The Munich Christkindlmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest and biggest Christmas markets, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, as another coronavirus wave sweeps through the country.

It’s the largest German Christmas market to be cancelled so far, as the events struggle to survive the country’s fourth virus surge after being mostly shuttered last year.

“It is bitter news that I have today for all Munich residents, and especially for the stall owners. However, the extreme situation in our hospitals and exponentially rising infection rates leave me no other choice,” said Mayor Dieter Reiter.

Germans have gathered at outdoor markets in the weeks before Christmas since the 14th century, when vendors first built their stands in city centres to sell their wares to people coming from church services. They offer an array of foods, artisanal gifts and other provisions for the coming celebrations and the long winter months.

Germany’s roughly 3,000 Christmas markets are an important economic boon to many communities. Local restaurants, breweries, bakeries and artisans depend on the annual holiday fairs for a substantial amount of their income.

The Munich market is famed for its stalls offering traditional gingerbread, grilled sausages, mulled wine and hand-painted trinkets, according to Lonely Planet.

A combination of factors has propelled Germany’s latest virus surge, among them wintry temperatures, a slow rollout of booster vaccines, and an even more pronounced spike in neighbouring eastern European nations like the Czech Republic.

Experts say the unvaccinated are driving the wave of cases that are filling up hospitals across Germany.

For the Christmas markets that remain open, only those vaccinated against the coronavirus or fully recovered from a previous infection can fully participate, Reuters reported. The unvaccinated can partake in some limited activities, such as listening to carols.

The Munich Christkindlmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest and biggest Christmas markets, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, as another coronavirus wave sweeps through the country.

The Munich Christkindlmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest and biggest Christmas markets, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, as another coronavirus wave sweeps through the country. It’s the largest German Christmas market to be cancelled so far, as the events struggle to survive the country’s fourth virus surge after being mostly shuttered last year. “It is bitter news that I have today for all Munich residents, and especially for the stall owners. However, the extreme situation in our hospitals and exponentially rising infection rates leave me no other choice,” said Mayor Dieter Reiter. Germans have gathered at outdoor markets in the weeks before Christmas since the 14th century, when vendors first built their stands in city centres to sell their wares to people coming from church services. They offer an array of foods, artisanal gifts and other provisions for the coming celebrations and the long winter months. Germany’s roughly 3,000 Christmas markets are an important economic boon to many communities. Local restaurants, breweries, bakeries and artisans depend on the annual holiday fairs for a substantial amount of their income. The Munich market is famed for its stalls offering traditional gingerbread, grilled sausages, mulled wine and hand-painted trinkets, according to Lonely Planet. A combination of factors has propelled Germany’s latest virus surge, among them wintry temperatures, a slow rollout of booster vaccines, and an even more pronounced spike in neighbouring eastern European nations like the Czech Republic. Experts say the unvaccinated are driving the wave of cases that are filling up hospitals across Germany. For the Christmas markets that remain open, only those vaccinated against the coronavirus or fully recovered from a previous infection can fully participate, Reuters reported. The unvaccinated can partake in some limited activities, such as listening to carols.

Munich’s famed Christmas Market cancelled again as another virus wave hammers Germany

An ongoing semiconductor shortage cast a long shadow over the first major car show since before the pandemic began. Carmakers gathered in Munich on Monday to launch almost exclusively zero- or low-emission vehicles.

Carmakers gather in Munich to launch zero-or low-emission vehicles

Otto the small elephant bull, is getting confident in the big wide world of his outside enclosure as his aunts and mother take him exploring. Born on March 22 at Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo, this is Otto's first spring.

Otto the baby elephant missing visitors as he explores outside enclosure

Bayern Munich on Friday announced that Serge Gnabry tore a muscle in his left thigh during the FIFA Club World Cup final. The club said the injury was confirmed following an examination by the FC Bayern medical unit.

"FC Bayern will have to do without Serge Gnabry for the foreseeable. The forward tore a muscle in his left thigh in yesterday`s 1-0 triumph in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Tigres UANL. The injury was confirmed following an examination by the FC Bayern medical unit," the club said in a statement. Gnabry has played in 28 of 32 competitive matches so far this season and scored six goals.

On Thursday, FC Bayern defeated Tigres 1-0 in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup and thus secured a historic sixth title within one year. Only FC Barcelona (in 2009) had previously achieved this feat.

During the match, Bayern were dominant for long spells and had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, but Benjamin Pavard scored the match-winner early in the second half, firing his side to the title.

Expressing elation over the historic feat, Bayern Munich`s Robert Lewandowski had said that now they have the "six-pack" as it was their sixth title in a year.

"We just wanted to win. Now we have the six-pack, that`s a big story, not only for Bayern Munich but for all of football. The way we played, that will keep for a long, long time," the club`s official website had quoted Lewandowski as saying.&nbsp;

Bayern Munich on Friday announced that Serge Gnabry tore a muscle in his left thigh during the FIFA Club World Cup final. The club said the injury was confirmed following an examination by the FC Bayern medical unit.

Bayern Munich on Friday announced that Serge Gnabry tore a muscle in his left thigh during the FIFA Club World Cup final. The club said the injury was confirmed following an examination by the FC Bayern medical unit. "FC Bayern will have to do without Serge Gnabry for the foreseeable. The forward tore a muscle in his left thigh in yesterday`s 1-0 triumph in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Tigres UANL. The injury was confirmed following an examination by the FC Bayern medical unit," the club said in a statement. Gnabry has played in 28 of 32 competitive matches so far this season and scored six goals. On Thursday, FC Bayern defeated Tigres 1-0 in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup and thus secured a historic sixth title within one year. Only FC Barcelona (in 2009) had previously achieved this feat. During the match, Bayern were dominant for long spells and had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, but Benjamin Pavard scored the match-winner early in the second half, firing his side to the title. Expressing elation over the historic feat, Bayern Munich`s Robert Lewandowski had said that now they have the "six-pack" as it was their sixth title in a year. "We just wanted to win. Now we have the six-pack, that`s a big story, not only for Bayern Munich but for all of football. The way we played, that will keep for a long, long time," the club`s official website had quoted Lewandowski as saying.

Bayern Munich suffer blow as Gnabry out with thigh muscle tear

Britain's Queen Elizabeth will be tucking in to a German delicacy on Christmas Day, when she is served stollen sent all the way from Bavaria.

