Germany news: Ice warnings force closure of schools

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday, where the two will discuss ongoing support for the defense of Ukraine, security in the Arctic, and continued US threats to take possession of Greenland.

Residents and politicians in Greenland — a semi-autonomous territory in the North Atlantic belonging to the kingdom of Denmark — and Denmark have become incensed at the open manner with which US President Donald Trump has publicly contemplated taking over the frozen territory.

Germany, like almost all of the United States' NATO partners, has been shocked that Washington would seek to publicly coerce a partner into ceding control of its destiny to the Trump administration.

Before departing for the US, Wadephul spoke of US obligations to uphold the rights of freedom and self-determination among partner nations. He also addressed Germany's desire to increase its contributions to military security in the Arctic, pointing out that Berlin already provides forces engaged in maritime surveillance.

Wadephul will travel to New York after his meeting with Rubio. There he will speak with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, where the two will discuss, among other things, the recent US withdrawal from some 66 international organizations.

The US claims the international bodies — many having to do with democracy, equality and the environment — do not comply with US national interests.

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Dozens of flights have been cancelled at Germany's biggest air hub, Frankfurt airport, after snowfall and icy conditions, according to airport operator Fraport

Of the 1,052 flights scheduled for the day, 98 had been cancelled by early morning, a Fraport spokeswoman told German news agency dpa.

The airport said the day began under "strained winter operations" and warned of significant disruptions.

Passengers have been urged to check flight status before travelling to the airport and to allow extra time for their journey given the weather conditions.

The German Weather Service (DWD) issued severe weather warnings for icy conditions across parts of the state of Hesse, in which Frankfurt airport is situated.

The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued warnings of "a widespread severe black ice situation," with meteorologist Oliver Reuter saying conditions would be hazardous across large areas.

The ADAC (German Automobile Club) urged drivers to avoid unnecessary trips, warning that in cases of flash ice it is better to leave cars parked. The weather service has issued severe weather warnings for black ice in several states.

Schools have been closed in multiple regions. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the country's most populous state, schools have switched to remote learning on Monday, with only emergency care offered, the state government said.

In the states of Bremen and Lower Saxony, in-person classes have also been canceled. All districts and independent cities in Lower Saxony suspended regular lessons, citing the inability to guarantee safe transport for students, with exceptions only on the East Frisian islands.

Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder urged continued caution. "The dangerous situation is not over yet," he told the mass-circulation Bild newspaper, while adding that overall conditions had not turned out as severe as feared.

Gunda arrived after storm Elli brought heavy snow, ice, and strong winds that disrupted travel nationwide.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India for a two-day inaugural visit. He landed in Ahmedabad. the largest city in the state of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home region, shortly before 2:00 a.m. local time on Monday.

"The two leaders will take stock of the progress made in diverse aspects of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which completed 25 years last year," the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the visit.

Merz and Modi will discuss deepening cooperation in sectors including trade, investment, technology, education and defence.

The German chancellor is also due to visit the Gandhi Ashram, once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and a main center for India's struggle for freedom from British colonial rule.

On Tuesday, Merz is visiting Bengaluru (also known as Bangalore), the center of India's high-tech industry.

Follow developments from Merz's trip in our coverage here. Guten Morgen from a very cold Bonn newsroom!

Much of Germany is in the grip of a cold weather system that has forced school authorities to close their doors in many parts and impacted travel for much of the weekend.

People have been advised to avoid making unnecessary journeys with the German Weather Service warning of black ice in Germany's most populous state.

And while Germany shivers, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has begun his first state visit to India.

We'll bring you all the latest news headlines and analysis from Germany right here.