Category Archives: press

Merkel, Hollande and Poroshenko hanging in Berlin

Today Angela Merkel met with the presidents of France and the Ukraine, Francois Hollande and Petro Poroshenko, in Berlin. The theme of the day was obviously the ongoing conflict Ukriane’s east. It was a strong day for all three of the leaders: Hollande bestowed the Legion of Honor on the men who prevented a massacre on a high speed train and Merkel finally spoke out against the Nazis who are burning homes built for asylum seekers. For Poroshenko the day has historical significance: Today is the day on which Ukrainian independence (from the Soviet Union) is celebrated.

An odd welcome: A man waves the separatist flag of Novorossiya in Berlin as the motorcade carrying Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko passes by en route to Merkel’s offices.

Merkel, Hollande and Poroshenko stroll towards the press conference inside the German Federal Chancellory.

The Big Picture: Francois Hollande, Angela Merkel, Petro Poroshenko. And some colleagues’ lenses.

French President Francois Hollande thinking hard.

Chancellor Angela Merkel receives the President of the Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and President of France Francois Hollande at the German Federal Chancellery in Berlin on August 24, 2015.

It’s getting hot in here… Poroshenko is one sweaty man.

Photos: Artist Ai Weiwei in Berlin

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Ai Weiwei met the Governor of Berlin and the press today. The artist arrived several days ago, traveling via Munich from China. Weiwei recently got his passport back from Chinese authorities, allowing him to leave China for the first time in years. His visit in Berlin is not explicitly political: his son lives here, he has a large studio space here, and has been offered a professorship at the art university here. But today, he met the Governor at City Hall and briefly said hi to the press.

Artist Ai Weiwei in Berlin on August 13th, 2015.

Ai Weiwei took a picture of us press on his iphone and checked it (or posted it?) just after meeting the governor.

The image Ai Weiwei posted on Instagram. I’m the bald guy poking out over the crowd. Original here. Photo Credit: Ai Weiwei.

Artist Ai Weiwei in Berlin on August 13th, 2015.

The Governor of Berlin Michael Mueller gave Weiwei a football jersey from the local team (ok, the better of the two).

Artist Ai Weiwei in Berlin on August 13th, 2015.

Photos: Arnie the Governator Terminator Schwarzenegger in Berlin

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Photos of the premiere of Terminator: Genisys in Berlin last night, staring Daenerys and The Governator. Somewhere between “I’ll be back” and “I’m too old for this shit”, Arnold smiled his way through fans, handshakes with terminators and even the governor of Berlin.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, keeping it serious.

You can just hear Arnold saying, “This girly man shirt is too tight for my beautiful neck.” while straightening his non-existent tie.

Selfie with fellow actor Jason Clarke. Wait, is that a wooden iPhone case with the flag of California on it? Yes, yes it is.

I must shake hands wiz ze Terminator!

Arnold smiling big in Berlin.

From Governator to Governer: Berlin’s capo Micahel Müller has the honor of shaking hands with Arnie.

Arnold is leaving the building. Yes, he did an interview in something like German and then said at the end, I’ll be back.

Over and out. Next up: The Queen in Berlin this week!

Photos: UK Prime Minister David Cameron visits Angela Merkel in Berlin

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Prime Minister of the UK David Cameron had a working lunch with Angela Merkel in Berlin ahead of the upcoming G7 conference in Germany. The press conference focused of course on the EU – Cameron’s plans and the upcoming referendum. Journalists seemed mostly to care about FIFA and the World Cup, for a change. More of him in a few weeks when he’s back with The Queen.

Angela Merkel tells David Cameron whats up.

Angela Merkel and David Cameron, from the 2nd row. That’s the view you get when you are late.

Surpise! Angela Merkel.

David Cameron having a slight earpiece malfunction.

Angela Merkel and David Cameron chatting amongst the Union Jack, the German flag and yes, the EU’s stars.

Prime Minister of India Modi visits Angela Merkel in Berlin

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The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is spending a few days in Germany, first opening the Hannover Fair with Angela Merkel on Sunday and now officially in Berlin. Some photos of his reception below.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Indian Prime Minisiter Narendra Modi giving a joint press conference.

Merkel in the reflections of the Chancellery.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Indian Prime Minisiter Narendra Modi together in Berlin.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the press conference.

