Watch in 'World Business Watch': Germany plan reforms to avoid bankruptcy, relaxation in insolvency rules planned.

Germany plan reforms to avoid bankruptcy, relaxation in insolvency rules planned

Landmarks all around Berlin lit up during the annual Festival of Lights on Friday (September 18).

Berlin landmarks light up for Festival of Lights

Innkeepers in Munich tapped their barrels this weekend for revellers determined to make the most of a scaled-down Oktoberfest.

Scaled-down Oktoberfest goes ahead at Munich pubs under Coronavirus guidelines

A member of developer group of Novichok combat poison, Vil Mirzayanov, has apologized to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has suffered from poisoning with this substance.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-navalny-pictured-walking-downstairs-as-he-recovers-from-novichok-poisoning-328622">Also read | Kremlin critic Navalny pictured walking downstairs as he recovers from novichok poisoning</a> 
 
The scientist-chemist Mirzayanov, who was the first to reveal Novichok's development, in an interview with Russia's TV Rain on Saturday evening (Sept 19) said he wanted to apologise to Navalny after Germany said it found "unequivocal evidence" he was poisoned with Novichok.

"I sincerely apologize to Navalny for being involved in this criminal business - the development of this substance, which he poisoned himself with," Mirzayanov, who has been living in the United States since 1995, said.

The opposition politician on Saturday described his severe symptoms after falling ill on a plane on Aug 20, including the inability to form words, saying he still struggled to pour a glass of water or use a phone.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's highest-profile critic, was airlifted to Germany last month after falling violently ill while travelling in Siberia.

German doctors say he was poisoned with novichok, a Russian nerve agent. Moscow says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned.

Meanwhile, on September 19, Navalny was seen in a new picture where he is walking downstairs. He posted a photograph of himself on Instagram and said his path to recovery was "clear, although long."

He added he still has difficulties climbing stairs because his legs tremble.

(With inputs from agencies)

A member of developer group of Novichok combat poison, Vil Mirzayanov, has apologized to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has suffered from poisoning with this substance.

A member of developer group of Novichok combat poison, Vil Mirzayanov, has apologized to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has suffered from poisoning with this substance. Also read | Kremlin critic Navalny pictured walking downstairs as he recovers from novichok poisoning The scientist-chemist Mirzayanov, who was the first to reveal Novichok's development, in an interview with Russia's TV Rain on Saturday evening (Sept 19) said he wanted to apologise to Navalny after Germany said it found "unequivocal evidence" he was poisoned with Novichok. "I sincerely apologize to Navalny for being involved in this criminal business - the development of this substance, which he poisoned himself with," Mirzayanov, who has been living in the United States since 1995, said. The opposition politician on Saturday described his severe symptoms after falling ill on a plane on Aug 20, including the inability to form words, saying he still struggled to pour a glass of water or use a phone. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's highest-profile critic, was airlifted to Germany last month after falling violently ill while travelling in Siberia. German doctors say he was poisoned with novichok, a Russian nerve agent. Moscow says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned. Meanwhile, on September 19, Navalny was seen in a new picture where he is walking downstairs. He posted a photograph of himself on Instagram and said his path to recovery was "clear, although long." He added he still has difficulties climbing stairs because his legs tremble. (With inputs from agencies)

Novichok scientist apologises to Navalny as Germany finds 'unequivocal evidence'

Twenty-nine police officers in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) region have been suspended for sharing pictures of Adolf Hitler and refugees in gas chambers.

NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul was quoted by BBC as said it was a "disgrace for NRW police".&nbsp;

"This is the worst and most repulsive kind of hate-baiting... Right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis have absolutely no place in the North Rhine-Westphalia police, our police," he added.

The neo-Nazi imagery, including the Swastika was shared in far-right chatrooms.

There were 11 main suspects and a raid involving more than 200 police officers was carried out on 34 police stations and private homes.

Some of the police officials are facing charges of spreading Nazi propaganda while others are being accused of not reporting their colleagues who committed such an act.

Displaying Swastika is considered to be illegal in Germany. The Nazi salute and saying "Heil Hitler" is also banned in public.

In recent decades there has been a relative rise in number of people who sympathise with right wing and extremist elements present in German society decades after defeat of the ideology. 
&nbsp;

Twenty-nine police officers in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) region have been suspended for sharing pictures of Adolf Hitler and refugees in gas chambers.

Twenty-nine police officers in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) region have been suspended for sharing pictures of Adolf Hitler and refugees in gas chambers. NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul was quoted by BBC as said it was a "disgrace for NRW police". "This is the worst and most repulsive kind of hate-baiting... Right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis have absolutely no place in the North Rhine-Westphalia police, our police," he added. The neo-Nazi imagery, including the Swastika was shared in far-right chatrooms. There were 11 main suspects and a raid involving more than 200 police officers was carried out on 34 police stations and private homes. Some of the police officials are facing charges of spreading Nazi propaganda while others are being accused of not reporting their colleagues who committed such an act. Displaying Swastika is considered to be illegal in Germany. The Nazi salute and saying "Heil Hitler" is also banned in public. In recent decades there has been a relative rise in number of people who sympathise with right wing and extremist elements present in German society decades after defeat of the ideology.

