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  Germany's former Chancellor Angela Merkel is celebrating a special birthday away from the public eye. Tributes were paid from those within her own Christian Democratic Union party, as well as political opponents. Merkel, pictured with husband Joachim Sauer, has kept a low profile since leaving office German Chancellor Angela Merkel celebrated her 70th birthday away from the public gaze and surrounded only by those closest to her on Wednesday. Merkel became chancellor in 2005, remaining in office for 16 years, and was the first woman to hold the job. "The former Chancellor Dr. Merkel will spend her birthday in private," a spokeswoman for Merkel told the German press agency DPA. "Even during her active political time, the former chancellor generally did not answer private inquiries," the spokeswoman added. "Her attitude to inquiries of this kind has not changed since she left office." Praise from fellow politicians Several politicians congratulated con...

With COVID-19 infection rates rising, Germany's health minister has encouraged vulnerable individuals to take advantage of newly-adapted vaccinations. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach on Monday said it was important for at-risk individuals to have their coronavirus vaccinations in advance of the Christmas and New Year holidays. Lauterbach, himself a trained epidemiologist, said the takeup rate of newly adapted boosted shots designed to fight current COVID-19 variants was so far disappointing. What did the minister say about COVID shots? With three weeks to go until Christmas Day, Lauterbach said it was "the optimal time" for people identified as vulnerable to have the COVID-19 shot. This would allow the vaccine to take full effect before the large social gatherings and travel that often take place at Christmas, he said. Germany's Standing Commission on Vaccination recommends an annual booster vaccination for people with an increased risk of a serious...

Virologe Christian Drosten und Gesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach Der Satz klingt wie eine nüchterne Einschätzung eines Wissenschaftlers – doch er birgt politischen Sprengstoff. Im „Tages ge spiel“ erklärt Charité-Virologe und Regierungsberater Christian Drosten (50) die Corona-Pandemie für beendet. „Wir erleben in diesem Winter die erste endemische Welle mit SARS-CoV-2, nach meiner Einschätzung ist damit die Pandemie vorbei“, so Drosten. Drosten zählte seit Corona-Beginn zu den Mahnern. Immer wieder forderte er mehr Vorsicht, mehr Maßnahmen, mehr Einschränkungen. Dass ausgerechnet Drosten jetzt die Pandemie für beendet erklärt, mögen viele Bürger als Erleichterung empfinden. Doch einen deutschen Spitzenpolitiker bringt der Drosten-Satz mächtig in Bedrängnis: Gesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach (59, SPD). Wie kein anderer Politiker forderte Lauterbach die Einführung der allgemeinen Impfpflicht. Dafür nutzte er Argumente, die durch Drostens Aussagen nun vollständig entlarvt wurden: als...