Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday (August 17)&nbsp;said&nbsp;that his army is "strengthening" their positions in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukraine has been conducting a major ground offensive for over 11 days.

His remarks followed Moscow's accusation that Kyiv&nbsp;had destroyed a key bridge in the border region, as part of Ukrainian&nbsp;efforts to disrupt supply lines and troop movements in the area.

<h2>Russian officials accuse&nbsp;Ukraine of targeting key&nbsp;bridge</h2>

On Friday (August 16), Russian officials accused Ukraine of targeting a strategically important bridge in the Kursk region, close to the ongoing conflict. The region's governor, Alexei Smirnov, stated that the bridge, located in the Glushkovsky district about 11 kilometres (seven miles) from the border, had been destroyed.

Aerial footage released by Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk appeared to show the bridge being struck by a high-speed projectile, collapsing in a cloud of smoke. "Ukrainian pilots are executing precise strikes on enemy strongholds, equipment concentrations, as well as on enemy logistics centers and supply routes," he said on Telegram.

<h2>Germany&nbsp;to cut&nbsp;military assistance to Kyiv by half in 2025: Report</h2>

Germany, the second-largest donor of aid to Ukraine, plans to cut its bilateral military assistance&nbsp;by half in 2025, according to a report by news agency AFP citing&nbsp;a parliamentary source on Saturday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idf-kills-27-in-separate-attacks-in-gaza-lebanon-hamas-dismisses-truce-claims-750987">IDF kills 27 in separate attacks in Gaza, Lebanon; Hamas dismisses truce claim</a>

Instead, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government plans to rely on funds generated from frozen Russian assets to continue supporting Ukraine, with no plans for additional aid beyond the four billion euros ($4.4 billion) already allocated in next year's budget. This year's aid from Berlin reportedly totalled eight billion euros.

To make up for the difference, Germany is looking to create a financial instrument using frozen Russian assets within the framework of the G7 and the European Union, the&nbsp;finance ministry source told AFP.

<h2>Russia&nbsp;captures another village </h2>

On Friday, Russia claimed its forces had captured another village near Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian-held logistics hub that is crucial for supplying troops and towns along the eastern front.

Russian forces have been slowly advancing towards the town for months reportedly&nbsp;capturing a series of small villages in recent weeks.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday (August 17) said that his army is "strengthening" their positions in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukraine has been conducting a major ground offensive for over 11 days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday (August 17) said that his army is "strengthening" their positions in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukraine has been conducting a major ground offensive for over 11 days. His remarks followed Moscow's accusation that Kyiv had destroyed a key bridge in the border region, as part of Ukrainian efforts to disrupt supply lines and troop movements in the area. Russian officials accuse Ukraine of targeting key bridge On Friday (August 16), Russian officials accused Ukraine of targeting a strategically important bridge in the Kursk region, close to the ongoing conflict. The region's governor, Alexei Smirnov, stated that the bridge, located in the Glushkovsky district about 11 kilometres (seven miles) from the border, had been destroyed. Aerial footage released by Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk appeared to show the bridge being struck by a high-speed projectile, collapsing in a cloud of smoke. "Ukrainian pilots are executing precise strikes on enemy strongholds, equipment concentrations, as well as on enemy logistics centers and supply routes," he said on Telegram. Germany to cut military assistance to Kyiv by half in 2025: Report Germany, the second-largest donor of aid to Ukraine, plans to cut its bilateral military assistance by half in 2025, according to a report by news agency AFP citing a parliamentary source on Saturday. Also read: IDF kills 27 in separate attacks in Gaza, Lebanon; Hamas dismisses truce claim Instead, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government plans to rely on funds generated from frozen Russian assets to continue supporting Ukraine, with no plans for additional aid beyond the four billion euros ($4.4 billion) already allocated in next year's budget. This year's aid from Berlin reportedly totalled eight billion euros. To make up for the difference, Germany is looking to create a financial instrument using frozen Russian assets within the framework of the G7 and the European Union, the finance ministry source told AFP. Russia captures another village On Friday, Russia claimed its forces had captured another village near Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian-held logistics hub that is crucial for supplying troops and towns along the eastern front. Russian forces have been slowly advancing towards the town for months reportedly capturing a series of small villages in recent weeks. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine tightens grip in Russia's Kursk; Germany slashes military aid to Kyiv

A Ferris wheel at the Highfield Music Festival near Leipzig in Germany caught fire on Saturday at 9 pm. As per the police, thirty people got injured due to the incident, but these injuries were mostly mild cases of smoke inhalation.&nbsp;

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New fear unlocked! A fire has broken out on a ferris wheel at the Highfield rock festival in eastern Germany 👀<a href="https://t.co/ZYAatmy0w7">pic.twitter.com/ZYAatmy0w7</a>
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) <a href="https://twitter.com/volcaholic1/status/1824907566918545456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Up in the air, the two gondolas on the Ferris wheel caught fire, but the cause of the fire is still unknown. The festival organisers reported that the injured people were getting medical help and the situation was under control. They also mentioned that they were in contact with the police, medical services, and fire brigade.&nbsp;

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As per festival organisers, only four people got injured and one sustained injuries from a fall from the Ferris Wheel. Some media reports said that among the four injured people were four police officers. The fire brigade spokesperson reported that the situation was under control.&nbsp;

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When the fire broke out, German rapper Ski Aggu was performing at the music festival. He took to his Instagram and posted that he was "dismayed and shocked" after the incident. He said, he was asked not to cancel the show under any circumstances, but should also engage with the audience to avoid mass panic. He said that his priority was to control the incident and it should not escalate further. The rapper thanked people for staying calm. He also mentioned that the rescue workers were very quick in their work and managed to control the situation before it could get out of control.&nbsp;

Around 10 pm on Saturday, when everything was under control, the organisers reported that the Ferris wheel had closed and they resumed the performances on stage to continue further. They asked people to look after each other at the music festival and enjoy the shows.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

With inputs from agencies&nbsp;

A Ferris wheel at the Highfield Music Festival near Leipzig in Germany caught fire on Saturday at 9 pm. As per the police, thirty people got injured due to the incident, but these injuries were mostly mild cases of smoke inhalation.

A Ferris wheel at the Highfield Music Festival near Leipzig in Germany caught fire on Saturday at 9 pm. As per the police, thirty people got injured due to the incident, but these injuries were mostly mild cases of smoke inhalation. New fear unlocked! A fire has broken out on a ferris wheel at the Highfield rock festival in eastern Germany 👀pic.twitter.com/ZYAatmy0w7 — Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) August 17, 2024 × Up in the air, the two gondolas on the Ferris wheel caught fire, but the cause of the fire is still unknown. The festival organisers reported that the injured people were getting medical help and the situation was under control. They also mentioned that they were in contact with the police, medical services, and fire brigade. Also Read|IDF chiefs knew about Oct 7 attacks but never informed top officials: Report| As per festival organisers, only four people got injured and one sustained injuries from a fall from the Ferris Wheel. Some media reports said that among the four injured people were four police officers. The fire brigade spokesperson reported that the situation was under control. Also Read|US prez election: Harris-Walz campaign to spend $370 mn on digital, TV ads| When the fire broke out, German rapper Ski Aggu was performing at the music festival. He took to his Instagram and posted that he was "dismayed and shocked" after the incident. He said, he was asked not to cancel the show under any circumstances, but should also engage with the audience to avoid mass panic. He said that his priority was to control the incident and it should not escalate further. The rapper thanked people for staying calm. He also mentioned that the rescue workers were very quick in their work and managed to control the situation before it could get out of control. Around 10 pm on Saturday, when everything was under control, the organisers reported that the Ferris wheel had closed and they resumed the performances on stage to continue further. They asked people to look after each other at the music festival and enjoy the shows. With inputs from agencies

Ferris Wheel caught fire at a music festival in Germany - Video

‘Dangerous’ and ‘stupid’ climate activists in Germany temporarily blocked operations at two airports on Thursday (Aug 15), in an attempt to force the government to ban the use of oil, gas and coal by 2030.

