Russia's pipeline monopoly Transneft is investigating a case of contaminated oil, Russian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/parents-of-novichok-victim-ask-why-uk-settled-ex-spy-in-salisbury-197770">Vladimir Putin</a> said on Saturday, adding that this could lead to a wider inquiry, possibly including law enforcement agencies.

Poland, Germany, Ukraine and some other countries suspended imports of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline this week due to the contamination.

Russia said it plans to restore the pipeline to Europe to stability in two weeks.

"I am aware of what happened, but the details are unknown to me because in order to understand what happened there one needs to conduct an investigation," Putin told reporters in Beijing, adding that he briefly exchanged views on the case with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

The problem arose last week when an unidentified Russian producer contaminated oil with high levels of organic chloride, which is typically used to boost oil output but which must be separated before shipment as it can destroy refining equipment.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered the energy and trade ministries to conduct an inquiry within seven days and prepare proposals on how to avoid a repeat, Interfax news agency reported, citing a government statement which said the results should be sent to the prosecutor's office.

Transneft said on Friday that the contamination which led to the suspension of the oil flows to Europe could be deliberate and that a criminal case was opened, Interfax news agency said.

"First of all, of course, it is necessary to conduct an investigation at the level of Transneft itself and to identify the place from which it came from, for what reasons, what it was and so on.

"This investigation is ongoing," Putin said.

"If the internal corporate investigation is not enough, I do not rule out that we will conduct more thorough (investigation) with the help of law enforcement agencies and specialists", Putin said.

Russia's pipeline monopoly Transneft is investigating a case of contaminated oil, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday, adding that this could lead to a wider inquiry, possibly including law enforcement agencies.

Russia's pipeline monopoly Transneft is investigating a case of contaminated oil, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday, adding that this could lead to a wider inquiry, possibly including law enforcement agencies. Poland, Germany, Ukraine and some other countries suspended imports of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline this week due to the contamination. Russia said it plans to restore the pipeline to Europe to stability in two weeks. "I am aware of what happened, but the details are unknown to me because in order to understand what happened there one needs to conduct an investigation," Putin told reporters in Beijing, adding that he briefly exchanged views on the case with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The problem arose last week when an unidentified Russian producer contaminated oil with high levels of organic chloride, which is typically used to boost oil output but which must be separated before shipment as it can destroy refining equipment. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered the energy and trade ministries to conduct an inquiry within seven days and prepare proposals on how to avoid a repeat, Interfax news agency reported, citing a government statement which said the results should be sent to the prosecutor's office. Transneft said on Friday that the contamination which led to the suspension of the oil flows to Europe could be deliberate and that a criminal case was opened, Interfax news agency said. "First of all, of course, it is necessary to conduct an investigation at the level of Transneft itself and to identify the place from which it came from, for what reasons, what it was and so on. "This investigation is ongoing," Putin said. "If the internal corporate investigation is not enough, I do not rule out that we will conduct more thorough (investigation) with the help of law enforcement agencies and specialists", Putin said.

Vladimir Putin flags wider investigation into contaminated Russian oil

German sportswear group Puma reported a record quarter in sales and earnings on Friday, driven by healthy demand in China and the Americas after it reentered the basketball market.

Puma has been growing faster than its bigger German rival Adidas and market leader Nike, helped by savvy social media campaigns and partnerships with celebrities like singers Selena Gomez and Rihanna and rap mogul Jay-Z.

Nike last month reported quarterly revenue that failed to beat Wall Street estimates for the first time in more than a year, as sales fell short of expectations in its biggest market of North America, sending its shares tumbling 5 per cent.

Puma's first-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 15.3 percent to 1.32 billion euros ($1.47 billion), versus an analyst consensus for 1.3 billion.

Operating profit came in at 143 million euros versus a consensus forecast of 139 million.

"The first quarter of 2019 was the best quarter PUMA has ever seen," Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden said in a statement, adding that revenue and absolute operating profit were the highest it had ever achieved.

Still, Puma held off raising its guidance for the full year, which analysts regard as conservative

"Even if we have nine more months to go and despite a lot of uncertainty in the market, we feel comfortable that we will achieve our guidance for the full year," Gulden said.

Puma has forecast currency-adjusted sales growth of about 10 per cent and operating profit of 395-415 million euros.

Adidas has forecast currency-neutral group sales growth of 5-8 per cent in 2019 as it grapples with supply issues, while Nike expects sales to grow in the low double digits.

Puma's first-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 28.6 per cent in Asia, and 16.3 per cent in the Americas, helped by Puma's launch of its first basketball shoe in 20 years in September.

German sportswear group Puma reported a record quarter in sales and earnings on Friday, driven by healthy demand in China and the Americas after it reentered the basketball market.

German sportswear group Puma reported a record quarter in sales and earnings on Friday, driven by healthy demand in China and the Americas after it reentered the basketball market. Puma has been growing faster than its bigger German rival Adidas and market leader Nike, helped by savvy social media campaigns and partnerships with celebrities like singers Selena Gomez and Rihanna and rap mogul Jay-Z. Nike last month reported quarterly revenue that failed to beat Wall Street estimates for the first time in more than a year, as sales fell short of expectations in its biggest market of North America, sending its shares tumbling 5 per cent. Puma's first-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 15.3 percent to 1.32 billion euros ($1.47 billion), versus an analyst consensus for 1.3 billion. Operating profit came in at 143 million euros versus a consensus forecast of 139 million. "The first quarter of 2019 was the best quarter PUMA has ever seen," Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden said in a statement, adding that revenue and absolute operating profit were the highest it had ever achieved. Still, Puma held off raising its guidance for the full year, which analysts regard as conservative "Even if we have nine more months to go and despite a lot of uncertainty in the market, we feel comfortable that we will achieve our guidance for the full year," Gulden said. Puma has forecast currency-adjusted sales growth of about 10 per cent and operating profit of 395-415 million euros. Adidas has forecast currency-neutral group sales growth of 5-8 per cent in 2019 as it grapples with supply issues, while Nike expects sales to grow in the low double digits. Puma's first-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 28.6 per cent in Asia, and 16.3 per cent in the Americas, helped by Puma's launch of its first basketball shoe in 20 years in September.

Puma reports 'best ever' quarter for sales and profit, beating Adidas and Nike

Brexit has created a chaos in UK industries. After Big companies decide to move out their headquarters to other parts of EU from London, the process is not that simple for small firms. Watch this video to know more.

How startups are surviving Brexit and Why companies are moving to Ireland

German prosecutors charged former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn and four others with fraud in the emissions cheating scandal that has helped turn many Europeans against diesel engines and accelerated the push toward electric cars.

WION Wallet: Former VW CEO charged with fraud in Germany, may face 10 yrs of imprisonment

German prosecutors said Monday they had charged former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn and four other managers over the group's "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal.

They "are accused of multiple crimes realised in a single criminal action, especially a particularly serious case of fraud and an infraction of the law against unfair competition," the prosecutors said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear whether the other accused -- who were not named -- still work at VW or have since left the company.

Winterkorn has been singled out for his role as a "guarantor" to authorities and customers that the group was not selling cheating vehicles "even after he knew about the illegal manipulations" -- knowledge the prosecutors said he had "from May 25, 2014".

That date was more than a year before VW publicly admitted to fitting 11 million vehicles with software to make them appear less polluting in the lab than in real driving conditions.

"In the end, this resulted in the imposition of higher fines against Volkswagen AG in Germany as well as the USA," the prosecutors said.

As well as failing to inform authorities of the cheating, VW "with the knowledge and approval of Winterkorn" issued a software update in November 2014 whose only purpose was to cover up the so-called "defeat devices" that enabled the cheating, said the statement.

VW shares were little moved by the charges, gaining 0.4 per cent to trade at 154 euros around 1:15 pm in Frankfurt, slightly outperforming the DAX blue-chip index.

The Wolfsburg-based group has so far suffered costs of 29 billion euros ($32.8 billion) related to dieselgate, much of it in fines, compensation and buyback schemes in the United States.

In Germany, the group has paid 1.8 billion euros spread over two fines.

Aftershocks from the scandal have been serious enough to change the gigantic firm's course, with bosses now making a massive bet on electrification over the next decade.

But the legacy of dieselgate is still clinging to VW, with hundreds of thousands of customers in Germany bringing cases demanding compensation for their manipulated vehicles.

And investors have opened two court cases against VW and its holding company Porsche SE, saying bosses should have informed markets sooner about the likely financial impact of the cheating.

German prosecutors said Monday they had charged former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn and four other managers over the group's "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal.

German prosecutors said Monday they had charged former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn and four other managers over the group's "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal. They "are accused of multiple crimes realised in a single criminal action, especially a particularly serious case of fraud and an infraction of the law against unfair competition," the prosecutors said in a statement. It was not immediately clear whether the other accused -- who were not named -- still work at VW or have since left the company. Winterkorn has been singled out for his role as a "guarantor" to authorities and customers that the group was not selling cheating vehicles "even after he knew about the illegal manipulations" -- knowledge the prosecutors said he had "from May 25, 2014". That date was more than a year before VW publicly admitted to fitting 11 million vehicles with software to make them appear less polluting in the lab than in real driving conditions. "In the end, this resulted in the imposition of higher fines against Volkswagen AG in Germany as well as the USA," the prosecutors said. As well as failing to inform authorities of the cheating, VW "with the knowledge and approval of Winterkorn" issued a software update in November 2014 whose only purpose was to cover up the so-called "defeat devices" that enabled the cheating, said the statement. VW shares were little moved by the charges, gaining 0.4 per cent to trade at 154 euros around 1:15 pm in Frankfurt, slightly outperforming the DAX blue-chip index. The Wolfsburg-based group has so far suffered costs of 29 billion euros ($32.8 billion) related to dieselgate, much of it in fines, compensation and buyback schemes in the United States. In Germany, the group has paid 1.8 billion euros spread over two fines. Aftershocks from the scandal have been serious enough to change the gigantic firm's course, with bosses now making a massive bet on electrification over the next decade. But the legacy of dieselgate is still clinging to VW, with hundreds of thousands of customers in Germany bringing cases demanding compensation for their manipulated vehicles. And investors have opened two court cases against VW and its holding company Porsche SE, saying bosses should have informed markets sooner about the likely financial impact of the cheating.

German prosecutors charge ex-Volkswagen boss Winterkorn with fraud

Bayern Munich have suffered a blow to their league title hopes with club captain and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer out for the next two weeks with a calf injury.

The defending Bundesliga champions confirmed Neuer, 33, will be sidelined for "around 14 days" after going off injured during Sunday's win over Fortuna Duesseldorf.

With five league games left, leaders Bayern are just a point ahead of Borussia Dortmund with the Bavarian giants on course for a seventh straight league title.

The injury-prone Neuer will miss at least their next two league games as reserve keeper Sven Ulreich steps up.

Neuer picked up the injury early in the first half of Bayern's 4-1 win, pulling up after making an apparently innocuous pass.

Head coach Niko Kovac has confirmed Neuer has the same calf problem which saw the shot-stopper miss two games earlier this month.

He will definitely miss the league match at home to resurgent Werder Bremen on Saturday, as well as next Wednesday's away German Cup semi-final, also against Bremen, followed by a league match at Nuremberg.

Neuer has faced an ongoing battle with injury in recent years. Two metatarsal fractures kept him sidelined for most of last season, while injuries to his finger and his calf have seen him miss games this term.

Bayern have said defender Mats Hummels will also take a "short break from training" after also suffering a mild leg knock.

Bayern Munich have suffered a blow to their league title hopes with club captain and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer out for the next two weeks with a calf injury.