Germany: 29 police officers suspended for sharing Hitler's images

Authorities in western Germany have suspended 29 police officers suspected of sharing far-right propaganda in WhatsApp groups

29 cops suspended in Germany for sharing pictures of Hitler

Germany wants to take in about 1,500 migrants stranded on Greek islands after a fire destroyed an overcrowded camp, government sources said on Tuesday, in a gesture of solidarity with its fellow European Union member state.

The decision by Chancellor Angela Merkel follows a rise in opinion polls by her conservative party, at the expense of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, after what is widely seen as her steady handling of the coronavirus crisis.

More than 12,000 people, mostly asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Africa and Syria, were left without shelter, proper sanitation or access to food after a fire destroyed the Moria migrant camp on the island of Lesbos last week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/teargas-fired-during-migrant-protests-on-greek-island-of-lesbos-327068" hreflang="en">Teargas fired during migrant protests on Greek island of Lesbos</a>

The German government sources told Reuters that Germany would house migrants whose asylum applications have already been accepted and had been on Lesbos.

An interior ministry spokesman said a proposal had been made which conservative members of parliament would discuss later on Tuesday, and sources in their Social Democrat coalition partners later said they had agreed to the plan.

Greece has long been burdened by the number of migrants arriving by sea, and there are around 30,000 refugees and migrants on the Greek islands.

The issue of migration continues to divide the EU, which has failed to craft a common asylum policy five years after Merkel opened Germany's doors to 1.2 million people seeking protection.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/did-refugees-set-moria-camp-ablaze-over-covid-19-quarantine-greek-minister-thinks-so-326698" hreflang="en">Did refugees set Moria camp ablaze over COVID-19 quarantine? Greek minister thinks so!</a>

The AfD entered German parliament for the first time two years later, and is the main opposition party.

Newspaper Bild reported that Germany would take 408 families from the Greek islands, most of them parents with children, from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, making a total of 1,552 people. They are in addition to the 100-150 children Germany has already agreed to take.

Polls show a majority of Germans favour welcoming migrants who need protection, and she and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer have faced calls from regional and local politicians to ease the burden on Greece by taking in migrants.

Germany wants to take in about 1,500 migrants stranded on Greek islands after a fire destroyed an overcrowded camp, government sources said on Tuesday, in a gesture of solidarity with its fellow European Union member state.

Germany wants to take in about 1,500 migrants stranded on Greek islands after a fire destroyed an overcrowded camp, government sources said on Tuesday, in a gesture of solidarity with its fellow European Union member state. The decision by Chancellor Angela Merkel follows a rise in opinion polls by her conservative party, at the expense of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, after what is widely seen as her steady handling of the coronavirus crisis. More than 12,000 people, mostly asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Africa and Syria, were left without shelter, proper sanitation or access to food after a fire destroyed the Moria migrant camp on the island of Lesbos last week. Also read: Teargas fired during migrant protests on Greek island of Lesbos The German government sources told Reuters that Germany would house migrants whose asylum applications have already been accepted and had been on Lesbos. An interior ministry spokesman said a proposal had been made which conservative members of parliament would discuss later on Tuesday, and sources in their Social Democrat coalition partners later said they had agreed to the plan. Greece has long been burdened by the number of migrants arriving by sea, and there are around 30,000 refugees and migrants on the Greek islands. The issue of migration continues to divide the EU, which has failed to craft a common asylum policy five years after Merkel opened Germany's doors to 1.2 million people seeking protection. Also read: Did refugees set Moria camp ablaze over COVID-19 quarantine? Greek minister thinks so! The AfD entered German parliament for the first time two years later, and is the main opposition party. Newspaper Bild reported that Germany would take 408 families from the Greek islands, most of them parents with children, from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, making a total of 1,552 people. They are in addition to the 100-150 children Germany has already agreed to take. Polls show a majority of Germans favour welcoming migrants who need protection, and she and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer have faced calls from regional and local politicians to ease the burden on Greece by taking in migrants.

Germany to take in about 1,500 migrants from Greek islands

China has announced a ban on the import of pork and pig products from Germany after the European country confirmed its first case of African swine fever in a wild boar in Brandenburg last week.

The ban was announced by China's customs agency and its agriculture ministry on Saturday.

The move to block imports from China's third largest supplier of pork comes even as the Asian nation battles an unprecedented shortage of the meat after its own epidemic of the deadly hog disease.

The German farmers, however, had urged China to avoid a nationwide ban on imports of pork.

South Korea, the second largest non-EU buyer of German pigmeat behind China, immediately banned German pork imports after ASF was discovered in a dead wild boar on Thursday.

Germany, Europe’s biggest pork producer, sold $1.2 billion worth of German pigmeat to China last year.

The German government is pressing for regional import bans from individual areas hit by ASF and not blanket bans on German pork.

A number of cases have been confirmed in recent months in wild boars in western Poland, with one only about 10 km from the German border.

Cases have also been confirmed recently in about 10 other European countries, where wild boars are suspected of spreading the disease.

