Between the specter of Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic and a new leadership team facing a budget battle, the European Union looked set to remember 2020 as an “annus horribilis.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, the presidential Elysee Palace announced on Thursday.

The rate of new infections with COVID-19 in Germany continued below peak times as the number of confirmed cases increased by 2,352 within one day to 148,046, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Thursday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has gone into quarantine after being informed that a doctor who administered a vaccine to her has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Public health crises pose a common challenge for humanity, and solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapon to tackle them, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a recent message of sympathy to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The new virus is entering new territories, from megacities to seaside villages, and casting a fast-growing shadow over the world economy. Here's a look at some of the latest developments:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's designated successor unexpectedly threw in the towel Monday, plunging her conservative party into deeper crisis as it struggles to agree on its future political direction after losing votes to the far right.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met food industry representatives on Monday to address concerns about the effect of rock-bottom supermarket prices on farmers and others.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday said her country appreciates Turkey's efforts in hosting millions of Syrian refugees on its soil.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed "deep shame" on Friday during her first visit as chancellor to the former Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.