Angela Merkel defends influx of refugees

Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged yesterday to do “everything humanly possible” to keep Germany safe following a string of attacks — including two carried out by asylum-seekers and claimed by Islamic State (IS) she said mocked the country that took in the assailants.

The attacks brought Ms Merkel fresh criticism for her decision last year to welcome refugees.

More than 1m asylum-seekers were registered in Germany in 2015, although the influx has since slowed dramatically.