Bayern Munich have suffered a blow to their league title hopes with club captain and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer out for the next two weeks with a calf injury. The defending Bundesliga champions confirmed Neuer, 33, will be sidelined for "around 14 days" after going off injured during Sunday's win over Fortuna Duesseldorf. With five league games left, leaders Bayern are just a point ahead of Borussia Dortmund with the Bavarian giants on course for a seventh straight league title. The injury-prone Neuer will miss at least their next two league games as reserve keeper Sven Ulreich steps up. Neuer picked up the injury early in the first half of Bayern's 4-1 win, pulling up after making an apparently innocuous pass. Head coach Niko Kovac has confirmed Neuer has the same calf problem which saw the shot-stopper miss two games earlier this month. He will definitely miss the league match at home to resurgent Werder Bremen on Saturday, as well as next Wednesday's away German Cup semi-final, also against Bremen, followed by a league match at Nuremberg. Neuer has faced an ongoing battle with injury in recent years. Two metatarsal fractures kept him sidelined for most of last season, while injuries to his finger and his calf have seen him miss games this term. Bayern have said defender Mats Hummels will also take a "short break from training" after also suffering a mild leg knock.

Bayern's title hopes hit as Neuer out for two weeks with calf injury

Holy Men, Unholy Act: How sex abuse scandals have shaken the Church

Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven nations agreed on Saturday to put pressure on those responsible for a violent power struggle in Libya, especially <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libyan-strongmans-forces-say-targeted-by-air-strike-208389">commander Khalifa Haftar</a>, to avoid a military escalation, Germany's Heiko Maas said.

"We are very agreed that further military escalation does not happen," he told reporters.

Each country would use its own channels, said Maas, adding that Italy and France had direct contacts with Libya.

Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) said on Friday its forces had advanced into the capital's southern outskirts and taken its former international airport.

Developments in Libya intruded on an annual meeting bringing together the top diplomats from Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and the United States, who had been negotiating on norms to tackle cyber interference in democracies and sexual violence in Africa.

Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven nations agreed on Saturday to put pressure on those responsible for a violent power struggle in Libya, especially commander Khalifa Haftar, to avoid a military escalation, Germany's Heiko Maas said.

Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven nations agreed on Saturday to put pressure on those responsible for a violent power struggle in Libya, especially commander Khalifa Haftar, to avoid a military escalation, Germany's Heiko Maas said. "We are very agreed that further military escalation does not happen," he told reporters. Each country would use its own channels, said Maas, adding that Italy and France had direct contacts with Libya. Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) said on Friday its forces had advanced into the capital's southern outskirts and taken its former international airport. Developments in Libya intruded on an annual meeting bringing together the top diplomats from Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and the United States, who had been negotiating on norms to tackle cyber interference in democracies and sexual violence in Africa.

G7 cannot accept military escalation in Libya, says Germany

Britain, France and Germany are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-missile-programme-defensive-after-us-alleges-it-carried-out-missile-test-180909">accusing Iran of developing missile technology</a>, following recent activities, that they said was inconsistent with a UN resolution, and are calling for a full UN report, according to a letter released Tuesday.

The European trio cited Iran's launch of a space vehicle and the unveiling of two new ballistic missiles in February as forming "part of trend of increased activity inconsistent" with the resolution, according to the letter sent to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

UN Security Council Resolution 2231 — adopted just after the 2015 nuclear deal — calls on Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons."&nbsp;

Tehran insists that its missile program is defensive and that it has no intention of developing a nuclear capability.

The three countries asked Guterres to "report fully and thoroughly on Iranian ballistic missile activity" in his next report, which is expected in June.

The letter from the European countries, which are signatories to the nuclear deal along with the United States and Russia, came nearly a month after the United States made a similar appeal to the council, saying it was time to bring back tougher international restrictions on Tehran.

President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear accord in May last year and reimposed sanctions on Iran, citing concerns about missile development among its reasons.

At a council meeting in December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for tighter restrictions on Iran to curb its missile program but Russia flatly asserted that there was no proof that Iran's missiles can carry a nuclear payload.

The European countries said the Safir space launch vehicle used for a satellite blastoff on February 6 is based on two other missiles and uses technology closely related to the development of long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

On February 7, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards unveiled the Dezful surface-to-surface missile which they claimed had a range of 1,000 kilometers, according to the letter sent on March 25.

During a public display in Tehran on February 4, Iran revealed a variant of the Khorramshahr ballistic missile that the letter said was "potentially an intermediate-range ballistic missile."

Iran reined in most of its nuclear program under the landmark nuclear deal with major powers but has kept up development of its ballistic missile technology.

Britain, France and Germany are accusing Iran of developing missile technology, following recent activities, that they said was inconsistent with a UN resolution, and are calling for a full UN report, according to a letter released Tuesday.

Britain, France and Germany are accusing Iran of developing missile technology, following recent activities, that they said was inconsistent with a UN resolution, and are calling for a full UN report, according to a letter released Tuesday. The European trio cited Iran's launch of a space vehicle and the unveiling of two new ballistic missiles in February as forming "part of trend of increased activity inconsistent" with the resolution, according to the letter sent to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. UN Security Council Resolution 2231 — adopted just after the 2015 nuclear deal — calls on Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons." Tehran insists that its missile program is defensive and that it has no intention of developing a nuclear capability. The three countries asked Guterres to "report fully and thoroughly on Iranian ballistic missile activity" in his next report, which is expected in June. The letter from the European countries, which are signatories to the nuclear deal along with the United States and Russia, came nearly a month after the United States made a similar appeal to the council, saying it was time to bring back tougher international restrictions on Tehran. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear accord in May last year and reimposed sanctions on Iran, citing concerns about missile development among its reasons. At a council meeting in December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for tighter restrictions on Iran to curb its missile program but Russia flatly asserted that there was no proof that Iran's missiles can carry a nuclear payload. The European countries said the Safir space launch vehicle used for a satellite blastoff on February 6 is based on two other missiles and uses technology closely related to the development of long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles. On February 7, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards unveiled the Dezful surface-to-surface missile which they claimed had a range of 1,000 kilometers, according to the letter sent on March 25. During a public display in Tehran on February 4, Iran revealed a variant of the Khorramshahr ballistic missile that the letter said was "potentially an intermediate-range ballistic missile." Iran reined in most of its nuclear program under the landmark nuclear deal with major powers but has kept up development of its ballistic missile technology.

UK, France, Germany accuse Iran of developing missile technology

Germany is hopeful that all European Union member states will back the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/european-union-begins-discussions-on-declaring-masood-azhar-a-terrorist-204354">listing of Masood Azhar as a terrorist</a> under in its territory.&nbsp;

A text has been circulated among the member states of the EU on the listing of the chief of Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Speaking to WION, the spokesperson of the German embassy Hans Christian Winkler said, "Important thing is that all 27 (28 with UK) members countries have to accept the text. European security and foreign policy working on unanimity. This can take a certain time. Germany is on board, we have to bring everyone too and we are hopeful on that."

Germany is one of the countries that has circulated the text on designating Masood Azhar as a terrorist by Brussels.

In early March, France had announced it will be putting a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with EU. 
&nbsp; 
A joint release by French Foreign, Interior and Finance ministry said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree."

The development comes after China blocked the listing of Azhar as a terrorist under the United Nations. In the past, China has blocked the listing of Azhar three times--2009, 2016 and 2017.

JeM is the group responsible for the Pulwama terror attack on March 14 that killed more than 40 CRPF Personnel.

Germany is hopeful that all European Union member states will back the listing of Masood Azhar as a terrorist under in its territory. A text has been circulated among the member states of the EU on the listing of the chief of Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Germany is hopeful that all European Union member states will back the listing of Masood Azhar as a terrorist under in its territory. A text has been circulated among the member states of the EU on the listing of the chief of Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Speaking to WION, the spokesperson of the German embassy Hans Christian Winkler said, "Important thing is that all 27 (28 with UK) members countries have to accept the text. European security and foreign policy working on unanimity. This can take a certain time. Germany is on board, we have to bring everyone too and we are hopeful on that." Germany is one of the countries that has circulated the text on designating Masood Azhar as a terrorist by Brussels. In early March, France had announced it will be putting a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with EU. A joint release by French Foreign, Interior and Finance ministry said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree." The development comes after China blocked the listing of Azhar as a terrorist under the United Nations. In the past, China has blocked the listing of Azhar three times--2009, 2016 and 2017. JeM is the group responsible for the Pulwama terror attack on March 14 that killed more than 40 CRPF Personnel.

Hopeful that all EU member states will back listing of JeM chief Masood Azhar as terrorist: Germany

Germany defender Nico Schulz scored a late winner as their new-look side snatched a 3-2 win away to the Netherlands in their opening Euro 2020 Group C qualifier on Sunday, an absorbing clash that swung in fortunes from one side to the other.

Germany had seemed well set for victory after a superb first half produced goals for Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry to give coach Joachim Loew an unexpected fillip as he seeks to restore the flagging fortunes of the 2014 world champions.

But some of the frailties of the last 12 months returned as they let their grip on the game slip, with Memphis Depay laying on a goal for Matthijs de Ligt and then scoring the equaliser himself in another influential display from the in-form forward.

Wing-back Schulz produced the decisive moment of the match though when he netted in the final minute after a fine build-up down the left to re-establish Germany's advantage and claim a crucial victory to get their qualifying campaign underway.

Northern Ireland head the group after goals from Jonny Evans and Josh Magennis gave them a 2-1 win over Belarus on Sunday and a perfect start of six points from two games.

Germany and the Netherlands have three points each, though the latter have now played two matches.

After Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen had denied Gnabry at close range, the visitors hit the front as Schulz provided a low cross from the left from which Sane took a touch and scored with a powerful shot.

A rampant Germany doubled their advantage after 34 minutes as Gnabry twisted his way around Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk before curling a 25-metre shot into the corner of the net, the fifth international goal in six caps for the former Arsenal forward.

The Dutch pulled one back within three minutes of the halftime break though as Depay provided an inviting cross for teenage defender De Ligt to head home his first international goal.

Depay, fresh from two goals and two assists on Thursday against Belarus, levelled the score just past the hour-mark with a low finish into the bottom corner as the visitors failed to clear the loose ball in the box.

It was the second time since November that the Netherlands had come from two goals down to equalise against Germany, and for Depay it was his 11th goal in his last 15 internationals.

But the visitors had the final say as Marco Reus’s pass found an unmarked Schulz in the box and he was able to settle the contest with a low finish that gave Cillessen no chance.

Germany defender Nico Schulz scored a late winner as their new-look side snatched a 3-2 win away to the Netherlands in their opening Euro 2020 Group C qualifier on Sunday, an absorbing clash that swung in fortunes from one side to the other.

Germany defender Nico Schulz scored a late winner as their new-look side snatched a 3-2 win away to the Netherlands in their opening Euro 2020 Group C qualifier on Sunday, an absorbing clash that swung in fortunes from one side to the other. Germany had seemed well set for victory after a superb first half produced goals for Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry to give coach Joachim Loew an unexpected fillip as he seeks to restore the flagging fortunes of the 2014 world champions. But some of the frailties of the last 12 months returned as they let their grip on the game slip, with Memphis Depay laying on a goal for Matthijs de Ligt and then scoring the equaliser himself in another influential display from the in-form forward. Wing-back Schulz produced the decisive moment of the match though when he netted in the final minute after a fine build-up down the left to re-establish Germany's advantage and claim a crucial victory to get their qualifying campaign underway. Northern Ireland head the group after goals from Jonny Evans and Josh Magennis gave them a 2-1 win over Belarus on Sunday and a perfect start of six points from two games. Germany and the Netherlands have three points each, though the latter have now played two matches. After Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen had denied Gnabry at close range, the visitors hit the front as Schulz provided a low cross from the left from which Sane took a touch and scored with a powerful shot. A rampant Germany doubled their advantage after 34 minutes as Gnabry twisted his way around Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk before curling a 25-metre shot into the corner of the net, the fifth international goal in six caps for the former Arsenal forward. The Dutch pulled one back within three minutes of the halftime break though as Depay provided an inviting cross for teenage defender De Ligt to head home his first international goal. Depay, fresh from two goals and two assists on Thursday against Belarus, levelled the score just past the hour-mark with a low finish into the bottom corner as the visitors failed to clear the loose ball in the box. It was the second time since November that the Netherlands had come from two goals down to equalise against Germany, and for Depay it was his 11th goal in his last 15 internationals. But the visitors had the final say as Marco Reus’s pass found an unmarked Schulz in the box and he was able to settle the contest with a low finish that gave Cillessen no chance.