Activists from Letzte Generation broke into the landing strips of four airports at dawn: Cologne-Bonn, Nuremberg, Berlin-Brandenburg, and Stuttgart. They were equipped with fence and bolt cutters. They managed to glue themselves to the asphalt and stop operations at two of them: Nuremberg and Cologne-Bonn.

They also waved banners reading: “Oil kills” and “Sign the treaty”, in order to call on the German government to sign an international treaty to ban the use of fossil fuels by 2030. The airport operations resumed after all the protestors were detained and removed by police.

<h2>Interior minister condemns protest</h2>

The protest was vehemently condemned by Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, who dubbed the activists as “dangerous and stupid.”

“These anarchists are risking not only their own lives,&nbsp;Letzte Generation’s argument but are also endangering others. We have recommended tough prison sentences. And we obligate airports to secure their facilities significantly better,” she wrote on X.

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The climate group defended its actions, saying the government’s inaction was putting people’s lives in danger.

“What’s dangerous is your political failure which is dragging us ever deeper into a catastrophe … we’re talking about our existence. About the lives of billions of people,” the group wrote on X.

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The group later said eight people were released by the police.

The disruption also attracted condemnation from airport association ADV, which said: “Today’s disruptions at several airports are a concerted act of criminal extortion. This is not a peaceful protest and it is not about supposedly higher goals.”

“These are malicious interventions in air traffic and in the personal rights of every traveller who is unable to take their flight as planned,” said DV’s managing director, Ralph Beisel.

Over the last few years, the German government has tightened the noose around climate protesters. During summers, German authorities raided homes of climate protesters in five cities and collected DNA samples, which Letzte Generation termed as “an attempt at intimidation”.

(With inputs from agencies)

‘Dangerous’ and ‘stupid’ climate activists in Germany temporarily blocked operations at two airports on Thursday (Aug 15), in an attempt to force the government to ban the use of oil, gas and coal by 2030.

‘Dangerous’ and ‘stupid’ climate activists in Germany temporarily blocked operations at two airports on Thursday (Aug 15), in an attempt to force the government to ban the use of oil, gas and coal by 2030. Activists from Letzte Generation broke into the landing strips of four airports at dawn: Cologne-Bonn, Nuremberg, Berlin-Brandenburg, and Stuttgart. They were equipped with fence and bolt cutters. They managed to glue themselves to the asphalt and stop operations at two of them: Nuremberg and Cologne-Bonn. They also waved banners reading: “Oil kills” and “Sign the treaty”, in order to call on the German government to sign an international treaty to ban the use of fossil fuels by 2030. The airport operations resumed after all the protestors were detained and removed by police. Interior minister condemns protest The protest was vehemently condemned by Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, who dubbed the activists as “dangerous and stupid.” “These anarchists are risking not only their own lives, Letzte Generation’s argument but are also endangering others. We have recommended tough prison sentences. And we obligate airports to secure their facilities significantly better,” she wrote on X. Also read: China woos German carmakers to avoid EV tariffs The climate group defended its actions, saying the government’s inaction was putting people’s lives in danger. “What’s dangerous is your political failure which is dragging us ever deeper into a catastrophe … we’re talking about our existence. About the lives of billions of people,” the group wrote on X. Also read: Flying Tejas was a great experience, says German Air Force Chief The group later said eight people were released by the police. The disruption also attracted condemnation from airport association ADV, which said: “Today’s disruptions at several airports are a concerted act of criminal extortion. This is not a peaceful protest and it is not about supposedly higher goals.” “These are malicious interventions in air traffic and in the personal rights of every traveller who is unable to take their flight as planned,” said DV’s managing director, Ralph Beisel. Over the last few years, the German government has tightened the noose around climate protesters. During summers, German authorities raided homes of climate protesters in five cities and collected DNA samples, which Letzte Generation termed as “an attempt at intimidation”. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Stupid’ climate activists halt operations at German airports after breaking in

A NATO air base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, about 622 km west of Berlin,&nbsp;was sealed off on Wednesday (August 14) due to a suspected sabotage incident, according to a spokesperson from the German military’s Territorial Command in Berlin.

This follows a similar incident at a German military base near Cologne.

The Cologne base, located next to the airport and housing 4,300 soldiers and 1,200 civilian employees, has also been sealed off. Soldiers at the base have been advised not to drink tap water due to potential contamination, which is being investigated as a possible act of sabotage.

A hole was discovered in a fence near drinking water storage facilities, the military's territorial command said on X.&nbsp;

The Cologne-Wahn base, located near Cologne-Bonn airport, is home to several military and civilian facilities of the German armed forces as well as aircraft used by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his ministers for official travel.

The base is also an important hub for military support for Ukraine amid ongoing war with Russia. The Ukrainian soldiers regularly fly home from there, via Poland, after receiving training in Germany, Der Spiegel reported.

Also watch |&nbsp;NATO at 75 as alliance faces uncertain future

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Following the lockdown at the Cologne-Wahn base, the NATO site also increased its security level.

It however later emerged that the base was not sealed off and continued operating at full capacity, the spokesman said.&nbsp;

The airbase is home to NATO AWACS reconnaissance aircraft.&nbsp;

Marcus Faber, a German lawmaker from the liberal FDP party told Bild daily that with the two incidents coming so close together "one can assume that an enemy actor wants to demonstrate his sabotage skills".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A NATO air base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, about 622 km west of Berlin, was sealed off on Wednesday (August 14) due to a suspected sabotage incident, according to a spokesperson from the German military’s Territorial Command in Berlin.

