GERMANY

Germany Russia FILE - Ukrainian soldiers walks at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels near Katerinivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec 7, 2021. Experts say Germany’s position is partly rooted in its inglorious history of aggression during the 20th century. The debate over German weapons was unfolding days after the head of the German navy resigned following criticism at home and abroad for comments he made on Ukraine and Russia. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made clear that, qualms about exporting arms to Ukraine aside, Berlin takes a dim view of Russia's behavior. “In recent weeks, more than 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and guns have gathered near Ukraine for no understandable reason.

Germany’s refusal to join other NATO members in providing weapons to Ukraine has annoyed some allies and raised questions about Berlin’s resolve in standing up to Russia

Germany’s refusal to join other NATO members in providing weapons to Ukraine has annoyed some allies and raised questions about Berlin’s resolve in standing up to Russia.

'Tears just started coming down from all of us really': Bills fans react to stunning overtime loss

WARSAW, Poland — (AP) — A Polish LOT airlines whose passengers included four Polish members of the European Parliament made an emergency landing at a German airport Monday after suffering cabin pressure loss. The plane was flying from Warsaw to Brussels when it suffered the pressure loss over Germany. One lawmaker, Robert Biedron, posted a video on Twitter showing the passengers and crew in oxygen masks ahead of the landing. “The situation looked dramatic, but it was brought under control,” Biedron tweeted, saying he and the others were safely on the ground. "It was a bad flight with a lot of anxiety and fear," Lukacijewska tweeted along with a selfie in an oxygen mask.

APTOPIX Germany Shooting Police officers secure traces on the grounds of the Heidelberg University Botanical Garden in Heidelberg, Germany, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. German police say a lone gunman wounded several people at a lecture theatre in the southwest city of Heidelberg on Monday. The 18-year-old suspected gunman was a biology student at the university, said Siegfried Kollmar, the regional chief of police. Those who suffered minor wounds were two German women and a German-Italian man. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed dismay over the shooting and offered his condolences to relatives, victims and students.

Virus Outbreak Germany A woman walks past a Covid-19 test center in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, the day when German politicians discusses further measures to avoid the outspread of the coronavirus. Germany has hit a series of daily infection records over the past two weeks as omicron has spread. On Monday, the national disease control center said 840.3 new cases per 100,000 residents have been recorded over the past week. Although infections are rising fast, that hasn’t so far been accompanied by a big increase in hospital admissions. But officials worry that Germany has a high number of unvaccinated older people in comparison with some other European countries.

APTOPIX Germany Shooting Police officers secure traces on the grounds of the Heidelberg University Botanical Garden in Heidelberg, Germany, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. German police say a lone gunman wounded several people at a lecture theatre in the southwest city of Heidelberg on Monday. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (Michael Probst)BERLIN — (AP) — A lone gunman opened fire during a lecture at Heidelberg University in southwestern Germany on Monday and wounded four people, before killing himself, police said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed dismay over the shooting. “It tears my heart apart to learn of such news,” Scholz said, expressing his condolences to relatives, victims and students at the university.

Germany Church LGBT Monika Schmelter, left, and Marie Kortenbusch, right, stand hand in hand in front of a statue of Mary at a convent in Luedinghausen, Germany, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. More than 100 employees of the Catholic Church in Germany publicly outed themselves as queer on Monday, saying they want to “live openly without fear" in the church and pushing demands for it to allow the blessing of same-sex couples and change its labor rules. (Guido Kirchner/dpa via AP) (Guido Kirchner)BERLIN — (AP) — More than 120 employees of the Catholic Church in Germany publicly outed themselves as queer on Monday, saying they want to “live openly without fear" in the church and pushing demands for it to allow the blessing of same-sex couples and change its labor rules. The initiative is calling for all LGBTIQ who work for the church to join up, and appealing to bishops to give its manifesto public support. No one, he said, should be discriminated against, devalued or criminalized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

More than 120 employees of the Catholic Church in Germany publicly outed themselves as queer on Monday, saying they want to “live openly without fear" in the church and pushing demands for it to allow the blessing of same-sex couples and change its labor rules. A group of 125 people — including priests, religion teachers and administrative employees — identified themselves as backers of the initiative titled “#OutInChurch — For a church without fear.” In a document last March, the Vatican’s orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said Catholic clergy cannot bless same-sex unions because God “cannot bless sin.”

