Obama thanks Merkel for open refugee policy
US President Barack Obama made a special thank you to Chancellor Angela Merkel and Germany on Tuesday at the United Nations, praising her for doing "the right thing".
Asylum applications in May up 100 percent on last year
The number of people who applied for asylum in Germany this May rose by 100 percent over the same month last year, according to government figures.
Trial begins of man who stabbed Cologne mayor
Germany on Friday put on trial a man accused of stabbing Cologne's mayor in the neck in a suspected violent protest against her welcoming stance towards refugees.
Interior minister aims to toughen asylum law
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere is seeking to toughen asylum laws by sending migrants back to the first European Union country they reached and by reducing benefits, under a draft law seen by AFP on Thursday.
Merkel: EU refugee quota plan 'only first step'
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday welcomed European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker's plan to relocate refugees from overstretched EU states, but said it was only "a first important step".
'High' asylum benefits need review: minister
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière wants to scrutinize how much asylum-seekers receive in benefits in Germany as the country continues to face a staggering influx of immigrants.