ASF is not dangerous to humans but fatal to pigs. It has hit China, the world’s top pork producer, hard.

(with inputs from agencies)

China has announced a ban on the import of pork and pig products from Germany after the European country confirmed its first case of African swine fever in a wild boar in Brandenburg last week.

China has announced a ban on the import of pork and pig products from Germany after the European country confirmed its first case of African swine fever in a wild boar in Brandenburg last week. The ban was announced by China's customs agency and its agriculture ministry on Saturday. The move to block imports from China's third largest supplier of pork comes even as the Asian nation battles an unprecedented shortage of the meat after its own epidemic of the deadly hog disease. The German farmers, however, had urged China to avoid a nationwide ban on imports of pork. South Korea, the second largest non-EU buyer of German pigmeat behind China, immediately banned German pork imports after ASF was discovered in a dead wild boar on Thursday. Germany, Europe’s biggest pork producer, sold $1.2 billion worth of German pigmeat to China last year. The German government is pressing for regional import bans from individual areas hit by ASF and not blanket bans on German pork. A number of cases have been confirmed in recent months in wild boars in western Poland, with one only about 10 km from the German border. Cases have also been confirmed recently in about 10 other European countries, where wild boars are suspected of spreading the disease. ASF is not dangerous to humans but fatal to pigs. It has hit China, the world’s top pork producer, hard. (with inputs from agencies)

China bans German pork imports after African swine fever case

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Top ten world news today: Germany to assist in Navalny probe, Russia denies links with US election and more

Berlin's Charite hospital said in a statement that the condition of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has improved and he is being weaned off mechanical ventilation.

Kremlin critic being treated in Germany: Navalny's condition is improving

Navalny poisoning has not just sent shockwaves across the world but has also shocked the people in Russia. Navalny poisoning might have started what is being described as 'political awakening' in small towns in Russia. Watch report.

Political awakening after Navalny poisoning case? Incident sees a change in local politics

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin.&nbsp;

The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-condition-improves-russia-still-sees-no-ground-for-criminal-case-326588">Alexei Navalny's condition improves, Russia still sees no ground for criminal case</a>

It is being understood by Der Spiegel that "Navalny can speak again and can likely remember details about his collapse."

Germany says that Navalny, a well-known critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was poisoned by a soviet-style Novichok nerve agent, a claim denied by Moscow.&nbsp;

Navalny's alleged poisoning has raised eyebrows in West, with experts questioning Moscow's role in an attempt to silence its most prominent critic.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there was a "substantial chance" his poisoning was ordered by top Russian officials.

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin. The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again.

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin. The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again. Also read | Alexei Navalny's condition improves, Russia still sees no ground for criminal case It is being understood by Der Spiegel that "Navalny can speak again and can likely remember details about his collapse." Germany says that Navalny, a well-known critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was poisoned by a soviet-style Novichok nerve agent, a claim denied by Moscow. Navalny's alleged poisoning has raised eyebrows in West, with experts questioning Moscow's role in an attempt to silence its most prominent critic. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there was a "substantial chance" his poisoning was ordered by top Russian officials.

Russian police seek to question Alexei Navalny in Germany

Dozens of mask-wearing music enthusiasts in a church in an eastern German town on Saturday (September 5) witnessed the first note change in seven years in the world's longest lasting pipe organ performance.

As slow as possible: German organ changes note for first time in years

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who Germany says was poisoned by a weapons-grade Novichok nerve agent, is now out of a medically induced coma and reacting to speecH

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny out of induced coma

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok.

Michelle Bachelet urged all stakeholders to cooperate in order to ascertain who poisoned Navalny. German authorities recently claimed to possess “unequivocal proof” of Novichok being used in the attack.

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/mysterious-russian-poison-cases-radioactive-polonium-toxic-nerve-agent-to-chemicals-322391" hreflang="en">Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals</a>

"It is incumbent on the Russian authorities to fully investigate who was responsible for this crime, a very serious crime that was committed on Russian soil," Bachelet said in a statement.

Navalny, 44, is considered one of Putin’s fiercest critics in Russia. On September 8, he came out of a medically induced coma, and was responsive, a German hospital said.

Bachelet added that “the number of cases of poisoning, or other forms of targeted assassination, of current or former Russian citizens, either within Russia itself or on foreign soil, over the past two decades is profoundly disturbing."&nbsp;

"And the failure in many cases to hold perpetrators accountable and provide justice for the victims or their families, is also deeply regrettable and hard to explain or justify," she further said.

Fierce critic

One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, Navalny fell sick on a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20, after which he was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk in Siberia following an emergency landing.

As international pressure mounted, he was shifted to Berlin's Charite hospital.

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/the-curious-case-of-russian-kremlin-critics-who-were-allegedly-poisoned-321943" hreflang="en">The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned</a>

Steffen Seibert the spokesperson to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 2 said that after testing by a military laboratory, it was ascertained that “a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group" was used on Navalny.