Germany has hit a series of daily infection records over the past two weeks as omicron has spread. German lawmakers are expected to hold a first debate on that Wednesday. Although infections are rising fast, that hasn't so far been accompanied by a big increase in hospital admissions. But officials worry that Germany has a high number of unvaccinated older people in comparison with some other European countries. Berlin's Mitte district recorded the highest incidence of new cases in the country: 2,842 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week.

Germany Shooting Police officers secure traces on the grounds of the Heidelberg University Botanical Garden in Heidelberg, Germany, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. German police say a lone gunman wounded several people at a lecture theatre in the southwest city of Heidelberg on Monday. Police said in a brief statement that the perpetrator was dead but didn’t give details of how that happened. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP) (Uwe Anspach)BERLIN — (AP) — A lone gunman wounded four people, some of them seriously, during a lecture at Heidelberg University in southwestern Germany on Monday, police said. German news agency dpa cited unidentified security sources as saying that the gunman killed himself.

Police say one person has been killed and three people were wounded after a lone gunman opened fire during a packed lecture at Heidelberg University in southwestern Germany then killed himself.

A lone gunman wounded four people, some of them seriously, during a lecture at Heidelberg University in southwestern Germany on Monday, police said. The man opened fire with a long-barreled firearm in a lecture hall and then fled outside, police said. Heidelberg is located south of Frankfurt and has about 160,000 inhabitants.

The Covid-19 pandemic is at a "critical juncture" as it enters its third year, the WHO's top official said on Monday.

Germany has seen a string of new infection records over the past two weeks as omicron kicks in. On Monday, the national disease control center said 840.3 new cases per 100,000 residents have been recorded over the past week, and 63,393 cases over the past 24 hours. Priority is expected to be given to health sector employees, older people and others particularly at risk. Although infections are rising fast, that hasn't so far been accompanied by a big increase in hospital admissions. But officials worry that Germany has a high number of unvaccinated older people in comparison with some other European countries.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Germany’s 16 state governors have decided to keep existing coronavirus restrictions in place and examine how best to use strained PCR test capacities as the highly contagious omicron variant fuels a steep rise in infections.

Highlights of Today in History: James Marshall finds a gold nugget;Winston Churchill dies;Ted Bundy is executed;Thurgood Marshall dies;John Belushi born.

Israel's Cabinet approved Sunday the launch of a state investigation into an affair involving the purchase of submarines and other warships from Germany, a case that has embroiled close confidants of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The graft scandal surrounds a possible conflict of interest and bribery involving a $2 billion purchase of naval vessels from Germany's Thyssenkrupp that implicated some of Netanyahu's closest associates. The Cabinet authorized establishing a state investigation into the case by vote.

BERLIN — (AP) — The head of the German navy resigned late Saturday after coming under fire at home and abroad for comments he made on Ukraine and Russia. Speaking at an event in India on Friday, vice admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach had said Ukraine would not regain the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. His comments, captured on video, caused anger in Ukraine, which summoned the German ambassador to complain. In a statement, the German navy said Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had accepted Schoenbach's resignation and appointed his deputy as interim naval chief. But unlike many other NATO countries, Berlin says it won't supply Ukraine with lethal weapons, arguing that it doesn't want to inflame tensions further.

The head of the German navy resigned late Saturday after coming under fire at home and abroad for comments he made on Ukraine and Russia. Speaking at an event in India on Friday, vice admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach had said Ukraine would not regain the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. Schoenbach also said it was important to have Russia on the same side against China, and suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin deserved “respect."

The 67-year-old engineer from London hopes the strike will bring attention to those unfairly held in Iran.

Germany has opposed sending weapons to Ukraine to avoid provoking Russia while also citing Nazi atrocities committed in the region.

