Car Crashes Into Gate of Angela Merkel’s Office in Berlin

Brexit Deal ‘Down to Political Will’ From UK, Says Irish PM

The prime minister of Ireland—where the impact of a Brexit deal will be felt most keenly within the European Union—says he hopes the outline of a free-trade deal between the UK and the EU will emerge by the end of the week. The fate of the deal rests on UK political will, he said. Talks started up again on Monday, albeit online, with the EU’s chief negotiator saying that “fundamental divergences remain.” In just six weeks the UK will sever ties with the trading bloc, regardless of whether a deal has been struck or not. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he had received a sense of progress from both negotiating teams. “I would be hopeful that, by the end of this week, that we could see the outlines of a…

A car crashed into the front gate of the building housing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s offices on Wednesday morning, but did not cause major damage according to police.

The car, a Volkswagen station wagon, had the words “Stop Globalization Policies” written in white on its right side and “You damn killers of children and old people” on the other.

Car Crashes Into Gate of Angela Merkel’s Office in Berlin

The collision caused only minor damage to the metal gate to the chancellery.聽Police said on Twitter that the 54-year-old driver was taken into custody. They said they were questioning him over the incident and that he was not hurt.

Merkel was scheduled to be hosting a video conference of German state premiers later in the day to discuss an extension to the lockdown measures to stem the spread of the聽CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal states are expected to decide on Wednesday to extend the so-called “lockdown light” until Dec. 20.

Under the measures,聽bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues will remain shut, though schools and shops can stay open.

According to a draft proposal issued on Tuesday, from Dec. 1, only five people will be allowed to meet, though the number will be increased to 10 over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The government’s approach on the pandemic has prompted protests in some major cities.

Last Wednesday, thousands of people protested in Berlin as the German parliament passed a new legal framework for enforcing COVID-19 restrictions.

Police unleashed water cannon to scatter the protesters, some of whom held banners with slogans such as “Stop the corona pandemic lie” and “No to forced vaccinations”.

Critics said the amendment endangers citizens’ civil rights. The conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party even compared it with the 1933 Enabling Act that paved the way to Hitler’s Nazi dictatorship.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Focus News: Car Crashes Into Gate of Angela Merkel’s Office in Berlin

Kirkup to Step up as the Youngest Leader of WA Liberals

The 33-year-old Member of Parliament Zak Kirkup will become the youngest West Australian Liberal leader in 20 years as his rival pulled out shortly before the party room meeting. Kirkup’s opponent, former cabinet minister Dean Nalder, announced his withdrawal in a statement released on Tuesday, saying it was clear that the numbers were not on his side, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. “It has become apparent that I don’t have the majority support of my parliamentary colleagues and therefore will clear a path for the new leader,” Nalder told AAP. “I have been humbled at the level of support from my electorate and the wider community.” Kirkup’s victory means the Liberal party would welcome its youngest leader since Matt Birney’s short-lived reign in the mid-2000s. “I think anyone should judge a…