Teen can stay

A Palestinian girl who challenged Chancellor Angela Merkel about Germany’s treatment of refugees has been given permission to remain in the country. Reem Sawhil made headlines in July 2015 when she burst into tears during a town hall event with Merkel after recounting how she feared that she or her family might be deported. Merkel was criticised for appearing to show little empathy towards Sawhil, who was 14 at the time. Weeks later, the chancellor decided to open Germany’s borders to tens of thousands of refugees stuck in Hungary. Authorities in the northern city of Rostock say Sawhil is being allowed to settle in Germany, and she and her parents will eventually be able to apply for German citizenship.