Novichok was notoriously famous during the Soviet era, and was also used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter who were&nbsp;then in Britain.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ready-to-cooperate-with-germany-on-navalnys-case-24-hours-per-day-russia-325535" hreflang="en">Ready to cooperate with Germany on Navalny’s case 24 hours per day: Russia</a>

A cholinesterase inhibitor, it is part of a grouping of substances that the doctors had identified in Navalny after he was moved to Germany.

Russia has continuously rejected accusing of deliberate poisoning by the country, calling the accusations "empty noise". Russian doctors who had treated Navalny in Siberia have repeatedly claimed that poisoning was ruled out as no trace of poisonous substances was found in his body.

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok.

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok. Michelle Bachelet urged all stakeholders to cooperate in order to ascertain who poisoned Navalny. German authorities recently claimed to possess “unequivocal proof” of Novichok being used in the attack. In Pics: Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals "It is incumbent on the Russian authorities to fully investigate who was responsible for this crime, a very serious crime that was committed on Russian soil," Bachelet said in a statement. Navalny, 44, is considered one of Putin’s fiercest critics in Russia. On September 8, he came out of a medically induced coma, and was responsive, a German hospital said. Bachelet added that “the number of cases of poisoning, or other forms of targeted assassination, of current or former Russian citizens, either within Russia itself or on foreign soil, over the past two decades is profoundly disturbing." "And the failure in many cases to hold perpetrators accountable and provide justice for the victims or their families, is also deeply regrettable and hard to explain or justify," she further said. Fierce critic One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, Navalny fell sick on a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20, after which he was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk in Siberia following an emergency landing. As international pressure mounted, he was shifted to Berlin's Charite hospital. In Pics: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned Steffen Seibert the spokesperson to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 2 said that after testing by a military laboratory, it was ascertained that “a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group" was used on Navalny. Novichok was notoriously famous during the Soviet era, and was also used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter who were then in Britain. Also read: Ready to cooperate with Germany on Navalny’s case 24 hours per day: Russia A cholinesterase inhibitor, it is part of a grouping of substances that the doctors had identified in Navalny after he was moved to Germany. Russia has continuously rejected accusing of deliberate poisoning by the country, calling the accusations "empty noise". Russian doctors who had treated Navalny in Siberia have repeatedly claimed that poisoning was ruled out as no trace of poisonous substances was found in his body.

UN urges Russia to undertake a 'transparent, independent' investigation into Navalny poisoning

No-mask, anti-lockdown protests gather pace across the globe

Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-activist-arrested-for-seditious-words-before-rally-325503" hreflang="en">Hong Kong activist arrested for 'seditious words' before rally</a>

Russian opposition leader Navalny fell ill on a flight last month and was treated in a Siberian hospital before being evacuated to Berlin.

Germany said last week there was "unequivocal evidence" that President Vladimir Putin's top foe had been poisoned using Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.

"If in the coming days Russia does not help clarify what happened, we will be compelled to discuss a response with our allies," Heiko Maas told German daily Bild.

Any sanctions decided should be "targeted", he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-orders-thousands-to-help-typhoon-recovery-325504" hreflang="en">North Korea's Kim Jong Un orders thousands to help typhoon recovery</a>

Western leaders and many Russians have expressed horror at what Navalny's allies say is the first known use of chemical weapons against a high-profile opposition leader on Russian soil.

The Kremlin has denied responsibility for the attack and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Germany is yet to share any findings with Moscow's prosecutors.

Maas on Sunday said there were "several indications" that Russia was behind the poisoning, in the strongest accusations yet from Germany.

"The deadly substance with which Navalny was poisoned has in the past been found in the hands of Russian authorities.

"Only a small number of people have access to Novichok and this poison was used by Russian secret services in the attack against former agent Sergei Skripal," he said, referring to the 2018 attack in the English city of Salisbury.

On the subject of which sanctions could be discussed by the EU, Maas didn't rule out action relating to the disputed Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

The controversial 10-billion-euro ($11-billion) project is meant to deliver Russian gas to Europe, but has been strongly contested by the United States.

"I hope... that the Russians do not force us to change our position on Nord Stream," he said, adding that the consequences of any potential cancellation of the project would also need to be weighed, and that the debate on sanctions should not be "reduced" to one point.

Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday.

Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday. Also read: Hong Kong activist arrested for 'seditious words' before rally Russian opposition leader Navalny fell ill on a flight last month and was treated in a Siberian hospital before being evacuated to Berlin. Germany said last week there was "unequivocal evidence" that President Vladimir Putin's top foe had been poisoned using Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok. "If in the coming days Russia does not help clarify what happened, we will be compelled to discuss a response with our allies," Heiko Maas told German daily Bild. Any sanctions decided should be "targeted", he added. Also read: North Korea's Kim Jong Un orders thousands to help typhoon recovery Western leaders and many Russians have expressed horror at what Navalny's allies say is the first known use of chemical weapons against a high-profile opposition leader on Russian soil. The Kremlin has denied responsibility for the attack and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Germany is yet to share any findings with Moscow's prosecutors. Maas on Sunday said there were "several indications" that Russia was behind the poisoning, in the strongest accusations yet from Germany. "The deadly substance with which Navalny was poisoned has in the past been found in the hands of Russian authorities. "Only a small number of people have access to Novichok and this poison was used by Russian secret services in the attack against former agent Sergei Skripal," he said, referring to the 2018 attack in the English city of Salisbury. On the subject of which sanctions could be discussed by the EU, Maas didn't rule out action relating to the disputed Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The controversial 10-billion-euro ($11-billion) project is meant to deliver Russian gas to Europe, but has been strongly contested by the United States. "I hope... that the Russians do not force us to change our position on Nord Stream," he said, adding that the consequences of any potential cancellation of the project would also need to be weighed, and that the debate on sanctions should not be "reduced" to one point.

