#Germany

#Germany

The joint Dutch-German venture, which received the green light from regional authorities last month, seeks to extract 13bn cubic metres of gas from just outside a protected area at the marine border between the two countries. Campaigners have criticised the project because it will mean drill for gas more than four years after the International Energy Agency warned that new oil and gas development was incompatible with its roadmap to stop the planet heating by 1.5C (2.7F).

Germany now boasts a record 256 billionaires, the highest number since records began according to Manager Magazin. The total wealth of the 100 richest Germans has nearly tripled since 2001, reaching €758 billion, while the combined asset value of the 500 richest stands at €1.16 trillion. More than half of those on the list now possess fortunes exceeding €1 billion.

Northern Ireland beat Slovakia 2-0 in Belfast with both sides now having six points in Group A, along with Germany. Patrik Hrošovský's own goal gave the hosts an 18th minute lead and Sunderland defender Trai Hume netted a stunning second with nine minute to go to make the points safe. Germany beat Luxembourg 4-0 in Sinsheim, Joshua Kimmich scoring twice to add to goals from David Raum and Serge Gnabry. Germany visit Northern Ireland on Monday in another crunch encounter.

It all happens so suddenly every year: one day you're out in the beer garden enjoying the seemingly endless, balmy nights, and the next you're huddling at a bus stop in drizzly weather, noticing that it's already dark at 4pm. The transition from the summer months to the autumn/winter long haul is one that takes getting used to in Germany, and you may find yourself developing some coping mechanisms to deal with the sudden shift.

Prosecutors in Berlin said they have arrested three suspected Hamas operatives. The suspects were preparing attacks on Israeli and Jewish institutions in Germany, authorities said. Hamas has been designated a a terrorist organization by Germany, the EU, the US and several governments. The three men, two Germans and one Lebanese national, were identified by authorities as Abed Al G., Wael F. M. and Ahmad I.

Large crowds waved Palestinian flags and banners reading "Free Palestine" and "Food and water are human rights" as they marched from Berlin's town hall. "Today we can send a signal that the majority, who are against Israel's policies and against this genocide, are visible on the streets and can take action," Dustin Hirschfeld, who took part in the "Together for Gaza" demonstration, told AFP. The protesters finished their march at Berlin's Victory Column monument, the site of a rally and concert by rappers and hip hop artists.

"Russia and China have in recent years rapidly expanded their capabilities for conducting warfare in space," said Pistorius.