Germany has opposed sending weapons to Ukraine to avoid provoking Russia while also citing Nazi atrocities committed in the region.

Inflation in the euro area is unlikely to surge to levels seen in the U.S., European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Friday.

Germany Church Abuse FILE - Pope Francis, right, hugs Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI prior to the start of a meeting with elderly faithful in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Francis met with the members of the Vatican office that handles sex abuse cases in a previously scheduled annual audience. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was headed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - Benedict before he became pope - for a quarter-century. In his speech, Francis didn’t refer to the findings of a long-awaited report into how the Munich archdiocese handled abuse cases from 1945 and 2019. He recalled he had recently updated the Vatican norms to handle abuse cases to make them more effective.

APTOPIX Australian Open Tennis Alexander Zverev of Germany plays a forehand return to Radu Albot of Moldova during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair) (Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The Latest on Friday at the Australian Open (all times local):7:45 p.m.Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev has advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Radu Albot, a No. ___7:30 p.m.Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini has fended off 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 2-6, 7-6 (5) to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open. 26-seeded Jelena Ostapenko to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 and advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time. ___11:20 a.m.Day 5 at the Australian Open features two much-anticipated matchups that could lead to an even bigger one.

The report on sexual abuse in Germany's Munich diocese faulted Benedict's handling of four cases when he was archbishop in the 1970s and 1980s.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool) (Alex Brandon)BERLIN — (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that talks with Iran over its nuclear program are at a “decisive moment,” and warned that Washington and its allies may change tactics if a deal isn’t reached in the coming weeks. Blinken said that the longer Iran fails to comply with the 2015 Vienna accord — intended to rein in Tehran's nuclear program — the closer it would get to being able to build an atomic weapon. “We are indeed at a decisive moment,” Blinken told reporters in Berlin after meeting senior diplomats from Germany, France and Britain. He added that he believed modest progress had been made during the ongoing round of talks in the Austrian capital. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, whose country remains part of the accord known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action along with France, Britain, China and Russia, echoed Blinken's words.

Australian Open Tennis Alexander Zverev of Germany waves after defeating John Millman of Australia in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. Australian Open organizers clarified the process on Day 4 of the tournament, saying daily rapid antigen tests were being provided, testing clinics were open both onsite and at the player hotel, and there was mandatory symptomatic testing. Except at the Australian Open. His win over 21st-seeded Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round was his first at the Australian Open since 2017. Murray engaged in a Twitter admiration exchange with Australian Open women's champion Naomi Osaka this week.

U_S_ Secretary of State Antony Blinken says talks with Iran over its nuclear program are at a “decisive moment.”.

The safety protocols for COVID-19 have been a touchy subject at the Australian Open.

Germany House of the Wannsee Conference The 'Haus der Wannseekonferenz' (House of the Wannsee Conference) is pictured in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (Michael Sohn)BERLIN — (AP) — Germany's foreign minister said Thursday that the country's diplomats during the Nazi era shared blame for the Holocaust and she wants more training for staff to speak up against all forms of discrimination. In a statement marking the 80th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, Annalena Baerbock said it was important to recognize the role played by members of Germany's diplomatic service at the time. “Today we remember the murdered Jewish women, men and children, and those who survived the Holocaust,” Baerbock said. “From now on, all our staff throughout the world will be reminded of this on International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27,” said Baerbock.

Germany’s foreign minister says that the country’s diplomats during the Nazi era shared blame for the Holocaust and she wants more training for staff to speak up against all forms of discrimination.

Germany Church Abuse FILE - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI sits in St. Peter's Basilica as he attends the ceremony marking the start of the Holy Year, at the Vatican, Dec. 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) (Gregorio Borgia)BERLIN — (AP) — A long-awaited report on sexual abuse in Germany's Munich diocese on Thursday faulted retired Pope Benedict XVI's handling of four cases when he was archbishop in the 1970s and 1980s. The law firm that drew up the report said that Benedict strongly denies any wrongdoing. In recent months, turbulence in the Cologne archdiocese over officials' handling of abuse allegations has convulsed the German church. He had kept under wraps a first report on church officials' actions, drawn up by the same firm that produced the Munich report, citing legal concerns.

