 4) that the current Covid wave from China must be taken "very very" seriously. Addressing a press conference, Baerbock said, “Looking at Covid and China, these too are issues we briefly discussed yesterday.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Wednesday (January 4) that the current Covid wave from China must be taken "very very" seriously. Addressing a press conference, Baerbock said, “Looking at Covid and China, these too are issues we briefly discussed yesterday. We have very similar views. Our goal is a common European solution. We must take the current Covid wave from China very, very seriously." Baerbock said since China hardly releases any details, European cooperation is very crucial and collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) is equally important for full transparency on what the situation in China is like right now, news agency Reuters reported. Since the onset of the pandemic, Germany has recorded more than 37.4 million Covid cases and 161,714 deaths, according to WHO data. ALSO READ | Qatar joins the list of countries requiring Covid negative test from travellers from China Currently, the German government has not imposed any restrictions on travellers arriving from China despite other European Countries such as France, Italy and the United Kingdom (UK) doing so. In France, travellers from China have to provide a negative PCR or antigen test undertaken less than 48 hours before departure. In Italy, the government has ordered Covid antigen swabs and virus sequencing for such travellers. ALSO WATCH | European Union countries enforce traveller Covid curbs amid deteriorating situation × On the other hand, from January 5, all travellers to the UK from China must submit a negative test before boarding. The government also said it will test a sample of arrivals to monitor new variants. ALSO READ | WHO asks China to provide a 'more realistic picture' of Covid-19 situation Meanwhile, the Chinese government has condemned ''discriminatory practices'' as more and more countries are imposing restrictions on Chinese travellers. “(Such measures) should not be used as an opportunity to engage in political manipulation, discriminatory practices or affect normal exchanges and cooperation between people,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press conference on Wednesday and pointed out that virus-related curbs should be scientific and appropriate, Reuters also reported. (With agency inputs) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Current Covid wave from China must be taken 'very very' seriously: Germany

When the signal came over the radio that the NATO border was under attack, German tanks fanned out into the forest to stall the enemy’s advance. In short succession, men in camouflage tumbled out of the back of the tanks and took cover between the trees, assault rifles at the ready.

The battle that ensued one recent afternoon near the town of Rukla in Lithuania, 60 miles from the Russian border, was only an exercise. But since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the mission of NATO’s battlegroup in Lithuania to defend the alliance’s external border no longer feels abstract to the soldiers and the country most of them come from.

“The threat perception in Germany changed overnight,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Andrä, the commander of the 1,600-strong battlegroup in Lithuania. “We felt safe, in the middle of the continent, surrounded by friends. Now we have a full-spectrum war in Europe, and we are concerned, especially since we don’t know how far the escalation spiral will turn.”

Three days after Russia attacked Ukraine last month, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany stood in Parliament and announced the biggest rearmament program for his country since the end of the Cold War, vowing not only to increase the defense budget beyond the NATO target that Germany had failed to hit for years but to invest an immediate 100 billion euros — two full years of military spending — to turn around years of underfunding of the German military.

It was a revolution in a country whose Nazi past had long made it reluctant to invest in military power. By the end of his 30-minute speech, Scholz had overturned a ban on shipments of arms to Ukraine, backed armed drones and committed to buying new fighter jets that can drop nuclear bombs, sealing Germany’s continued role in NATO’s system of nuclear sharing.

“It is clear that we must invest much more in the security of our country, in order to protect our freedom and our democracy,” Scholz said.

When Andrä saw the news of Scholz’s pivot from his office in Rukla, he was stunned. “I didn’t believe what I was hearing,” he recalled. “All of this would have been unthinkable only four weeks ago. It was historic.”

History is never far in Europe. The last time German soldiers set up base in Lithuania was during the country’s occupation in World War II. They drove out the Soviets, rounded up and killed more than 90% of the Jewish population before, in turn, being driven out by Soviet forces.

The Soviets stayed, making Lithuania a Soviet Republic until the Soviet Union collapsed, a humiliation that Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, seeks to vindicate with his invasion of Ukraine.

So now it is the Germans who are back — this time at the Lithuanians’ invitation — to help protect against Russian aggression.

