Angela Merkel

The majority of Germans are against the loosening of social distancing restrictions in place to stem the spread of Covid-19, DPA reported.

The chairman of an EU finance ministers meeting on further support for economies hit by the new coronavirus said on Thursday an agreement among all of the bloc's capitals was now "very close" after previous negotiations collapsed.

The Netherlands was the single opponent of a deal proposed on Wednesday morning after sixteen hours of negotiations.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet agreed on Wednesday to accept 50 migrant children and youths from overcrowded camps on Greek islands, government sources said.

The move was a first step by Germany, officials said, as worries mount about the health situation in the Greek camps due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The head of Angela Merkel's cabinet told local media that she does not think the plans of the German Chancellor not to run for a fifth consecutive term have changed, BNR reported, citing Reuters.

Helge Braun's statement comes after an article in the Bild newspaper that Merkel might have changed her decision to step down.

"I would say three weeks, but the next two will determine our destiny. There is no doubt about that," he said.
He pointed out that 573 respirators had been delivered to Serbia since the crisis broke out, and that we have paid for another 1.000.
"You know, when America orders 30.000 respirators, then there is fight for them. Money doesn't matter, just to get one," he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge. Overcoming it in the EU, which is highly integrated, is impossible without coordinating efforts, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said in a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two discussed measures to combat COVID-19. Germany is interested in the protective clothing and equipment manufactured in Bulgaria.

He informed the public that he had developed mild symptoms in the last 24 hours and was found to be coronavirus positive on testing.
Johnson added that he is currently in self-isolation, but that he will continue to lead the government through video conferences.

European Union leaders failed to agree on Thursday on the scale of support for their economies battered by the coronavirus, but gave themselves two more weeks to work out details in a dispute between the ailing south and the fiscally conservative north.

She's not exaggerating, according to DW editor Martin Muno. And in doing so, she does not issue orders, but appeals to our reason.
"Since the unification of Germany, no, since the Second World War, there has not been such a challenge for our country, in which our joint solidarity is so important."

Chancellor Angela Merkel in a rare nationally televised address today urged all German citizens to help fight the spread of the coronavirus by sticking to rules aimed at reducing direct social contact and avoiding as many new infections as possible.