Bavarian allies cranked up pressure on German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday to reverse her “open-door” refugee policy, saying the deadly attacks in Paris underlined the need for tougher measures to control the influx of migrants.

Seventeen refugees drowned when their boat sank yesterday off the Turkish coast while headed for the Greek island of Kos, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Arsene Wenger has said Theo Walcott is likely to pen a new deal at Arsenal very soon — and has backed him to score plenty of goals this season.

Russia should be invited to rejoin a summit of the G7 industrial powers next weekend, the heads of two German business lobby groups were quoted as saying yesterday.

The European Union needs its own army to face up to Russia and other threats, as well as restore the bloc’s foreign policy standing around the world, EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker told a German newspaper yesterday.

What happens now to Ukrainian forces in Crimea is one of many unanswered questions, write Aleksandar Vasovic and Mike Collett-White.

A German bishop under fire for heavy spending is in Rome for talks at the Vatican, placing his future in the hands of a Pope who has espoused a simple lifestyle.

The majority of east Germans regard their western compatriots as “arrogant” and mostly interested in money, according to a new survey that highlights distinct east-west identities.

Germany’s finance minister has said he can’t see room for further concessions to Greece, insisting that the country must implement far-reaching reforms and cut its budget deficit.

Greece’s parliament late last night approved an austerity and debt-relief bill, crucial for the country to avoid bankruptcy and remain in the eurozone.

Greek MPs have begun debating legislation introducing severe austerity measures necessary for the country to secure a €130bn bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund and stave off bankruptcy.

The fraud charges against Goldman Sachs that rocked financial markets will kick off a new era of litigation that could entangle the investment banking giant and others for years to come, experts say.

A newspaper has reported the German government may consider taking legal action in a case in which Goldman Sachs is accused of defrauding investors.

Roxy Music star Bryan Ferry has been dropped from his modelling contract with British retail chain Marks And Spencer (M&S) - after confessing his admiration for the Nazi propaganda machine.

German Finance Minister Hans Eichel may plan to equalise the corporate taxes for all types of businesses at about 30%, Welt am Sonntag said, without saying where it got the information.

Former Chancellor Helmut Kohl's wife wrote of the love for her husband in a farewell letter before her suicide.

Former Bayern Munich coach Udo Lattek has written off Manchester United's chances of winning in Germany.