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☆ Biden’s major missile reversal complicates potential western diplomatic thaw with Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Kayla Tausche | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But it also complicated the diplomatic dance leaders attending the G20 summit must partake in as they navigate the complex geopolitical dynamics of the bloc. Lavrov attended the G20 in place of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faced questions about whether he could be arrested for war crimes on international soil. In his remarks at the close of the summit, Lavrov also hailed the German government’s refusal to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine as a “responsible stance,” TASS reported. There had been hope among western officials of a strong statement denouncing Russia’s invasion at the conclusion of the summit. American officials were unsurprised to learn Moscow had updated its nuclear doctrine following Biden’s decision on long-range missiles.

Persons: Russia “, Sergey Lavrov, Lavrov, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin, –, Biden, Donald Trump, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, It’s, Trump, Mike Waltz, “, ”, We’ve, I’m, Jon Organizations: Rio de Janeiro CNN, West, White House, ” TASS, Ukraine, NATO, Fox News, Trump Locations: Rio de Janeiro, United States, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Rio ., Moscow, Rio, Florida, New Delhi

☆ Biden fades from view as he exits the world stage
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty ImagesThe moment was a fluke, the type of logistical error that’s almost inevitable at gatherings of almost two dozen world leaders. Yet it was difficult to ignore the impression it left: that Biden is disappearing from view as the world turns its attention to his successor. What members of Biden’s team have been willing to acknowledge is how little they actually know about what Trump and his team may be planning. In Lima and Rio de Janiero, Biden fielded no questions from the press and his aides spoke only off-camera. Reporters had opportunities to ask Biden questions at the G20 summit in Rome in 2021, in Bali in 2022, and in Vietnam in 2023, following the summit’s conclusion in India the prior day.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, I’m, ”, ” Biden, he’s, Xi, India’s Narendra Modi, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Justin Trudeau, Mauro Pimentel, Erdogan, Trump’s, “, ” Trump, Javier Milei —, —, elect’s, ” Biden’s, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Jake Sullivan, “ They’ll, White, Janiero, Sullivan, India’s Modi, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Barack Obama, Obama, we’re, ” Obama Organizations: Rio de Janeiro CNN, Trump, Biden, Canadian, Photographers, Getty, “ YMCA, Pentagon, White, Seven, NATO, Lima Convention Center, APEC Locations: Rio de Janeiro, South America, Peru, Brazil, AFP, Lago, Florida, America, Lima, Rio, Finland, Rome, Bali, Vietnam, India, France, Paris, Berlin, United States

☆ Trump's victory has already prompted a realignment on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementDonald Trump's election victory is impacting Ukraine even before he takes office again in January. Trump has criticized US aid to Ukraine and has suggested he'd strike a deal with Russia. President-elect Donald Trump's election win has prompted a flurry of reactions around the world that are already reshaping the war in Ukraine. Trump, a frequent critic of US aid to Ukraine, won't take over the White House until January 20, 2025. Related Video Zelenskyy says Ukraine will lose the war without help from the USPresident Joe Biden, a strong supporter of Ukraine, has sought to rush additional aid to Ukraine before Trump takes office.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Trump, Biden, Zelenskyy, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Tayyip Erdoğan, Volodymr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Olaf Scholz, Putin, Scholz, JOHN MACDOUGALL, Suspilne, Trump's, doesn't, Donald Trump, Mikhail Svetlov Organizations: Trump, White House, US Army Tactical Missile, South Korean Defense Ministry, Getty, Bloomberg, NATO, Reuters, Politico, Associated Press, Putin, Wall Street Journal Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Brazil, Europe, Ukrainian