Euro 2020 qualifier: New-look Germany edge Netherlands in thriller

Germany coach Joachim Loew has said that his side wants to start the qualification for 2020 on a winning note ahead of Euro 2020 qualifier against the Netherlands.&nbsp;

"We want to start our first match with success and also to finish the qualification successfully," said Loew.&nbsp;

Loew is currently in the process of rebuilding his team, with experienced trio Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller all left out of the latest squad.&nbsp;

He said, "We are also in the process of developing new players and that's also an important element that we experienced in the match against Serbia."

Loew said that his side "still needs to find itself" as the struggling team prepare at the Johan Cruyff Arena.&nbsp;

After the training session, Loew said new-look Germany need to "create a new order" as they work through a "discovery process" with several new players in the squad.

The neighbouring countries will do battle again having met twice in last year's group stage of the inaugural UEFA Nations League.&nbsp;

The Netherlands beat Belarus 4-0 in Rotterdam on March 21 in their opening Group C qualifier, a day after Germany proved unconvincing in a 1-1 draw at home to Serbia in an international friendly.&nbsp;

Germany coach Joachim Loew has said that his side wants to start the qualification for 2020 on a winning note ahead of Euro 2020 qualifier against the Netherlands.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has said that his side wants to start the qualification for 2020 on a winning note ahead of Euro 2020 qualifier against the Netherlands. "We want to start our first match with success and also to finish the qualification successfully," said Loew. Loew is currently in the process of rebuilding his team, with experienced trio Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller all left out of the latest squad. He said, "We are also in the process of developing new players and that's also an important element that we experienced in the match against Serbia." Loew said that his side "still needs to find itself" as the struggling team prepare at the Johan Cruyff Arena. After the training session, Loew said new-look Germany need to "create a new order" as they work through a "discovery process" with several new players in the squad. The neighbouring countries will do battle again having met twice in last year's group stage of the inaugural UEFA Nations League. The Netherlands beat Belarus 4-0 in Rotterdam on March 21 in their opening Group C qualifier, a day after Germany proved unconvincing in a 1-1 draw at home to Serbia in an international friendly.

Germany 'still needs to find itself', says Joachim Loew ahead of Netherlands clash

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.

A possible delay to the March 29 exit date, which British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek, will top the agenda when EU leaders meet in Brussels late next week.

While German conservatives would prefer Britain to stay in the EU or else adopt Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal, senior conservative lawmaker Detlef Seif said that failing those scenarios he would back a delay until end-2020.

In the event of a such delay, Seif told Reuters: "I am of the view that we should change the EU`s guidelines."

After Britain voted to leave in 2016, European negotiators stuck firmly to a two-stage approach, refusing to discuss anything about future trading ties until London settled its financial obligations, agreed mutually acceptable rules for expatriate citizens, and found a way to avoid trouble on the EU`s only land border with the United Kingdom – with the British province of Northern Ireland.

However, the difficulties of negotiating the divorce deal without opening up negotiations on future trading terms have led to problems over EU insistence on a "backstop" insurance policy for the border that has caused British lawmakers to refuse to ratify the deal.

Seif said shifting beyond the two-stage approach could assuage the concerns of Brexiteer members of parliament, including the European Research Group (ERG), who fear the backstop could leave Britain trapped in the customs union forever against its will.

"Psychologically, it is important that we change this, because the European Research Group thinks this is a trick," Seif said.

FUTURE RELATIONSHIP

In the event of a Brexit delay to end-2020, EU leaders could instruct their officials to negotiate with Britain on their future relationship: "In these 21 months to the end of 2020, we could say that we really want to negotiate straight away on the future relationship."

The development of new technology during this period could allow for `light touch` checks at the Irish border.

"Reasonable grounds for this (extension), would be to try to get these technical developments to make the backstop superfluous," Seif added, stressing that Britain would have to say what it wanted from an extension for it to be granted.

He believed Merkel`s conservative bloc in the German lower house could back the idea: "I expect that could find a majority."

Any suggestion from EU powerhouse Germany that Brussels should abandon its "sequencing" and switch to a form of talks more agreeable to London is likely to be seized on by May`s opponents in Britain as an indication a better deal is possible if they hold out.

However, it could also prompt other EU governments, keen to see an end to the uncertainty, to be wary of extending the Brexit deadline.

Merkel wants an orderly Brexit. The leader of her Christian Democratic Union said on Friday the EU should agree to a delay of Britain`s departure from the bloc if it would prevent a disorderly exit.

A German government spokesman said the next move on how to proceed with Brexit must come from London.

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.

Delaying Britain's exit from the European Union could present an opportunity to rework the bloc's approach to negotiating with London, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday. A possible delay to the March 29 exit date, which British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek, will top the agenda when EU leaders meet in Brussels late next week. While German conservatives would prefer Britain to stay in the EU or else adopt Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal, senior conservative lawmaker Detlef Seif said that failing those scenarios he would back a delay until end-2020. In the event of a such delay, Seif told Reuters: "I am of the view that we should change the EU`s guidelines." After Britain voted to leave in 2016, European negotiators stuck firmly to a two-stage approach, refusing to discuss anything about future trading ties until London settled its financial obligations, agreed mutually acceptable rules for expatriate citizens, and found a way to avoid trouble on the EU`s only land border with the United Kingdom – with the British province of Northern Ireland. However, the difficulties of negotiating the divorce deal without opening up negotiations on future trading terms have led to problems over EU insistence on a "backstop" insurance policy for the border that has caused British lawmakers to refuse to ratify the deal. Seif said shifting beyond the two-stage approach could assuage the concerns of Brexiteer members of parliament, including the European Research Group (ERG), who fear the backstop could leave Britain trapped in the customs union forever against its will. "Psychologically, it is important that we change this, because the European Research Group thinks this is a trick," Seif said. FUTURE RELATIONSHIP In the event of a Brexit delay to end-2020, EU leaders could instruct their officials to negotiate with Britain on their future relationship: "In these 21 months to the end of 2020, we could say that we really want to negotiate straight away on the future relationship." The development of new technology during this period could allow for `light touch` checks at the Irish border. "Reasonable grounds for this (extension), would be to try to get these technical developments to make the backstop superfluous," Seif added, stressing that Britain would have to say what it wanted from an extension for it to be granted. He believed Merkel`s conservative bloc in the German lower house could back the idea: "I expect that could find a majority." Any suggestion from EU powerhouse Germany that Brussels should abandon its "sequencing" and switch to a form of talks more agreeable to London is likely to be seized on by May`s opponents in Britain as an indication a better deal is possible if they hold out. However, it could also prompt other EU governments, keen to see an end to the uncertainty, to be wary of extending the Brexit deadline. Merkel wants an orderly Brexit. The leader of her Christian Democratic Union said on Friday the EU should agree to a delay of Britain`s departure from the bloc if it would prevent a disorderly exit. A German government spokesman said the next move on how to proceed with Brexit must come from London.

Merkel ally floats idea of broader talks with UK if Brexit delayed

Germany coach Joachim Loew on Friday called up three newcomers to his squad for this month's internationals, saying his team overhaul was ongoing after a disappointing 2018.

Lukas Klostermann, Niklas Stark and Maximilian Eggestein were included in a 23-man squad for a friendly international against Serbia on March 20 and the Euro 2020 qualifier against the Netherlands in Amsterdam four days later.

"We have young players to give responsibility and see how they handle it," Loew told a news conference. "We have the players who can grow into these roles."

Loew last week announced he would no longer call up 2014 world champions Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller, after Germany's shock 2018 World Cup first-round exit and their Nations League relegation late last year.

He said the decision was a necessary one as Germany, World Cup winners in 2014, looked to change their playing style.

Only captain Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos and Matthias Ginter were also part of the 2014 World Cup squad.

"A new cycle is starting with the Euro 2020 qualifiers and given last year's results changes are necessary," Loew said.

"After the end of the Nations League we thought about how the team should play in the next qualifiers, how it should look in 2020."

The Bayern trio were irritated by their unexpected and forced international retirement, with Mueller and Hummels saying they would continue fighting for places in the team.

"These are not decisions taken from one day to the next," Loew said. "It was a process where changes would happen. I told them I am not planning with them for the Euro qualifiers and Euro 2020."

"For me personally the most important thing was that I inform the players personally."

He said his young German team would now look to recover their dominance during matches while also increasing speed and efficiency in the last third of the pitch.

"Possession, dominance will continue. Possession football is certainly not dead, look at Manchester City or Barcelona," Loew said.

"We need to be more focused and efficiency... and faster in attack."

Loew also gave Neuer his backing, saying the keeper, who has been far from convincing this season and was to blame for Liverpool's first goal in their 3-1 win at Bayern in the Champions League on Wednesday, would remain his number one choice ahead of Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

"Neuer is currently our number one. This year we have almost exclusively qualifiers. Ter Stegen will get his chances and then we will see what happens," Loew said.

"Neuer knows he has to deliver performances. But for the moment he is our number one."

Germany coach Joachim Loew on Friday called up three newcomers to his squad for this month's internationals, saying his team overhaul was ongoing after a disappointing 2018.

Germany coach Joachim Loew on Friday called up three newcomers to his squad for this month's internationals, saying his team overhaul was ongoing after a disappointing 2018. Lukas Klostermann, Niklas Stark and Maximilian Eggestein were included in a 23-man squad for a friendly international against Serbia on March 20 and the Euro 2020 qualifier against the Netherlands in Amsterdam four days later. "We have young players to give responsibility and see how they handle it," Loew told a news conference. "We have the players who can grow into these roles." Loew last week announced he would no longer call up 2014 world champions Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller, after Germany's shock 2018 World Cup first-round exit and their Nations League relegation late last year. He said the decision was a necessary one as Germany, World Cup winners in 2014, looked to change their playing style. Only captain Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos and Matthias Ginter were also part of the 2014 World Cup squad. "A new cycle is starting with the Euro 2020 qualifiers and given last year's results changes are necessary," Loew said. "After the end of the Nations League we thought about how the team should play in the next qualifiers, how it should look in 2020." The Bayern trio were irritated by their unexpected and forced international retirement, with Mueller and Hummels saying they would continue fighting for places in the team. "These are not decisions taken from one day to the next," Loew said. "It was a process where changes would happen. I told them I am not planning with them for the Euro qualifiers and Euro 2020." "For me personally the most important thing was that I inform the players personally." He said his young German team would now look to recover their dominance during matches while also increasing speed and efficiency in the last third of the pitch. "Possession, dominance will continue. Possession football is certainly not dead, look at Manchester City or Barcelona," Loew said. "We need to be more focused and efficiency... and faster in attack." Loew also gave Neuer his backing, saying the keeper, who has been far from convincing this season and was to blame for Liverpool's first goal in their 3-1 win at Bayern in the Champions League on Wednesday, would remain his number one choice ahead of Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen. "Neuer is currently our number one. This year we have almost exclusively qualifiers. Ter Stegen will get his chances and then we will see what happens," Loew said. "Neuer knows he has to deliver performances. But for the moment he is our number one."

Three newcomers in Germany squad as overhaul continues

The United States on Monday warned Germany about future "information sharing" if it uses "untrusted vendors" in its 5G telecom infrastructure amid debate over whether <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-government-hacked-our-servers-stole-company-emails-huawei-201657">Chinese IT giant Huawei</a> is an espionage risk.

The Wall Street Journal reported that US Ambassador Richard Grenell sent a letter to German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Friday warning that in such a case the US could scale down intelligence and other information exchanges.

A US embassy spokesperson told AFP on Monday it would not comment on diplomatic communications, but added that its position on 5G network security was well known.

"To the extent there are untrusted vendors in the networks of an ally, that could raise future questions about the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive communications within that country, as well as between that country and its allies," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

"This could in the future jeopardise nimble cooperation and some sharing of information. We are engaging intensively with our allies on how to secure our telecommunications networks to ensure continued interoperability."

German minister Altmaier confirmed he had received the letter, but told AFP he could not comment on its contents, adding: "We will respond quickly".

Germany, like other EU countries, has relied heavily on US intelligence on terror and other threats provided by the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency and other spy services.

The US and several other Western nations, fearful of the security risks posed by the company closely tied to the Chinese government, have shut <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-calls-for-common-cybersecurity-standards-amidst-concerns-201312">Huawei </a>out of tenders for the development of the newest 5G infrastructure.