Germany Church Abuse FILE - The sun goes down behind the Church of Our Lady, right, the city hall and Church Alter Peter in Munich, southern Germany, Sept. 28, 2008. Munich archdiocese, whose current archbishop is a prominent ally of Pope Francis and which was once led by retired Pope Benedict XVI, is being released on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File) (Matthias Schrader)BERLIN — (AP) — A long-awaited report on sexual abuse in Germany's Munich diocese on Thursday faulted retired Pope Benedict XVI's handling of four cases when he was archbishop in the 1970s and 1980s. Benedict’s former spokesman declined to comment in advance, deferring any response to the Munich archdiocese. He had kept under wraps a first report on church officials' actions, drawn up by the same firm that produced the Munich report, citing legal concerns.

Germany Teen's Global Flight Belgium-British teenage pilot Zara Rutherford smiles after she landed with her Shark ultralight plane at the Egelsbach airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Jan.19, 2022. At the age of 19, she is set to land her single-seater Shark sport aircraft in Kortrijk, Belgium, on Monday, more than 150 days after setting out to become the youngest woman to circumnavigate the world solo. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (Michael Probst)KORTRIJK, Belgium — (AP) — The 19-year-old Belgian-British pilot Zara Rutherford set a world record as the youngest woman to fly solo around the world, touching her small airplane down in western Belgium on Thursday — 155 days after she departed. The overall record will remain out of Rutherford’s grasp, since Briton Travis Ludlow set that benchmark last year as an 18-year-old. Rutherford’s flight saw her steer clear of wildfires in California, deal with biting cold over Russia and narrowly avoid North Korean airspace.

Germany Church Abuse FILE - The sun goes down behind the Church of Our Lady, right, the city hall and Church Alter Peter in Munich, southern Germany, Sept. 28, 2008. Munich archdiocese, whose current archbishop is a prominent ally of Pope Francis and which was once led by retired Pope Benedict XVI, is being released on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File) (Matthias Schrader)BERLIN — (AP) — A long-awaited report on sexual abuse in Germany's Munich diocese on Thursday faulted retired Pope Benedict XVI's handling of four cases when he was archbishop in the 1970s and 1980s. The report also faulted the current archbishop, a prominent ally of Pope Francis, in two cases. He had kept under wraps a first report on church officials' actions, drawn up by the same firm that produced the Munich report, citing legal concerns.

Actor Hardy Kruger dead at 93 This April 12, 2018, shows German actor Hardy Kruger in Hamburg, Germany. Kruger died Wednesday, his literary agent said. (Axel Heimken/dpa via AP, file)BERLIN — German actor Hardy Kruger died Wednesday at age 93, his literary agent said Thursday. >> Read more trending newsAccording to The Associated Press, Peter Kaefferlein said the adventure and war movie star died “suddenly and unexpectedly” in California. Kruger, who deserted the Nazi army during World War II, appeared in numerous German-language films beginning in the 1940s, the AP reported.

Virus Outbreak Germany People rush to a train at a subway station in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 as the daily number of COVID-19 infections are rising again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (Michael Probst)BERLIN — (AP) — Germany's health minister expects the number of coronavirus infections in the country to keep rising for several weeks before peaking next month. Germany's disease control agency reported 133,536 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, and 234 deaths. Omicron spreads even more easily than other coronavirus strains, and has already become dominant in many countries. It also more easily infects those who have been vaccinated or had previously been infected by prior versions of the virus.

Germany’s health minister expects the number of coronavirus infections in the country to keep rising for several weeks reaching hundreds of thousands of cases a day.

Germany Kruger Obit File---File picture taken April 12, 2018 shows German actor Hardy Kruger in Hamburg, Germany. (Axel Heimken/dpa via AP,file) (Axel Heimken)BERLIN — (AP) — Hardy Kruger, considered one of post-war Germany’s best actors, has died. His Hamburg-based literary agent, Peter Kaefferlein, said Thursday that Kruger died “suddently and unexpectedly” Wednesday in California, where he lived with his third wife, American-born writer Anita Park. Kruger appeared in a string of English-language adventure and war movies, including “A Bridge too Far” (1977) and “The Wild Geese” (1978). In later years, he focused on making travel films for German television, writing books and the occasional stage performance.