The hour-long conversation marked the return of diplomacy to the decade-long conflict, even if their talk brought the familiar refrain it was not yet time to talk. One Western official said there was an “overall collective holding of breath” in Western capitals ahead of Trump’s inauguration. “The Germans speaking to Putin – that will have gone down badly” among Ukraine’s allies, the official said. “Giving Putin that positive bounce will have irked the French and others.” French President Emmanuel Macron has been particularly vocal about continuing support for Ukraine. Kremlin critics also warn of its history of using diplomacy as a pause or foil to pursuing its military goals.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, acceding, Zelensky, ”, Putin, Donald Trump, Trump, Scholz, “, Putin –, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Tusk, Biden, “ Scholz, Alena Epifanova, Epifanova, Scholz’s, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ebrahim Noroozi, Mike Waltz, “ ‘, ‘, ’ ” Trump, Kurt Volker, Trump’s, it’s, Oleksandr Gimanov, Volker, he’s, ’ ” Volker, Trump “, ” Volker, Sen, Marco Rubio, Kim Jong Un, elect’s, Putin won’t, “ He’s Organizations: CNN, White, Sunday, Trump, German, Foreign Relations, Schloss, Reuters, Ukraine, Economist, Getty, Biden Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Europe, Polish, Moscow, Schloss Bellevue, Berlin, Ukrainian, European, Trump’s Ukraine, Odesa, AFP, “, Afghanistan, China, United States, Beijing, US, Kyiv

☆ Russia targets Ukraine’s power grid in ‘massive’ missile strike, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

KYIV — Blasts rang out across Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and other cities early on Sunday, as Russia staged its biggest missile attack since August and targeted power facilities with the winter setting in, officials said. “Another massive attack on the power system is under way. The enemy is attacking electricity generation and transmission facilities throughout Ukraine,” Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote on Facebook. Officials often withhold information on the state of the power system because of the war. In Kyiv, the roof of a residential building caught fire due to falling debris and at least two people were hurt, city officials said on the Telegram messaging app.

Persons: German Galushchenko, extinguishes, ”, Andrii Sybiha, Vladimir Putin, Olaf Scholz, Poland “, Vitali Klitschko Organizations: Ukrainian Energy, German, Facebook, Ukrainian Emergency, AFP, HANDOUT, Getty, Authorities, NATO Locations: Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine, Mykolaiv, Handout, AFP, Dnipropetrovsk, Volyn, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kryvyi, Rivne, Poland

☆ Russia hits power grid with one of its largest-ever attacks on Ukraine, foreign minister says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Maria Kostenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Russia has launched one of the largest aerial attacks on Ukraine, Ukraine’s foreign minister said, hitting energy infrastructure across the country, killing at least two people, and causing widespread damage. Strikes were reported in several major cities, from Odesa in the south, Dnipro in the east to RIvne in the west. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched overnight in the Russian attack. Unfortunately, some facilities sustained damage from direct hits and falling debris,” Zelensky said Sunday morning. The Ukrainian leader added that some areas remain without power, which authorities are working to restore.

Persons: –, Andrii Sibyha, Sibyha, Vladimir Putin’s, Olaf Scholz, Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky Organizations: CNN, Authorities, Kyiv, Ukraine’s Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Odesa, Dnipro, RIvne, Kyiv –, Ukaine

☆ Russia targets Ukraine's power grid in 'massive' missile strike, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Blasts rang out across Ukraine's capital Kyiv and other cities early on Sunday, as Russia staged its biggest missile attack since August and targeted power facilities with the winter setting in, officials said. "Another massive attack on the power system is under way. Officials often withhold information on the state of the power system because of the war. "Russia launched one of the largest air attacks: drones and missiles against peaceful cities, sleeping civilians, critical infrastructure," said Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. In Kyiv, the roof of a residential building caught fire due to falling debris and at least two people were hurt, city officials said on the Telegram messaging app.

Persons: German Galushchenko, Andrii Sybiha, Vladimir Putin, Olaf Scholz, Vitali Klitschko Organizations: Ukrainian Energy, German, Facebook, Authorities, NATO Locations: Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk, Volyn, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kryvyi, Rivne, Poland

☆ Russia pumping gas via Ukraine but volumes to Austria cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Last week, Gazprom accused Ukraine of withholding gas supplies destined for Moldova and threatened to reduce those flows, although Ukraine denied the accusation. Russian gas giant Gazprom continued to pump steady volumes of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Saturday, but supplies to Austrian energy company OMV were halted hours after Vienna said Russia had given notice it would cut off flows. Gazprom said it would send 42.4 million cubic metres of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Saturday, the same volume as on Friday. Flows into Slovakia from Ukraine were stable but nominations for flows to Austria from Slovakia were around 16% below averages seen this month, data from transmission system operator Eustream showed. OMV usually accounts for around 40% of Russian gas flows via Ukraine, or some 17 mcm per day.