The German soldiers in Rukla were deployed in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the first part of Ukraine that the Kremlin grabbed in 2014. Along with soldiers from seven other NATO nations, they have kept watch over their section of the alliance’s border for the past five years, welcomed by the local population and officials alike. “We want a strong Germany,” said Gen. Mindaugas Steponavicius, Lithuania’s chief of the defense staff.

For decades, Germany hung back on security matters, content to lead economically as it clung to a pacifist leaning that was forged in the wake of World War II and the Holocaust. German politicians were reluctant to talk about the military; German citizens were reluctant to hear about it. Before his pivot, Scholz himself came under fierce criticism for his seeming reluctance to get tough on Russia over Ukraine.

But Russia’s attack on Ukraine has jolted not just the German government into action — public opinion has dramatically shifted, too. Two in three Germans now support arms shipments to Ukraine and back increased military spending. In mid-February, a majority was still opposed to both.

“There is a realization that military power matters,” said Claudia Major, head of the international security division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

But if the war in Ukraine was a wake-up call, it has also exposed how weak a link the Germans still are in the NATO structure. On the morning of the Russian invasion, Gen. Alfons Mais, Germany’s chief of defense, posted a brutally honest assessment of where German capabilities were.

“In my 41st year of service in peace, I would not have thought I would have had to experience another war,” Mais wrote. “And the Bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less broke. The options we can offer policymakers to support the alliance are extremely limited.”

At the end of the Cold War, when West Germany was still a NATO front-line state on the border to the Soviet empire, it had more than 500,000 soldiers and spent 2.7% of its gross domestic product on defense. Today, the reunified Germany has 184,000 soldiers and spends just 1.5% of GDP on defense.

“The German military was starved of money for years because we had a strategic partnership with Russia, and we didn’t believe we had to defend our territory anymore,” said Major. “Our soldiers were deployed to help others, whether in Afghanistan or Mali. We were fighting wars of choice. But this is about us, and if we are returning to a paradigm of wars of necessity, you need the whole military to be operational.”

As the chancellor put it in his speech last month, “We need planes that fly, ships that sail and soldiers that are optimally equipped.”

There is a shortage of everything from protective vests to thermal underwear. Radio equipment is 30 years out of date. Only 1 in 3 warships is ready to deploy — so few that the navy worries it cannot meet all its international commitments.

Even in Rukla, the flagship German NATO mission which has relatively few complaints when it comes to resources, the general scarcity has been felt.

Some of the armored vehicles are five decades old. The radios are more than 30 years old. During international exercises in Lithuania, their equipment routinely made the German units “the weakest link in the chain,” soldiers reported to the parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces on their return from tours in Rukla.

Some in Lithuania joke that they would like some “real soldiers” protecting them. In neighboring Poland, Latvia and Estonia, the NATO battlegroups are led by Americans, Canadians and Britons, respectively.

“The German military is great; we’re so grateful to have them here,” said Laurynas Kasciunas, chair of the national security and defense Committee in Lithuania. “But we’d also like some American troops, please, combat-ready and ideally permanently.”

Short of that, the challenge, security experts say, is how to ensure that the 100 billion euros in special funds for the German military are spent fast — and wisely.

The government has already announced an order of as many as 35 F-35 fighter jets to replace Germany’s aging fleet of Tornado bombers. On Monday, the chancellor met with Germany’s top-ranking general to discuss what else should get priority on the government’s shopping list.

But it will take more than money to modernize the German military, experts and officials say. Procurement procedures are cumbersome and slow. Purchases above 25 million euros need to be approved individually by the parliamentary budget committee. Tenders cannot just be made in Germany but have to go out to the entire European Union.

“We need to reform the entire procurement bureaucracy,” Major said. “We now have a lot of money; if we don’t spend it wisely, we gain nothing.”

In Rukla, the revolution announced in Berlin last month is already being felt, Andrä said: “The few things that we didn’t have or don’t have, we are getting very fast right now.”

Hundreds of containers of ammunition have arrived. To get a reinforcement of 350 men to Rukla quickly, the defense minister had reduced their deployment time from 30 days to five.