German foreign minister threatens sanctions over Navalny poisoning

Germany has threatened Russia with sanctions over poisoning of Russian critic Alexei Navalny. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that Moscow must come clean on the poisoning of the Russian opposition leader.

Germany threatens Russia with sanctions over poisoning of Alexei Navalny

A mother has become a suspect in the killing of her five children before attempting suicide in Germany, police said on Thursday.&nbsp;

Police told news agency AFP that the bodies of the children were found in a private apartment in the city of Solingen in North Rhine-Westphalia state.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-leader-navalny-was-poisoned-with-soviet-era-nerve-agent-novichok-germany-324771">Russian opposition leader Navalny was poisoned with Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok: Germany</a>

They also said, out of the five children, there were three girls, who aged one, two and three and two boys, ageing six and eight.&nbsp;

There was another child, an 11-year-old boy, who survived the incident unharmed.&nbsp;

"We were informed shortly before 2 pm that five children had died and this has unfortunately been confirmed," police spokesman Stefan Weiand said.

"At the moment we believe that the 27-year-old mother appears to be responsible," he added.&nbsp;

The woman attempted suicide by coming in front of a train, in Duesseldorf but she was rescued after receiving serious injuries and taken to a hospital for treatment.&nbsp;

In a statement, police said they were alerted by children's grandmother who lives in nearby Moenchengladbach and was in contact with her daughter.&nbsp;

The police spokeperson also said the cause of the death would be determined through "investigation and autopsy".&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A mother has become a suspect in the killing of her five children before attempting suicide in Germany, police said on Thursday. Police told news agency AFP that the bodies of the children were found in a private apartment in the city of Solingen in North Rhine-Westphalia state.

A mother has become a suspect in the killing of her five children before attempting suicide in Germany, police said on Thursday. Police told news agency AFP that the bodies of the children were found in a private apartment in the city of Solingen in North Rhine-Westphalia state. Also read | Russian opposition leader Navalny was poisoned with Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok: Germany They also said, out of the five children, there were three girls, who aged one, two and three and two boys, ageing six and eight. There was another child, an 11-year-old boy, who survived the incident unharmed. "We were informed shortly before 2 pm that five children had died and this has unfortunately been confirmed," police spokesman Stefan Weiand said. "At the moment we believe that the 27-year-old mother appears to be responsible," he added. The woman attempted suicide by coming in front of a train, in Duesseldorf but she was rescued after receiving serious injuries and taken to a hospital for treatment. In a statement, police said they were alerted by children's grandmother who lives in nearby Moenchengladbach and was in contact with her daughter. The police spokeperson also said the cause of the death would be determined through "investigation and autopsy".

Germany: Mother suspect of killing five children before attempting suicide

Mr Navalny was flown to Berlin after falling ill on a flight in Siberia last month, and remains in a coma.

Alexei Navalny | Russia to probe attempted murder angle | WION-DW partnership

Berlin's Waldbuehne open-air concert hall hosted its first performance in six months on Thursday night (September 3) but due to coronavirus restrictions, only 5,000 people were allowed access to the site which can hold up to 22,000.

Social distancing allows for one of Germany's first open-air concerts in months

German authorities are investigating the deaths of five children whose bodies were found at their family apartment.

WION Exclusive: Mother kills her five children in German town

The Kremlin on Thursday rejected accusations that Russia had been responsible for the poisoning of opposition politician Alexei Navalny and said it saw no grounds for sanctions to be imposed against Moscow over the case.

Kremlin rejects Alexei Navalny poisoning accusations

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' Director-GeneralFernando Arias on Thursday expressed "grave concern" after Germany said that Alexei Navalny had been poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' Director-GeneralFernando Arias on Thursday expressed "grave concern" after Germany said that Alexei Navalny had been poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok. Also read: Kremlin sees 'no reason' to blame Russian state over Navalny The head of the world chemical arms watchdog, Fernando Arias has said that the body was ready to help any member country that asked for its assistance. "Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, any poisoning of an individual through the use of a nerve agent is considered a use of chemical weapons. Such an allegation is a matter of grave concern," Arias said in a statement. Arias added that the "use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances" was "reprehensible and wholly contrary to the legal norms established by the international community." "The OPCW continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to engage with and to assist any states parties that may request its assistance," The OPCW chief said. On Wednesday, Germany said that it was going to contact the watchdog for the case. However, it did not say if it would seek its help, as it is entitled to under the Chemical Weapons Convention. (Inputs from AFP)

Head of world chemical arms watchdog expresses 'concern' over Navalny's poisoning case

German government on Wednesday said that based on the tests performed on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, it is likely that he was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent called “Novichok”.