German baker makes Christmas stollen for the Queen

An art installation with 111 mannequins set up in Munich's central Marienplatz square called for more "mindfulness and appreciation" in people during the coronavirus crisis, its creator said on Wednesday (November 18).

Munich art installation with 111 mannequins calls for more "mindfulness"

A Munich prison demonstrated a new drone-catching device on Wednesday (October 14), the first pilot project of its kind in Germany. Bavaria's justice minister Georg Eisenreich tried out the Dropster net gun, which uses compressed gas to shoot out a net to catch the drone mid-flight and bring it to the ground.

Munich prison tests drone-catching net in bid to stop smuggling

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

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

The German city of Munich will limit its sale of alcohol and ban late-night public consumption if the cases of coronavirus reach a certain threshold, authorities announced Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-wave-of-covid-19-re-infections-in-belgium-and-the-netherlands-make-experts-wary-322996" hreflang="en">Second wave of Covid-19? Re-infections in Belgium and the Netherlands make experts wary</a>

According to authorities, if the number of confirmed infections per 100,000 residents rise above 35 over seven days, alcohol sales would be prohibited after 9:00 p.m. and its consumption in public would be prohibited after 11:00 p.m.

Munich on Monday had reported 30.92 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people over the last week.&nbsp;

The city, that annually hosts Oktoberfest beer festival, had to call off the event due to coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

"The decision was difficult for us all," said Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter, a Social Democrat. "But in times of a pandemic, it is first and foremost a matter of protecting the population and avoiding, as far as possible, even more burdensome measures."

Germany has legalised drinking in public spaces. This culture is common across the country during the warmer weather.&nbsp;

Over the weekend, several neighbourhoods in the northern city of Hamburg issued bans on alcohol sales, and the Bavarian city of Bamberg has implemented similar measures.

The German city of Munich will limit its sale of alcohol and ban late-night public consumption if the cases of coronavirus reach a certain threshold, authorities announced Tuesday.

The German city of Munich will limit its sale of alcohol and ban late-night public consumption if the cases of coronavirus reach a certain threshold, authorities announced Tuesday. Also read: Second wave of Covid-19? Re-infections in Belgium and the Netherlands make experts wary According to authorities, if the number of confirmed infections per 100,000 residents rise above 35 over seven days, alcohol sales would be prohibited after 9:00 p.m. and its consumption in public would be prohibited after 11:00 p.m. Munich on Monday had reported 30.92 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people over the last week. The city, that annually hosts Oktoberfest beer festival, had to call off the event due to coronavirus pandemic. "The decision was difficult for us all," said Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter, a Social Democrat. "But in times of a pandemic, it is first and foremost a matter of protecting the population and avoiding, as far as possible, even more burdensome measures." Germany has legalised drinking in public spaces. This culture is common across the country during the warmer weather. Over the weekend, several neighbourhoods in the northern city of Hamburg issued bans on alcohol sales, and the Bavarian city of Bamberg has implemented similar measures.

German city Munich could limit sale of alcohol if coronavirus cases rise

One creature's poo is another one's treasure, as Krone zoo is finding out the good way. Home to 26 lions and tigers Krone zoo has found a side income by selling off its big cat poo.

A spoonful of turd helps the garden thrive, lion poo pop-up shop offers pest solutions

A German court on Tuesday has ruled that specific terms used by electric car company Tesla for its assistance feature including the 'Autopilot' are false advertisement.

A German court on Tuesday has ruled that specific terms used by electric car company Tesla for its assistance feature including the 'Autopilot' are false advertisement. The judges at the higher state court in Munich said that Tesla's offer on 'Autopilot' as an option to buy a Model 3 vehicle with "full potential for autonomous driving" were "misleading business acts". In a statement, the court said: "Use of the relevant terms creates an expectation... that does not correspond to the actual facts." According to the judge's findings, Tesla's "Autopilot" does not enable a trip without any human intervention at all such a technology be legal under present German law. The case was brought up by an NGO called the Centre for Combatting Unfair Competition that said Tesla's autonomous driving technology at best reaches level two on a five-point scale in which five corresponds to completely driverless travel. "Since auto-piloted, autonomous driving is neither legally permitted nor technically possible for the vehicle in question, Tesla has to play by the rules and cannot make false advertising promises," the centre's lawyer Andreas Ottofuelling said in a statement. However, the court's ruling is not final and it can be appealed. (Inputs from AFP)

German court rules Tesla's assistance feature including 'Autopilot' as false advertising

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

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

Tennis in the time of coronavirus serves up a new sort of court as World Club players take their game to Munich's now empty squares and boulevards.

Urban tennis conquers city squares in corona times

A look back at 20 years of Putin's rule in Russia

Prosecutors have filed charges against former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/audi-ceo-arrested-volkswagen-145204">Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler</a>, who is being investigated for his role in Volkswagen`s emissions cheating scandal, the public prosecutor`s office in Munich said on Wednesday.

Stadler and three other defendants are being charged with false certification and criminal advertising practices, it said, adding that three defendants are accused of having developed engines used in Audi-, Volkswagen and Porsche-branded cars that used emissions-cheating devices.

"Defendant Stadler is accused of having been aware of the manipulations since the end of September 2015, at the latest, but he did not prevent the sale of affected Audi and VW vehicles thereafter," the prosecutor said in a statement. 
&nbsp;

Prosecutors have filed charges against former Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler, who is being investigated for his role in Volkswagen`s emissions cheating scandal, the public prosecutor`s office in Munich said on Wednesday.

Prosecutors have filed charges against former Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler, who is being investigated for his role in Volkswagen`s emissions cheating scandal, the public prosecutor`s office in Munich said on Wednesday. Stadler and three other defendants are being charged with false certification and criminal advertising practices, it said, adding that three defendants are accused of having developed engines used in Audi-, Volkswagen and Porsche-branded cars that used emissions-cheating devices. "Defendant Stadler is accused of having been aware of the manipulations since the end of September 2015, at the latest, but he did not prevent the sale of affected Audi and VW vehicles thereafter," the prosecutor said in a statement.

Prosecutors charge former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler over his role in emissions scandal

Residents and tourists alike cooled off in fountains, rivers and lakes from Paris to Munich as the mercury remained stubbornly in the upper 30s degrees Celsius.

New June temperature records: Europe swelters in heatwave

The European People's Party (EPP) is going into Sunday's European elections with a declaration of war on nationalists and populists, as well as appeals for new unity in the EU.