The Chinese telecoms behemoth has strenuously denied the espionage allegations.

Germany, anxious to not get sucked into the maelstrom of an ongoing US-China spat over a multitude of issues including trade, has taken a cautious stance on the issue.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has said it was necessary to talk to Beijing "to make sure that the company does not simply give up all data that is used to the Chinese state, but that there are safeguards".

Some measures in the works include adding a non-spying clause, a requirement to publish code sources used in the infrastructures as well as allowing independent laboratories to carry out tests on the components used.

Huawei has quietly become a leading supplier of the backbone equipment for mobile networks, particularly in developing markets thanks to cheaper prices.

Germany, although it is Europe's leading economy, has seen its mobile infrastructure lag behind, with most Germans having access only to 3G.

The 5G network is meant to be 100 times more rapid than 4G, and is viewed as the next major step in the digital revolution that makes data transfers almost instantaneous.

The United States on Monday warned Germany about future "information sharing" if it uses "untrusted vendors" in its 5G telecom infrastructure amid debate over whether Chinese IT giant Huawei is an espionage risk.

The United States on Monday warned Germany about future "information sharing" if it uses "untrusted vendors" in its 5G telecom infrastructure amid debate over whether Chinese IT giant Huawei is an espionage risk. The Wall Street Journal reported that US Ambassador Richard Grenell sent a letter to German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Friday warning that in such a case the US could scale down intelligence and other information exchanges. A US embassy spokesperson told AFP on Monday it would not comment on diplomatic communications, but added that its position on 5G network security was well known. "To the extent there are untrusted vendors in the networks of an ally, that could raise future questions about the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive communications within that country, as well as between that country and its allies," the spokesperson said. "This could in the future jeopardise nimble cooperation and some sharing of information. We are engaging intensively with our allies on how to secure our telecommunications networks to ensure continued interoperability." German minister Altmaier confirmed he had received the letter, but told AFP he could not comment on its contents, adding: "We will respond quickly". Germany, like other EU countries, has relied heavily on US intelligence on terror and other threats provided by the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency and other spy services. The US and several other Western nations, fearful of the security risks posed by the company closely tied to the Chinese government, have shut Huawei out of tenders for the development of the newest 5G infrastructure. The Chinese telecoms behemoth has strenuously denied the espionage allegations. Germany, anxious to not get sucked into the maelstrom of an ongoing US-China spat over a multitude of issues including trade, has taken a cautious stance on the issue. Chancellor Angela Merkel has said it was necessary to talk to Beijing "to make sure that the company does not simply give up all data that is used to the Chinese state, but that there are safeguards". Some measures in the works include adding a non-spying clause, a requirement to publish code sources used in the infrastructures as well as allowing independent laboratories to carry out tests on the components used. Huawei has quietly become a leading supplier of the backbone equipment for mobile networks, particularly in developing markets thanks to cheaper prices. Germany, although it is Europe's leading economy, has seen its mobile infrastructure lag behind, with most Germans having access only to 3G. The 5G network is meant to be 100 times more rapid than 4G, and is viewed as the next major step in the digital revolution that makes data transfers almost instantaneous.

US warns Germany Huawei deal could hurt intelligence sharing

Venezuela's government has ordered the expulsion of Germany's ambassador over his backing of opposition leader Juan Guaido in a political struggle with President Nicolas Maduro.

The foreign ministry said Martin Kriener had 48 hours to leave following "interference" in Venezuela's internal affairs after he greeted Guaido at Caracas airport on his return to the country on Monday.

Guaido, the 35-year-old National Assembly leader who is recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries including Germany, defied a government travel ban to slip out of the country on February 23.&nbsp;

He returned Monday to call for fresh demonstrations against Maduro, facing down threats of arrest after a tour of friendly Latin American capitals.

A government statement said Kriener "showed up at Maiquetia international airport to witness the arrival of the deputy in contempt of the country, Juan Guaido."

Venezuela said it was "unacceptable" that the ambassador acted in "clear alignment with the conspiracy agenda of extremist sectors of the Venezuelan opposition."

The German foreign ministry in Berlin confirmed the expulsion order.

"We can confirm that Ambassador Daniel Kriener has been declared 'persona non grata,'" it said.

"We are currently working on the next steps, including on site with our partners."

Venezuela's government has ordered the expulsion of Germany's ambassador over his backing of opposition leader Juan Guaido in a political struggle with President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela's government has ordered the expulsion of Germany's ambassador over his backing of opposition leader Juan Guaido in a political struggle with President Nicolas Maduro. The foreign ministry said Martin Kriener had 48 hours to leave following "interference" in Venezuela's internal affairs after he greeted Guaido at Caracas airport on his return to the country on Monday. Guaido, the 35-year-old National Assembly leader who is recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries including Germany, defied a government travel ban to slip out of the country on February 23. He returned Monday to call for fresh demonstrations against Maduro, facing down threats of arrest after a tour of friendly Latin American capitals. A government statement said Kriener "showed up at Maiquetia international airport to witness the arrival of the deputy in contempt of the country, Juan Guaido." Venezuela said it was "unacceptable" that the ambassador acted in "clear alignment with the conspiracy agenda of extremist sectors of the Venezuelan opposition." The German foreign ministry in Berlin confirmed the expulsion order. "We can confirm that Ambassador Daniel Kriener has been declared 'persona non grata,'" it said. "We are currently working on the next steps, including on site with our partners."

Venezuela expels German ambassador for backing Guaido

Germany coach Joachim Loew is not planning to call up world champions Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller any longer, saying the team needs to look to the future.

The Bayern Munich trio were part of the 2014 World Cup-winning team but the Germans crashed out of the 2018 World Cup in the group stage, their earliest exit in 80 years.

All three have also struggled for form this season.

"I thank Mats, Jerome and Thomas for the many successful, extraordinary and unique years we shared," Loew said in a statement issued by the German FA.

"Now it is time to set the course for the future. We want to give the team a new look," Loew said.

"I am convinced that this is the right step. The youngsters coming through will have the room they need to grow. Now it’s up to them to take on responsibility."

Loew, who can call on young talent including Julian Brandt, Kai Havertz, Leroy Sane, Niklas Suele and Serge Gnabry, said he had travelled to Munich to inform the three Bayern players.

"2019 is a new beginning for the Germany national team," he said. "It was important for me to personally explain my decision to the players and the FC Bayern management."

The German coach has been in charge since 2006 and his contract runs to 2022.

SAME GENERATION

With close to 250 internationals between them, Hummels (70 caps), Mueller (100) and Boateng (74) were part of the same generation.

Hummels and Boateng, both 30, played together in the 2009 Under-21 European championship triumph as Germany started to reap the rewards of a major and sustained investment in youth players that had started seven years earlier.

They all graduated to the senior team and took part in the 2010 World Cup where Germany's youngest tournament team in 76 years reached the semi-finals with an exciting run that included wins over England and Argentina.

Mueller, 29, has scored 10 goals at World Cups, winning the golden boot in 2010. He was the second-top scorer four years later with another five goals.

The trio's international cycle was complete when Germany were crowned world champions in 2014, having also clinched an extraordinary 7-1 victory against hosts Brazil in the last four.

"I am personally convinced that I can still play at the highest level and will continue to do so," Boateng wrote on Twitter.

"I was always extremely proud to wear the national team top ands I will never forget the summer of 2014. But I would have obviously wished for a different departure."

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff told Bild newspaper: "Thomas, Mats and Jerome have achieved a lot for German football,"

"They will continue to do so for their club. I continue to feel very connected to them and am thankful for the time we spent together in the national team."

Germany play their first international of 2019 on March 20 against Serbia in Wolfsburg.

Germany coach Joachim Loew is not planning to call up world champions Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller any longer, saying the team needs to look to the future.

Germany coach Joachim Loew is not planning to call up world champions Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller any longer, saying the team needs to look to the future. The Bayern Munich trio were part of the 2014 World Cup-winning team but the Germans crashed out of the 2018 World Cup in the group stage, their earliest exit in 80 years. All three have also struggled for form this season. "I thank Mats, Jerome and Thomas for the many successful, extraordinary and unique years we shared," Loew said in a statement issued by the German FA. "Now it is time to set the course for the future. We want to give the team a new look," Loew said. "I am convinced that this is the right step. The youngsters coming through will have the room they need to grow. Now it’s up to them to take on responsibility." Loew, who can call on young talent including Julian Brandt, Kai Havertz, Leroy Sane, Niklas Suele and Serge Gnabry, said he had travelled to Munich to inform the three Bayern players. "2019 is a new beginning for the Germany national team," he said. "It was important for me to personally explain my decision to the players and the FC Bayern management." The German coach has been in charge since 2006 and his contract runs to 2022. SAME GENERATION With close to 250 internationals between them, Hummels (70 caps), Mueller (100) and Boateng (74) were part of the same generation. Hummels and Boateng, both 30, played together in the 2009 Under-21 European championship triumph as Germany started to reap the rewards of a major and sustained investment in youth players that had started seven years earlier. They all graduated to the senior team and took part in the 2010 World Cup where Germany's youngest tournament team in 76 years reached the semi-finals with an exciting run that included wins over England and Argentina. Mueller, 29, has scored 10 goals at World Cups, winning the golden boot in 2010. He was the second-top scorer four years later with another five goals. The trio's international cycle was complete when Germany were crowned world champions in 2014, having also clinched an extraordinary 7-1 victory against hosts Brazil in the last four. "I am personally convinced that I can still play at the highest level and will continue to do so," Boateng wrote on Twitter. "I was always extremely proud to wear the national team top ands I will never forget the summer of 2014. But I would have obviously wished for a different departure." Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff told Bild newspaper: "Thomas, Mats and Jerome have achieved a lot for German football," "They will continue to do so for their club. I continue to feel very connected to them and am thankful for the time we spent together in the national team." Germany play their first international of 2019 on March 20 against Serbia in Wolfsburg.

Thomas Mueller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels no longer in Joachim Loew's Germany plans

German prosecutors have formally charged a Russian Islamist and acquaintance of Berlin Christmas market attacker Anis Amri with plotting an explosives attack, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Magomed-Ali C, 31, had planned an attack with Tunisian Amri, who went on to kill 12 people in his 2016 truck rampage at the market, and French jihadist Clement Baur.

Magomed-Ali C&nbsp;-- who according to news site Zeit Online hails from the Russian Caucasus republic of Dagestan -- had allegedly kept TATP, a volatile explosive dubbed "mother of Satan", in a Berlin flat in October 2016.

The Russian national was arrested in August 2018 and formally charged on February 25 this year with preparing a serious act of subversive violence, prosecutors said in a statement.

His joint plan with Baur, who has been jailed in France, had allegedly been to carry out "an Islamist attack in Germany to kill or maim as many people as possible" in order "to create a climate of fear and uncertainty".

The Russian -- who had come to Germany as an asylum seeker in 2011, already a militant Islamist -- is believed to have first met Baur in Belgium in 2013.

By 2015, Magomed-Ali C. allegedly wanted to join the Islamic State group in Syria but was barred from leaving Germany after police in June alerted the immigration department.

He then planned to launch an attack within Germany and in July 2015 asked Baur to come to Berlin to help him.

The two met Amri that year in Berlin's Fussilet 33 mosque, which was later shuttered by authorities as a suspected meeting place for radical Islamists.

The two temporarily broke off contact with Amri when the Tunisian drew heightened police attention in February 2016.

C&nbsp;and Baur then either procured or produced the TATP in October 2016 and kept it in the Berlin flat, prosecutors charge.

Another police action, on October 26, 2016, however, interrupted their planning and led Baur to flee for France.

Amri in December committed the market attack and was killed days later by an Italian police officer.

Baur and another suspect were arrested in Marseille on April 18, 2017, accused of plotting an attack shortly before French elections.

French police found an IS flag, a loaded Uzi sub-machine gun, two pistols, a homemade grenade and TATP in an apartment.

Zeit Online reported that German police never found the TATP in the Berlin flat and that prosecutors had based their charge primarily on tapped phone calls.

German prosecutors have formally charged a Russian Islamist and acquaintance of Berlin Christmas market attacker Anis Amri with plotting an explosives attack, prosecutors said Tuesday.