Traces of novichok in Navalny's body, German seeks 'urgent' clarification from Russia

It's a proud day for the Berlin zoo panda family. Twins Pit and Paule have turned one! And like all birthday celebrations, it's all about the cake. One year on and the cubs have made excellent progress, they now weigh a combined total of 28 kilos, significantly up from their 200 g birth weight.

Berlin Panda twin cubs celebrate first birthday

German Gracia Schuette and Syrian Aeham Ahmad both had their lives changed forever by Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to leave Germany's doors open to hundreds of thousands of refugees.

In August of that year, Schuette joined thousands of volunteers serving ladles of hot soup to exhausted migrant families arriving at Munich's main train station.

Having been held in Hungary after travelling the length of Europe, trains overflowing with refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan had begun arriving at the station in a seemingly endless convoy.

Ahmad was a passenger on one of them. The Syrian pianist with Palestinian roots arrived in Munich on September 23.

A month earlier, he had left Yarmouk, a sprawling neighbourhood in the south of Damascus, after swathes of the area were occupied by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group.

He left behind his wife and two boys, still too young to embark on such a perilous journey.

Now 32, Ahmad has built a career for himself that involves travelling all over Europe and as far afield as Japan to give concerts.

At the station in Munich, where the volunteers once served hot soup, a Covid-19 test centre now stands.

'GRATITUDE'

Schuette, 36, says the experience changed her attitude to life and taught her "gratitude and the awareness that despite everything that happens in Germany, it is still a very safe country".

Ahmad speaks to AFP from a train heading to the north of Germany, where he is due to give a concert.

He remembers his first days in Germany as a time of great confusion. Like tens of thousands of other Syrians arriving in the country, he had only one word on his lips: "Alemania!" -- Germany.

"After I arrived in Munich, I was sent to several emergency reception centres and then to Wiesbaden" near Frankfurt, where he and his uncle were given a room in a hostel, he says in a mixture of English and German.

He remembers the "extreme kindness" shown by volunteers like Schuette -- "that community of people who said, 'We have to help'".

For Schuette, it was important to feel that she was "not just a spectator" watching events unfold but willing to "act decisively" by helping to distribute basic necessities or set up camp beds.

Today, she works as an administrator for a kindergarten. But she has maintained her commitment to helping refugees -- so much so that she has even taken three young people into her home, one of whom still lives with her.

Having been granted refugee status a year after his arrival in Germany, Ahmad was joined by his wife and children.

The family have since moved to Warburg, a town in northwestern Germany, and seven months ago welcomed a new baby girl.

While still in Syria, Ahmad had made a name for himself on social media with videos of songs performed amid the ruins of his ravaged home country.

NO ACCENT

In Germany, he began to sing songs about homesickness, with the aim of raising awareness in his new country and the rest of Europe of "this stupid war" that has devastated Syria for more than nine years.

Today, he aspires to "bring cultures together, to create a dialogue between Eastern and Western music".

Having given more than 720 concerts, he has at times felt exhausted. But "anything is better than living off state subsidies" as he did during his first months in Germany, he believes.

If Schuette could go back and do it all again, she would.

"I don't think I would be someone who just says, 'It's going to work out and everything's going to be great.' You have to be realistic," she said, pointing to the difficulties of integration.

"But there's no doubt about it: I'd do it again."

Ahmad, too, avoids painting a rose-tinted picture of his story. His generation, he says, will be scarred for life by the horrors of war and the difficulties of adapting to life in exile.

But there is pride in his voice as he reveals that his two sons already speak German "without the slightest accent".

German Gracia Schuette and Syrian Aeham Ahmad both had their lives changed forever by Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to leave Germany's doors open to hundreds of thousands of refugees.