Modi, Merkel, and that photographer with a bird on his flash, or something.

Photos: French and German Administration Consultation

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Francois Hollande and his lame duck administration came to Berlin to meet Angela Merkel and her government for a complete French-German administration consultation. Photos below.

Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande.

Angela Merkel waits for Francois Hollande at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin.

Francois Hollande stroll through the courtyard at the German Federal Chancellery.

First Row (left to right): Michel Sapin, Wolfgang Schäuble, Emmanuel Macron, Sigmar Gabriel, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande (backs to camera), Bernard Cazeneuve, Thomas de Maiziere, Fleur Pellerin, Olaf Scholz

the gang’s all here: the complete French and German administrations pos fore a family photo. Merkel and Hollande got something a bit backwards.

The happy duo of Merkel and Hollande stroll to their press conference together.

Flags, Podiums, Politicians: Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel address the press together.

Francois Hollande at the press conference.

When press conferences go on too long, we get restless. The AFP photographer next to me was aiming for reflections in the glass, I went for his lens crossing Hollande towards Merkel.

Photos of Udo Lindenberg: Sonderzug Nach Pankow

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According to the headlines, singer Udo Lindenberg waited 32 years for tonight. In 1983 he wrote Sonderzug Nach Pankow about taking a (special) train to Pankow, then in East Berlin. Evidently it was a reaction to not being allowed to play a concert in the East. Tonight, Udo Lindenberg’s dream came true: he got to ride his special train to Pankow. And special it was. So drunk he could hardly stand, he gave an interview with cigar in hand and waded through a crowd of fans, press and police to get on his way to his concert at the Ball Sall. The photos show just how special it was.

Udo Lindenberg giving an interview, pontificating with cigar.

Of goes Udo Lindenberg with hat, sunglasses and cigar.

Udo Lindenberg wading through the crowd.

Udo Lindenberg without his trademark sunglasses…and now we know why he allows keeps them on.

Udo Lindenberg sings the song with fans in front of U-Banhof Pankow

Udo Lindenberg chatting with fans in front of U-Banhof Pankow

Photos: Greek Prime Minister Tsipras visits Merkel in Berlin

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Alexis Tsipras, the freshly minted Prime Minister of Greece, came to visit Angela Merkel in Berlin yesterday evening. The meeting ranged from palpably tense to awkwardly humorous, but no real drama to speak of. Photos below.

Angela Merkel and Alexis Tsipras start their press conference.

Alexis Tsipras, deep in thought.

Angela Merkel and Alexis Tsipras at their press conference.

Merkel is thinking, “hey, he’s stealing my hand thing!”

Alexis Tsipras.

The press conference ended without incident.

Angela Merkel strolls through the yard at the chancellery.

Angela Merkel Recieves Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic

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Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic was received with military honors by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the German Federal Chancellery in Berlin on June 11th, 2014. Afterwards the two gave a joint press conference.

Angela Merkel and Aleksandar Vucic have chat at the reception.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic during the press conference.

Angela Merkel during the press conference.

“Man, that guy is tall”.

Here’s the red carpet a few minutes before Vucic’s arrival. The guard is already there, but some work still had to be done.

Angela Merkel and Aleksandar Vucic shake hands after adressing the press in Berlin.

Irakli Garibashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia, visits Berlin

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The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, came to Berlin for a whirlwind 24 hour visit on 2 June 2014. German Chancellor Angela Merkel received him with military honors at the Federal Chancellory. They went off to talk, and then gave a press conference. A few hours later, Garibashvili met the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bode Museum on Museum Island. The evening was about giving back stolen cultural goods. To my great surprise, Georgia was giving back two books, part of a large collection recently found in the university library in Tiblisi. Silly me, I thought Germany might have some things it wanted to return.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili was received by German Chancellor Angela Merkel with military honors.

…and the close up.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Chancellor Angela Merkel at the afternoon press conference.

Merkel listens carefully and looks sceptical as Garibashvili speaks.

The flags of Germany, Georgia and the European Union fly at the Federal Chancellory. The German Bundestag and its flags are in the background.

Irakli Garibashvili gives back recently surfaced books of German origin to the German Foregin Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and German Foregin Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier sitting next to each other before the event began.