Persons: Moscow, OMV, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vladimir Putin, Donald Organizations: Gazprom Locations: Ukraine, Moldova, Europe, Austrian, Vienna, Russia, Germany, Soviet, Kyiv, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria

☆ Germany's Scholz discusses Ukraine with Russia's Putin in first such call in 2 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin leader’s first publicly announced conversation with the sitting head of a major Western power in nearly two years. Scholz urged Putin to be open to negotiations with Ukraine, his office said. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz urged Putin in the hour-long call to withdraw his troops and end the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022. The new communication between Scholz and Putin — their first since December 2022 — comes at a time of widespread speculation about what the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump will mean for Ukraine. The U.S., South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Vladimir Putin, Scholz, Putin, Steffen Hebestreit, Alexei Navalny’s, Yulia, “, ” Hebestreit, —, Donald Trump, Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ” Zelenskyy, ” Scholz, ” Putin, Dmitry Peskov Organizations: Kremlin leader’s, Kyiv, NATO, Ukraine, Kremlin, Russian Federation Locations: BERLIN, Ukraine, Russian, Berlin, Russia, Washington, Moscow, U.S, South Korea, North Korea, Germany, ”, East

☆ Germany’s Scholz calls Putin, ending Western isolation over Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The conversation on Friday was the first time Scholz had spoken with Putin in two years. It comes as the German leader gears up for a snap election and Europe waits to hear US President-elect Donald Trump’s plan for ending the war in Ukraine. “He stressed Germany’s unbroken determination to back Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary,” the spokesperson added. Ukraine said however that phone conversations with Putin brought no added value on the path to achieving a “just peace” in Ukraine. But of course, (it is a) question about how Russia spins it.”Scholz to brief alliesThe Kremlin said Putin had told Scholz Russia was willing to look at energy deals if Germany was interested.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ” Zelensky, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s, Scholz, Donald Trump’s, Zelensky, “, ”, Trump, ” Scholz, Scholz Russia Organizations: Berlin Reuters, Kremlin, Reuters, Scholz’s Social, Ukraine, Kyiv, European Union, NATO, Ukrainian Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Berlin, Germany, Baltic, North Korea, Russia’s, Kursk, United States

☆ Germany's Scholz urges Putin in phone call to open talks with Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD, r) and Russian President Vladimir Putin look up after several hours of one-on-one talks at a joint press conference. Scholz met the Russian president for talks on the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin in a rare phone call on Friday to begin talks with Ukraine that would open the way for a "just and lasting peace." In a one-hour phone conversation, their first in almost two years, Scholz also demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and reaffirmed Germany's continued support for Ukraine, a German government spokesman said. "He stressed Germany's unbroken determination to back Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression for as long as necessary," the spokesperson added.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Vladimir Putin, Scholz, Germany's, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Putin, Donald Trump's, Trump Organizations: Ukraine, U.S, Social Democrats Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, United States

☆ Germany sets early election date for February after collapse of the ruling coalition
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Germany is set to hold a federal election in February, earlier than Chancellor Olaf Scholz had originally proposed after his ruling coalition collapsed last week. The election is set to be held on February 23, according to sources within the parliamentary group of Scholz' social democratic party (SPD). It is a necessary step ahead of early elections in Germany as the chancellor must first call for the vote in parliament. Lindner was replaced by Jörg Kukies who was appointed as the new finance minister on November 7. Scholz' SPD and the Green party will form a minority government in Germany until the election in February.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Joerg Kukies, Scholz, Christian Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Lindner, Jörg Kukies Organizations: Bundestag, Authorities, Green Locations: Berlin, Germany

☆ How Trump could exploit a looming global struggle for rare-earth minerals
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The power grab over rare-earth minerals in Central Asia could be among the issues he will seek to exploit. AdvertisementA power struggle over rare-earth mineralsAt stake for the US in Central Asia is not just political power but access to the region's reserves of rare-earth minerals such as uranium, lithium, and tantalum. Rare-earth minerals are needed to make all sorts of products, from F-35 stealth fighters and smartphones to internet fiber-optic cables and MRI machines. It produces around 60% of the world's rare-earth minerals and processes nearly 90%, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "There are rare-earth minerals worth exploring/exploiting, and if the US/EU could strike a major deal with [Kazakhstan's capital] Astana, this would certainly contribute to breaking China's monopoly," said Wolff.

