By Anne-Béatrice Clasmann, Stefan Heinemeyer and Michael Donhauser, dpa Berlin, Germany – Germany has halted decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens following the ouster of former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, a spokesman for the Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) told dpa on Monday.The decision comes after rapidly advancing Syrian rebel groups seized control…
By Frank Johannsen, dpa Wolfsburg, Germany – Rolling strikes hit nine of auto giant Volkswagen’s plants across Germany for the second time this month, as the Volkswagen workforce protests painful proposed cuts at Europe’s largest carmaker.Monday’s strikes ratchet up the pressure on management on the same day that the fourth round of collective bargaining negotiations…
Berlin, Germany – A group held a spontaneous demonstration in celebration of the change of power in Syria in the Neukölln district of Berlin waving flags inscribed with the legend “Free Syria” on Sunday. Police described the gathering as a “relatively small group” and said no noteworthy incidents had occurred. The demonstration was preceded on…
Munich, Germany – Bayern Munich have cracked the €1 billion ($1.05 billion) mark in turnover for the first time, president Herbert Hainer announced on Sunday as the club also paid tribute to their late icon Franz Beckenbauer. Hainer said at the general assembly that the sports club led by its football and basketball teams that…
Wolfsburg, Germany – Wolfsburg substitute Jonas Wind scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, as visitors Mainz took the lead three times but lost 4-3 in a Bundesliga blockbuster on Sunday. Freiburg later had the chance to leapfrog the fifth-placed Wolves but drew 1-1 at lowly Hoffeheim. Tom Bischof boosted the hosts after Matthias Ginter had…
Berlin, Germany – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on the conflicting parties in Syria to protect religious and ethnic minorities following the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. “The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals – no matter in what guise,” the Green politician said on Sunday. This…
Berlin, Germany – Most Germans view the conservative leader Friedrich Merz as the front-runner ahead of the country’s federal elections expected next year, a survey conducted by YouGov for dpa and published on Wednesday showed. Of nearly 2,200 respondents, 44% see Merz, the head of the Christian Democratic Union party ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz…
Berlin, Germany – Germany pharmaceutical company BioNTech, which shot to global prominence after its early coronavirus vaccine, has boosted its cancer drug development by agreeing to buy Chinese firm Biotheus. The Mainz-based group said in a statement on Wednesday it will pay up to $950 million, including an upfront payment of $800 million. The takeover…
Leipzig, Germany – German pop singer Melanie Müller, who rejected her conviction for giving the outlawed Hitler salute several times during a concert in 2022, will be back in court on appeal, a court spokesman confirmed to dpa on Tuesday. Müller, 36, who was also a reality TV star, was found guilty by the Leipzig…
Berlin, Germany – German auto giant Volkswagen has officially launched a joint venture with US electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian, committing to a $5.8 billion investment, $800 million more than previously planned, to accelerate its electric vehicle transition. The partnership is expected to produce its first models based on Rivian’s advanced electric car technology from 2027,…