German prosecutors have formally charged a Russian Islamist and acquaintance of Berlin Christmas market attacker Anis Amri with plotting an explosives attack, prosecutors said Tuesday. The suspect, identified as Magomed-Ali C, 31, had planned an attack with Tunisian Amri, who went on to kill 12 people in his 2016 truck rampage at the market, and French jihadist Clement Baur. Magomed-Ali C -- who according to news site Zeit Online hails from the Russian Caucasus republic of Dagestan -- had allegedly kept TATP, a volatile explosive dubbed "mother of Satan", in a Berlin flat in October 2016. The Russian national was arrested in August 2018 and formally charged on February 25 this year with preparing a serious act of subversive violence, prosecutors said in a statement. His joint plan with Baur, who has been jailed in France, had allegedly been to carry out "an Islamist attack in Germany to kill or maim as many people as possible" in order "to create a climate of fear and uncertainty". The Russian -- who had come to Germany as an asylum seeker in 2011, already a militant Islamist -- is believed to have first met Baur in Belgium in 2013. By 2015, Magomed-Ali C. allegedly wanted to join the Islamic State group in Syria but was barred from leaving Germany after police in June alerted the immigration department. He then planned to launch an attack within Germany and in July 2015 asked Baur to come to Berlin to help him. The two met Amri that year in Berlin's Fussilet 33 mosque, which was later shuttered by authorities as a suspected meeting place for radical Islamists. The two temporarily broke off contact with Amri when the Tunisian drew heightened police attention in February 2016. C and Baur then either procured or produced the TATP in October 2016 and kept it in the Berlin flat, prosecutors charge. Another police action, on October 26, 2016, however, interrupted their planning and led Baur to flee for France. Amri in December committed the market attack and was killed days later by an Italian police officer. Baur and another suspect were arrested in Marseille on April 18, 2017, accused of plotting an attack shortly before French elections. French police found an IS flag, a loaded Uzi sub-machine gun, two pistols, a homemade grenade and TATP in an apartment. Zeit Online reported that German police never found the TATP in the Berlin flat and that prosecutors had based their charge primarily on tapped phone calls.

Russian Islamist charged with bomb plot in Germany

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer will begin the quest for his 100th ATP singles title when he faces Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the first round of the Dubai Championships on Monday (February 25).

The 20-times Grand Slam champion, who has not played this year since his Australian Open round of 16 defeat by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in January, said he would love to reach the milestone in Dubai.

Federer, the seven-time Dubai champion, last lifted the trophy in 2015 when he defeated Novak Djokovic.

The 37-year-old Federer, who will return to the European clay court season after two years away, said that he is excited about the prospect of playing on clay again.

Federer, whose sole French Open title came in 2009, announced on Wednesday (February 20) he will mark his return to clay at the Madrid Open which starts on May 3.

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer will begin the quest for his 100th ATP singles title when he faces Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the first round of the Dubai Championships on Monday (February 25).

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer will begin the quest for his 100th ATP singles title when he faces Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the first round of the Dubai Championships on Monday (February 25). The 20-times Grand Slam champion, who has not played this year since his Australian Open round of 16 defeat by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in January, said he would love to reach the milestone in Dubai. Federer, the seven-time Dubai champion, last lifted the trophy in 2015 when he defeated Novak Djokovic. The 37-year-old Federer, who will return to the European clay court season after two years away, said that he is excited about the prospect of playing on clay again. Federer, whose sole French Open title came in 2009, announced on Wednesday (February 20) he will mark his return to clay at the Madrid Open which starts on May 3.

Roger Federer would love to win 100th ATP title in Dubai

Germany vowed Monday to prosecute German IS fighters but warned that it would be "extremely difficult" to organise the repatriation of European nationals from Syria after US President Donald Trump called on allies to take back alleged jihadists.

Syria's US-backed Kurdish forces, which are battling Islamic State group jihadists in their last redoubt in eastern Syria, hold hundreds of suspected foreign IS fighters and the calls for their reluctant home countries to take them back have grown in urgency.

"We must be able to ensure that prosecution is possible," Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen told Bild daily.

Underlining the difficulties however of putting the ex-fighters on trial, the minister noted that there is "no government in Syria with which we have a sensible relationship".

President Bashar "Assad cannot be our counterpart, the Syrian-democratic forces are not a unity government," she added, stressing that proof and witness statements needed to be secured in Syria if the militants are to be put on trial.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said separately that a return could only be possible if "we can guarantee that these people can be immediately sent here to appear in court and that they will be detained".

For this, "we need judicial information, and this is not yet the case," Maas told ARD television late Sunday. Under such conditions, repatriation would be "extremely difficult to achieve".

Berlin wants to "consult with France and Britain... over how to proceed," he said.

The subject is to be raised on Monday at a meeting of European foreign ministers called to discuss among other issues "the situation in Syria, in particular, the recent developments on the ground," according to an agenda for the talks.

Trump on Sunday called on his European allies to take back alleged jihadists captured in Syria.

IS imposed a self-declared caliphate across parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq from 2014, but has since lost all of it except a tiny patch of less than half a square kilometre near the Iraqi border.

After years of fighting IS, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) hold hundreds of foreigners accused of fighting for the group, as well as their wives and children.

Syria's Kurds have repeatedly called for their countries of origin to take them back, but these nations have been reluctant.

"The United States is asking Britain, France, Germany and other European allies to take back over 800 ISIS fighters that we captured in Syria and put them on trial," Trump said in a tweet, using another acronym for IS.

After initial reluctance, Paris appears ready to consider the return of its nationals.

In Belgium, Justice Minister Koen Geens called for a "European solution" on Sunday, calling for "calm reflection and looking at what would be the least security risks".

Germany vowed Monday to prosecute German IS fighters but warned that it would be "extremely difficult" to organise the repatriation of European nationals from Syria after US President Donald Trump called on allies to take back alleged jihadists.

Germany vowed Monday to prosecute German IS fighters but warned that it would be "extremely difficult" to organise the repatriation of European nationals from Syria after US President Donald Trump called on allies to take back alleged jihadists. Syria's US-backed Kurdish forces, which are battling Islamic State group jihadists in their last redoubt in eastern Syria, hold hundreds of suspected foreign IS fighters and the calls for their reluctant home countries to take them back have grown in urgency. "We must be able to ensure that prosecution is possible," Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen told Bild daily. Underlining the difficulties however of putting the ex-fighters on trial, the minister noted that there is "no government in Syria with which we have a sensible relationship". President Bashar "Assad cannot be our counterpart, the Syrian-democratic forces are not a unity government," she added, stressing that proof and witness statements needed to be secured in Syria if the militants are to be put on trial. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said separately that a return could only be possible if "we can guarantee that these people can be immediately sent here to appear in court and that they will be detained". For this, "we need judicial information, and this is not yet the case," Maas told ARD television late Sunday. Under such conditions, repatriation would be "extremely difficult to achieve". Berlin wants to "consult with France and Britain... over how to proceed," he said. The subject is to be raised on Monday at a meeting of European foreign ministers called to discuss among other issues "the situation in Syria, in particular, the recent developments on the ground," according to an agenda for the talks. Trump on Sunday called on his European allies to take back alleged jihadists captured in Syria. IS imposed a self-declared caliphate across parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq from 2014, but has since lost all of it except a tiny patch of less than half a square kilometre near the Iraqi border. After years of fighting IS, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) hold hundreds of foreigners accused of fighting for the group, as well as their wives and children. Syria's Kurds have repeatedly called for their countries of origin to take them back, but these nations have been reluctant. "The United States is asking Britain, France, Germany and other European allies to take back over 800 ISIS fighters that we captured in Syria and put them on trial," Trump said in a tweet, using another acronym for IS. After initial reluctance, Paris appears ready to consider the return of its nationals. In Belgium, Justice Minister Koen Geens called for a "European solution" on Sunday, calling for "calm reflection and looking at what would be the least security risks".

Germany wants trial for Syria jihadists but warns of difficulties

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/chelsea-fan-banned-for-homophobic-abuse-188122">Anti-Semitic offences </a>rose almost 10 per cent in Germany last year, and violent attacks were up more than 60 per cent, crime statistics showed Wednesday.&nbsp;

Police recorded 1,646 offences motivated by hatred against Jews, said a government answer to a request by far-left Die Linke party lawmaker Petra Pau.

Among these were 62 violent offences that left 43 people injured, up from 37 physical attacks the previous year.

Germany, like other western countries, has watched with alarm as anti-Semitic and other racist hate speech and violence have increased in recent years as the political climate has coarsened and grown more polarised.

A mass influx of mostly Muslim refugees and migrants to Germany from 2015 drove the rise of the far-right and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which since late 2017 is the biggest opposition group in parliament.

Leading AfD members, aside from railing against Islam and multiculturalism, have also made comments that play down the Holocaust.

Party co-leader Alexander Gauland described Nazi Germany's industrial-scale murder of Jews and other minorities as a mere "speck of bird poo in over 1,000 years of successful German history".

Another leading AfD politician, Bjoern Hoecke, has criticised the sprawling Holocaust memorial in Berlin as a "monument of shame".

The president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, and other Jewish community leaders have accused the AfD of fomenting hate against refugees, Muslims and Jews.

Belt attack, Holocaust denial

At the same time, Germany has also witnessed a rise in anti-Semitic attacks committed by migrants from Arab states.

In one prominent case last year a 19-year-old Syrian man was convicted for assault after lashing out with his belt at an Israeli man wearing a Jewish kippa skullcap while shouting "yahudi", Jew in Arabic.&nbsp;

A video of the street assault, filmed by the victim on his smartphone, had sparked widespread public revulsion as it spread on social media and triggered street rallies in solidarity with Jews.

News of the belt attack coincided with another public outcry, over a rap duo who made light of Nazi death camp prisoners but went on to win the music industry's sales-based Echo award, which was subsequently axed.

Days after the belt assault, some 2,000 people rallied at a "Berlin Wears Kippa" solidarity demonstration, matched by smaller events in several other German cities.

Most anti-Semitic offences were however committed by far-right perpetrators, reported the Berlin daily Tagesspiegel in an article on the new crime statistics.

Pau in her statement charged that "we are seeing that militant right-wing extremists can openly call for the desecration of Jewish institutions and attacks against Jewish people".&nbsp;

Anti-Semitic offences rose almost 10 per cent in Germany last year, and violent attacks were up more than 60 per cent, crime statistics showed Wednesday. Police recorded 1,646 offences motivated by hatred against Jews, said a government answer to a request by far-left Die Linke party lawmaker Petra Pau.

Anti-Semitic offences rose almost 10 per cent in Germany last year, and violent attacks were up more than 60 per cent, crime statistics showed Wednesday. Police recorded 1,646 offences motivated by hatred against Jews, said a government answer to a request by far-left Die Linke party lawmaker Petra Pau. Among these were 62 violent offences that left 43 people injured, up from 37 physical attacks the previous year. Germany, like other western countries, has watched with alarm as anti-Semitic and other racist hate speech and violence have increased in recent years as the political climate has coarsened and grown more polarised. A mass influx of mostly Muslim refugees and migrants to Germany from 2015 drove the rise of the far-right and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which since late 2017 is the biggest opposition group in parliament. Leading AfD members, aside from railing against Islam and multiculturalism, have also made comments that play down the Holocaust. Party co-leader Alexander Gauland described Nazi Germany's industrial-scale murder of Jews and other minorities as a mere "speck of bird poo in over 1,000 years of successful German history". Another leading AfD politician, Bjoern Hoecke, has criticised the sprawling Holocaust memorial in Berlin as a "monument of shame". The president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, and other Jewish community leaders have accused the AfD of fomenting hate against refugees, Muslims and Jews. Belt attack, Holocaust denial At the same time, Germany has also witnessed a rise in anti-Semitic attacks committed by migrants from Arab states. In one prominent case last year a 19-year-old Syrian man was convicted for assault after lashing out with his belt at an Israeli man wearing a Jewish kippa skullcap while shouting "yahudi", Jew in Arabic. A video of the street assault, filmed by the victim on his smartphone, had sparked widespread public revulsion as it spread on social media and triggered street rallies in solidarity with Jews. News of the belt attack coincided with another public outcry, over a rap duo who made light of Nazi death camp prisoners but went on to win the music industry's sales-based Echo award, which was subsequently axed. Days after the belt assault, some 2,000 people rallied at a "Berlin Wears Kippa" solidarity demonstration, matched by smaller events in several other German cities. Most anti-Semitic offences were however committed by far-right perpetrators, reported the Berlin daily Tagesspiegel in an article on the new crime statistics. Pau in her statement charged that "we are seeing that militant right-wing extremists can openly call for the desecration of Jewish institutions and attacks against Jewish people".

