World War II-Era Bomb Ruins Christmas For 54,000 Germans

More than 54,000 Germans in the city of Augsburg must evacuate their homes Christmas morning while German authorities defuse a massive 1.8-ton bomb from World War II. Police will cut off the streets surrounding the un-exploded bomb at 8 a.m. Sunday morning, and everyone in the area must leave by 10 a.m. The discovery of left over bombs from World War II in Germany is not uncommon, but the Christmas morning evacuation is the largest since 45,000 people were evacuated from the city of Koblenz in 2011.

Deutsche Bank tells staff no bailout needed for US settlement: source

Deutsche Bank sought to reassure staff about its financial strength on Friday, in the wake of a US$7.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over its sale and pooling of toxic mortgage securities. The logo of Germany's largest business bank, Deutsche Bank is seen in front of one of the bank's office buildings in Frankfurt, Germany, October 27, 2016.

Report: Four People Arrested in Connection With Berlin Attack Suspect

German police arrested four people who had been in contact with A Tunisian suspect in the Berlin Christmas market attack that killed 12 people, media reports said on Thursday, as a nationwide manhunt for the migrant was underway. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack in which a truck plowed through crowds gathered around wooden huts selling gifts, mulled wine and sausages on Monday evening.

JOY is slammed as sexist after encouraging women to dress like ‘marriage material’

Pop icon to the rescue! Richard Marx helps take down deranged passenger in epic four-hour battle involving tasers and a rope in the skies over China after crazed man started attacking hostesses Slain Russian ambassador's wife sobs on his coffin as he is flown home to Moscow amid elaborate ceremony after being gunned down in front of her eyes in Istanbul The ONE thing every successful person does in the morning to ensure they have the most productive day China claims to have a working version of NASA's impossible engine orbiting the Earth - and will use it in satellites 'imminently' Dinner to die for: Photographer recreates the last meal chosen by every death row prisoner who was executed in 2016 Teenage girl 'was drugged and raped by a frat boy as his friend filmed the horrific attack' inside a frat house in Charleston Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains can expect a White ... (more)

Biden calls on Trudeau to defend international ‘rules of the road’

U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to be a defender of the international "rules of the road" to help shepherd the world through a period of deep uncertainty. Biden delivered that message in a stirring speech at a state dinner in his honour in Ottawa on Thursday night, in which he singled out the fight against climate change as the most important issue of this generation.

Merkel’s Deputy Says Brexit Taking Far Too Long in Nudge to May

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said Brexit is taking "far too long" and maintaining the U.K.'s ties to the European Union won't be easy. Gabriel signaled concern that extended uncertainty implied by U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's timeline for starting Britain's exit from the EU by the end of March might cause economic damage, though "we're not experiencing a strong impact" for now.

Donald Trump is Time’s ‘Person of the Year’

Donald Trump is Time's 'Person of the Year' President-elect complained about being passed over last year Check out this story on pal-item.com: http://usat.ly/2gT3eW8 The magazine named the president-elect the year's most significant person a year after passing him over for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, drawing complains from the then-candidate. Accepting what he called the "great honor" for this year on NBC's Today show, Trump said he will wait a few more days to make his own announcement: His choice for secretary of State.

Merkel’s party doubles down on “values” after Trump and Brexit

Dec 6 After a U.S. presidential election and Brexit campaign that were tarnished by lies, vicious political attacks and deceptive online news stories, Germany is promising to double down on facts, values and seriousness. At a congress of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives on Tuesday, speaker after speaker talked about the importance of respect and moderation in politics, with some criticising social media platforms Facebook and Twitter for facilitating the spread of false news.

Russia, Germany accuse each other of election hacking

The recent discord between United States and Russia spurred by Kremlin-blamed cyberattacks is being emulated abroad after Germany's top intelligence official this week suggested Moscow may similarly interfere with his nation's general election next year. Bruno Kahl, the head of BND, Germany's federal intelligence service, said in an interview Tuesday that Russia may be setting its sights on the 2017 German election after being attributed with a series of cyberattacks, email leaks and online disinformation campaigns waged during the run-up to the recent White House race.

10 things you need to know before European markets open

German chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with U.S. president Barack Obama at Schloss Elmau hotel near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, southern Germany, Monday June 8, 2015 during the G-7 summit. Nicolas Sarkozy has dropped out of the race to be next French president.

Obama to meet Australia, Canada leaders before return to US

President Barack Obama planned separate talks with the leaders of Australia and Canada before wrapping up the final foreign trip of his presidency. U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a meeting with China's President Xi Jingping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016.

Speculation grows over Merkel’s re-election plans in Germany

German chancellor Angela Merkel, third left, attends a meeting with US president Barack Obama, left, French president, Francois Hollande, third right, Spain's Prime Minister , Mariano Rajoy, right, Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, second right, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, second left, at the chancellary in Berlin, Friday Nov.18, 2016. Obama is joining the leaders of key European countries to discuss an array of security and economic challenges facing the trans-Atlantic partners as the U.S. prepares for President-elect Donald Trump to take office in January.

President Obama Hopes President-Elect Trump Will – Stand Up’ to Russia

President Barack Obama has said he hopes President-elect Donald Trump doesn't take a "realpolitik approach" to dealing with Russia. "My principal approach to Russia has been constant since I came into office," Obama said during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel today, calling Russia an important country and superpower.

Obama urges European leaders to work with US President-elect Trump

Outgoing US President Barack Obama and European leaders including Theresa May have stressed the continued importance of Nato amid concerns about Donald Trump's commitment to the alliance. The Prime Minister was in Berlin for talks with Mr Obama hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, which also covered the fight against Islamic State and Russia's actions in the Ukraine and Syria.

Editorial: Obama’s last trip

President Barack Obama has embarked on what presumably will be his last foreign trip, to Greece, Germany and Peru. The Peru part is partly because he wants to visit Machu Picchu as a tourist, but it will also give him a chance to review the bidding in America's relations with Latin American countries post-Cuba opening and with Venezuela disintegrating.

Obama gathers key Europe leaders amid questions about Trump

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, speaks during a press conference after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, in the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. Germany is the last European stop of Obama's final tour abroad as U.S. president.