A NATO air base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, about 622 km west of Berlin, was sealed off on Wednesday (August 14) due to a suspected sabotage incident, according to a spokesperson from the German military’s Territorial Command in Berlin. This follows a similar incident at a German military base near Cologne. The Cologne base, located next to the airport and housing 4,300 soldiers and 1,200 civilian employees, has also been sealed off. Soldiers at the base have been advised not to drink tap water due to potential contamination, which is being investigated as a possible act of sabotage. A hole was discovered in a fence near drinking water storage facilities, the military's territorial command said on X. The Cologne-Wahn base, located near Cologne-Bonn airport, is home to several military and civilian facilities of the German armed forces as well as aircraft used by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his ministers for official travel. The base is also an important hub for military support for Ukraine amid ongoing war with Russia. The Ukrainian soldiers regularly fly home from there, via Poland, after receiving training in Germany, Der Spiegel reported. Also watch | NATO at 75 as alliance faces uncertain future × Following the lockdown at the Cologne-Wahn base, the NATO site also increased its security level. It however later emerged that the base was not sealed off and continued operating at full capacity, the spokesman said. The airbase is home to NATO AWACS reconnaissance aircraft. Marcus Faber, a German lawmaker from the liberal FDP party told Bild daily that with the two incidents coming so close together "one can assume that an enemy actor wants to demonstrate his sabotage skills". (With inputs from agencies)

Military, NATO bases in Germany sealed off after suspected sabotage

Two NATO air bases in Germany were sealed off after suspected sabotage. From Paris, the development emerged that ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat won't be given a silver medal after she failed to weigh as per her category hours before her final bout at the quadrennial event.&nbsp;

Click here to read more:

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A NATO air base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, about 622 km west of Berlin,&nbsp;was sealed off on Wednesday (August 14) due to a suspected sabotage incident, according to a spokesperson from the German military’s Territorial Command in Berlin. 
 
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Two NATO air bases in Germany were sealed off after suspected sabotage. From Paris, the development emerged that ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat won't be given a silver medal after she failed to weigh as per her category hours before her final bout at the quadrennial event.

Two NATO air bases in Germany were sealed off after suspected sabotage. From Paris, the development emerged that ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat won't be given a silver medal after she failed to weigh as per her category hours before her final bout at the quadrennial event. Click here to read more: Two NATO bases in Germany sealed off after suspected sabotage A NATO air base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, about 622 km west of Berlin, was sealed off on Wednesday (August 14) due to a suspected sabotage incident, according to a spokesperson from the German military’s Territorial Command in Berlin. Vinesh Phogat CAS Verdict: Wrestler's appeal for joint-silver medal dismissed The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has dismissed wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal against disqualification from women's 50kg freestyle gold medal bout at Paris Olympics 2024. The decision was announced on Wednesday (Aug 14). Political chaos in Thailand: PM Srettha Thavisin removed from office by court Throwing the country into a political conundrum, Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday (Aug 14) removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office in an ethics case. Two French Mirage fighter jets crash mid-air, search launched for two missing pilots Two French Mirage fighter jets reportedly crashed mid-air on Wednesday (Aug 14) morning in France’s north-eastern region, triggering the launch of a massive search and rescue operation. The jets collided on the border between Vosges and Meurthe-et-Moselle, south of Colombey-les-Belles. Ukraine forces advance 2 km inside Russia’s Kursk, claims Zelensky; India issues advisory Ukraine on Wednesday (Aug 14) said that its forces had advanced deeper into Russia’s Kursk region as Moscow faces the biggest incursion since World War 2. The offensive began on August 6 and has now affected at least three regions of the country, posing a major security challenge for strongman President Vladimir Putin. President Murmu recalls horrors of partition, says social justice top priority of Modi government India's President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on Wednesday (August 14) on the eve of the 78th Independence Day. "Modi government has taken numerous initiatives for the welfare of SC, ST, and marginalised sections. Social justice is top priority of Modi government," President Murmu said. Will Sheikh Hasina be extradited? × Donald Trump whitewashes Kamala Harris? Calls her 'beautiful' like wife Melania Less than a month after stepping up as the Democratic presidential candidate, US Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining momentum in the race, moving ahead in polls and attracting large crowds at rallies across the United States. This week, the presumptive presidential candidate for the Democratic Party also landed the cover of Time Magazine. Post Vienna scare: Unticketed Taylor Swift fans banned from standing outside London stadium New safety measures have been put in place for Taylor Swift’s concert in London. This will be the first time that the American singer will perform, after three concerts were cancelled in the Austrian capital city, Vienna.

Top 10 world news: NATO bases in Germany sealed; Vinesh Phogat loses appeal for Olympic Silver; and more

German prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man over the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, German media reported Wednesday, with Polish prosecutors confirming they had received the warrant.

In the two years since the mysterious explosions hit the pipelines, speculation has been rife about who was responsible for the sabotage, with Ukraine and Russia both vehemently denying any involvement.

But German media reported on Wednesday that a European arrest warrant had been requested for a Ukrainian man, a diving instructor whose last known address was in Poland.

The Polish prosecutor's office told AFP it had received the warrant for a man named as "Volodymyr Z." in June "in connection with proceedings against him in&nbsp;Germany".

However, the man left for Ukraine at the beginning of July before he could be detained, it said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwimiqXg5PSHAxW_R2wGHbu1HZwQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-zelensky-lie-all-this-while-new-report-claims-ukrainian-military-officer-coordinated-nord-stream-sabotage-657729" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/did-zelensky-lie-all-this-while-new-report-claims-ukrainian-military-officer-coordinated-nord-stream-sabotage-657729&amp;ved=2ahUKEwimiqXg5PSHAxW_R2wGHbu1HZwQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE">Did Zelensky lie all this while? New report claims Ukrainian military officer coordinated Nord Stream sabotage</a>

German investigators believe the man was one of the divers who planted explosive devices on the Nord Stream pipelines, according to the ARD broadcaster and newspapers Die Zeit and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

They have also identified two more Ukrainians, a man and a woman, who they believe acted as divers in the attacks, the reports said -- believed to be a married couple who run a diving school in Ukraine.

However, no arrest warrants have yet been issued for them.

Watch:&nbsp;Nord stream sabotage: A global mystery | The biggest international whodunit?

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Different German media outlets reported Wednesday that they had reached Volodymyr Z. and the woman in question, but both denied any involvement.

The German federal prosecution service declined to comment when contacted by AFP.&nbsp;

German government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner also did not comment directly on the reports but stressed that German prosecutors' "investigations are being carried out according to the law regardless of who is concerned and which results they lead to".

Buechner told reporters at a press conference that the results of the probe "of course do not change anything about the fact that Russia is waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine".

Polish prosecutors said the suspect had been able to leave Poland because German investigators did not "include him in the database of wanted persons".

"The Polish Border Guard had no knowledge and no grounds for detaining Volodymyr Z.," the prosecutor's office told AFP.

<h2>Yacht plot</h2>

Nord Stream's two pipelines had been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Four large gas leaks were discovered in September 2022 in the pipelines off the Danish island of Bornholm, with seismic institutes recording two underwater explosions just before.

While the leaks were in international waters, two were in Denmark's exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden's.

The pipelines were not in operation when the leaks occurred, but they still contained gas which spewed up to the surface and into the atmosphere.

The Ukrainian suspects are accused of transporting the explosives used in the attack in a sailing yacht called the Andromeda, according to German media reports.

The same yacht was searched by German investigators in January 2023.

According to reports at the time, a team of five men and one woman chartered the yacht from Rostock port to carry out the operation.

In June 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Kyiv knew nothing about any plan to blow up the pipelines.

As president he has the power to give orders, Zelensky said in an interview with&nbsp;Germany's Bild daily.

