Newsline | 17.02.2012, 17:15 UTC

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Newsline 17.02.2012 | 17:15 UTC News Politics Merkel makes overture to opposition as president-of-choice quits Angela Merkel has said that Germany's ruling coalition will approach the main opposition to find a president they can all agree on. The outgoing president's resignation was a blow to the chancellor. President Wulff's unraveling Chronology of Wulff's resignation Germany's president resigns over benefits scandal World Politics Europe concerned over Scottish independence referendum Scotland is set to vote on whether to remain part of the United Kingdom in 2014. However, some European experts say the pro-independence movement is ignoring the implications a split could have on EU ties. Catalonia's quest for greater autonomy Communities split by Scottish independence row Diplomacy Interview: Xi Jinping's upcoming Ireland visit surprises many Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Ireland on Saturday after he finishes his high-profile US tour. China's leader-in-waiting continues his US tour Interview: Xi Jinping's trip to the US comes at an important time China's Xi Jinping expected to push hawkish policies Politics Commemoration to cement the transfer of power in North Korea North Korea celebrated its late leader Kim Jong Il's 70th brithday on Thursday with a pompous but medium-sized military parade, while the country's new leader, Kim Jong Un, was relaxed and jovial. North Korea marks Kim Jong Il's 70th birthday Kim Jong Il to be embalmed for eternity North Korea names Kim Jong Un its supreme military commander Southern Europe Catalonia's quest for greater autonomy Scotland's planned referendum on independence has inspired an upsurge of nationalist sentiment in the Spanish region of Catalonia. Spain's financial crisis is proving a potent engine for the Catalan demands. Communities split by Scottish independence row In Catalonia, upcoming vote gives little hope for more autonomy Security Pakistan and Iran pledge support to Afghanistan Islamabad and Tehran have assured Afghan President Hamid Karzai of their support to an "Afghan-led" peace process at a trilateral counter-terrorism summit in Islamabad. Pakistan in search of regional partners Iran announces leap forward in nuclear program NATO endgame in Afghanistan sparks clash of paranoid fears Newsletters More DW DW and you! We need your help! Just take a picture of yourself with the new DW logo, send it in and you could win one of three iPads or one of 20 Nokia Lumia 710 smart phones. Enter now for your chance to win! More DW Shift – Living in the Digital Age How is the Internet changing society around the world? Check out SHIFT – the magazine for digital culture, issues and technology. It's our weekly show with insights delivered directly from blogs and boardrooms.   Unsubscribe   Personal Data   Feedback   Imprint © Deutsche Welle 2012