German Gracia Schuette and Syrian Aeham Ahmad both had their lives changed forever by Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to leave Germany's doors open to hundreds of thousands of refugees. In August of that year, Schuette joined thousands of volunteers serving ladles of hot soup to exhausted migrant families arriving at Munich's main train station. Having been held in Hungary after travelling the length of Europe, trains overflowing with refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan had begun arriving at the station in a seemingly endless convoy. Ahmad was a passenger on one of them. The Syrian pianist with Palestinian roots arrived in Munich on September 23. A month earlier, he had left Yarmouk, a sprawling neighbourhood in the south of Damascus, after swathes of the area were occupied by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. He left behind his wife and two boys, still too young to embark on such a perilous journey. Now 32, Ahmad has built a career for himself that involves travelling all over Europe and as far afield as Japan to give concerts. At the station in Munich, where the volunteers once served hot soup, a Covid-19 test centre now stands. 'GRATITUDE' Schuette, 36, says the experience changed her attitude to life and taught her "gratitude and the awareness that despite everything that happens in Germany, it is still a very safe country". Ahmad speaks to AFP from a train heading to the north of Germany, where he is due to give a concert. He remembers his first days in Germany as a time of great confusion. Like tens of thousands of other Syrians arriving in the country, he had only one word on his lips: "Alemania!" -- Germany. "After I arrived in Munich, I was sent to several emergency reception centres and then to Wiesbaden" near Frankfurt, where he and his uncle were given a room in a hostel, he says in a mixture of English and German. He remembers the "extreme kindness" shown by volunteers like Schuette -- "that community of people who said, 'We have to help'". For Schuette, it was important to feel that she was "not just a spectator" watching events unfold but willing to "act decisively" by helping to distribute basic necessities or set up camp beds. Today, she works as an administrator for a kindergarten. But she has maintained her commitment to helping refugees -- so much so that she has even taken three young people into her home, one of whom still lives with her. Having been granted refugee status a year after his arrival in Germany, Ahmad was joined by his wife and children. The family have since moved to Warburg, a town in northwestern Germany, and seven months ago welcomed a new baby girl. While still in Syria, Ahmad had made a name for himself on social media with videos of songs performed amid the ruins of his ravaged home country. NO ACCENT In Germany, he began to sing songs about homesickness, with the aim of raising awareness in his new country and the rest of Europe of "this stupid war" that has devastated Syria for more than nine years. Today, he aspires to "bring cultures together, to create a dialogue between Eastern and Western music". Having given more than 720 concerts, he has at times felt exhausted. But "anything is better than living off state subsidies" as he did during his first months in Germany, he believes. If Schuette could go back and do it all again, she would. "I don't think I would be someone who just says, 'It's going to work out and everything's going to be great.' You have to be realistic," she said, pointing to the difficulties of integration. "But there's no doubt about it: I'd do it again." Ahmad, too, avoids painting a rose-tinted picture of his story. His generation, he says, will be scarred for life by the horrors of war and the difficulties of adapting to life in exile. But there is pride in his voice as he reveals that his two sons already speak German "without the slightest accent".

How a German and a Syrian experienced the 2015 refugee crisis

Experts around the world are trying to find a perfect answer to this question that will Greece and Turkey actively engage each other in the Mediterranean?

The NATO allies are fighting over energy hydrocarbon resources to be more specific. Greece and Turkey have disputes over maritime boundaries. There is also no consensus on offshore energy rights. The countries have sent warships into the Mediterranean.

Neither of them seems interested in taking a step back. Turkey has announced live drills in the eastern Mediterranean. It has also extended the seismic work of its research vessel, Oruc Reis, till September 1.

Greece, on the other hand, has been dialling all its allies. France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus are planning military exercises in the high waters. The US too has been dragged in.

US President Donald Trump held talks with both Greece Prime Minister-- Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Erdogan.

And the strongest country in the European Union, Germany is expected to back Greece against Turkey.

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, today in a press conference said that: "I believe that all of us as member states of the European Union must, of course, take Greece's rights and concerns very seriously, and support them when they are in the right. Nevertheless, I have always argued for the situation not to escalate further and to an extent that is only possible if we keep talking to both sides. I have had intensive conversations with the [French] President Macron about the relationship with Turkey, which is complex. Turkey is a NATO partner and this conflict is fundamentally between two NATO partners, which cannot leave us unmoved. For this reason, we must try to work things out within the alliance."

This is not the first time that the German Chancellor has shied from taking a stand against Turkey.

And the reason behind this is that Germany is home to more than 3 million people of Turkish origin. It is also Turkey's biggest trading partner.

Around 7,000 German companies operate in Turkey. The two countries have had a tensed past and they are now working towards improving bilateral ties.

In 2018, Merkel vowed to enhance cooperation with Turkey and it does not seem like Merkel wants to strain that. Leaders opposing Merkel have criticized her for not having a clear policy on Turkey.

She has proven them right by failing to back Greece in the Mediterranean. What her rhetorical stand has also done is --- once again raised questions on the European Union's clout.

Experts around the world are trying to find a perfect answer to this question that will Greece and Turkey actively engage each other in the Mediterranean? The NATO allies are fighting over energy hydrocarbon resources to be more specific.

Experts around the world are trying to find a perfect answer to this question that will Greece and Turkey actively engage each other in the Mediterranean? The NATO allies are fighting over energy hydrocarbon resources to be more specific. Greece and Turkey have disputes over maritime boundaries. There is also no consensus on offshore energy rights. The countries have sent warships into the Mediterranean. Neither of them seems interested in taking a step back. Turkey has announced live drills in the eastern Mediterranean. It has also extended the seismic work of its research vessel, Oruc Reis, till September 1. Greece, on the other hand, has been dialling all its allies. France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus are planning military exercises in the high waters. The US too has been dragged in. US President Donald Trump held talks with both Greece Prime Minister-- Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Erdogan. And the strongest country in the European Union, Germany is expected to back Greece against Turkey. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, today in a press conference said that: "I believe that all of us as member states of the European Union must, of course, take Greece's rights and concerns very seriously, and support them when they are in the right. Nevertheless, I have always argued for the situation not to escalate further and to an extent that is only possible if we keep talking to both sides. I have had intensive conversations with the [French] President Macron about the relationship with Turkey, which is complex. Turkey is a NATO partner and this conflict is fundamentally between two NATO partners, which cannot leave us unmoved. For this reason, we must try to work things out within the alliance." This is not the first time that the German Chancellor has shied from taking a stand against Turkey. And the reason behind this is that Germany is home to more than 3 million people of Turkish origin. It is also Turkey's biggest trading partner. Around 7,000 German companies operate in Turkey. The two countries have had a tensed past and they are now working towards improving bilateral ties. In 2018, Merkel vowed to enhance cooperation with Turkey and it does not seem like Merkel wants to strain that. Leaders opposing Merkel have criticized her for not having a clear policy on Turkey. She has proven them right by failing to back Greece in the Mediterranean. What her rhetorical stand has also done is --- once again raised questions on the European Union's clout.

