Berlin Film Festival director praises 'cool heads' amid political controversy
The director of Berlinale, Tricia Tuttle, has sought to draw a line under a row over whether filmmakers should take political stances which has marked the opening days of the event.
In a statement, Tuttle reacted to the controversy sparked by comments made by jury president Wim Wenders at a press conference on Thursday after he was asked about the German government's support for Israel.
"We have to stay out of politics," Wenders said, stressing that filmmakers had to "do the work of people, not the work of politicians".
The comment prompted a backlash, including the decision by award-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy to withdraw from the festival.
Artists "are free to exercise their right of free speech in whatever way they choose" and should not "be expected to speak on every political issue raised to them unless they want to," Tuttle said in her statement.
She also thanked the filmmakers, juries and others working at the festival for their "cool heads in hot times".
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Kallas calls for Russian concessions as Munich Security Conference concludes
EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas has called for stronger European involvement in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, insisting that any lasting peace must include clear concessions from Russia.
Speaking at the conclusion of the Munich Security Conference, Kallas said negotiations should place greater pressure on Moscow, adding that Europe has significant leverage through decisions on sanctions and the handling of frozen Russian assets.
During the conference, Kallas also pushed back against criticism of the European Union voiced by US politicians, describing such accusations as inappropriate and implausible.
Referring to press freedom rankings, she said it was difficult to accept criticism from countries that rank significantly lower than EU member states. While acknowledging that criticism of Europe has become politically fashionable, Kallas stressed that transatlantic ties remain fundamental.
READ ALSO: 200,000 join Iran demonstration in Munich
She said remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined that Europe and the United States are closely intertwined and will remain so in the future.
Over three days, politicians, military leaders and experts discussed responses to global crises, with a particular focus on Ukraine and transatlantic relations.
Closing the conference, chairman Wolfgang Ischinger said the transatlantic alliance could do more to raise the costs of war for Russia and increase pressure for a negotiated settlement.
China says it wants 'new level' in ties with Germany
China's top diplomat Wang Yi told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Beijing hoped to bring bilateral ties to a "new level," as they met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Wang has been trying to present Beijing as a reliable and stable partner of the European Union, as the bloc seeks to reduce its dependence on both China and an unpredictable United States.
He told Merz that China hoped to work with Germany to bring the "all-round strategic partnership to a new level," according to a readout from Beijing's foreign ministry. Beijing also wants to "prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges," he added.
READ ALSO: 'China shock' - Germany struggles as key market turns business rival
Deep economic ties between the two countries have frayed in recent years over issues ranging from claims of unfair trade practices to protectionism.
Merz is reportedly preparing to make his inaugural visit to China this month, with a pressing issue being how to navigate evolving commercial ties.
Wang on Saturday expressed support for Germany in its efforts to retain "strategic autonomy and self-reliance" and be a "driving force" for cooperation between China and Europe.
Winter Olympics: Germany loses to US in ice hockey, UK wins first medals
Germany and the US met in the preliminary rounds of the Winter Olympics ice hockey competition on Sunday, with the US emerging 5 – 1 winners.
Despite the defeat, Germany remains in the event and will likely play their next match on Tuesday.
The country continues to perform solidly overall, sitting tied in 7th place on Monday morning with 15 medals.
The top three positions in the medals table are occupied by Norway (1st, 26 medals), Italy (2nd, 22), and the USA (3rd, 17).
READ ALSO: How to watch the Winter Olympics in Germany
The weekend also saw the UK win their first medals of the competition, snagging gold in the luge (two medals) and snowboarding events (one).
Winter sports fans can look forward to a packed schedule over the next few days before the games come to a conclusion next Sunday.
AfD to hold party conference on 100th anniversary of Nazi Party Congress
Sharp criticism has been voiced over the Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) decision to hold its federal party conference in Erfurt on July 4th and 5th. The date coincides with the 100th anniversary of the NSDAP Reich Party Congress, which took place in Weimar in July 1926.
Serap Güler, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, accused the AfD of deliberately choosing a historically charged date.
Speaking to the Kölner Stadt‑Anzeiger, the CDU politician said the timing revealed the party’s true ideological mindset and showed a lack of respect for Germany’s history.
READ ALSO: Anti-immigration AfD party wants to bring ICE to Germany
Former SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich also described the date as a calculated provocation.
Historians echoed the assessment. Jörg Ganzenmüller of the Hannah Arendt Institute for Totalitarianism Research said the choice was a deliberate symbolic act, designed both to appeal to the far‑right scene and to maintain plausible deniability among broader voters.
The AfD rejected the criticism. Thuringian state party leader Stefan Möller dismissed the accusations as forced historical comparisons and denied any intentional symbolism.
The NSDAP party congress in Weimar in 1926 marked the Nazi party’s reorganisation and the founding of the Hitler Youth.
With reporting by AFP and DPA.
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