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Higher consumer spending has helped to boost growth in the economy Germany's economy grew strongly in the first three months of this year, driven by investment and consumption, official figures show. First-quarter GDP growth was 0.6%, faster than the October-to December 2016 figure of 0.4%. Household and state spending were strong, while firms invested money in construction and equipment, said German statistics authority Destatis. Foreign trade also helped, as exports increased faster than imports.

Germany’s exports in goods reached a value of €118.2 billion in March while imports climbed to €92.9 billion, the highest monthly figures ever reported, the country’s federal statistical office announced Tuesday. In comparison to March last year, German exports increased by 10.8 percent and imports by 14.7 percent.

German authorities have made another arrest linked to an alleged plot to murder a senior public figure. The man, a soldier, is accused of conspiring with another army officer who had falsely registered as a Syrian refugee, and a student. The suspected right-wing extremists wanted to frame refugees for the attack, say prosecutors. Their alleged targets included former German president Joachim Gauck and Justice Minister Heiko Maas.

Break out the sequins and pop the champagne - it's Eurovision time again. It's that time of year when delegations from across Europe - and further afield - come together to find out which country will be crowned the winner of the annual song contest-cum-live TV spectacle. This year marks the 62nd edition of the international gathering that, over the years, has brought us such gems as Waterloo by Abba, Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz and Flying the Flag by Scooch. For some it's a deluge of gaudiness, kitsch and music to make your ears bleed. To many...

In Europe, Europe Day is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. There are two separate designations of Europe Day: 5 May for the Council of Europe, and 9 May for the European Union (EU).[1] The latter is the EU's flag day and has a greater visibility. The Council of Europe's day reflects its own establishment in 1949, while the European Union's day is also known as Schuman Day and celebrates the historical declaration by French foreign minister Robert Schuman in 1950.[2] Europe Day is one of a number of European symbols designed to foster unity among Europeans.

It is the very end of 2015. The Russian flag is proudly flying over the White House. Triumphant music blasts, music that is known for preceding the most important announcements by both the Soviet and modern-day Russian leaders. Then the viewer sees the Oval Office, oddly transformed. On the left-hand wall there is a famous painting, “Morning in the Pine-tree Forest” by the great Russian painter Ivan Shishkin. The opposite wall exhibits another masterpiece – this time by Ivan Aivazovsky. Gone are the portraits of American Presidents and the carpet with the proud American eagle. Vladimir Putin is sitting at...

Following a crescendo of terrifying violence, the Ukrainian uprising has had a surprisingly positive outcome. Contrary to all rational expectations, a group of citizens armed with not much more than sticks and shields made of cardboard boxes and metal garbage-can lids overwhelmed a police force firing live ammunition. There were many casualties, but the citizens prevailed. This was one of those historic moments that leave a lasting imprint on a society's collective memory. [...] I established the Renaissance Foundation in Ukraine in 1990 – before the country achieved independence. The foundation did not participate in the recent uprising, but it...

EU foreign ministers have "warned" Israel that they will take a tougher approach to exports originating in illegal settlements on Palestinian land. The ministers in a statement on Monday (14 May) detailing Israel's long-term campaign to expropriate Palestinian farmers in the fertile West Bank said: "The EU and its member states reaffirm their commitment to fully and effectively implement existing EU legislation and the bilateral arrangements applicable to settlement products." Under current EU law, settlement products are excluded from preferential import tariffs granted in the 12-year-old EU-Israel association agreement. Israel is obliged to indicate the originating postcode of each shipment,...

HYDERABAD, India (AFP) - In India, the European Union (news - web sites) has an image problem. Seen as an impregnable economic fortress and yet a shaky political sandcastle, the 25-nation bloc faces an uphill battle to be taken seriously in the world's biggest democracy. At a series of seminars with the media in the southern cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad in the past week, held at glitzy locations linked to the country's booming film industry, EU representatives have pitched for a greater understanding of what the EU does internally, on the global stage and in India itself. They have...