Weber vows to fight populists, calls for EU unity

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

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

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

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

An Indian man died and his wife sustained injuries after they were stabbed by an immigrant near Munich in Germany, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, said Saturday.

"Indian couple Prashant and Smita Basarur were stabbed by an immigrant near Munich. Unfortunately, Prashant has expired. Smita is stable. We are facilitating the travel of Prashant's brother to Germany. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," Swaraj tweeted.

The external affairs minister said she has asked Indian mission in Munich to take care of the couple's two children.

Further details of the incident and the couple were not immediately known.

Meanwhile, asked by a Twitter user why she, the "most sensible" BJP leader, had added the 'chowkidar' prefix to her name on the microblogging site, Swaraj tweeted, "Because I am doing Chowkidari of Indian interests and Indian nationals abroad."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the "Main Bhi Chowkidar" (I too am a watchman) campaign to blunt the Congress's "Chowkidar Chor Hai" (the watchman is a thief) jibe at him.

He prefixed his Twitter name with 'chowkidar' and almost all BJP leaders and Union ministers including Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Nirmala Sitharaman followed suit.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been targeting Modi over alleged irregularities in the Rafale fighter jet deal. He has often used the "Chowkidar Chor Hai" slogan while accusing the prime minister of wrongdoings in the deal.

An Indian man died and his wife sustained injuries after they were stabbed by an immigrant near Munich in Germany, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, said Saturday.

An Indian man died and his wife sustained injuries after they were stabbed by an immigrant near Munich in Germany, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, said Saturday. "Indian couple Prashant and Smita Basarur were stabbed by an immigrant near Munich. Unfortunately, Prashant has expired. Smita is stable. We are facilitating the travel of Prashant's brother to Germany. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," Swaraj tweeted. The external affairs minister said she has asked Indian mission in Munich to take care of the couple's two children. Further details of the incident and the couple were not immediately known. Meanwhile, asked by a Twitter user why she, the "most sensible" BJP leader, had added the 'chowkidar' prefix to her name on the microblogging site, Swaraj tweeted, "Because I am doing Chowkidari of Indian interests and Indian nationals abroad." Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the "Main Bhi Chowkidar" (I too am a watchman) campaign to blunt the Congress's "Chowkidar Chor Hai" (the watchman is a thief) jibe at him. He prefixed his Twitter name with 'chowkidar' and almost all BJP leaders and Union ministers including Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Nirmala Sitharaman followed suit. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been targeting Modi over alleged irregularities in the Rafale fighter jet deal. He has often used the "Chowkidar Chor Hai" slogan while accusing the prime minister of wrongdoings in the deal.

Indian national stabbed to death in Germany's Munich: Sushma Swaraj

Atletico Madrid and France defender Lucas Hernandez will join Bayern Munich for €80 million ($90m) this summer, the German club announced on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old World Cup winner will sign a five-year contract starting on July 1, Bayern said in a statement.&nbsp;

The €80 million fee makes him the most expensive signing in Bayern's history, almost doubling the sum paid for Corentin Tolisso.&nbsp;

It also makes Hernandez one of the most expensive defenders in history, and one of the most expensive players ever signed by a German club.

"I am very happy that we have managed to sign Lucas Hernandez, who is a World Cup winner and one of the best defensive players in the world," said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.&nbsp;

"Lucas can play in central defence or at left-back. He will strengthen our team and continue the tradition of fantastic French players at our club."

The announcement is the latest sign that Bayern are planning a major squad overhaul this summer.&nbsp;

Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 and earlier this month, club president Uli Hoeness declared that Bayern were launching the "biggest programme of investment the club has ever seen".&nbsp;

In January, Bayern announced that Hernandez's fellow France defender Benjamin Pavard would join from Stuttgart this summer for €35 million ($40m). Hamburg's 19-year old striker Jann Fiete Arp will also complete a move to Munich by the summer of 2020.&nbsp;

The new arrivals could push some more familiar faces towards the exit door. Veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are expected to finally end their Bayern careers this summer, and there is speculation that further big names may also leave.&nbsp;

Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, both recently axed from the German national team set-up, will face a fight for their place in the Bayern team after the arrival of fellow defenders Hernandez and Pavard.

Hernandez has had a knee problem for a while. He has not played for Atletico since Feb 9 and missed France's recent internationals.&nbsp;

Bayern said that he would undergo an operation on Wednesday after a medical exam revealed a problem with his knee.&nbsp;

"Our medical examination revealed damage to Lucas Hernandez' right knee, which will have to be operated on," said Bayern team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, confirming that Hernandez would, nonetheless, be fit to play by the start of next season.&nbsp;

Hernandez signed for Atletico Madrid as a youth player in 2007, and has made 110 senior appearances for the club since his first-team debut in April 2014. Last summer, he was a key player in France's World Cup-winning campaign.&nbsp;

"This is a very important day in my footballing career," said Hernandez.

"Bayern are one of the best clubs in the world. I will be proud to compete for all titles for Bayern in the future."

"I would like to thank Atletico, the management, the coaches, my teammates and the fans for 12 wonderful years in Madrid," he said.&nbsp;

"Atletico will always be a part of me, but I am now happy to be making the next step at Bayern."

Atletico Madrid and France defender Lucas Hernandez will join Bayern Munich for €80 million ($90m) this summer, the German club announced on Wednesday. The 23-year-old World Cup winner will sign a five-year contract starting on July 1, Bayern said in a statement.