Persons: Donald Trump, —, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Xi, Putin, he'd, Wilder Alejandro Sánchez, ALEXANDER RYUMIN, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, John Herbst, Stefan Wolff, Wolff, Herbst, Trump Organizations: Service, Putin, The Republican, Biden, Getty Images, Center for Strategic, International Studies, University of Birmingham, BI, Trump, EU, Astana, Central Asia Summit, Getty Images Central, Central, China Locations: Russia, China, Central Asia, Mongolia, Saudi, Getty Images China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Xian, Shaanxi, FLORENCE, Ukraine, Soviet Union, Washington, Moscow, Beijing

☆ Germany set for snap election in February, according to German public broadcaster
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Sebastian Shukla | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Germany is set to hold a snap election on February 23 after an agreement was reached among parties in the country’s fractured parliament on Tuesday, according to reports from public broadcaster ARD. The confidence vote will be held on December 16 following an agreement from all parliamentary parties, according to ARD. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier needs to rubber-stamp the date of the election, but reports suggest this is a formality. Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, said last week, “there is absolutely no reason to wait until January” to call the confidence vote. His government has grown increasingly unpopular in Germany, with Scholz also one of the least popular chancellors ever, according to a September opinion poll.

Persons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Frank, Walter Steinmeier, Steinmeier, Christian Lindner, Friedrich Merz, ” Organizations: CNN, ARD, Green Party, Christian Democratic Union of Germany, CDU, German, Greens Locations: Germany, Berlin

☆ Dollar braces for U.S. inflation data and several Fed speakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar started in a cautious mood on Monday as markets braced for U.S. inflation data and a throng of Federal Reserve speakers this week, while the yuan nursed a hangover from Beijing's latest underwhelming stimulus package. The dollar started in a cautious mood on Monday as markets braced for U.S. inflation data and a throng of Federal Reserve speakers this week, while the yuan nursed a hangover from Beijing's latest underwhelming stimulus package. Reports on retail sales and industrial output due Friday should show whether Beijing's various attempts at stimulus are having any real effect on demand. The dollar stood at 7.1970 yuan , having jumped 0.7% on Friday, and looks set to again test the 7.2000 barrier. The dollar index was a fraction firmer at 105.00, after gaining 0.6% last week mainly against the euro.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Donald Trump's, Michael Feroli, Jerome Powell, cryptocurrencies Organizations: Federal Reserve, New, U.S, Fed Locations: China, New Zealand

☆ COP29: As Trump’s win tests the world order, diplomats are fretting over what it means for the planet
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( Angela Dewan | Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A U-turn on US climate policy could be disastrous for the planet, as it raises the risk of emulation. When America does something on the world stage, at least some countries tend to follow. Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, negotiators will ramp down their expectations in terms of what’s possible at the talks, he said. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who will host the climate talks next year in Brazil, bowed out after a head injury. The world is already 1.3 degrees warmer than it was before humans started burning fossil fuels at an industrial scale.

Persons: CNN —, Donald Trump’s, Trump, ”, Oli Brown, ” Trump, they’ve, Mukhtar Babayev, Joe Biden, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Ursula Von Der Leyen, Claudia Sheinbaum, Olaf Scholz, Dick Schoof, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Frederic J . Brown, Jonathan Pershing, Biden, “, Li Shuo, Trump’s, Joeri Rogelj, ” Rogelj Organizations: CNN, Union, Israeli, Maccabi Tel, Trump, Wilmington Oil, Getty, European Union, Asia Society Policy Institute, UN, Imperial College London Locations: Baku, United States, Paris, America, London, Mexico, Amsterdam, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Brazil, Wilmington, Los Angeles , California, AFP, China, EU, there’s

☆ European markets expected to open in mixed territory after Fed, Bank of England cut interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-08 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Skyscrapers on the skyline in the financial district of Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. European markets were expected to open in mixed territory on Friday, as investors awaited corporate results and reacted to quarter-point interest rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve and Bank of England. It comes as market participants continue to take in political upheaval in Germany and Donald Trump's historic presidential election victory this week. Elsewhere, Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday, with investors closely monitoring the final day of China's National People's Congress, which is expected to announce fiscal stimulus measures. On Wall Street, U.S. stock futures gained marginally after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite notched fresh records in a post-election rally.