Mediterranean crisis:  Germany calls for dialogue between Turkey, Greece

The city of Berlin will put thousands of police on the streets at the weekend to enforce a ban on demonstrations opposing measures imposed to stem the coronavirus pandemic after marchers at a recent rally failed to wear masks or keep their distance.

WION Dispatch: Berlin bans massive protest planned against virus curbs

Berlin bans protest against coronavirus curbs

Germany on Thursday called for an end to naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to allow space for talks between Greece and Turkey, at odds over gas resources and maritime borders.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Berlin are discussing tensions in the area, where the two NATO members are locked in a standoff observers fear could accidentally tip into conflict.

Turkey on Thursday announced new "gunnery exercises" at the edge of its territorial waters in the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean, after Greece -- joined by France, Cyprus and Italy -- staged its own war games.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/turkey-versus-greece-a-long-history-of-disputes-323392#cyprus-323383">Have a look|&nbsp;Turkey versus Greece: A long history of disputes</a>

"We need a diplomatic solution to this conflict... The preconditions for these talks are that these manoeuvres in the eastern Mediterranean, are stopped," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who has tried to mediate between the two countries, told reporters in Berlin.

"For sure the parties will not sit down at the table when warships are facing each other in the eastern Mediterranean."

The EU has long been angered by Turkey sending ships on exploratory missions to drill for gas in waters claimed by Cyprus and earlier this year imposed sanctions on two Turkish nationals involved in the work.

The bloc's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell will present ministers with a "range of options" for dealing with Turkey, officials say, though he has been keen to stress the importance of keeping dialogue with Ankara going.

But there is pressure from some quarters for tough action on Turkey, and while the Berlin meeting is an informal one, with no decisions to be taken, EU leaders will focus on the issue at a summit next month.

"Europe's credibility is at stake. The European Union, a union of 27 member states, must stand up for international values, for a global international order based on the values and principles of the European Union," Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said as he arrived for the talks in Berlin.

"EU solidarity must be real and substantial."

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His Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg said the eastern Mediterranean was an "ever-growing powder keg" where the number of naval vessels made incidents "almost inevitable"

"Turkey disregards all conventions... international law cannot be negotiated," he added.

Ahead of the Berlin talks, a senior EU official said Borrell wanted ministers to consider the bloc's relationship with Turkey in its entirety, stressing that whatever difficulties there might be, Ankara remained a "very important neighbour" that had to be managed.

Germany on Thursday called for an end to naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to allow space for talks between Greece and Turkey, at odds over gas resources and maritime borders.

Germany on Thursday called for an end to naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to allow space for talks between Greece and Turkey, at odds over gas resources and maritime borders. EU foreign ministers meeting in Berlin are discussing tensions in the area, where the two NATO members are locked in a standoff observers fear could accidentally tip into conflict. Turkey on Thursday announced new "gunnery exercises" at the edge of its territorial waters in the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean, after Greece -- joined by France, Cyprus and Italy -- staged its own war games. Have a look| Turkey versus Greece: A long history of disputes "We need a diplomatic solution to this conflict... The preconditions for these talks are that these manoeuvres in the eastern Mediterranean, are stopped," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who has tried to mediate between the two countries, told reporters in Berlin. "For sure the parties will not sit down at the table when warships are facing each other in the eastern Mediterranean." The EU has long been angered by Turkey sending ships on exploratory missions to drill for gas in waters claimed by Cyprus and earlier this year imposed sanctions on two Turkish nationals involved in the work. The bloc's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell will present ministers with a "range of options" for dealing with Turkey, officials say, though he has been keen to stress the importance of keeping dialogue with Ankara going. But there is pressure from some quarters for tough action on Turkey, and while the Berlin meeting is an informal one, with no decisions to be taken, EU leaders will focus on the issue at a summit next month. "Europe's credibility is at stake. The European Union, a union of 27 member states, must stand up for international values, for a global international order based on the values and principles of the European Union," Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said as he arrived for the talks in Berlin. "EU solidarity must be real and substantial." × His Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg said the eastern Mediterranean was an "ever-growing powder keg" where the number of naval vessels made incidents "almost inevitable" "Turkey disregards all conventions... international law cannot be negotiated," he added. Ahead of the Berlin talks, a senior EU official said Borrell wanted ministers to consider the bloc's relationship with Turkey in its entirety, stressing that whatever difficulties there might be, Ankara remained a "very important neighbour" that had to be managed.

Mediterranean war games must stop to allow talks: Germany

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