"I did nothing like that. I would never do that," he said.

Denmark, Sweden and&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;all opened investigations into the explosions.

However, Denmark and Sweden both closed their investigations earlier this year.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

German prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man over the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, German media reported Wednesday, with Polish prosecutors confirming they had received the warrant.

German prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man over the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, German media reported Wednesday, with Polish prosecutors confirming they had received the warrant. In the two years since the mysterious explosions hit the pipelines, speculation has been rife about who was responsible for the sabotage, with Ukraine and Russia both vehemently denying any involvement. But German media reported on Wednesday that a European arrest warrant had been requested for a Ukrainian man, a diving instructor whose last known address was in Poland. The Polish prosecutor's office told AFP it had received the warrant for a man named as "Volodymyr Z." in June "in connection with proceedings against him in Germany". However, the man left for Ukraine at the beginning of July before he could be detained, it said. Also read: Did Zelensky lie all this while? New report claims Ukrainian military officer coordinated Nord Stream sabotage German investigators believe the man was one of the divers who planted explosive devices on the Nord Stream pipelines, according to the ARD broadcaster and newspapers Die Zeit and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung. They have also identified two more Ukrainians, a man and a woman, who they believe acted as divers in the attacks, the reports said -- believed to be a married couple who run a diving school in Ukraine. However, no arrest warrants have yet been issued for them. Watch: Nord stream sabotage: A global mystery | The biggest international whodunit? × Different German media outlets reported Wednesday that they had reached Volodymyr Z. and the woman in question, but both denied any involvement. The German federal prosecution service declined to comment when contacted by AFP. German government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner also did not comment directly on the reports but stressed that German prosecutors' "investigations are being carried out according to the law regardless of who is concerned and which results they lead to". Buechner told reporters at a press conference that the results of the probe "of course do not change anything about the fact that Russia is waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine". Polish prosecutors said the suspect had been able to leave Poland because German investigators did not "include him in the database of wanted persons". "The Polish Border Guard had no knowledge and no grounds for detaining Volodymyr Z.," the prosecutor's office told AFP. Yacht plot Nord Stream's two pipelines had been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Four large gas leaks were discovered in September 2022 in the pipelines off the Danish island of Bornholm, with seismic institutes recording two underwater explosions just before. While the leaks were in international waters, two were in Denmark's exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden's. The pipelines were not in operation when the leaks occurred, but they still contained gas which spewed up to the surface and into the atmosphere. The Ukrainian suspects are accused of transporting the explosives used in the attack in a sailing yacht called the Andromeda, according to German media reports. The same yacht was searched by German investigators in January 2023. According to reports at the time, a team of five men and one woman chartered the yacht from Rostock port to carry out the operation. In June 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Kyiv knew nothing about any plan to blow up the pipelines. As president he has the power to give orders, Zelensky said in an interview with Germany's Bild daily. "I did nothing like that. I would never do that," he said. Denmark, Sweden and Germany all opened investigations into the explosions. However, Denmark and Sweden both closed their investigations earlier this year. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Germany issues arrest warrant for Ukrainian man over 'planting explosives' on Nord Stream pipelines

For the first time since 2014, the united states has overtaken china as Germany's biggest trading partner, signifying a shift in global trade dynamics.

US Overtakes China as Germany's top trade partner

German authorities arrested a doctor in Berlin who allegedly killed four elderly patients in&nbsp;separate incidents and then set their homes on fire to cover up the evidence.

The 39-year-old doctor currently remains in custody ahead of a potential indictment. Police and prosecutors didn’t reveal his name to the public under Germany’s privacy rules. The doctor was a part of a nursing service's palliative care team.

The doctor allegedly executed the killings in the months of June and July. He allegedly tried killing an 87-year-old woman on June 11. Firefighters tried to revive her but the woman succumbed to injuries in hospital.

In the second case, the doctor allegedly killed a 76-year-old woman on June 8. Police said the man then set her home on fire but it went out on its own. After realising this, he contacted a relative of the victim and informed them that the woman could be in danger.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwih-uevj-OHAxUwSWwGHR5JGl8QxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eye-on-china-philippines-germany-commit-to-concluding-broader-defence-agreement-746984" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/eye-on-china-philippines-germany-commit-to-concluding-broader-defence-agreement-746984&amp;ved=2ahUKEwih-uevj-OHAxUwSWwGHR5JGl8QxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE">Eye on China? Philippines, Germany commit to concluding broader defence agreement</a>

"When he realized this, he allegedly informed a relative of the woman and claimed that he was standing in front of her flat and that nobody was answering his doorbell," police said.

The two more murders took place on July 15 and 24, resulting in the deaths of a 72-year-old and 94-year-old patient, respectively.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwih-uevj-OHAxUwSWwGHR5JGl8QxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-summons-german-diplomat-to-mea-protests-germanys-comments-on-kejriwals-arrest-703448" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/india-summons-german-diplomat-to-mea-protests-germanys-comments-on-kejriwals-arrest-703448&amp;ved=2ahUKEwih-uevj-OHAxUwSWwGHR5JGl8QxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE">India summons German diplomat to MEA, protests Germany’s comments on Kejriwal’s arrest</a>

Investigators couldn’t ascertain what motivated the doctor to kill the patients and how he carried out the killings.

As of now, he is being detained on suspicion of manslaughter as well as one count of arson and three of attempted arson.

(With inputs from agencies)

German authorities arrested a doctor in Berlin who allegedly killed four elderly patients in separate incidents and then set their homes on fire to cover up the evidence.

German authorities arrested a doctor in Berlin who allegedly killed four elderly patients in separate incidents and then set their homes on fire to cover up the evidence. The 39-year-old doctor currently remains in custody ahead of a potential indictment. Police and prosecutors didn’t reveal his name to the public under Germany’s privacy rules. The doctor was a part of a nursing service's palliative care team. The doctor allegedly executed the killings in the months of June and July. He allegedly tried killing an 87-year-old woman on June 11. Firefighters tried to revive her but the woman succumbed to injuries in hospital. In the second case, the doctor allegedly killed a 76-year-old woman on June 8. Police said the man then set her home on fire but it went out on its own. After realising this, he contacted a relative of the victim and informed them that the woman could be in danger. Also read: Eye on China? Philippines, Germany commit to concluding broader defence agreement "When he realized this, he allegedly informed a relative of the woman and claimed that he was standing in front of her flat and that nobody was answering his doorbell," police said. The two more murders took place on July 15 and 24, resulting in the deaths of a 72-year-old and 94-year-old patient, respectively. Also read: India summons German diplomat to MEA, protests Germany’s comments on Kejriwal’s arrest Investigators couldn’t ascertain what motivated the doctor to kill the patients and how he carried out the killings. As of now, he is being detained on suspicion of manslaughter as well as one count of arson and three of attempted arson. (With inputs from agencies)

Berlin doctor’s ‘killing’ spree: Four elderly patients die after their homes set on fire

India, the bronze medallist from the Tokyo Olympics, will play Germany on Tuesday in the men's hockey competition to determine who advances to the Paris Olympics 2024 final.