Persons: Germany's DAX, Donald Trump's, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Christian Linder, Scholz Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of England, France's CAC, IG, People's Congress, Nasdaq Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Asia, Pacific, U.S

☆ Dollar winds down after volatile week, China NPC in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar further unwound some of its sharp gains from earlier in the week as traders closed out profitable bets on a Trump presidency after his election victory. That helped lift sterling back toward the $1.30 mark, while the yen similarly got some respite and hovered closer to the 153 per dollar level. Sterling last traded $1.2983, recovering from its fall to a roughly three-month low earlier in the week. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar ticked up 0.03% to 104.44, on track to gain just above 0.1% for the week. "All eyes are on what may emerge from China's policy toolkit after the conclusion of the NPC standing committee meeting."

Persons: Donald Trump's, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Kerry Craig, Trump, Wells, Jay Bryson, Sterling, David Chao Organizations: White, National People's Congress, Trump, Federal Reserve, Morgan Asset Management, Traders, Bank of England, NPC, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, European Union Locations: U.S, Beijing, Germany, Wells Fargo, Japan, Invesco

The three remaining ministers of the Free Democrats resigned in response, leading to the downfall of the government coalition. Scholz is expected to lead the country with a minority government, but the opposition is calling for an immediate no-confidence vote. Tobias Schwarz / AFP - Getty Images fileScholz’s left-leaning Social Democrats will now effectively lead a minority government with the remaining coalition partner, the environmentalist Greens. Lindner’s pro-business Free Democrats had rejected tax increases or changes to Germany’s strict self-imposed limits on running up debt. Scholz’s Social Democrats and the Greens wanted to see major state investment and rejected the Free Democrats’ proposals to cut welfare programs.

Persons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Scholz, Volker Wissing, Lindner, Frank, Walter Steinmeier, ” Scholz, Olaf Scholz, Tobias Schwarz, Friedrich Merz, Merz, “, ”, ” Merz, Achim Wambach, Donald Trump Organizations: Free Democrats, German Finance, AFP, Getty, Social Democrats, Greens, Christian Democrats, German Bundestag, Scholz’s Social Democrats, Leibniz Center for European Economic Research Locations: Berlin, German, Germany, “, Europe

☆ Europe's markets head for mixed open as Trump win settles in; Fed, BoE decisions in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-07 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European markets are heading for a mixed open as global investors digest Donald Trump's presidential election win and political upheaval in Germany. They also await monetary policy decisions from the U.S. Federal Reserve and Bank of England. Global markets continue to react to Donald Trump's decisive election win, with U.S. stocks rallying Wednesday as Wall Street rejoiced the speedy conclusion of the presidential election. Central banks will be closely watched Thursday, with the Fed and BoE both expected to announce rate cuts. Scholz announced he would bring a vote of confidence to the German parliament on Jan. 15.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Germany's DAX, BoE, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Lindner's, Scholz Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of England, France's CAC, IG, Global, Fed Locations: Germany, Asia, Pacific, U.S

☆ Germany appoints new finance minister as pressure for quick snap elections mounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-07 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Olaf Scholz, Germany's chancellor, right, speaks with aide Joerg Kukies at the COP27 climate conference at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Jörg Kukies was appointed as Germany's new finance minister on Thursday, as pressure mounts on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to call for a confidence vote and trigger snap elections after the dissolution of his ruling three-way coalition. Kukies replaces Christian Lindner, whom Scholz sacked on late Wednesday, citing the need to protect Germany from economic damage. Germany's Minister for Digital and Transport Volker Wissing — who was also a party member — said in a statement to the press that he would stay on in his role, but leave the FDP. On Thursday, Steinmeier announced that, in addition to his previous role, Wissing will also take over as justice minister.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Germany's, Joerg Kukies, Jörg Kukies, Kukies, Christian Lindner, Scholz, Lindner, Lindner's, Frank, Walter Steinmeier, Transport Volker Wissing —, —, Steinmeier, Wissing Organizations: Sharm El Sheikh International Convention, Green, Germany's, Digital, Transport Locations: Sharm, Sharm El, Sheikh, Egypt, Germany

CNN —Germany’s governing coalition has collapsed after disagreements over the country’s weak economy led Chancellor Olaf Scholz to sack his finance minister. The coalition has been at loggerheads over how to revive Germany’s economy. What problems is Germany’s economy facing? Germany’s economy, Europe’s largest, shrank last year for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Party leader Alice Weidel has already hailed the coalition’s collapse as a “liberation” for Germany.