Atletico Madrid and France defender Lucas Hernandez will join Bayern Munich for €80 million ($90m) this summer, the German club announced on Wednesday. The 23-year-old World Cup winner will sign a five-year contract starting on July 1, Bayern said in a statement. The €80 million fee makes him the most expensive signing in Bayern's history, almost doubling the sum paid for Corentin Tolisso. It also makes Hernandez one of the most expensive defenders in history, and one of the most expensive players ever signed by a German club. "I am very happy that we have managed to sign Lucas Hernandez, who is a World Cup winner and one of the best defensive players in the world," said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. "Lucas can play in central defence or at left-back. He will strengthen our team and continue the tradition of fantastic French players at our club." The announcement is the latest sign that Bayern are planning a major squad overhaul this summer. Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 and earlier this month, club president Uli Hoeness declared that Bayern were launching the "biggest programme of investment the club has ever seen". In January, Bayern announced that Hernandez's fellow France defender Benjamin Pavard would join from Stuttgart this summer for €35 million ($40m). Hamburg's 19-year old striker Jann Fiete Arp will also complete a move to Munich by the summer of 2020. The new arrivals could push some more familiar faces towards the exit door. Veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are expected to finally end their Bayern careers this summer, and there is speculation that further big names may also leave. Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, both recently axed from the German national team set-up, will face a fight for their place in the Bayern team after the arrival of fellow defenders Hernandez and Pavard. Hernandez has had a knee problem for a while. He has not played for Atletico since Feb 9 and missed France's recent internationals. Bayern said that he would undergo an operation on Wednesday after a medical exam revealed a problem with his knee. "Our medical examination revealed damage to Lucas Hernandez' right knee, which will have to be operated on," said Bayern team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, confirming that Hernandez would, nonetheless, be fit to play by the start of next season. Hernandez signed for Atletico Madrid as a youth player in 2007, and has made 110 senior appearances for the club since his first-team debut in April 2014. Last summer, he was a key player in France's World Cup-winning campaign. "This is a very important day in my footballing career," said Hernandez. "Bayern are one of the best clubs in the world. I will be proud to compete for all titles for Bayern in the future." "I would like to thank Atletico, the management, the coaches, my teammates and the fans for 12 wonderful years in Madrid," he said. "Atletico will always be a part of me, but I am now happy to be making the next step at Bayern."

Bayern Munich pay record fee to sign World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez

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Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored once in each half and set up a third goal to steer the German champions, playing with 10 men, to a 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday for their first win in five games in all competitions.

The Poland striker opened his account on the half hour and doubled it four minutes after the re-start to give embattled Bayern a much-needed boost, a day after club bosses launched a scathing attack on the media while backing coach Niko Kovac and his players despite their dip in form.

"We had a lot of pressure," Kovac told reporters. "We wanted everyone to focus over 90 minutes and give it all for the club. The team did this unusually well and the final score is fully deserved.

"Overall it was a solid performance, even when we were down to 10 men. Even when they pulled a goal back we did not falter."

The game looked to be turning for the hosts in the 57th minute when Bayern winger Arjen Robben was sent off after a second booking. It was the Dutchman's first dismissal in more than seven years.

The Wolves then cut the deficit through Wout Weghorst six minutes later and launched an all-out offensive in search of the equaliser before James Rodriguez stunned the home crowed with a curling shot following a Lewandowski pass.

The win will no doubt ease some of the pressure on Kovac, in his first season at Bayern, and the team can earn more bonus points with fans if they beat AEK Athens in Greece in the Champions League next week.

Bayern, whose president Uli Hoeness and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Friday accused the media of unfair and "shameful" reporting of their team's current form, are now provisionally in second place on 16 points, four behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored once in each half and set up a third goal to steer the German champions, playing with 10 men, to a 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday for their first win in five games in all competitions.

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored once in each half and set up a third goal to steer the German champions, playing with 10 men, to a 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday for their first win in five games in all competitions. The Poland striker opened his account on the half hour and doubled it four minutes after the re-start to give embattled Bayern a much-needed boost, a day after club bosses launched a scathing attack on the media while backing coach Niko Kovac and his players despite their dip in form. "We had a lot of pressure," Kovac told reporters. "We wanted everyone to focus over 90 minutes and give it all for the club. The team did this unusually well and the final score is fully deserved. "Overall it was a solid performance, even when we were down to 10 men. Even when they pulled a goal back we did not falter." The game looked to be turning for the hosts in the 57th minute when Bayern winger Arjen Robben was sent off after a second booking. It was the Dutchman's first dismissal in more than seven years. The Wolves then cut the deficit through Wout Weghorst six minutes later and launched an all-out offensive in search of the equaliser before James Rodriguez stunned the home crowed with a curling shot following a Lewandowski pass. The win will no doubt ease some of the pressure on Kovac, in his first season at Bayern, and the team can earn more bonus points with fans if they beat AEK Athens in Greece in the Champions League next week. Bayern, whose president Uli Hoeness and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Friday accused the media of unfair and "shameful" reporting of their team's current form, are now provisionally in second place on 16 points, four behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Robert Lewandowski double hands Bayern first win in five games

Fullback Noussair Mazraoui earned a youthful Ajax side a 1-1 draw at misfiring Bayern Munich in their Champions League Group E clash at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

The visitors had the better chances in their bid to become the first Dutch club ever to win at Bayern having fallen behind early on to a Mats Hummels header.

Bayern struggled to build on their advantage and their recent slump continued as they battled to keep a vibrant Ajax at bay. Bot teams moved to four points from their two games.

They began well with Hummels given space in the box to head home an excellent Arjen Robben cross.

But Ajax, captained by 19-year-old Matthijs de Ligt, showed no signs of wilting and were level midway through the first half with an expertly-worked equaliser.

Mazraoui played a one-two with Dusan Tadic and sprinted into the box to score his first goal for the club.

Hummels was given another free header, this time from a corner, but planted his effort over the bar, while a rasping 35-yard shot from the lively Hakim Ziyech stung the palms of Manuel Neuer in the home goal.

Tadic should have put Ajax ahead just after halftime when he was left unmarked inside the box, but could only provide a weak volley from David Neres's cross with just Neuer to beat.

Nicolas Tagliafico also shot meekly at the goalkeeper and Donny van de Beek fired wide from 10-yards from Tadic's flick with the goal gaping.

Lasse Schone then saw his late free kick palmed onto the crossbar by a diving Neuer.

Bayern have now gone three gakes without a win in all competitions.

Fullback Noussair Mazraoui earned a youthful Ajax side a 1-1 draw at misfiring Bayern Munich in their Champions League Group E clash at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

Fullback Noussair Mazraoui earned a youthful Ajax side a 1-1 draw at misfiring Bayern Munich in their Champions League Group E clash at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. The visitors had the better chances in their bid to become the first Dutch club ever to win at Bayern having fallen behind early on to a Mats Hummels header. Bayern struggled to build on their advantage and their recent slump continued as they battled to keep a vibrant Ajax at bay. Bot teams moved to four points from their two games. They began well with Hummels given space in the box to head home an excellent Arjen Robben cross. But Ajax, captained by 19-year-old Matthijs de Ligt, showed no signs of wilting and were level midway through the first half with an expertly-worked equaliser. Mazraoui played a one-two with Dusan Tadic and sprinted into the box to score his first goal for the club. Hummels was given another free header, this time from a corner, but planted his effort over the bar, while a rasping 35-yard shot from the lively Hakim Ziyech stung the palms of Manuel Neuer in the home goal. Tadic should have put Ajax ahead just after halftime when he was left unmarked inside the box, but could only provide a weak volley from David Neres's cross with just Neuer to beat. Nicolas Tagliafico also shot meekly at the goalkeeper and Donny van de Beek fired wide from 10-yards from Tadic's flick with the goal gaping. Lasse Schone then saw his late free kick palmed onto the crossbar by a diving Neuer. Bayern have now gone three gakes without a win in all competitions.