Germany anti-Semitic offences up sharply in 2018: Government

Five paintings attributed to Adolf Hitler will be auctioned off Saturday in the German city of Nuremberg, sparking anger that the Nazi memorabilia market is alive and well.

Nuremberg's mayor Ulrich Maly has condemned the upcoming sale as being "in bad taste," speaking to Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

Among the items to go under the hammer are a mountain lake view with a starting price of 45,000 euros ($51,000) and a wicker armchair with a swastika symbol presumed to have belonged to the late Nazi dictator.

The Weidler auction house is holding the "special sale" in Nuremberg, the city in which Nazi war criminals were tried in 1945.

The auction made headlines days before its start after several artworks were withdrawn Thursday on suspicion they were fakes and prosecutors stepped in.

Sales of alleged artworks by Hitler — who for a time tried to make a living as an artist in his native Austria — regularly spark outrage that collectors are willing to pay high prices for art linked to the country's Nazi past.

"There's a long tradition of this trade in devotional objects linked to Nazism," Stephan Klingen of the Central Institute for Art History in Munich told AFP.

"Every time there's a media buzz about it... and the prices they're bringing in have been rising constantly. Personally, that's something that quite annoys me."

'Ambitious amateur'&nbsp;

In Germany, public displays of Nazi symbols are illegal but exceptions can be made, in educational or historic contexts for instance.

To comply with the law, the auction house pixellated the swastikas on the wicker chair and a blue-and-white Meissen porcelain vase in catalogue photos and has covered them up on-site.

But none of the paintings includes any of the totalitarian party's insignias.

According to Klingen, Hitler had the style of "a moderately ambitious amateur" but his creations did not stand out from "hundreds of thousands" of comparable works from the period — making their authenticity especially hard to verify.

A haul of 26 pieces originally featured in the catalogue have been removed from sale after suspicions were raised that they might be fakes.

The watercolours, drawings and paintings bearing "Hitler" signatures featured views of Vienna or Nuremberg, female nudes and still lifes, the auction house said. They were offered by 23 different owners.&nbsp;

Prosecutors on Wednesday collected 63 artworks from the Weidler premises bearing the signature "A.H." or "A.Hitler", including some not slated to go under the hammer Saturday.

The Nuremberg-Fuerth prosecutor's office said it had opened an investigation against persons unknown "on suspicion of falsifying documents and attempted fraud", chief prosecutor Antje Gabriels-Gorsolke told AFP.

"If they turn out to be fakes, we will then try to determine who knew what in the chain of ownership," she said.

Weidler said in a statement that the paintings' withdrawal from sale "does not automatically mean they are fakes".

Five paintings attributed to Adolf Hitler will be auctioned off Saturday in the German city of Nuremberg, sparking anger that the Nazi memorabilia market is alive and well.

Five paintings attributed to Adolf Hitler will be auctioned off Saturday in the German city of Nuremberg, sparking anger that the Nazi memorabilia market is alive and well. Nuremberg's mayor Ulrich Maly has condemned the upcoming sale as being "in bad taste," speaking to Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. Among the items to go under the hammer are a mountain lake view with a starting price of 45,000 euros ($51,000) and a wicker armchair with a swastika symbol presumed to have belonged to the late Nazi dictator. The Weidler auction house is holding the "special sale" in Nuremberg, the city in which Nazi war criminals were tried in 1945. The auction made headlines days before its start after several artworks were withdrawn Thursday on suspicion they were fakes and prosecutors stepped in. Sales of alleged artworks by Hitler — who for a time tried to make a living as an artist in his native Austria — regularly spark outrage that collectors are willing to pay high prices for art linked to the country's Nazi past. "There's a long tradition of this trade in devotional objects linked to Nazism," Stephan Klingen of the Central Institute for Art History in Munich told AFP. "Every time there's a media buzz about it... and the prices they're bringing in have been rising constantly. Personally, that's something that quite annoys me." 'Ambitious amateur' In Germany, public displays of Nazi symbols are illegal but exceptions can be made, in educational or historic contexts for instance. To comply with the law, the auction house pixellated the swastikas on the wicker chair and a blue-and-white Meissen porcelain vase in catalogue photos and has covered them up on-site. But none of the paintings includes any of the totalitarian party's insignias. According to Klingen, Hitler had the style of "a moderately ambitious amateur" but his creations did not stand out from "hundreds of thousands" of comparable works from the period — making their authenticity especially hard to verify. A haul of 26 pieces originally featured in the catalogue have been removed from sale after suspicions were raised that they might be fakes. The watercolours, drawings and paintings bearing "Hitler" signatures featured views of Vienna or Nuremberg, female nudes and still lifes, the auction house said. They were offered by 23 different owners. Prosecutors on Wednesday collected 63 artworks from the Weidler premises bearing the signature "A.H." or "A.Hitler", including some not slated to go under the hammer Saturday. The Nuremberg-Fuerth prosecutor's office said it had opened an investigation against persons unknown "on suspicion of falsifying documents and attempted fraud", chief prosecutor Antje Gabriels-Gorsolke told AFP. "If they turn out to be fakes, we will then try to determine who knew what in the chain of ownership," she said. Weidler said in a statement that the paintings' withdrawal from sale "does not automatically mean they are fakes".

Germany: Five 'Hitler' paintings to go under hammer in Nuremberg

Five watercolour <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/five-hitler-paintings-to-go-under-hammer-in-nuremberg-196155">canvasses attributed to Adolf Hitler</a>, the head of Germany’s Nazi party leading up to and during World War II, have failed to sell at auction, the Weidler auction house said on Sunday.

The Nuremberg-based auction house, in the north of Germany's Bavaria&nbsp;region, announced a “Special Adolf Hitler Auction” that included various objects the Nazi leader owned as well as five paintings bearing his signature.

The mayor of Nuremberg, Ullrich Mally, had criticized the auction saying it was in "bad taste."

The institution said that the sale did not run the risk of attracting far-right customers saying that “those interested would be collectors of art,” a spokesperson for the Weidler said.

The five Hitler watercolours the auction house had included in the lot had been expected to fetch anywhere between 19,000 and 45,000 euros, but they failed to sell.

One the objects that allegedly belonged to Hitler, a table-cloth, sold for 630 euros ($714), and a porcelain jug with a detail of a yacht, fetched 5,500 euros.&nbsp;

Both items were sold to foreign buyers who were bidding in writing and over the phone from outside of Germany.&nbsp;

Originally the lot included around two dozen watercolour paintings that had been attributed to the Nazi leader but when doubts arose concerning their providence and authorship the auction house removed them from the sale.&nbsp;

German prosecutors on Thursday seized some 63 paintings from the Weidler bearing Hitler's initials or signature on the grounds they were thought to be forgeries.&nbsp;

The seized canvasses included several that were not intended to be sold at the Sunday auction.

The far-right Austrian was an avid amateur painter, and the sale of his works continues to spark both interest and outrage in equal measure.&nbsp;

Hitler ruled Germany between 1933 and 1945 and started World War II in 1939. The war ended in 1945 and destroying the Nazi regime.&nbsp;

Hitler's Nazi Germany persecuted dissidents and the Jewish community in Germany and beyond with a policy of genocide that murdered some 6million people.

It is thought between 15 and 20 million people were imprisoned or died in Nazi concentration and extermination camps between 1933-1945.&nbsp;

The auction took place in the German city that hosted the trials of leading Nazi war criminals between 1945 and 1946 after Germany lost World War II.

Five watercolour canvasses attributed to Adolf Hitler, the head of Germany’s Nazi party leading up to and during World War II, have failed to sell at auction, the Weidler auction house said on Sunday.

Five watercolour canvasses attributed to Adolf Hitler, the head of Germany’s Nazi party leading up to and during World War II, have failed to sell at auction, the Weidler auction house said on Sunday. The Nuremberg-based auction house, in the north of Germany's Bavaria region, announced a “Special Adolf Hitler Auction” that included various objects the Nazi leader owned as well as five paintings bearing his signature. The mayor of Nuremberg, Ullrich Mally, had criticized the auction saying it was in "bad taste." The institution said that the sale did not run the risk of attracting far-right customers saying that “those interested would be collectors of art,” a spokesperson for the Weidler said. The five Hitler watercolours the auction house had included in the lot had been expected to fetch anywhere between 19,000 and 45,000 euros, but they failed to sell. One the objects that allegedly belonged to Hitler, a table-cloth, sold for 630 euros ($714), and a porcelain jug with a detail of a yacht, fetched 5,500 euros. Both items were sold to foreign buyers who were bidding in writing and over the phone from outside of Germany. Originally the lot included around two dozen watercolour paintings that had been attributed to the Nazi leader but when doubts arose concerning their providence and authorship the auction house removed them from the sale. German prosecutors on Thursday seized some 63 paintings from the Weidler bearing Hitler's initials or signature on the grounds they were thought to be forgeries. The seized canvasses included several that were not intended to be sold at the Sunday auction. The far-right Austrian was an avid amateur painter, and the sale of his works continues to spark both interest and outrage in equal measure. Hitler ruled Germany between 1933 and 1945 and started World War II in 1939. The war ended in 1945 and destroying the Nazi regime. Hitler's Nazi Germany persecuted dissidents and the Jewish community in Germany and beyond with a policy of genocide that murdered some 6million people. It is thought between 15 and 20 million people were imprisoned or died in Nazi concentration and extermination camps between 1933-1945. The auction took place in the German city that hosted the trials of leading Nazi war criminals between 1945 and 1946 after Germany lost World War II.

Adolf Hitler watercolours fail to sell at Nuremberg auction in Germany

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

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

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

Merkel opens spy agency's massive new Berlin headquarters

Facebook has been ordered to curb its data collection practices in Germany after a landmark ruling on Thursday that the world's largest social network abused its market dominance to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/washington-sues-facebook-over-cambridge-analytica-row-185389">gather information about users without their consent</a>.

Germany, where privacy concerns run deep, is in the forefront of a global backlash against Facebook, fuelled by last year's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cambridge-analytica-whistleblower-calls-for-online-regulation-175918">Cambridge Analytica scandal </a>in which tens of millions of Facebook profiles were harvested without their users' consent.

The country's antitrust watchdog objected in particular to how <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-targets-dangerous-armed-groups-in-latest-myanmar-bans-195310">Facebook</a> pools data on people from third-party apps - including its own WhatsApp and Instagram - and its online tracking of people who aren't even members through <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/duplicate-facebook-accounts-tripled-in-three-years-at-250-million-195042">Facebook </a>'like' or 'share' buttons.

"In future, Facebook will no longer be allowed to force its users to agree to the practically unrestricted collection and assigning of non-Facebook data to their Facebook accounts," Federal Cartel Office chief Andreas Mundt said.

Facebook said it would appeal the decision, the culmination of a three-year probe, saying the regulator underestimated the competition it faced and undermined Europe-wide privacy rules that took effect last year.

"We disagree with their conclusions and intend to appeal so that people in Germany continue to benefit fully from all our services," Facebook said in a blog post.

In its order, the cartel office said Facebook would only be allowed to assign data from WhatsApp or Instagram to its main Facebook app accounts if users consented voluntarily. Collecting data from third-party websites and assigning it to Facebook would similarly require consent.

If consent is withheld, Facebook would have to substantially restrict its collection and combining of data. It should develop proposals to do this within 12 months, subject to the outcome of appeal proceedings at the Duesseldorf Higher Regional Court that should be filed within a month.

If Facebook fails to comply, the cartel office said it could impose fines of up to 10 per cent of the company's annual global revenues, which grew by 37 per cent to $55.8 billion last year.

