German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hold a press conference in Cadiz on August 11th. Photo: AFP The leaders of Spain and Germany agreed Saturday to push for greater EU help for countries such as Morocco, a major point of departure for migrants and refugees trying to reach Europe. "Fourteen kilometres separate the coast of Spain -- and therefore Europe -- from those of North Africa but there is an infinitely greater distance in terms of development," Spain's new Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "Reducing the depth of this abyss of inequality must be one of the main tasks of the European Union." Faced with a crackdown by Libyan authorities and Italy's hardline approach to immigration, Spain has now become the main destination for people trying to get to Europe from Africa. Sanchez said he and Merkel agreed to "intensify dialogue and cooperation with countries of origin and … [Read more...] about Spain and Germany seek EU aid for Morocco over migrants
Germany
Fewer attacks on refugees and asylum shelters in Germany
BERLIN (Reuters) - The number of violent attacks on refugees and asylum shelters in Germany has fallen sharply in the first half of this year, data from the interior ministry seen by Reuters showed on Sunday. Police registered 704 such cases from January to June, down more than a third from the 1,127 reported in the first six months of 2017, according to the figures. There were 77 attacks on asylum shelters and 627 attacks on refugees, with 120 people being injured in the first half of this year, the data showed. The criminal offences committed included dangerous bodily harm, arson, property damage and incitement. The influx of more than 1 million refugees, mainly fleeing from war zones in the Middle East, in 2015 and 2016 has led to a an increase in attacks on asylum shelters in Germany. But the number of new arrivals has gone down since last year. (Reporting by Holger Hansen; Writing by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Mark Potter) … [Read more...] about Fewer attacks on refugees and asylum shelters in Germany
Germany says Trump’s tariffs, sanctions destroy jobs and growth
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has sharply criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and sanctions policies, saying such measures were destroying jobs and growth and that Europe would not bow to U.S. pressure regarding Iran. The United States has triggered a bitter tit-for-tat trade dispute with import tariffs meant to protect American jobs against what Trump calls unfair trade practices from China, Europe and other countries. Trump's determination to push ahead with sanctions on Tehran which also target European companies doing business with Iran has opened another battle front. "This trade war is slowing down and destroying economic growth - and it creates new uncertainties," Altmaier told Bild am Sonntag newspaper, adding that consumers suffered the most because higher tariffs were driving up prices. Altmaier lauded the agreement reached by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during negotiations with Trump last month, saying the … [Read more...] about Germany says Trump’s tariffs, sanctions destroy jobs and growth
Leaders of Germany, Spain pledge united front on migration
Updated 10:15 am CDT, Saturday, August 11, 2018 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-9', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 9', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); Photo: Javier Fergo, AP Image 1of/9 CaptionClose Image 1 of 9 Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, right, speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Guzmanes Palace in Sanlucar de Barrameda, southern Spain, Saturday Aug. 11, 2018, prior to meetings at the Donana National Park. less Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, right, speaks with German Chancellor Angela … [Read more...] about Leaders of Germany, Spain pledge united front on migration
Germany’s shamed cycling champion Ullrich admitted to psychiatric hospital
The 44-year-old former cycling star was earlier Friday released on bail pending an investigation for possible attempted manslaughter. But once free, Ullrich suffered a panic attack, reported the DPA news agency. "Jan Ullrich was admitted to a psychiatric hospital on Friday night where his state of health is being assessed by specialists," a Frankfurt police spokesperson told AFP on Saturday. "Due to his mental and physical state there was no other choice" but to transport him to a psychiatric unit by ambulance, the spokesperson said. Friday's incidents arose after the 1997 Tour de France champion had called on the services of a prostitute at the five-star Villa Kennedy Hotel in Frankfurt, Bild daily reported. But he then "attacked the 31-year-old escort lady in one of the hotel rooms after a dispute," prosecutors and police said in a joint statement. He put up a struggle as officers arrived to detain him, they said, noting that "the accused was likely under the influence of … [Read more...] about Germany’s shamed cycling champion Ullrich admitted to psychiatric hospital