Ajax show Dutch courage to earn deserved point in Munich

Holders Real Madrid reached the Champions League final for a third year in a row after taking advantage of Bayern Munich’s carelessness in attack and defence to draw 2-2 in their semi-final second leg on Tuesday, winning 4-3 on aggregate.

Bayern defender Joshua Kimmich put them in front in the third minute at the Santiago Bernabeu but Karim Benzema levelled with a free header in the 11th. A goalkeeping howler from Bayern’s Sven Ulreich then allowed Benzema to tap in Madrid’s second at the start of the second half.

James Rodriguez, on loan from Madrid, hit a deserved equaliser for Bayern in the 63rd to set up a gripping finale but the Spaniards clung on despite waves of pressure from the visitors to become the first team since Juventus in 1998 to reach the final for three years in succession.

They will meet either Liverpool or AS Roma in the final in Kiev on May 26, where they will bid to become the first side since Bayern in 1976 to win the competition three years in a row.

Madrid had ridden their luck to win the first leg in Munich 2-1 after Bayern had missed a slew of chances and Zinedine Zidane`s side made the most of their few opportunities.

Madrid fans unfurled a giant banner before kickoff stating "We will defend the throne, we will capture glory", but Bayern launched an early assault on their kingdom as David Alaba came rushing forward only to pass into the hands of keeper Keylor Navas.

Bayern came back down the other flank and landed their first punch when Sergio Ramos failed to clear a cross and Kimmich gleefully knocked home from close range.

It was the third consecutive home game in the knockout stages that Madrid had fallen behind, but they kept their composure and soon found an equaliser.&nbsp;

A superb crossfield ball from Luka Modric was controlled by Marcelo who delivered the perfect cross for Benzema to nod calmly in at the back post.

An end-to-end game ensued, with midfield frequently being bypassed by long balls up to the forwards. Bayern could have re-taken the lead when striker Robert Lewandowski was foiled by Madrid goalkeeper Navas and Rodriguez sent the rebound flying over the bar from close range.

Bayern finished the half strongly but were left fuming at a failed penalty appeal when a shot from Kimmich struck Marcelo’s arm. 
They sealed their own demise, though, when Ulreich lost his footing as he tried to control a backpass from Corentin Tolisso, allowing Madrid`s much-maligned striker Benzema to tap in what proved to be the killer blow.

Bayern still created chances before and after Rodriguez`s goal. 
Navas denied the Colombian and Mats Hummels headed wide from a corner in stoppage time, sealing Bayern’s fifth consecutive Champions League exit to a Spanish side, and their third to Madrid in that time.

Real Madrid will meet either Liverpool or AS Roma in the final in Kiev on May 26

Holders Real Madrid reached the Champions League final for a third year in a row after taking advantage of Bayern Munich’s carelessness in attack and defence to draw 2-2 in their semi-final second leg on Tuesday, winning 4-3 on aggregate. Bayern defender Joshua Kimmich put them in front in the third minute at the Santiago Bernabeu but Karim Benzema levelled with a free header in the 11th. A goalkeeping howler from Bayern’s Sven Ulreich then allowed Benzema to tap in Madrid’s second at the start of the second half. James Rodriguez, on loan from Madrid, hit a deserved equaliser for Bayern in the 63rd to set up a gripping finale but the Spaniards clung on despite waves of pressure from the visitors to become the first team since Juventus in 1998 to reach the final for three years in succession. They will meet either Liverpool or AS Roma in the final in Kiev on May 26, where they will bid to become the first side since Bayern in 1976 to win the competition three years in a row. Madrid had ridden their luck to win the first leg in Munich 2-1 after Bayern had missed a slew of chances and Zinedine Zidane`s side made the most of their few opportunities. Madrid fans unfurled a giant banner before kickoff stating "We will defend the throne, we will capture glory", but Bayern launched an early assault on their kingdom as David Alaba came rushing forward only to pass into the hands of keeper Keylor Navas. Bayern came back down the other flank and landed their first punch when Sergio Ramos failed to clear a cross and Kimmich gleefully knocked home from close range. It was the third consecutive home game in the knockout stages that Madrid had fallen behind, but they kept their composure and soon found an equaliser. A superb crossfield ball from Luka Modric was controlled by Marcelo who delivered the perfect cross for Benzema to nod calmly in at the back post. An end-to-end game ensued, with midfield frequently being bypassed by long balls up to the forwards. Bayern could have re-taken the lead when striker Robert Lewandowski was foiled by Madrid goalkeeper Navas and Rodriguez sent the rebound flying over the bar from close range. Bayern finished the half strongly but were left fuming at a failed penalty appeal when a shot from Kimmich struck Marcelo’s arm. They sealed their own demise, though, when Ulreich lost his footing as he tried to control a backpass from Corentin Tolisso, allowing Madrid`s much-maligned striker Benzema to tap in what proved to be the killer blow. Bayern still created chances before and after Rodriguez`s goal. Navas denied the Colombian and Mats Hummels headed wide from a corner in stoppage time, sealing Bayern’s fifth consecutive Champions League exit to a Spanish side, and their third to Madrid in that time.

Champions League: Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich to reach final for third year in a row

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would act against Iran, not just its allies in the Middle East, if needed, reiterating that Tehran was the world&#39;s greatest threat.

Holding a piece of what he said was an Iranian drone after its incursion into Israeli airspace earlier this month, Netanyahu told the Munich Security Conference: &quot;Israel will not allow the regime to put a noose of terror around our neck.

&quot;We will act if necessary not just against Iran&#39;s proxies but against Iran itself,&quot; he said.