Antitrust lawyer Thomas Vinje, a partner at Clifford Chance in Brussels, said the Cartel Office ruling had potentially far-reaching implications.

"This is a landmark decision," he told Reuters. "It’s limited to Germany but strikes me as exportable and might have a significant impact on Facebook's business model."

Vinje said it would be tough for Facebook to persuade the court that the Cartel Office's definition of the market for social media, and its dominance, were misguided. This is a battle that many firms have fought in court and lost, he added.

Implications

German Justice Minister Katarina Barley welcomed the ruling. "Users are often unaware of this flow of data and cannot prevent it if they want to use the services," she told Reuters. "We need to be rigorous in tackling the abuse of power that comes with data."

The German antitrust regulator's powers were expanded in 2017 to include consumer protection in public-interest cases where it could argue that a company - such as Facebook - had so little competition that consumers lack any effective choice.

Facebook has an estimated 23 million daily active users in Germany, giving it a market share of 95 per cent, according to the Cartel Office which considers Google+ - a rival social network that is being closed down – to be its only competitor.

Facebook said the cartel office failed to recognise the extent of competition it faced from Google's YouTube or Twitter for users' attention, and also said the regulator was encroaching into areas that should be handled by data protection watchdogs.

Facebook is considering appealing on the data protection issues to the European Court of Justice, but here the Cartel Office may also have the upper hand, said Vinje, the lawyer.

"It seems to me that the Federal Cartel Office is informed by data protection, but not dependent on them and that it has based its decision squarely on competition law," he said.

The European Commission said: "We are closely following the work of the Bundeskartellamt both in the framework of the European Competition Network and through direct contacts."

"The European legislator has made sure that there is now a regulation in place that addresses this type of conduct, namely the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)," it added.

As part of complying with the GDPR, Facebook said it had rebuilt the information its provides people about their privacy and the controls they have over their information and improved the privacy 'choices' that they are offered. It would also soon launch a 'clear history' feature, it said.

Mundt also expressed concern over reports that Facebook, which counts 2.7 billion users worldwide, plans to merge the infrastructure of its Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram services.

"If I understand things correctly, this move would intensify the pooling of data," said Mundt. "It's not very hard to conclude that, putting it carefully, this could be relevant in antitrust terms. We would have to look at this very closely."

Facebook has said that discussions on such a move are at a very early stage.

Facebook has been ordered to curb its data collection practices in Germany after a landmark ruling on Thursday that the world's largest social network abused its market dominance to gather information about users without their consent.

Facebook has been ordered to curb its data collection practices in Germany after a landmark ruling on Thursday that the world's largest social network abused its market dominance to gather information about users without their consent. Germany, where privacy concerns run deep, is in the forefront of a global backlash against Facebook, fuelled by last year's Cambridge Analytica scandal in which tens of millions of Facebook profiles were harvested without their users' consent. The country's antitrust watchdog objected in particular to how Facebook pools data on people from third-party apps - including its own WhatsApp and Instagram - and its online tracking of people who aren't even members through Facebook 'like' or 'share' buttons. "In future, Facebook will no longer be allowed to force its users to agree to the practically unrestricted collection and assigning of non-Facebook data to their Facebook accounts," Federal Cartel Office chief Andreas Mundt said. Facebook said it would appeal the decision, the culmination of a three-year probe, saying the regulator underestimated the competition it faced and undermined Europe-wide privacy rules that took effect last year. "We disagree with their conclusions and intend to appeal so that people in Germany continue to benefit fully from all our services," Facebook said in a blog post. In its order, the cartel office said Facebook would only be allowed to assign data from WhatsApp or Instagram to its main Facebook app accounts if users consented voluntarily. Collecting data from third-party websites and assigning it to Facebook would similarly require consent. If consent is withheld, Facebook would have to substantially restrict its collection and combining of data. It should develop proposals to do this within 12 months, subject to the outcome of appeal proceedings at the Duesseldorf Higher Regional Court that should be filed within a month. If Facebook fails to comply, the cartel office said it could impose fines of up to 10 per cent of the company's annual global revenues, which grew by 37 per cent to $55.8 billion last year. Antitrust lawyer Thomas Vinje, a partner at Clifford Chance in Brussels, said the Cartel Office ruling had potentially far-reaching implications. "This is a landmark decision," he told Reuters. "It’s limited to Germany but strikes me as exportable and might have a significant impact on Facebook's business model." Vinje said it would be tough for Facebook to persuade the court that the Cartel Office's definition of the market for social media, and its dominance, were misguided. This is a battle that many firms have fought in court and lost, he added. Implications German Justice Minister Katarina Barley welcomed the ruling. "Users are often unaware of this flow of data and cannot prevent it if they want to use the services," she told Reuters. "We need to be rigorous in tackling the abuse of power that comes with data." The German antitrust regulator's powers were expanded in 2017 to include consumer protection in public-interest cases where it could argue that a company - such as Facebook - had so little competition that consumers lack any effective choice. Facebook has an estimated 23 million daily active users in Germany, giving it a market share of 95 per cent, according to the Cartel Office which considers Google+ - a rival social network that is being closed down – to be its only competitor. Facebook said the cartel office failed to recognise the extent of competition it faced from Google's YouTube or Twitter for users' attention, and also said the regulator was encroaching into areas that should be handled by data protection watchdogs. Facebook is considering appealing on the data protection issues to the European Court of Justice, but here the Cartel Office may also have the upper hand, said Vinje, the lawyer. "It seems to me that the Federal Cartel Office is informed by data protection, but not dependent on them and that it has based its decision squarely on competition law," he said. The European Commission said: "We are closely following the work of the Bundeskartellamt both in the framework of the European Competition Network and through direct contacts." "The European legislator has made sure that there is now a regulation in place that addresses this type of conduct, namely the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)," it added. As part of complying with the GDPR, Facebook said it had rebuilt the information its provides people about their privacy and the controls they have over their information and improved the privacy 'choices' that they are offered. It would also soon launch a 'clear history' feature, it said. Mundt also expressed concern over reports that Facebook, which counts 2.7 billion users worldwide, plans to merge the infrastructure of its Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram services. "If I understand things correctly, this move would intensify the pooling of data," said Mundt. "It's not very hard to conclude that, putting it carefully, this could be relevant in antitrust terms. We would have to look at this very closely." Facebook has said that discussions on such a move are at a very early stage.

Germany to restrict Facebook's data gathering activities

Ain’t no mountain high enough for Germany's Zugspitze postman

France and Germany will on Wednesday announce a 65 million euro ($74 million) contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint programme to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source and two other sources familiar with the matter said.

Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which will build the jet that is expected to replace Dassault's Rafale and Germany's Eurofighters by 2024, will start work on the concept and architectures of the program, the source said.

The French and German governments are expected to award the companies involved additional contracts to advance technologies and work on demonstrators this summer.

French President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-condemns-macron-plan-for-national-day-marking-armenian-genocide-195576">Emmanuel Macron</a> and German Chancellor Angela Merkel first announced plans in July 2017 for the new Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which will include a fighter jet and a range of associated weapons, including drones.

After nearly two years of preparatory work by the companies involved, Wednesday's agreements and contract signing will pave the way for the programme to begin in earnest.

The initial contracts being signed on Wednesday will run for two years, the sources said.

Airbus and Dassault have been waiting for initial contracts to be signed to start work on the new project.

France's Safran and Germany's MTU Aero Engines are expected to join forces to develop the engine for the new warplane, while French electronics firm Thales and European missile maker MBDA would also participate.

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly and German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen will preside over the signing ceremony at a Safran site in northeastern Paris on Wednesday.

Germany removed a key obstacle to progress on the project last week when it bowed to French demands and excluded Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter from a multibillion-euro tender to replace ageing Tornado fighter jets that are fitted to carry US nuclear weapons.

Paris, Germany's closest European partner, had warned that buying the F-35, in particular, would derail plans to develop the new Franco-German fighter by 2040 since it would constitute a potential competitor to that project.

France and Germany will add Spain as a full partner in the programme this summer, sources told Reuters in December.

Britain, which is due to exit the European Union in March, unveiled its own rival aircraft development programme, dubbed Tempest, at the Farnborough Air Show in July.

European military and industry executives say they believe the two programmes could and should eventually be merged given the need to compete internationally and the many billions of euros needed to develop a new combat aircraft.

The French army source said France and Germany were open to more European partners joining the programme.

Germany's embargo on arms sales to Saudi Arabia has been a source of friction with France, which has been unable to deliver Meteor missiles built for Saudi Arabia by MBDA, sources said.&nbsp;

France and Germany will on Wednesday announce a 65 million euro ($74 million) contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint programme to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source and two other sources familiar with the matter said.

France and Germany will on Wednesday announce a 65 million euro ($74 million) contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint programme to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source and two other sources familiar with the matter said. Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which will build the jet that is expected to replace Dassault's Rafale and Germany's Eurofighters by 2024, will start work on the concept and architectures of the program, the source said. The French and German governments are expected to award the companies involved additional contracts to advance technologies and work on demonstrators this summer. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel first announced plans in July 2017 for the new Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which will include a fighter jet and a range of associated weapons, including drones. After nearly two years of preparatory work by the companies involved, Wednesday's agreements and contract signing will pave the way for the programme to begin in earnest. The initial contracts being signed on Wednesday will run for two years, the sources said. Airbus and Dassault have been waiting for initial contracts to be signed to start work on the new project. France's Safran and Germany's MTU Aero Engines are expected to join forces to develop the engine for the new warplane, while French electronics firm Thales and European missile maker MBDA would also participate. French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly and German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen will preside over the signing ceremony at a Safran site in northeastern Paris on Wednesday. Germany removed a key obstacle to progress on the project last week when it bowed to French demands and excluded Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter from a multibillion-euro tender to replace ageing Tornado fighter jets that are fitted to carry US nuclear weapons. Paris, Germany's closest European partner, had warned that buying the F-35, in particular, would derail plans to develop the new Franco-German fighter by 2040 since it would constitute a potential competitor to that project. France and Germany will add Spain as a full partner in the programme this summer, sources told Reuters in December. Britain, which is due to exit the European Union in March, unveiled its own rival aircraft development programme, dubbed Tempest, at the Farnborough Air Show in July. European military and industry executives say they believe the two programmes could and should eventually be merged given the need to compete internationally and the many billions of euros needed to develop a new combat aircraft. The French army source said France and Germany were open to more European partners joining the programme. Germany's embargo on arms sales to Saudi Arabia has been a source of friction with France, which has been unable to deliver Meteor missiles built for Saudi Arabia by MBDA, sources said.

France and Germany to launch first contracts on future combat jets

The EU's powerful anti-trust sheriff, Margrethe Vestager, is set to veto the merger of the Siemens-Alstom rail businesses on Wednesday, in defiance of France and Germany.

The tie-up, announced to great fanfare last year, was hailed as the birth of a much needed European industrial champion, an Airbus for the railways to face down a formidable Chinese rival.

But, after months of investigation, and a failed concession offer by the companies, the European Commission will turn down the proposal, sources close to the matter told AFP.

The reported veto infuriated Paris, where ministers lobbied hard for the tie-up, seeing it as a necessary defence to compete against China's state-backed CRRC.

The red light by Brussels will also leave a scar on Vestager in the eyes of France and Germany after years of her being seen as an EU rising star, tipped to take an even more senior role in Brussels after elections in May.

"Decisions cannot be taken in the 21st century on the basis of competition rules that were defined in the 20th century," French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said last month before a meeting with Vestager.

A merger "is today the best response to China's growing importance in the railway sector. And the only one," Le Maire said.

The criticism came after Vestager, a Danish former finance minister, repeated her doubts about the merger, which was announced in September 2017.&nbsp;

'Stubborn technocrats'&nbsp;

Brussels believes the alliance would crush smaller groups and hike prices for train companies, with the merged company in a commanding position for selling rail signalling and high-speed trains.

Competition authorities in Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain have all firmly backed Vestager, afraid of increased costs for their national railways.

Backers of the tie-up want Vestager to look beyond Europe and heed for the rise of CRRC, itself born of a merger of Chinese companies before it is too late.

"This decision is symptomatic of a certain ideology of the commission that runs counter to European interests," said a French government source, regretting the EU's "extremely strict" interpretation of the rules.