“When we want to, we can move fast,” Andrä said. “We have shown that we are willing to do more.”

When the signal came over the radio that the NATO border was under attack, German tanks fanned out into the forest to stall the enemy’s advance. In short succession, men in camouflage tumbled out of the back of the tanks and took cover between the trees, assault rifles at the ready.

When the signal came over the radio that the NATO border was under attack, German tanks fanned out into the forest to stall the enemy’s advance. In short succession, men in camouflage tumbled out of the back of the tanks and took cover between the trees, assault rifles at the ready. The battle that ensued one recent afternoon near the town of Rukla in Lithuania, 60 miles from the Russian border, was only an exercise. But since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the mission of NATO’s battlegroup in Lithuania to defend the alliance’s external border no longer feels abstract to the soldiers and the country most of them come from. “The threat perception in Germany changed overnight,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Andrä, the commander of the 1,600-strong battlegroup in Lithuania. “We felt safe, in the middle of the continent, surrounded by friends. Now we have a full-spectrum war in Europe, and we are concerned, especially since we don’t know how far the escalation spiral will turn.” Three days after Russia attacked Ukraine last month, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany stood in Parliament and announced the biggest rearmament program for his country since the end of the Cold War, vowing not only to increase the defense budget beyond the NATO target that Germany had failed to hit for years but to invest an immediate 100 billion euros — two full years of military spending — to turn around years of underfunding of the German military. It was a revolution in a country whose Nazi past had long made it reluctant to invest in military power. By the end of his 30-minute speech, Scholz had overturned a ban on shipments of arms to Ukraine, backed armed drones and committed to buying new fighter jets that can drop nuclear bombs, sealing Germany’s continued role in NATO’s system of nuclear sharing. “It is clear that we must invest much more in the security of our country, in order to protect our freedom and our democracy,” Scholz said. When Andrä saw the news of Scholz’s pivot from his office in Rukla, he was stunned. “I didn’t believe what I was hearing,” he recalled. “All of this would have been unthinkable only four weeks ago. It was historic.” History is never far in Europe. The last time German soldiers set up base in Lithuania was during the country’s occupation in World War II. They drove out the Soviets, rounded up and killed more than 90% of the Jewish population before, in turn, being driven out by Soviet forces. The Soviets stayed, making Lithuania a Soviet Republic until the Soviet Union collapsed, a humiliation that Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, seeks to vindicate with his invasion of Ukraine. So now it is the Germans who are back — this time at the Lithuanians’ invitation — to help protect against Russian aggression. The German soldiers in Rukla were deployed in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the first part of Ukraine that the Kremlin grabbed in 2014. Along with soldiers from seven other NATO nations, they have kept watch over their section of the alliance’s border for the past five years, welcomed by the local population and officials alike. “We want a strong Germany,” said Gen. Mindaugas Steponavicius, Lithuania’s chief of the defense staff. For decades, Germany hung back on security matters, content to lead economically as it clung to a pacifist leaning that was forged in the wake of World War II and the Holocaust. German politicians were reluctant to talk about the military; German citizens were reluctant to hear about it. Before his pivot, Scholz himself came under fierce criticism for his seeming reluctance to get tough on Russia over Ukraine. But Russia’s attack on Ukraine has jolted not just the German government into action — public opinion has dramatically shifted, too. Two in three Germans now support arms shipments to Ukraine and back increased military spending. In mid-February, a majority was still opposed to both. “There is a realization that military power matters,” said Claudia Major, head of the international security division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. But if the war in Ukraine was a wake-up call, it has also exposed how weak a link the Germans still are in the NATO structure. On the morning of the Russian invasion, Gen. Alfons Mais, Germany’s chief of defense, posted a brutally honest assessment of where German capabilities were. “In my 41st year of service in peace, I would not have thought I would have had to experience another war,” Mais wrote. “And the Bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less broke. The options we can offer policymakers to support the alliance are extremely limited.” At the end of the Cold War, when West Germany was still a NATO front-line state on the border to the Soviet empire, it had more than 500,000 soldiers and spent 2.7% of its gross domestic product on defense. Today, the reunified Germany has 184,000 soldiers and spends just 1.5% of GDP on defense. “The German military was starved of money for years because we had a strategic partnership with Russia, and we didn’t believe we had to defend our territory anymore,” said Major. “Our soldiers were deployed to help others, whether in Afghanistan or Mali. We were fighting wars of choice. But this is about us, and if we are returning to a paradigm of wars of necessity, you need the whole military to be operational.” As the chancellor put it in his speech last month, “We need planes that fly, ships that sail and soldiers that are optimally equipped.” There is a shortage of everything from protective vests to thermal underwear. Radio equipment is 30 years out of date. Only 1 in 3 warships is ready to deploy — so few that the navy worries it cannot meet all its international commitments. Even in Rukla, the flagship German NATO mission which has relatively few complaints when it comes to resources, the general scarcity has been felt. Some of the armored vehicles are five decades old. The radios are more than 30 years old. During international exercises in Lithuania, their equipment routinely made the German units “the weakest link in the chain,” soldiers reported to the parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces on their return from tours in Rukla. Some in Lithuania joke that they would like some “real soldiers” protecting them. In neighboring Poland, Latvia and Estonia, the NATO battlegroups are led by Americans, Canadians and Britons, respectively. “The German military is great; we’re so grateful to have them here,” said Laurynas Kasciunas, chair of the national security and defense Committee in Lithuania. “But we’d also like some American troops, please, combat-ready and ideally permanently.” Short of that, the challenge, security experts say, is how to ensure that the 100 billion euros in special funds for the German military are spent fast — and wisely. The government has already announced an order of as many as 35 F-35 fighter jets to replace Germany’s aging fleet of Tornado bombers. On Monday, the chancellor met with Germany’s top-ranking general to discuss what else should get priority on the government’s shopping list. But it will take more than money to modernize the German military, experts and officials say. Procurement procedures are cumbersome and slow. Purchases above 25 million euros need to be approved individually by the parliamentary budget committee. Tenders cannot just be made in Germany but have to go out to the entire European Union. “We need to reform the entire procurement bureaucracy,” Major said. “We now have a lot of money; if we don’t spend it wisely, we gain nothing.” In Rukla, the revolution announced in Berlin last month is already being felt, Andrä said: “The few things that we didn’t have or don’t have, we are getting very fast right now.” Hundreds of containers of ammunition have arrived. To get a reinforcement of 350 men to Rukla quickly, the defense minister had reduced their deployment time from 30 days to five. “When we want to, we can move fast,” Andrä said. “We have shown that we are willing to do more.”