Addressing the Munich event for the first time, Netanyahu urged gathered U.S. and European officials and diplomats to counter Iran immediately, displaying a map showing what he said was Iran&#39;s growing presence in the Middle East.

He said Iran was increasing its power as the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria regains territory from militants.

&quot;The unfortunate thing is that as ISIS compresses and Iran moves in, it is trying to establish this continuous empire surrounding the Middle East from the south in Yemen but also trying to create a land bridge from Iran to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza,&quot; Netanyahu said.

&quot;This is a very dangerous development for our region.&quot;

Tensions surged on Feb. 10 when anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria.

That was the most serious confrontation yet between Israel and Iranian-backed forces based across the border.

Holding a piece of what he said was an Iranian drone after its incursion into Israeli airspace earlier this month, Netanyahu told the Munich Security Conference: "Israel will not allow the regime to put a noose of terror around our neck.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would act against Iran, not just its allies in the Middle East, if needed, reiterating that Tehran was the world's greatest threat. Holding a piece of what he said was an Iranian drone after its incursion into Israeli airspace earlier this month, Netanyahu told the Munich Security Conference: "Israel will not allow the regime to put a noose of terror around our neck. "We will act if necessary not just against Iran's proxies but against Iran itself," he said. Addressing the Munich event for the first time, Netanyahu urged gathered U.S. and European officials and diplomats to counter Iran immediately, displaying a map showing what he said was Iran's growing presence in the Middle East. He said Iran was increasing its power as the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria regains territory from militants. "The unfortunate thing is that as ISIS compresses and Iran moves in, it is trying to establish this continuous empire surrounding the Middle East from the south in Yemen but also trying to create a land bridge from Iran to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza," Netanyahu said. "This is a very dangerous development for our region." Tensions surged on Feb. 10 when anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria. That was the most serious confrontation yet between Israel and Iranian-backed forces based across the border.

Benjamin Netanyahu could act against Iran's 'empire'

German prosecutors today said Airbus had agreed to pay a fine of 81.25 million euros (USD 99 million) to settle a corruption probe into the 2003 sale of Eurofighter jets to Austria.

The investigation did not find evidence of bribery to secure the lucrative contract, the Munich prosecutors said in a statement.

But they said Airbus had failed it its supervisory duty by allowing former management to make multi-million-euro payments linked to the deal for &quot;unclear purposes&quot;.

The European aircraft manufacturer said in its own statement it had accepted the fine, meaning that the probed first opened in 2012 &quot;has been terminated&quot;.

Authorities in Austria, however, are still investigating claims bribers were paid to land the two-billion-euro sale of 18 Eurofighter jets to Vienna, a deal long alleged to have been very shady.

The Austrian government last year also launched a lawsuit against Airbus, seeking up 1.1 billion euros in damages. It accuses the aircraft giant of deliberately hoodwinking Vienna over the order.

Current Airbus chief Tom Enders was head of the defense division of European Aeronautic Defence Space Company at the time the deal was struck.

The corruption probes in Germany and Austria, as well separate graft investigations in Britain and France, have long cast a pall over one of Europe&#39;s most successful and best-known companies.

Airbus announced in December that embattled Enders would not seek reappointment when his current term ends in April 2019.

The investigation did not find evidence of bribery to secure the lucrative contract, the Munich prosecutors said in a statement

German prosecutors today said Airbus had agreed to pay a fine of 81.25 million euros (USD 99 million) to settle a corruption probe into the 2003 sale of Eurofighter jets to Austria. The investigation did not find evidence of bribery to secure the lucrative contract, the Munich prosecutors said in a statement. But they said Airbus had failed it its supervisory duty by allowing former management to make multi-million-euro payments linked to the deal for "unclear purposes". The European aircraft manufacturer said in its own statement it had accepted the fine, meaning that the probed first opened in 2012 "has been terminated". Authorities in Austria, however, are still investigating claims bribers were paid to land the two-billion-euro sale of 18 Eurofighter jets to Vienna, a deal long alleged to have been very shady. The Austrian government last year also launched a lawsuit against Airbus, seeking up 1.1 billion euros in damages. It accuses the aircraft giant of deliberately hoodwinking Vienna over the order. Current Airbus chief Tom Enders was head of the defense division of European Aeronautic Defence Space Company at the time the deal was struck. The corruption probes in Germany and Austria, as well separate graft investigations in Britain and France, have long cast a pall over one of Europe's most successful and best-known companies. Airbus announced in December that embattled Enders would not seek reappointment when his current term ends in April 2019.

Airbus to pay 81 million euros to end German corruption probe

Germany&#39;s&nbsp;Munich&nbsp;Re warned it could miss its profit target this year, the&nbsp;first&nbsp;major&nbsp;reinsurer&nbsp;to flag a hit to earnings from damage caused by hurricanes&nbsp;Harvey and&nbsp;Irma.

&quot;These two events are expected to result in high insured losses, which the market and&nbsp;Munich&nbsp;Re are unable to quantify at the moment,&quot; it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Analysts at Jefferies said they expected this to be the&nbsp;first&nbsp;of a series of such statements as insurers count the costs of the destructive storms.

Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic Ocean storms on record, ravaged several islands in the northern Caribbean, killing at least 60 people, before barrelling into Florida&#39;s Gulf Coast on Sunday, causing further destruction.

Munich&nbsp;Re had earlier this week estimated losses for the global insurance industry from&nbsp;Harvey, which struck Texas two weeks ago and caused massive flooding, of between $20 billion and $30 billion, putting the storm on the scale of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Shares in&nbsp;Munich&nbsp;Re nonetheless edged up by 0.4 percent in early trade on Thursday, with analysts saying the group had sufficient capital buffers to weather some headwinds.

Munich&nbsp;Re said it would probably report a third-quarter loss due to the hurricanes, but that it had a sufficiently solid capital base to still be able to offer full reinsurance capacity to its clients.

It said it may miss its full-year net profit goal of 2 billion to 2.4 billion euros ($2.4 bln-$2.9 bln). Analysts on average have forecast 2.35 billion euros, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Munich&nbsp;Re had said as recently as Sunday, at an annual industry meeting in Monte Carlo, that it was not especially exposed to Florida.

Analysts at Jefferies said&nbsp;Munich&nbsp;Re had an advantage over peers such as Swiss Re, given it had one of the largest budgets in the industry to cover natural catastrophes, at 1.4 billion euros for the full year.