Israel signed a three billion euro ($3.4 billion) deal on Thursday to buy three cutting edge submarines from Germany, the defense ministry announced. The Dakar-class diesel-electric submarines will be produced by German manufacturer Thyssenkrupp and are expected to be delivered within nine years, the ministry said. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the procurement "will upgrade the capabilities of the Israeli Navy, and will contribute to Israel’s security superiority in the region.”

Hardy Kruger, considered one of post-war Germany’s best actors, has died at 93.

BERLIN — (AP) — Berlin prosecutors have opened an investigation into the leadership of Germany's Green party, including the new vice chancellor and foreign minister, over pandemic bonus payments last winter. At issue is the role of the party leadership in approving the “corona bonus” of 1,500 euros ($1,700) per person for employees of party headquarters and the leaders themselves. Habeck became Germany's vice chancellor and the minister for economy and climate when the Greens joined Chancellor Olaf Scholz's new government last month. Internal party auditors already have raised questions over the bonus payments to the leadership board, dpa reported. The Greens party said its leadership was entitled to make the decision, but has since paid the bonuses back.

German news agency dpa has reported that police are investigating thousands of cases of suspected forgery of coronavirus vaccine certificates. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File) (Markus Schreiber)GENEVA — (AP) — The global initiative to share coronavirus vaccines equally between rich and poor countries asked Wednesday for $5.2 billion in funds to be able to keep buying doses in coming months. The UN-backed program known as COVAX has delivered just over 1 billion doses since shipments started nearly a year ago. The initial goal was to deliver 2 billion doses by the end of 2021, but COVAX's lack of cash when vaccine deals were being made gave it a late start, and most of the world's vaccine doses have gone to wealthy nations who locked in contracts. Seth Berkley, the CEO of GAVI, the global health organization that co-founded the COVAX initiative, said it was key to supplying poor countries with vaccine shots now and in the future but "we right now are basically out of money."

The global initiative intended to share coronavirus vaccines equally between rich and poor countries is asking for $5.2 billion in funds to be able to keep buying doses.

BERLIN — (AP) — Germany's Transport Ministry has criticized a stunt that saw a Czech millionaire drive his high-powered sportscar along a public highway at speeds of up to 414 kilometers per hour (257 mph). A video posted online this month shows Radim Passer pushing his Bugatti Chiron to extreme speeds on a stretch of Germany's A2 Autobahn between Berlin and Hannover. But the car can be seen passing several other vehicles on the highway and the light in the video suggests it was at twilight. “We thank God for the safety and good circumstances, as we were able to reach the speed of 414 km/h!” he wrote. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Germany's Transport Ministry has criticized a stunt that saw a Czech millionaire drive his high-powered sportscar along a public highway at speeds of up to 414 kilometers per hour (257 mph). A video posted online this month shows Radim Passer pushing his Bugatti Chiron to extreme speeds on a stretch of Germany's A2 Autobahn between Berlin and Hannover.

German news agency dpa has reported that police are investigating thousands of cases of suspected forgery of coronavirus vaccine certificates. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File) (Markus Schreiber)BERLIN — (AP) — Police in Germany are investigating thousands of cases of suspected forgery of coronavirus vaccine certificates, the dpa news agency reported Wednesday. It cited figures obtained from the country's 16 states showing more than 12,000 police investigations have been opened nationwide. Those who supply or use fake certificates could face severe penalties, from fines and suspended prison sentences to losing their jobs. The country's disease control agency reported 112,323 new infections in the past 24 hours, and 239 COVID-related deaths.