Persons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner’s, Scholz, Donald Trump, Europe’s, Angela Merkel, Gerhard Schröder, Merkel, Christian Lindner, Christoph Soeder, Friedrich Merz, Lindner, Liesa Johannssen, “ Lindner, ” Lindner, ”, Carsten Brzeski, “, Robert Habeck, Annegret Hilse, Merz, Alice Weidel, ” Weidel Organizations: CNN, Free Democrats Party, Scholz’s Social Democratic Party, SPD, Green Party, CDU, Trump, Social Democratic Party, Greens, ING, Volkswagen, CDU –, Christian Democratic Union, Party Locations: Germany, Germany’s, Nazi, Thuringia, France, Italy, Ukraine, China, ”

☆ German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fires Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leaving ruling coalition in disarray
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday he had dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, possibly bringing an end to Germany's ruling coalition after months of political wrangling. The three-year-old union between Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and Lindner's Free Democratic Party (FDP) has been on shaky ground for some time, with differing budget and economic policy positions causing tensions and clashes. It wasn't immediately clear if Lindner's departure would lead to the FDP exiting the coalition. Scholz said he would call for a vote of no confidence on Jan. 15 in parliament, raising the possibility of elections earlier than scheduled in March. But that is precisely not Christian Lindner's focus right now, he is focused on his own clientele."

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Scholz, Lindner Organizations: Scholz's Social Democratic Party, SPD, Greens, Lindner's Free Democratic Party, Green

CNN —German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister on Wednesday, leaving the government teetering on the brink of collapse. “The economy cannot wait until after the elections,” Scholz said. Trading barbsThe German chancellor and Lindner criticized each other in separate press conferences on Wednesday. Scholz told reporters “Lindner showed no willingness to implement any of our proposals” and, therefore, “there is no trust basis for any future cooperation” with the outgoing finance minister. The Chancellor also accused the finance minister of being “not about serving the common good but about serving his own clientele and party.” According to Scholz, Lindner will also be dismissed by the country’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Christian Lindner, “, – Scholz, Lindner, Robert Habeck, Trump, Habeck, Friedrich Merz ’, ” Scholz, Germany’s, Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Angela Merkel, “ Lindner, Frank, Walter Steinmeier, Alice Weidel Organizations: CNN, Social Democratic Party, Free Democratic Party, Green Party, Lindner’s Free Democratic Party, Greens, Christian Democratic Union, CDU Locations: Germany, Nazi

☆ UniCredit and Commerzbank square off with target hikes amid takeover battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of German bank Commerzbank seen on a branch office near the Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt. Daniel Roland | Afp | Getty ImagesTwo months since UniCredit played its opening move to woo German lender Commerzbank , the lenders flaunted their financial strength as one of Europe's largest banking mergers still hangs in balance. Both banks reported third-quarter results on Wednesday, with UniCredit posting an 8% year-on-year hike in net profit to 2.5 billion euros ($2.25 billion), compared with a Reuters-reported 2.27-billion euro forecast. It raised its full-year net profit guidance to above 9 billion euros, from a previous outlook of 8.5 billion euros. When the Italian lender showed its hand by using derivatives to build a potential 21% stake in Commerzbank, the German lender appointed a new CEO and sharpened its financial targets.

Persons: Daniel Roland, UniCredit, Commerzbank, CNBC's Annette Weisbach, Bettina Orlopp, Orlopp, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, waylay, Let's, hadn't, Andrea Orcel, CNBC's Charlotte Reed Organizations: Afp, Getty, Reuters, CNBC, Wednesday, German Ministry of Finance Locations: Frankfurt, Europe, Commerzbank, Berlin

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