Paris Olympics 2024: India to take on Germany in men's hockey for a berth in finals

India are all set to face Germany in the Paris Olympics 2024 hockey semifinal, which will be a rematch of the bronze medal tie from Tokyo 2020. Both teams are giants of the game and will be aiming to serve another thriller for the hockey fans.

Paris Olympics 2024: Indian hockey team to face Germany in the semi-final on Tuesday

The Philippines and Germany have committed to concluding a broader defence cooperation arrangement, their defence ministers said in a joint statement on Sunday.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius met with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila to enhance cooperation between the countries, which are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations.

The ministers committed to establishing long-term relations between their armed forces to expand training and bilateral exchanges, explore opportunities to expand bilateral armaments cooperation and engage in joint projects.

Also watch |&nbsp;South China Sea face-off: The Philippines that China was not prepared for

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Manila and Berlin are deepening military ties as tensions have flared in recent months between China and the Philippines, which have traded accusations over run-ins in disputed areas of the South China Sea, including charges China intentionally rammed Manila's navy boats seriously injuring a Filipino sailor.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed as exclusive economic zones by Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said Beijing's claims had no legal basis. China has rejected that ruling.

Teodoro and Pistorius reaffirmed that the international tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea was "final and legally binding", according to the joint statement.

Germany on Friday joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command in South Korea, becoming the 18th nation in a group that helps police the heavily fortified border with North Korea and has committed to defend the South in the event of a war.

Pistorius said that move was evidence of Berlin's strong belief that European security is closely linked to security in the Indo-Pacific region.

The United States and its partners are expanding alliances and partnerships, including those that span the globe.

China has expressed concern about the growing ties between NATO members and Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

The Philippines and Germany have committed to concluding a broader defence cooperation arrangement, their defence ministers said in a joint statement on Sunday. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius met with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila to enhance cooperation between the countries, which are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations.

The Philippines and Germany have committed to concluding a broader defence cooperation arrangement, their defence ministers said in a joint statement on Sunday. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius met with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila to enhance cooperation between the countries, which are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. The ministers committed to establishing long-term relations between their armed forces to expand training and bilateral exchanges, explore opportunities to expand bilateral armaments cooperation and engage in joint projects. Also watch | South China Sea face-off: The Philippines that China was not prepared for × Manila and Berlin are deepening military ties as tensions have flared in recent months between China and the Philippines, which have traded accusations over run-ins in disputed areas of the South China Sea, including charges China intentionally rammed Manila's navy boats seriously injuring a Filipino sailor. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed as exclusive economic zones by Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said Beijing's claims had no legal basis. China has rejected that ruling. Teodoro and Pistorius reaffirmed that the international tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea was "final and legally binding", according to the joint statement. Germany on Friday joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command in South Korea, becoming the 18th nation in a group that helps police the heavily fortified border with North Korea and has committed to defend the South in the event of a war. Pistorius said that move was evidence of Berlin's strong belief that European security is closely linked to security in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States and its partners are expanding alliances and partnerships, including those that span the globe. China has expressed concern about the growing ties between NATO members and Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Eye on China? Philippines, Germany commit to concluding broader defence agreement

Germany’s greenlit the joint venture between Volkswagen and US Electric Vehicle maker Rivian, paving the way for significant advancements in the electric vehicle sector. This partnership aims to develop next-generation Software-Defined Vehicle (sdv) platforms for future EVs from both companies.

Volkswagen, Rivian partner on EV tech

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a new warning to the West on Russian Navy Day. Russian President said Washington has risked triggering a cold war style Missile Crisis with its decision to deploy Munitions to Germany.

Russian President slams US move to deploy munitions to Germany

Iran summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday after the closure of an Islamic centre in Hamburg over alleged support for Lebanon's Hezbollah and links to Iran. Watch in for more details!

Iran summons German Envoy over closure of an Islamic centre

This week, Munich is the venue of the world’s largest scientific meeting to combat HIV – the virus that causes Aids. More than 10,000 participants are expected to attend the 25th International Aids Conference. Doctors, health experts and activists from more than 175 countries invited by the international aids society will discuss how the pathogen HIV and the acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome Aids can be further contained. It is the first time in three decades that the conference is being held in Germany: the experts gathered in Berlin in 1993.

Is the world winning the war on AIDS?

The German government on Wednesday (July 24) officially banned the Hamburg-based Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and its affiliated sub-organisations after accusing the group of promoting the Iranian leadership's ideology and supporting Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group.&nbsp;

The ban coincided with police raids on 53 properties linked with individuals belonging to the now-banned organisations. As a result of the ban, four Shiite mosques in Germany will be closed, and the IZH's assets will be confiscated, according to the interior ministry.

Also watch |&nbsp;Iranian Envoy Dr Iraj Ilahi speaks on Presidential elections, India Ties

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Affiliated institutions in the federal states of Bremen, Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin were also being investigated. The interior ministry said 53 properties were being searched, and four mosques were shut.&nbsp;

The development follows extensive investigations, including searches conducted in November. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the gathered material "confirmed the serious suspicions to such a degree that we ordered the ban today."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-criticises-un-nuclear-watchdog-resolution-calls-it-unwise-729238">Iran criticises UN nuclear watchdog resolution, calls it ‘unwise’</a>

According to Faeser, the IZH "promotes an Islamist-extremist, totalitarian ideology in Germany" and its affiliates "support the terrorists of Hezbollah and spread aggressive antisemitism."

The interior ministry further alleged that the IZH acts as the direct representative of Iran’s "Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution" in Germany, disseminating "the ideology of the Islamic Revolution in an aggressive and militant way" and seeking to instigate such a revolution within Germany.

Later in the day, Iran's foreign ministry summoned the German ambassador in Tehran over the ban on the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) association, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The IZH, which operates Imam Ali mosque in Hamburg, was under surveillance by Germany's domestic intelligence agency for an extended period.&nbsp;

The Imam Ali Mosque, known locally as the Blue Mosque, is one of Germany's oldest mosques.

In response to the accusations, the IZH earlier said that it "condemns every form of violence and extremism and has always advocated peace, tolerance, and interreligious dialogue."

(With inputs from agencies)

The German government on Wednesday (July 24) officially banned the Hamburg-based Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and its affiliated sub-organisations after accusing the group of promoting the Iranian leadership's ideology and supporting Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group.