"These two events are expected to result in high insured losses, which the market and?Munich?Re are unable to quantify at the moment," it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Germany's Munich Re warned it could miss its profit target this year, the first major reinsurer to flag a hit to earnings from damage caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma. "These two events are expected to result in high insured losses, which the market and Munich Re are unable to quantify at the moment," it said in a statement on Wednesday. Analysts at Jefferies said they expected this to be the first of a series of such statements as insurers count the costs of the destructive storms. Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic Ocean storms on record, ravaged several islands in the northern Caribbean, killing at least 60 people, before barrelling into Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday, causing further destruction. Munich Re had earlier this week estimated losses for the global insurance industry from Harvey, which struck Texas two weeks ago and caused massive flooding, of between $20 billion and $30 billion, putting the storm on the scale of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Shares in Munich Re nonetheless edged up by 0.4 percent in early trade on Thursday, with analysts saying the group had sufficient capital buffers to weather some headwinds. Munich Re said it would probably report a third-quarter loss due to the hurricanes, but that it had a sufficiently solid capital base to still be able to offer full reinsurance capacity to its clients. It said it may miss its full-year net profit goal of 2 billion to 2.4 billion euros ($2.4 bln-$2.9 bln). Analysts on average have forecast 2.35 billion euros, according to Thomson Reuters data. Munich Re had said as recently as Sunday, at an annual industry meeting in Monte Carlo, that it was not especially exposed to Florida. Analysts at Jefferies said Munich Re had an advantage over peers such as Swiss Re, given it had one of the largest budgets in the industry to cover natural catastrophes, at 1.4 billion euros for the full year.

Munich Re makes first warning by reinsurer on Harvey, Irma impact

From Bhubaneshwar to Germany: 11-year old slum boy made it to training at Bayern Munich football club.

Indian slum boy makes it to Bayern Munich Football Club

Germany&#39;s legendary Bayreuth opera festival, dedicated to the works of Richard Wagner, opened Monday with extremely tight security in the wake of a series of deadly attacks in the country. 
 
&quot;We have to send a message&quot; that fear will not stop the festival, film actor Michaela May told the DPA news agency at the event. 
 
Out of respect for those killed or wounded in attacks over the last week in Ansbach, Munich and Wuerzburg, all in the state of Bavaria, organisers cancelled the lavish banquet that traditionally follows the first performance of the festival. 
 
Also cancelled was the usual red carpet procession. 
 
The 140-year-old festival, one of the highlights of Germany&#39;s social and cultural calendar, opened with a performance of Wagner&#39;s final opera, &quot;Parsifal&quot; in a brand new production by German director Uwe Eric Laufenberg. 
 
Inside the theatre, a message projected on the curtain said,&quot;The Bayreuth festival dedicates today&#39;s performance to all victims of the violent acts in recent days and to their loved ones.&quot; 
 
The month-long festival opened the day after a man set off a bomb near another music festival in the southern town of Ansbach, just an hour&#39;s train ride from Bayreuth, killing himself and wounding 15 people. 
 
Authorities said he was a 27-year-old Syrian refugee. 
 
On Friday, an 18-year-old German-Iranian went on a shooting rampage in a Munich shopping centre killing nine people before shooting himself. 
 
On July 18, five people were injured in an axe attack on train in Wuerzburg that was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group. 
 
Bags, cushions banned 
 
Tighter security on Bayreuth&#39;s mythic Green Hill, on which the world-famous Festspielhaus festival theatre stands, has been in place since the start of rehearsals in June. 
 
Town authorities called for stepped-up measures following suggestions that this year&#39;s production of &quot;Parsifal&quot; might be perceived as critical of Islam, a charge denied by director Laufenberg. 
 
Unlike past editions of the festival, all bags and cushions have been banned from the auditorium and cloakrooms while patrons have to carry photo ID with them at all times. 
 
Meanwhile, the approach road up the Green Hill to the Festspielhaus has been blocked to cars. 
 
Star tenor Klaus Florian Vogt, who is singing the title role in &quot;Parsifal&quot;, was stopped and questioned by security personnel during a rehearsal break, because he was wearing army fatigues as part of his costume. 
 
The festival runs from July 25 until August 28 with 30 performances of seven different operas. 
 
(AFP)

The festival dedicated its opening performance?to 'all victims of the violent acts in recent days and to their loved ones.'

Germany's legendary Bayreuth opera festival, dedicated to the works of Richard Wagner, opened Monday with extremely tight security in the wake of a series of deadly attacks in the country. "We have to send a message" that fear will not stop the festival, film actor Michaela May told the DPA news agency at the event. Out of respect for those killed or wounded in attacks over the last week in Ansbach, Munich and Wuerzburg, all in the state of Bavaria, organisers cancelled the lavish banquet that traditionally follows the first performance of the festival. Also cancelled was the usual red carpet procession. The 140-year-old festival, one of the highlights of Germany's social and cultural calendar, opened with a performance of Wagner's final opera, "Parsifal" in a brand new production by German director Uwe Eric Laufenberg. Inside the theatre, a message projected on the curtain said,"The Bayreuth festival dedicates today's performance to all victims of the violent acts in recent days and to their loved ones." The month-long festival opened the day after a man set off a bomb near another music festival in the southern town of Ansbach, just an hour's train ride from Bayreuth, killing himself and wounding 15 people. Authorities said he was a 27-year-old Syrian refugee. On Friday, an 18-year-old German-Iranian went on a shooting rampage in a Munich shopping centre killing nine people before shooting himself. On July 18, five people were injured in an axe attack on train in Wuerzburg that was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group. Bags, cushions banned Tighter security on Bayreuth's mythic Green Hill, on which the world-famous Festspielhaus festival theatre stands, has been in place since the start of rehearsals in June. Town authorities called for stepped-up measures following suggestions that this year's production of "Parsifal" might be perceived as critical of Islam, a charge denied by director Laufenberg. Unlike past editions of the festival, all bags and cushions have been banned from the auditorium and cloakrooms while patrons have to carry photo ID with them at all times. Meanwhile, the approach road up the Green Hill to the Festspielhaus has been blocked to cars. Star tenor Klaus Florian Vogt, who is singing the title role in "Parsifal", was stopped and questioned by security personnel during a rehearsal break, because he was wearing army fatigues as part of his costume. The festival runs from July 25 until August 28 with 30 performances of seven different operas. (AFP)

Wagner festival kickstarts despite attacks jolting Germany

Social networks were both a curse and a blessing in the deadly shopping mall shooting in Munich, as police sometimes found themselves chasing fictitious leads and false alarms. 
 