Germany Teen's Global Flight Belgium-British teenage pilot Zara Rutherford smiles after she landed with her Shark ultralight plane at the Egelsbach airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Jan.19, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (Michael Probst)EGELSBACH, Germany — (AP) — Teenage pilot Zara Rutherford landed in Germany on Wednesday on the penultimate stop of her bid to become the youngest woman to fly around the world solo. American aviator Shaesta Waiz was 30 when she set the existing record for the youngest woman to circumnavigate the world solo in 2017. “Once I'm home, I think I'm going to sleep for about a week” and then talk about her experiences, she said. The men’s record for the youngest solo round the world flight is held by Travis Ludlow of Britain, who set that benchmark last year at 18.

Teenage pilot Zara Rutherford has landed in Germany on the penultimate stop of her bid to become the youngest woman to fly around the world solo.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said "borders must not be moved by force" in Europe.

Germany Switzerland Davos Forum German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sits in front of a camera as he delivers his speech for the Davos Agenda 2022, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. The Davos Agenda, which takes place from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21, 2022, is an online edition of the annual Davos meeting of the World Economy Forum due to the coronavirus pandemic. “What we want to achieve is a paradigm shift in international climate policy. But critics say such groups often include members with less-than-stellar records on climate. The forum also was hosting panels on the energy transition and climate innovation with the likes of Bill Gates, John Kerry and Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce that Covid rules in England will be eased when he makes a statement later on Wednesday.

(Stefan Sauer/dpa via AP) (Stefan Sauer)BERLIN — (AP) — Police in Germany are investigating thousands of cases of suspected forgery of coronavirus vaccine certificates, the dpa news agency reported Wednesday. Those who supply or use fake certificates could face severe penalties, from fines and suspended prison sentences to losing their jobs. Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation in one case after a woman used a fake vaccine certificate to continue working at a nursing home, despite having family members ill with COVID-19 at home. Almost 73% of the German population have received a full course of vaccines against COVID-19, while nearly 48 % have had an additional booster shot. The country's disease control agency reported 112,323 new infections in the past 24 hours, and 239 COVID-related deaths.

German news agency dpa has reported that police are investigating thousands of cases of suspected forgery of coronavirus vaccine certificates.

BERLIN — (AP) — A court in Germany will begin hearing a case Wednesday against a Syrian doctor accused of crimes against humanity for torturing and killing inmates at a government-run prison in his home country. They accuse the doctor of killing one person, torture in 18 cases, causing serious physical and psychological harm to another person, and other crimes including one that led to another death. The defendant entered Germany in 2015, and German authorities permitted him to practice medicine after recertifying his Syrian medical credentials. He worked at a clinic near Kassel in central Germany, where multiple Syrians recognized the doctor from his time in Syria and reported him to German police. In one case, he is accused of beating an anti-government demonstrator after prison officials called the doctor to the hospital to treat a man experiencing an epileptic attack following torture.

A court in Germany has begun hearing a case against a Syrian doctor accused of crimes against humanity for torturing and killing inmates at a government-run prison and two military hospitals in his home country.

Borrowing costs for the German government continued their push higher on Wednesday, with the benchmark 10-year bund yield trading in positive territory for the first time in nearly three years.

If Russia attacks Ukraine, the Western allies must respond in unison. Let’s hope Germany doesn’t go wobbly.

But when it comes to what exactly the United States and Europe are willing to do, the allies don't look as ringingly united. During weeks of intense diplomacy, Russian leaders have dismissed the allies' pledge of a united stand against Russia. European Union leaders see Russia as trying to sow discord among the 27-nation EU, the United States and NATO. That's “somewhat stunning to me, given the territorial integrity of Europe, not the United States, is at stake." Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week to back “wide-ranging economic sanctions” should Russia invade, Johnson’s office said.

The Vatican press office says that Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra have both tested positive for the coronavirus.

Natalie Geisenberger has made it official: She’s heading to the Beijing Games and seeking a third consecutive Olympic women’s luge gold medal.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have met in Madrid to plan how to boost progressive policies in the 27-nation European Union.

A Turkish court has acquitted German journalist Mesale Tolu after years on trial for terror-related charges.

A senior European Central Bank official says that raising interest rates prematurely could “choke off the recovery,” comments that come as inflation in the 19-nation euro area has hit a record rate.