The German government on Wednesday (July 24) officially banned the Hamburg-based Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and its affiliated sub-organisations after accusing the group of promoting the Iranian leadership's ideology and supporting Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group. The ban coincided with police raids on 53 properties linked with individuals belonging to the now-banned organisations. As a result of the ban, four Shiite mosques in Germany will be closed, and the IZH's assets will be confiscated, according to the interior ministry. Also watch | Iranian Envoy Dr Iraj Ilahi speaks on Presidential elections, India Ties × Affiliated institutions in the federal states of Bremen, Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin were also being investigated. The interior ministry said 53 properties were being searched, and four mosques were shut. The development follows extensive investigations, including searches conducted in November. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the gathered material "confirmed the serious suspicions to such a degree that we ordered the ban today." Also read | Iran criticises UN nuclear watchdog resolution, calls it ‘unwise’ According to Faeser, the IZH "promotes an Islamist-extremist, totalitarian ideology in Germany" and its affiliates "support the terrorists of Hezbollah and spread aggressive antisemitism." The interior ministry further alleged that the IZH acts as the direct representative of Iran’s "Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution" in Germany, disseminating "the ideology of the Islamic Revolution in an aggressive and militant way" and seeking to instigate such a revolution within Germany. Later in the day, Iran's foreign ministry summoned the German ambassador in Tehran over the ban on the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) association, the official IRNA news agency reported. The IZH, which operates Imam Ali mosque in Hamburg, was under surveillance by Germany's domestic intelligence agency for an extended period. The Imam Ali Mosque, known locally as the Blue Mosque, is one of Germany's oldest mosques. In response to the accusations, the IZH earlier said that it "condemns every form of violence and extremism and has always advocated peace, tolerance, and interreligious dialogue." (With inputs from agencies)

Iran-Germany showdown begins over ban on Hamburg’s Islamic Centre, mosques' closure

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force and the German, French and Spanish air forces begin joint exercises in the airspace around Japan from Friday as Europe deploys more forces in the region to increase deterrence against China and Russia.

Germany, France and Spain hold joint air drills in Japan

Afghan Nationals in Frankfurt in Germany have vandalised the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt and took the Pakistani flag down, the German LEAs have made some arrests and are actively investigating the matter. Watch to know more.

Pakistani consulate attacked by 'Afghans' in Germany

Germany, France and Japan hold joint military drills

Afghan Nationals in Frankfurt in Germany have vandalised the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt and took the Pakistani flag down -- the German LEAs have made some arrests and are actively investigating the matter. Watch to know more.

Pakistan condemns vandalising of its Consulate in Germany

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared he will visit Serbia this Friday and will meet President Aleksandar Vucic, a primary subject being the critical raw materials. This covers participation in a fateful primary conference on CRM in addition to the European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic. It is planned for Serbia during the summit to sign a memorandum with the European Union on the further development of a strategic partnership on sustainable non-energy goods and minerals, battery materials, and electric vehicles.

Discussions will be held on furthering a progressive project for the efficient mining of lithium in Serbia in continuation of establishment of a new European raw material strategy regarding risks involving sources. Specifically, the spokesperson underlined the importance of the visit in regard to the elaboration of the strategy on raw materials in Europe.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/autonews/tesla-switches-legal-teams-amidst-ongoing-antitrust-battle-741776">Tesla switches legal teams amidst ongoing antitrust battle</a>

The visit comes after the Serbian government recently approved a license for Rio Tinto to undertake what is Europe’s largest lithium deposit. The USD 2.4 billion Jadar project with inferred resources of more than 4 billion tons is located in western Serbia, and it will make Rio Tinto lithium-sulphate producer that will fulfil 90% of the current lithium demand in Europe.

Nonetheless, the project has been severely criticised by Serbian opposition political parties as well as environmental organisations due to the environmental problems that the project will cause.

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared he will visit Serbia this Friday and will meet President Aleksandar Vucic, a primary subject being the critical raw materials.

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared he will visit Serbia this Friday and will meet President Aleksandar Vucic, a primary subject being the critical raw materials. This covers participation in a fateful primary conference on CRM in addition to the European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic. It is planned for Serbia during the summit to sign a memorandum with the European Union on the further development of a strategic partnership on sustainable non-energy goods and minerals, battery materials, and electric vehicles. Discussions will be held on furthering a progressive project for the efficient mining of lithium in Serbia in continuation of establishment of a new European raw material strategy regarding risks involving sources. Specifically, the spokesperson underlined the importance of the visit in regard to the elaboration of the strategy on raw materials in Europe. Also Read: Tesla switches legal teams amidst ongoing antitrust battle The visit comes after the Serbian government recently approved a license for Rio Tinto to undertake what is Europe’s largest lithium deposit. The USD 2.4 billion Jadar project with inferred resources of more than 4 billion tons is located in western Serbia, and it will make Rio Tinto lithium-sulphate producer that will fulfil 90% of the current lithium demand in Europe. Nonetheless, the project has been severely criticised by Serbian opposition political parties as well as environmental organisations due to the environmental problems that the project will cause.

German Chancellor to visit Serbia for key talks on raw materials

As a geopolitical landscape shifts, Ukraine is caught in a perfect storm of dwindling support and mounting challenges. Germany a key Ally has announced plans to slash its military aid to Ukraine by half in the coming year. Watch this video for more details!

Russia-Ukraine war: Germany shocks allies with plans to halve Ukraine aid

A "secret document" reveals that around 800,000 allied NATO troops will be deployed during a war with Russia, supported by a huge number of weapons, and around 200,000 vehicles. The deployment will occur over a phase of three to six months, with troops arriving via Germany's North Sea ports before heading east towards the battlefields.

Gravitas: Is NATO preparing for World War III?

According to a report, Berlin expects some 800,000 German and allied NATO troops to use its ports, highways, and railways to head eastwards if the West’s simmering showdown with Russia turns hot in the near future.

Why NATO preparing 800,000 troops?

NATO to send 800,000 soldiers to fight Russia?

NATO can deploy 800,000 troops to fight Russia: Der Speigel Report

Germany striker&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;Mueller&nbsp;said Monday he was drawing a line under his 14-year career with the national team following the conclusion of Euro 2024.&nbsp; "After 131 national team games and 45 goals, I am saying goodbye,"&nbsp;Mueller&nbsp;said in a video statement announcing his decision.

Mueller, who turns 35 in September, was a key member of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup, beating Argentina in the final after extra time. "When I played my first international match for the German national team over 14 years ago, I could never have dreamed of all this,"&nbsp;Mueller&nbsp;said in the video. "Great victories and bitter defeats. Sometimes on the floor, only to get back up again," he said."It always made me very proud to play for my country. We celebrated together and sometimes shed a tear together."

Germany's 2-1 loss to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 will go down as&nbsp;Mueller's last game for the national team. A late extra-time goal by Spain's Mikel Merino dashed Germany's hopes of winning the tournament on home soil.

A tearful&nbsp;Mueller&nbsp;hinted after the game that he had played his last game for Germany. Mueller&nbsp;said he would hold talks with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann and decide whether it was the "sensible option" to step aside in favour of younger players.

<h2>- 'Unorthodox... unpredictable' -</h2>

Following&nbsp;Mueller's announcement, Nagelsmann lauded his qualities as a player, adding that the German team would "miss him very much".&nbsp; "Nobody is like&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;Mueller," said Rudi Voeller, the Germany national team director and a prolific striker in his own right. "His value to German football cannot be overestimated," Voeller said in a statement.

Mueller&nbsp;was "unorthodox, intuitive, unpredictable and that is precisely why (he) is successful", Voeller said. Mueller&nbsp;won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup in his debut year with the national team, scoring five goals at the tournament in South Africa.&nbsp;

The charismatic striker also scored the opening goal in Germany's famous 7-1 victory over the hosts Brazil in the 2014 World Cup on their way to lifting the title.&nbsp; Of the players to have won the World Cup with Germany that year, only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is still involved in the national team set-up. Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos announced before Euro 2024 that he would retire from football after the tournament.