Germany is ready to lead militarily. Its military is not.

Centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) were seen extending their lead over German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in a poll published on Monday. Such a situation will increase chance of a left-leaning government coming into power in general elections next month.

The Insa poll for Bild TV showed support for the SPD and their chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz jump by 2 percentage points to 25%, the highest reading in the survey in four years.

Merkel's conservatives and Armin Laschet, their top candidate lost 3 points and reached a record low at 20 per cent.

The ecologist Greens stood at 16.5%, the business-friendly FDP at 13.5%, the far-right AfD at 11% and far-left Die Linke at 7%.

Insa head Hermann Binkert said Laschet could currently only become chancellor with a three-way 'Jamaica coalition' consisting of the black conservatives, the Greens and the yellow FDP.

"Olaf Scholz would have four options in which to lead the government," Binkert added. This included a so-called "traffic light" coalition with the Greens and the FDP and a more left-leaning coalition with the Greens and Die Linke.

Another possibility would be an SPD-led coalition government supported by the Greens and conservatives, or an SPD-led coalition supported by the conservatives and the FPD.

The conservatives rallied behind Laschet, promising to go on the offensive after he struggled to revive their campaign in a televised debate with rivals.

(With inputs from agencies)

Centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) were seen extending their lead over German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in a poll published on Monday. Such a situation will increase chance of a left-leaning government coming into power in general elections next month.

Centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) were seen extending their lead over German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in a poll published on Monday. Such a situation will increase chance of a left-leaning government coming into power in general elections next month. The Insa poll for Bild TV showed support for the SPD and their chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz jump by 2 percentage points to 25%, the highest reading in the survey in four years. Merkel's conservatives and Armin Laschet, their top candidate lost 3 points and reached a record low at 20 per cent. The ecologist Greens stood at 16.5%, the business-friendly FDP at 13.5%, the far-right AfD at 11% and far-left Die Linke at 7%. Insa head Hermann Binkert said Laschet could currently only become chancellor with a three-way 'Jamaica coalition' consisting of the black conservatives, the Greens and the yellow FDP. "Olaf Scholz would have four options in which to lead the government," Binkert added. This included a so-called "traffic light" coalition with the Greens and the FDP and a more left-leaning coalition with the Greens and Die Linke. Another possibility would be an SPD-led coalition government supported by the Greens and conservatives, or an SPD-led coalition supported by the conservatives and the FPD. The conservatives rallied behind Laschet, promising to go on the offensive after he struggled to revive their campaign in a televised debate with rivals. (With inputs from agencies)

German poll: Social Democrats seen racing ahead, setback for Merkel

Model Jessica Leidolph, 36, suffered from a horrific incident on Tuesday during a photoshoot in Germany.

The model was seriously injured by a leopard&nbsp; as she entered the enclosure of two leopards at an animal shelter in eastern Germany. The owner of the property reportedly runs a retirement home for show animals. The two animals are identified as Troy and Paris.&nbsp;

After being attacked, Jessica told a publication: "It [the leopard] was constantly biting my cheek, my ear, my head.”

She was hurriedly taken to the hospital by a helicopter.&nbsp;

It is unknown who arranged the photoshoot or who was filming the model.&nbsp;

According to the BBC, the police said she suffered serious head injuries. She underwent an operation which was successful, although she will still have scars from the attack.&nbsp;

Local authorities are now investigating the attack.

Model Jessica Leidolph, 36, suffered from a horrific incident on Tuesday during a photoshoot in Germany. The model was seriously injured by a leopard as she entered the enclosure of two leopards at an animal shelter in eastern Germany.

Model Jessica Leidolph, 36, suffered from a horrific incident on Tuesday during a photoshoot in Germany. The model was seriously injured by a leopard as she entered the enclosure of two leopards at an animal shelter in eastern Germany. The owner of the property reportedly runs a retirement home for show animals. The two animals are identified as Troy and Paris. After being attacked, Jessica told a publication: "It [the leopard] was constantly biting my cheek, my ear, my head.” She was hurriedly taken to the hospital by a helicopter. It is unknown who arranged the photoshoot or who was filming the model. According to the BBC, the police said she suffered serious head injuries. She underwent an operation which was successful, although she will still have scars from the attack. Local authorities are now investigating the attack.

Model attacked by leopards in Germany during photoshoot

Germany is walking a tightrope between its security and economic interests as China has become Berlin's most important trading partner.

German warship sets sail for Indo-Pacific region

The German government in 2019 approved a proposal by the Central Council of Jews to restore religious counseling for Jews serving in the armed forces.

Germany gets 1st military rabbi in over a century

The foreign and defence ministers of Japan and Germany will hold a “2 plus 2” virtual dialogue in mid-April -- in the wake of China taking an increasingly aggressive foreign policy approach in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan and Germany to hold first '2 plus 2' dialogue talks in April

The novel Coronavirus is still prevailing in Europe. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has extended the nationwide lockdown till 18th April in view of the radical increase in covid cases.

Germany extends lockdown measures till 18 April

Europe: Germany has recorded 14,356 new cases in the last 24 hours. This sharp surge in covid cases is considered as a result of the easing of lockdown curbs last week.

Germany records 14,356 new cases in last 24 hours

Merkel said there were various reasons for the slower pace of vaccination in Germany compared to other countries.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel promises every citizen a Covid vaccine by September

Germany's vaccine commission said the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine should not be given to people older than 65 years.

'AstraZeneca vaccine shouldn't be given to over-65s', says Germany's vaccine commission

Several European countries such as Belgium and Germany are imposing travel bans on all the incoming flights from the UK and South Africa to make sure the new variant does not get transmitted to their countries.

Scientific experts on new Coronavirus strain in Europe

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