The risk of recession is looming for Germany after Europe’s biggest economy shrank at the end of 2021 and as it faces a bumpy start to this year.

Senate Democrats have defeated a bill by Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz that would have slammed sanctions on a Russian natural-gas pipeline to Germany.

Data shows that most COVID-19 patients in intensive care in German hospitals aren’t vaccinated.

A former Syrian secret police officer has been convicted by a German court of crimes against humanity for overseeing the abuse of detainees at a jail near Damascus a decade ago.

Senate Democrats are proposing new sanctions against Russia if it invades Ukraine.

Germany’s president has called for a debate over plans for compulsory coronavirus vaccinations in the country, saying such a drastic measure needs to be thoroughly justified.

Victims of torture in Syria and human rights activists say they hope the upcoming verdict in a landmark trial will be a first step toward justice for countless Syrians who suffered abuse in the country’s long-running conflict.

Germany’s new climate minister said Tuesday that the country faces a “gigantic” task if it wants to achieve its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring sufficient energy for its energy-hungry industry.

Germany’s ruling parties are hitting the brakes on plans for compulsory coronavirus vaccinations, saying it may take months for lawmakers to properly debate the contentious measure in parliament.

Inflation in the 19 countries that use the euro currency hit its highest level on record, led by surging food and energy costs.

Budget airline Ryanair says it will stop serving Germany’s busiest airport at the end of March and close its base there.

Germany’s leaders have agreed to toughen requirements for entry to restaurants and bars.

Germany’s biggest governing party says it aims for a final decision by the end of March on the introduction of a universal vaccine mandate against COVID-19.

Germany has found itself facing a series of challenges in its relations with Russia and China that have been testing the foreign policy mettle of the new government since it took office last month.

The United States and Germany are backing Lithuania in its spat with China, saying the pressure exerted by Beijing against the tiny Baltic nation is unwarranted, Lithuania broke with diplomatic custom last year by letting the Taiwanese office in Vilnius bear the name Taiwan, instead of Chinese Taipei.

Germany’s antitrust watchdog has paved the way for extra scrutiny of Google by designating it a company of “paramount significance.”.

The United States and Germany say that Russia’s military buildup near Ukraine’s border poses an “immediate and urgent challenge" to European security and that any intervention will draw severe consequences.

Police in Germany have reported sporadic violence at demonstrations against the country’s pandemic restrictions.

About 700 sheep and goats have been recruited in Germany’s drive to encourage more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Draft European Union plans that would allow nuclear and gas energy to remain part of the bloc’s path to a climate-friendly future came under immediate criticism over the weekend.

This New Year's the European Central Bank is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the euro's notes and coins.

Germany has shut down half of the six nuclear plants it still has in operation.

Germany’s health minister says the country’s coronavirus infection rate is likely two to three times higher than statistics currently show.

Germany’s health minister says the government has reached its goal of 30 million additional immunizations against COVID-19 by year's end.

Germany’s health minister says the proportion of coronavirus infections with the new omicron variant will increase sharply in the days ahead.

Germany has announced new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the new omicron variant of COVID-19.

As hospitals across Europe brace themselves for a surge in coronavirus cases because of the new omicron variant, Westerstede Clinical Center is cautiously hopeful it can weather the storm.

Five years after a terrorist killed 12 people at a Berlin Christmas market, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier says Germany’s government had not lived up to its duty to protect its citizens that day.

In Germany, a train passes a railroad crossing surrounded by floodwaters.

The seats in Germany’s parliament will have to be rearranged after lawmakers backed the wish of one party in the new coalition government not to sit next to the far-right Alternative for Germany.

Stocks have climbed in Asia, tracking Wall Street's gains, after the Federal Reserve said it would accelerate its pullback of economic stimulus.

Police in Germany’s Bavaria region say they have destroyed some 1.5 metric tons (1.65 U.S. tons) of cocaine with a street value of about 270 million euros ($304 million) — their biggest such operation yet.

Police in eastern Germany are carried out raids in an investigation of alleged threats to kill a state governor and others by opponents of coronavirus restrictions and vaccinations.