Unlike Kroos,&nbsp;Mueller&nbsp;will continue to play for his club Bayern Munich, where he is under contract until 2025.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/insane-feat-messi-becomes-most-decorated-footballer-with-45-trophies-after-argentinas-copa-america-win-741004">INSANE FEAT! Messi becomes most decorated footballer with 45 trophies after Argentina's Copa America win</a>

<h2>- Goal machine -</h2>

"The younger generation doesn't know the national team without&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;Mueller&nbsp;and I can't really imagine it without him," Bayern president Herbert Hainer said in a statement. "I'm delighted that&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;will continue to play for our club."

With 131 appearances under&nbsp;Mueller's belt, only Lothar Matthaeus and Miroslav Klose have played more games for Germany.&nbsp;Mueller&nbsp;also ranks sixth on Germany's all-time scoring list behind Klose and Voeller, among others, and level with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

"His achievements and his titles speak for themselves," German football association president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement.&nbsp; "With his goals and his ingenuity, he played a key role in shaping one of the most successful periods in the history of our national team," Neuendorf said.

In his goodbye message,&nbsp;Mueller&nbsp;called on fans to "keep your fingers crossed for the team on the way to the 2026 World Cup".

"I'm doing that too. Now as a fan in the stands and no longer as a player on the pitch." "Nobody is like Thomas Muller. His value for German football cannot be overestimated," German national team chief Rudi Voeller said in a statement. "Regardless of whether he's been with Bayern or the national team for all these years, Thomas has always given every team a face, an exemplary character and a top striker."

Germany striker Thomas Mueller said Monday he was drawing a line under his 14-year career with the national team following the conclusion of Euro 2024. "After 131 national team games and 45 goals, I am saying goodbye," Mueller said in a video statement announcing his decision.

Germany striker Thomas Mueller said Monday he was drawing a line under his 14-year career with the national team following the conclusion of Euro 2024. "After 131 national team games and 45 goals, I am saying goodbye," Mueller said in a video statement announcing his decision. Mueller, who turns 35 in September, was a key member of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup, beating Argentina in the final after extra time. "When I played my first international match for the German national team over 14 years ago, I could never have dreamed of all this," Mueller said in the video. "Great victories and bitter defeats. Sometimes on the floor, only to get back up again," he said."It always made me very proud to play for my country. We celebrated together and sometimes shed a tear together." Germany's 2-1 loss to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 will go down as Mueller's last game for the national team. A late extra-time goal by Spain's Mikel Merino dashed Germany's hopes of winning the tournament on home soil. A tearful Mueller hinted after the game that he had played his last game for Germany. Mueller said he would hold talks with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann and decide whether it was the "sensible option" to step aside in favour of younger players. - 'Unorthodox... unpredictable' - Following Mueller's announcement, Nagelsmann lauded his qualities as a player, adding that the German team would "miss him very much". "Nobody is like Thomas Mueller," said Rudi Voeller, the Germany national team director and a prolific striker in his own right. "His value to German football cannot be overestimated," Voeller said in a statement. Mueller was "unorthodox, intuitive, unpredictable and that is precisely why (he) is successful", Voeller said. Mueller won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup in his debut year with the national team, scoring five goals at the tournament in South Africa. The charismatic striker also scored the opening goal in Germany's famous 7-1 victory over the hosts Brazil in the 2014 World Cup on their way to lifting the title. Of the players to have won the World Cup with Germany that year, only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is still involved in the national team set-up. Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos announced before Euro 2024 that he would retire from football after the tournament. Unlike Kroos, Mueller will continue to play for his club Bayern Munich, where he is under contract until 2025. Also read: INSANE FEAT! Messi becomes most decorated footballer with 45 trophies after Argentina's Copa America win - Goal machine - "The younger generation doesn't know the national team without Thomas Mueller and I can't really imagine it without him," Bayern president Herbert Hainer said in a statement. "I'm delighted that Thomas will continue to play for our club." With 131 appearances under Mueller's belt, only Lothar Matthaeus and Miroslav Klose have played more games for Germany. Mueller also ranks sixth on Germany's all-time scoring list behind Klose and Voeller, among others, and level with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "His achievements and his titles speak for themselves," German football association president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement. "With his goals and his ingenuity, he played a key role in shaping one of the most successful periods in the history of our national team," Neuendorf said. In his goodbye message, Mueller called on fans to "keep your fingers crossed for the team on the way to the 2026 World Cup". "I'm doing that too. Now as a fan in the stands and no longer as a player on the pitch." "Nobody is like Thomas Muller. His value for German football cannot be overestimated," German national team chief Rudi Voeller said in a statement. "Regardless of whether he's been with Bayern or the national team for all these years, Thomas has always given every team a face, an exemplary character and a top striker."

Germany's World Cup-winner Thomas Mueller announces international retirement

Germany finished this week its bid to divest billions of dollars of seized assets from its criminals as it sold and transferred its final batch from the Bitcoin wallets. According to new data from blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence, the wallets currently have zero digital assets.

Within the past month, the wallet transfer by the German government had caused fear among most cryptocurrency community members, as it was believed that with large sell-offs, the price of Bitcoin would nosedive. Contrary to those assumptions, it rose 3 per cent. One BTC was above $58,000, up 1 per cent in the last 24 hours.

The government of Germany held nearly $3.4 billion worth of bitcoins in its wallets early this June. Well, these seized assets have been aggressively liquidated by the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, better known by its acronym in German as the Bundeskriminalamt, or BKA. Earlier this month, it offloaded $2.8 billion in bitcoin—equivalent to 50,000 bitcoins.

In particular, the government transferred funds to major crypto exchanges in the United States and Europe, including Coinbase, Bitstamp, and Kraken.

Some of the market observers have been obsessively following the transfers between the wallets and were quick to observe that some of the amounts were transferred back to the government's wallet addresses, signalling that BKA was essentially testing the liquidity before finally offloading assets.

On Thursday, the crypto market "Fear and Greed" index plunged to as low as "extreme fear" over government transfers. These nerves, though, were also quickly dashed immediately after the selling was over.&nbsp;

“One of the best metrics for identifying optimal entry points in a bull market is when short-term bitcoin holders sell at a loss and the fear index is ridiculously high (which has been happening in recent weeks),” noted a CryptoQuant analyst. “In contrast, previous market peaks have been signalled by long-term holders taking significant profits over numerous months, which hasn’t happened yet.”

The successful selloff of the government in Berlin of such volumes of bitcoin reinforces the fact that the cryptocurrency market is indeed robust and thus justifies the importance of strategic asset management. Continued increase in price, despite early scepticism of the investors, has been attributed to how market trust has never plummeted.

Germany finished this week its bid to divest billions of dollars of seized assets from its criminals as it sold and transferred its final batch from the Bitcoin wallets.