Caught in a political firestorm, commission head Jean-Claude Juncker defended the EU's competition policy on Tuesday, pointing a finger at those "who are saying that the commission is composed of blind, stupid, stubborn technocrats."

Juncker appeared to be hitting back at Joe Kaeser, the Siemens chief executive who last week complained that "backwards-looking technocrats" were going to thwart a strategic tie-up for Europe.

"We will never play politics or play favourites when it comes to ensuring a level playing field," Juncker said.

The merger proposal was to create a rail behemoth with operations in 60 countries and annual turnover of 15.6 billion euros ($17.8 billion).

Alone, CRRC's annual revenues of 26 billion euros outweigh the three Western heavyweights Bombardier, Siemens and Alstom, each of which brings in around eight billion a year.

The EU's powerful anti-trust sheriff, Margrethe Vestager, is set to veto the merger of the Siemens-Alstom rail businesses on Wednesday, in defiance of France and Germany.

The EU's powerful anti-trust sheriff, Margrethe Vestager, is set to veto the merger of the Siemens-Alstom rail businesses on Wednesday, in defiance of France and Germany. The tie-up, announced to great fanfare last year, was hailed as the birth of a much needed European industrial champion, an Airbus for the railways to face down a formidable Chinese rival. But, after months of investigation, and a failed concession offer by the companies, the European Commission will turn down the proposal, sources close to the matter told AFP. The reported veto infuriated Paris, where ministers lobbied hard for the tie-up, seeing it as a necessary defence to compete against China's state-backed CRRC. The red light by Brussels will also leave a scar on Vestager in the eyes of France and Germany after years of her being seen as an EU rising star, tipped to take an even more senior role in Brussels after elections in May. "Decisions cannot be taken in the 21st century on the basis of competition rules that were defined in the 20th century," French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said last month before a meeting with Vestager. A merger "is today the best response to China's growing importance in the railway sector. And the only one," Le Maire said. The criticism came after Vestager, a Danish former finance minister, repeated her doubts about the merger, which was announced in September 2017. 'Stubborn technocrats' Brussels believes the alliance would crush smaller groups and hike prices for train companies, with the merged company in a commanding position for selling rail signalling and high-speed trains. Competition authorities in Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain have all firmly backed Vestager, afraid of increased costs for their national railways. Backers of the tie-up want Vestager to look beyond Europe and heed for the rise of CRRC, itself born of a merger of Chinese companies before it is too late. "This decision is symptomatic of a certain ideology of the commission that runs counter to European interests," said a French government source, regretting the EU's "extremely strict" interpretation of the rules. Caught in a political firestorm, commission head Jean-Claude Juncker defended the EU's competition policy on Tuesday, pointing a finger at those "who are saying that the commission is composed of blind, stupid, stubborn technocrats." Juncker appeared to be hitting back at Joe Kaeser, the Siemens chief executive who last week complained that "backwards-looking technocrats" were going to thwart a strategic tie-up for Europe. "We will never play politics or play favourites when it comes to ensuring a level playing field," Juncker said. The merger proposal was to create a rail behemoth with operations in 60 countries and annual turnover of 15.6 billion euros ($17.8 billion). Alone, CRRC's annual revenues of 26 billion euros outweigh the three Western heavyweights Bombardier, Siemens and Alstom, each of which brings in around eight billion a year.

EU's anti-trust chief to veto rail merger in defiance of France, Germany

There is still time to find a solution to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-brexit-minister-no-deal-eu-exit-far-more-likely-if-parliament-rejects-pm-mays-deal-188021">Britain's exit from the EU</a>, German Chancellor<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-pm-voices-hope-britain-can-avoid-no-deal-brexit-189485"> Angela Merkel </a>said Tuesday, voicing optimism on a political deal over the tricky "backstop" that has stymied progress.

Speaking to Japanese and German business leaders in Tokyo, Merkel stressed that "on the one hand, time is pressing" and businesses using "just-in-time" delivery processes could not afford lengthy customs procedures.

However, she added, "From a political point of view, there is still time. Two months is not a long time but there is still time, and this should be used by all sides."

Britain is poised to leave the EU at the end of March following a 2016 referendum.

Merkel acknowledged the issue of the unpopular Northern Ireland backstop provision was "complicating"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-a-no-deal-brexit-would-be-less-costly-for-the-eu-than-the-uk-192654"> Brexit </a>talks.

The backstop is intended to ensure there is no return to a hard border with Ireland, but Brexit supporters fear it will keep Britain tied to EU customs rules.

She said the issue with the backstop was a "problem that is precisely defined and therefore one should be able to find a precisely defined solution".

"But this solution depends on the question of what the future relationship between Britain and the EU will be like and what type of trade deal we sign with each other," added the chancellor.

Throwing the ball into London's court, she stressed, "It will be very important for us to know what exactly the British side sees as its future relationship with the EU."

After meeting Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe Monday, she urged "creativity" and "goodwill" to find a solution.&nbsp;

However, she was clear that any solution could only come via the political declaration attached to the withdrawal agreement — rather than re-opening talks on the actual exit deal.

There are concerns in London that any tweaks to the political declaration will not be legally binding.

Her Monday comments were seen as conciliatory and boosted the pound as British Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to engage in further talks with EU officials to break the Brexit deadlock as the exit date approaches.

A top EU official, however, sounded the alarm bell after talks with British MPs.

Martin Selmayr, the right-hand man of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said the meeting had confirmed the view that the EU was right to start in December 2017 preparations for a "no-deal" Brexit.

Merkel said relations between Britain and the EU bloc were currently strong and would remain that way.&nbsp;

"Over the last two years during which we have been dealing with Britain's exit, we have worked more closely together than during several years when Britain was a member of the European Union," she quipped to laughter. 
&nbsp;

There is still time to find a solution to Britain's exit from the EU, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday, voicing optimism on a political deal over the tricky "backstop" that has stymied progress.

There is still time to find a solution to Britain's exit from the EU, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday, voicing optimism on a political deal over the tricky "backstop" that has stymied progress. Speaking to Japanese and German business leaders in Tokyo, Merkel stressed that "on the one hand, time is pressing" and businesses using "just-in-time" delivery processes could not afford lengthy customs procedures. However, she added, "From a political point of view, there is still time. Two months is not a long time but there is still time, and this should be used by all sides." Britain is poised to leave the EU at the end of March following a 2016 referendum. Merkel acknowledged the issue of the unpopular Northern Ireland backstop provision was "complicating" Brexit talks. The backstop is intended to ensure there is no return to a hard border with Ireland, but Brexit supporters fear it will keep Britain tied to EU customs rules. She said the issue with the backstop was a "problem that is precisely defined and therefore one should be able to find a precisely defined solution". "But this solution depends on the question of what the future relationship between Britain and the EU will be like and what type of trade deal we sign with each other," added the chancellor. Throwing the ball into London's court, she stressed, "It will be very important for us to know what exactly the British side sees as its future relationship with the EU." After meeting Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe Monday, she urged "creativity" and "goodwill" to find a solution. However, she was clear that any solution could only come via the political declaration attached to the withdrawal agreement — rather than re-opening talks on the actual exit deal. There are concerns in London that any tweaks to the political declaration will not be legally binding. Her Monday comments were seen as conciliatory and boosted the pound as British Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to engage in further talks with EU officials to break the Brexit deadlock as the exit date approaches. A top EU official, however, sounded the alarm bell after talks with British MPs. Martin Selmayr, the right-hand man of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said the meeting had confirmed the view that the EU was right to start in December 2017 preparations for a "no-deal" Brexit. Merkel said relations between Britain and the EU bloc were currently strong and would remain that way. "Over the last two years during which we have been dealing with Britain's exit, we have worked more closely together than during several years when Britain was a member of the European Union," she quipped to laughter.

Germany's Merkel says 'still time' to find Brexit solution

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-spain-recognises-venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-as-acting-president-195050">German Chancellor Angela Merkel</a> share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis.

Merkel, on a two-day visit to Japan, said that Germany recognises opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president, joining many European nations, and said he should organise new elections as soon as possible.

"Guaido is the person with whom we are talking and who we expect to initiate an election process as quickly as possible, and he is the legitimate interim president for this task from the German perspective and also from the perspective of many European partners," Merkel told a news conference with Abe.

"And we hope that this process is as short as possible and of course peaceful," she added.

Abe emphasized his cooperation with Merkel during a visit aimed a forging an "alliance of multilateralists" to resist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-constitution-rejects-use-of-iraq-as-a-base-for-attacking-a-neighbouring-country-barham-saleh-195059">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>'s "America First" approach to trade and China's pursuit of narrow national interests.

"Our responsibility towards working for global prosperity and security has merely increased," he said, adding that the two leaders would work for a global order "based on rules."

Merkel referred to an EU-Japan trade deal that entered into force on February 1, saying: "All in all, a trip at a time in which we have demonstrated that, even at times when multilateral agreements are in difficult straits, we are ready to conclude such things."

"..very good win-win situations can occur when all partners talk to each other. Of course, fairness and reciprocity are part of this, but that is what we advocate."

Abe did not comment on Guaido's status, but he said Japan wanted a stable, democratic and prompt solution to Venezuela's political crisis. Several European nations have joined the United States in recognising Guaido as interim president, intensifying a global showdown over Nicolas Maduro's socialist rule.

Merkel said Germany would do everything possible to avoid a no-deal Brexit, but she did not want to see Britain's divorce deal with the EU - the so-called Withdrawal Agreement - renegotiated.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she would seek a "pragmatic solution" to a parliamentary impasse over the terms on which Britain leaves the European Union when she tries to reopen talks with Brussels less than two months before Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29.

"There are definitely options for preserving the integrity of the single market, even when Northern Ireland isn't part of it because it is part of Britain, while at the same time meeting the desire to have if possible no border controls," Merkel said.

"To solve this point you have to be creative and listen to each other, and such discussions can and must be conducted," she added. "We can still use the time to perhaps reach an agreement if everyone shows good will."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel share a responsibility to work towards global peace and prosperity, with both hoping for a prompt, democratic solution to Venezuela's leadership crisis. Merkel, on a two-day visit to Japan, said that Germany recognises opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president, joining many European nations, and said he should organise new elections as soon as possible. "Guaido is the person with whom we are talking and who we expect to initiate an election process as quickly as possible, and he is the legitimate interim president for this task from the German perspective and also from the perspective of many European partners," Merkel told a news conference with Abe. "And we hope that this process is as short as possible and of course peaceful," she added. Abe emphasized his cooperation with Merkel during a visit aimed a forging an "alliance of multilateralists" to resist US President Donald Trump's "America First" approach to trade and China's pursuit of narrow national interests. "Our responsibility towards working for global prosperity and security has merely increased," he said, adding that the two leaders would work for a global order "based on rules." Merkel referred to an EU-Japan trade deal that entered into force on February 1, saying: "All in all, a trip at a time in which we have demonstrated that, even at times when multilateral agreements are in difficult straits, we are ready to conclude such things." "..very good win-win situations can occur when all partners talk to each other. Of course, fairness and reciprocity are part of this, but that is what we advocate." Abe did not comment on Guaido's status, but he said Japan wanted a stable, democratic and prompt solution to Venezuela's political crisis. Several European nations have joined the United States in recognising Guaido as interim president, intensifying a global showdown over Nicolas Maduro's socialist rule. Merkel said Germany would do everything possible to avoid a no-deal Brexit, but she did not want to see Britain's divorce deal with the EU - the so-called Withdrawal Agreement - renegotiated. British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she would seek a "pragmatic solution" to a parliamentary impasse over the terms on which Britain leaves the European Union when she tries to reopen talks with Brussels less than two months before Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29. "There are definitely options for preserving the integrity of the single market, even when Northern Ireland isn't part of it because it is part of Britain, while at the same time meeting the desire to have if possible no border controls," Merkel said. "To solve this point you have to be creative and listen to each other, and such discussions can and must be conducted," she added. "We can still use the time to perhaps reach an agreement if everyone shows good will."

Japan, Germany share responsibility to work towards global peace: PM Abe

In pics: Germany edges out China in Bolivia's lithium 'Great Game'

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