The 18-year-old gunman, a German-Iranian named David Ali Sonboly, also used the internet to plan and carry out his crime, in which he killed nine people and wounded 16 others. 
 
Nevertheless, the social networks provided a valuable source of information and solidarity for the city&#39;s frightened population during the long lockdown while the incident was going on. 
 
As soon as the terrifying events started to unfold late on Friday afternoon, Munich&#39;s police were quick to take to Twitter to try to keep the public informed about the confusing and fast-evolving situation. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re working as fast as we can to apprehend the attackers,&quot; they tweeted in German, English and French. 
 
&quot;The suspects are still on the run. Please avoid public places. #munich #gunfire&quot;. 
 
&quot;Unconfirmed reports of more violence and possible #gunfire in the city center. Situation is unclear. Please avoid public areas.&quot; 
 
False alarms&nbsp; 
 
But as social network users began to tweet and re-tweet their own experiences and versions of events, it rapidly became difficult for the police to retain an overview and in some cases differentiate between fact and fiction. 
 
At one point, for example, there were a flurry of reports of another shooting in the city centre, on the pedestrianised square called the Stachus not far from the main station. 
 
But those reports turned out to be false. 
 
Another headache for police were eye-witness accounts, photos and videos that were rapidly being uploaded onto the web. 
 
Police were concerned that the attackers -- at that point, they erroneously believed there might have been more than one -- could track where officers were being deployed and in what numbers, thereby making them easier to evade. 
 
In the end, the police desperately tweeted: &quot;Please don&#39;t take fotos or video of police action in order to avoid any helpful information for the suspects&quot;. 
 
Police chief Hubertus Andrae told ZDF public television late Saturday that the speed and volume of information which needed to be verified was &quot;challenging.&quot; 
 
The official Twitter account proved useful in keeping the public informed about the latest confirmed facts, such as the number of victims or the time and place of the next press conference. 
 
But police themselves inadvertently helped fan some of the speculation by tweeting, for example, that the theory of a possible terrorist act was being looked at. 
 
At one point, police felt compelled to publish a plea, &quot;Please restrain any speculations -- that would help us a lot!&quot; 
 
Lured via the internet&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Nowadays, in the age of social networks, it is no longer the police who have control over the quantity and timing of the release of information, but everyone,&quot; said interior minister Thomas de Maiziere. 
 
&quot;There are sometimes advantages in that, as can be seen in the number of investigations that have been brought to a successful conclusion thanks to photos and videos taken by private individuals,&quot; he told a news conference. 
 
In the United States, for example, the investigation into the Boston Marathon attacks in 2013 was able to progress quickly as a result of such information. 
 
&quot;But it&#39;s clear that rumours can spread rapidly and that isn&#39;t always conducive to an accurate evaluation of the situation,&quot; the minister said. 
 
He praised the &quot;fair&quot; and &quot;comprehensive&quot; way in which police had communicated the recent attacks in Europe. 
 
According to the interior ministry, the Munich gunman may have hacked a Facebook account to lure some of the victims to the McDonald&#39;s fast-food outlet where the shooting began by offering them special discounts. 
 
&quot;I will give you whatever you want, for not a lot of money,&quot; the online invite read, according to German media reports. 
 
(AFP)

Social media versions are rapidly blurring the lines between fact and fiction, making it tougher for the police to retain control

Social networks were both a curse and a blessing in the deadly shopping mall shooting in Munich, as police sometimes found themselves chasing fictitious leads and false alarms. The 18-year-old gunman, a German-Iranian named David Ali Sonboly, also used the internet to plan and carry out his crime, in which he killed nine people and wounded 16 others. Nevertheless, the social networks provided a valuable source of information and solidarity for the city's frightened population during the long lockdown while the incident was going on. As soon as the terrifying events started to unfold late on Friday afternoon, Munich's police were quick to take to Twitter to try to keep the public informed about the confusing and fast-evolving situation. "We're working as fast as we can to apprehend the attackers," they tweeted in German, English and French. "The suspects are still on the run. Please avoid public places. #munich #gunfire". "Unconfirmed reports of more violence and possible #gunfire in the city center. Situation is unclear. Please avoid public areas." False alarms But as social network users began to tweet and re-tweet their own experiences and versions of events, it rapidly became difficult for the police to retain an overview and in some cases differentiate between fact and fiction. At one point, for example, there were a flurry of reports of another shooting in the city centre, on the pedestrianised square called the Stachus not far from the main station. But those reports turned out to be false. Another headache for police were eye-witness accounts, photos and videos that were rapidly being uploaded onto the web. Police were concerned that the attackers -- at that point, they erroneously believed there might have been more than one -- could track where officers were being deployed and in what numbers, thereby making them easier to evade. In the end, the police desperately tweeted: "Please don't take fotos or video of police action in order to avoid any helpful information for the suspects". Police chief Hubertus Andrae told ZDF public television late Saturday that the speed and volume of information which needed to be verified was "challenging." The official Twitter account proved useful in keeping the public informed about the latest confirmed facts, such as the number of victims or the time and place of the next press conference. But police themselves inadvertently helped fan some of the speculation by tweeting, for example, that the theory of a possible terrorist act was being looked at. At one point, police felt compelled to publish a plea, "Please restrain any speculations -- that would help us a lot!" Lured via the internet "Nowadays, in the age of social networks, it is no longer the police who have control over the quantity and timing of the release of information, but everyone," said interior minister Thomas de Maiziere. "There are sometimes advantages in that, as can be seen in the number of investigations that have been brought to a successful conclusion thanks to photos and videos taken by private individuals," he told a news conference. In the United States, for example, the investigation into the Boston Marathon attacks in 2013 was able to progress quickly as a result of such information. "But it's clear that rumours can spread rapidly and that isn't always conducive to an accurate evaluation of the situation," the minister said. He praised the "fair" and "comprehensive" way in which police had communicated the recent attacks in Europe. According to the interior ministry, the Munich gunman may have hacked a Facebook account to lure some of the victims to the McDonald's fast-food outlet where the shooting began by offering them special discounts. "I will give you whatever you want, for not a lot of money," the online invite read, according to German media reports. (AFP)

Munich shooting: Social media, a curse or blessing?

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