Germany finished this week its bid to divest billions of dollars of seized assets from its criminals as it sold and transferred its final batch from the Bitcoin wallets. According to new data from blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence, the wallets currently have zero digital assets. Within the past month, the wallet transfer by the German government had caused fear among most cryptocurrency community members, as it was believed that with large sell-offs, the price of Bitcoin would nosedive. Contrary to those assumptions, it rose 3 per cent. One BTC was above $58,000, up 1 per cent in the last 24 hours. The government of Germany held nearly $3.4 billion worth of bitcoins in its wallets early this June. Well, these seized assets have been aggressively liquidated by the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, better known by its acronym in German as the Bundeskriminalamt, or BKA. Earlier this month, it offloaded $2.8 billion in bitcoin—equivalent to 50,000 bitcoins. In particular, the government transferred funds to major crypto exchanges in the United States and Europe, including Coinbase, Bitstamp, and Kraken. Some of the market observers have been obsessively following the transfers between the wallets and were quick to observe that some of the amounts were transferred back to the government's wallet addresses, signalling that BKA was essentially testing the liquidity before finally offloading assets. On Thursday, the crypto market "Fear and Greed" index plunged to as low as "extreme fear" over government transfers. These nerves, though, were also quickly dashed immediately after the selling was over. “One of the best metrics for identifying optimal entry points in a bull market is when short-term bitcoin holders sell at a loss and the fear index is ridiculously high (which has been happening in recent weeks),” noted a CryptoQuant analyst. “In contrast, previous market peaks have been signalled by long-term holders taking significant profits over numerous months, which hasn’t happened yet.” The successful selloff of the government in Berlin of such volumes of bitcoin reinforces the fact that the cryptocurrency market is indeed robust and thus justifies the importance of strategic asset management. Continued increase in price, despite early scepticism of the investors, has been attributed to how market trust has never plummeted.

Germany’s Bitcoin fire sell-off ignites Crypto resilience defying market fears

The fear of a renewed Cold War looms large as the United States and Russia are engaging in some pretty dangerous games of brinksmanship. At the recent NATO Summit in Washington the United States announced plans to deploy long range missiles in Germany and our next report gets you more details!

Russia-NATO tensions: US to deploy long-range weapons to Germany

Russia has threatened to take military&nbsp;measures to counter NATO after it was announced that the United States will be deploying long-range fire missiles in Germany for the first time since the 1980s.&nbsp;

Moscow accused Washington of escalating the already volatile equations while issuing a stark warning to Berlin.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Beyond any doubt, our military has already taken note of this statement,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters in St. Petersburg.&nbsp;

“I think that it is just a component of the escalation policy, one of the elements of intimidation, which today is almost the main part of the Russia policy pursued by NATO and the US," he added.&nbsp;

The Kremlin added on Thursday (Jul 11) that it had "taken note" of decisions made by the Western leaders at this week's NATO Summit in Washington, including plans to "create&nbsp;separate logistics hubs in Black Sea cities” and establish “additional facilities in Europe".&nbsp;

“This poses a very serious threat to our national security. All of this will necessitate thoughtful, coordinated and effective responses from us to counter-deter NATO,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-nato-tensions-moscow-warns-of-retaliation-over-nato-missile-deployment-740010">Watch |&nbsp;Russia-NATO tensions: Moscow warns of retaliation over NATO missile deployment</a>

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<h2>US downplays Russia's threats</h2>

Quizzed about the statement by Moscow, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan appeared to play&nbsp;down the threat.

“What we are deploying to Germany is a defence capability like many other defensive capabilities we’ve deployed across the alliance across the decades,” Sullivan said.

“So more Russian sabre-rattling obviously is not going to deter us from doing what we think is necessary to keep the alliance as strong as possible.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-summit-us-to-deploy-weapons-in-germany-concerns-raised-over-russia-north-korea-ties-739754">Also read |&nbsp;NATO Summit: US to deploy weapons in Germany; concerns raised over Russia-North Korea ties</a>

<h2>What did the US announce?</h2>

For the first time since the Cold War, the US announced its plans to station long-range missiles in Germany on Wednesday (Jul 10). The plan includes the deployment of&nbsp;non-nuclear Tomahawk cruise, SM-6 and hypersonic missiles in Germany, starting in 2026.&nbsp;

The decision was welcomed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who said it&nbsp;“fitted exactly” into his government’s security strategy. He added that the decision had been long in the making and would come as “no surprise” to anyone who was knowledgeable about security and peace policies.

Notably, it was in 2019 that the US withdrew from the Intermediate-Range&nbsp;Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed by&nbsp;Soviet Union's Mikhail Gorbachev and former US President Ronald Reagan in 1987. The treaty banned placing nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges from 500 to 5,500 kilometres&nbsp;and removed more than 2,600 weapons from the continent.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia has threatened to take military measures to counter NATO after it was announced that the United States will be deploying long-range fire missiles in Germany for the first time since the 1980s.

Russia has threatened to take military measures to counter NATO after it was announced that the United States will be deploying long-range fire missiles in Germany for the first time since the 1980s. Moscow accused Washington of escalating the already volatile equations while issuing a stark warning to Berlin. “Beyond any doubt, our military has already taken note of this statement,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters in St. Petersburg. “I think that it is just a component of the escalation policy, one of the elements of intimidation, which today is almost the main part of the Russia policy pursued by NATO and the US," he added. The Kremlin added on Thursday (Jul 11) that it had "taken note" of decisions made by the Western leaders at this week's NATO Summit in Washington, including plans to "create separate logistics hubs in Black Sea cities” and establish “additional facilities in Europe". “This poses a very serious threat to our national security. All of this will necessitate thoughtful, coordinated and effective responses from us to counter-deter NATO,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. Watch | Russia-NATO tensions: Moscow warns of retaliation over NATO missile deployment × US downplays Russia's threats Quizzed about the statement by Moscow, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan appeared to play down the threat. “What we are deploying to Germany is a defence capability like many other defensive capabilities we’ve deployed across the alliance across the decades,” Sullivan said. “So more Russian sabre-rattling obviously is not going to deter us from doing what we think is necessary to keep the alliance as strong as possible.” Also read | NATO Summit: US to deploy weapons in Germany; concerns raised over Russia-North Korea ties What did the US announce? For the first time since the Cold War, the US announced its plans to station long-range missiles in Germany on Wednesday (Jul 10). The plan includes the deployment of non-nuclear Tomahawk cruise, SM-6 and hypersonic missiles in Germany, starting in 2026. The decision was welcomed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who said it “fitted exactly” into his government’s security strategy. He added that the decision had been long in the making and would come as “no surprise” to anyone who was knowledgeable about security and peace policies. Notably, it was in 2019 that the US withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed by Soviet Union's Mikhail Gorbachev and former US President Ronald Reagan in 1987. The treaty banned placing nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges from 500 to 5,500 kilometres and removed more than 2,600 weapons from the continent. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia vows of response, angered by US plan to deploy long-range missiles in Germany

France, Germany, Italy, and Poland have joined US in developing long-range cruise missiles that can hit Russian targets. NATO's 75th Summit in Washington showedcased its unity European Defence.

US to deploy long-range weapons to Germany; France, Italy & Germany to develop long-range missiles

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