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☆ Germany to support critical minerals-rich countries build processing capacity
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 16 (Reuters) - Germany wants to help countries that are rich in critical minerals such as Chile, Indonesia and Namibia to build their own processing infrastructure to cut dependency on China, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday. Berlin is trying to rebalance its relationship with China and reduce reliance on Asia's powerhouse for key inputs, such as nickel and other critical minerals. Scholz said he supported a free trade agreement between the European Union and Indonesia, which the two parties have been negotiating since 2016. "I am committed to ensuring that we finally get this agreement across the finish line now," he said, adding that geopolitical developments in Europe and in Asia argued for similar deals with other countries such as Mexico and Australia, Kenya and India. Reporting by Riham Alkousaa and Andreas Rinke; Editing by Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/5] A demonstrator takes part in a protest against the shut down of the last three German nuclear power plants, in Berlin, Germany, April 15, 2023. An estimated 50,000 protesters in Germany formed a 45-kilometre long (27-mile) human chain after the Fukushima disaster from Stuttgart to the Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Plant. One of the long-running movement's early successes came in the 1970s when it managed to get plans for a nuclear plant in Wyhl in western Germany overturned. It was a Greens-coalition government that introduced the country's first nuclear phase-out law in 2002. "The nuclear phase-out is a Greens project ... and all parties have practically adopted it," said Rainer Klute, head of pro-nuclear non-profit association Nuklearia.

☆ Bavaria asks for nuclear power comeback under own responsibility after fresh exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 16 (Reuters) - The German state of Bavaria wants to continue operating nuclear power plants under state own responsibility, State Premier Markus Soeder was quoted as saying, bringing a possible comeback for the power energy Germany finished phasing out on Saturday. The state, home to many of Germany's most successful exporting manufacturers, wants the federal government to change the nuclear exit law to allow operating such nuclear power stations under the state's own responsibility, Soeder said. "Bavaria is ready to take on this responsibility," he said, adding that Bavaria also wants to be a pioneer in nuclear fusion research and to construct of its own research reactor. Germany pulled the plug on its last three nuclear power stations on Saturday, including Bavaria's Isar II, ending a six-decade programme as Berlin enacts its plan for fully-renewable electricity generation by 2035. Isar II, run by German utility E.ON (EONGn.DE), is a 1,400 megawatt (MW) plant, able to power the equivalent of a metropolis.

☆ Germany examining Chinese components in its 5G network, interior minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 16 (Reuters) - Germany's Interior Ministry is examining all Chinese components that are already installed in the country's 5G network, Minister Nancy Faeser was quoted as saying on Sunday, as Berlin re-evaluates its relationship with top trade partner China. "We have to protect our communication networks," Faeser told Bild am Sonntag newspaper, adding that the examination's three priorities were identifying risks, averting dangers and avoiding dependencies. "This is especially true for our critical infrastructure," she said. Germany has been considering banning certain components from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in its telecoms networks, a government source told Reuters last month, in a potentially significant move to address security concerns. Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ German government rejects Bavaria's request for nuclear power comeback
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 16 (Reuters) - Germany's Environment Ministry on Sunday rejected a demand from the state of Bavaria to allow it to continue operating nuclear power plants, saying jurisdiction for such facilities lies with the federal government. Germany pulled the plug on its last three nuclear power stations on Saturday, ending a six-decade programme, as Berlin enacts a plan to move to fully renewable electricity generation by 2035. The state is home to Isar II, run by German utility E.ON (EONGn.DE), which is a 1,400 megawatt (MW) plant, able to power the equivalent of a metropolis. Environment Minister Steffi Lemke said the authorisation for Isar II had expired and restarting its reactor would require a new license. "It is important to accept the state of the art in science and technology and to respect the decision of the German Bundestag," Lemke said in a statement sent to Reuters.

[1/5] A general view shows the Neckarwestheim nuclear power plant, as Germany shuts down its last nuclear power plants in Neckarwestheim, Germany, April 14, 2023. Following years of prevaricating, Germany pledged to quit nuclear power definitively after Japan's 2011 Fukushima disaster sent radiation spewing into the air and terrifying the world. Germany's commercial nuclear sector began with the commissioning of the Kahl reactor in 1961: eagerly promoted by politicians but met with scepticism by companies. With the end of the atomic power era, Germany has to find a permanent repository for around 1,900 highly radioactive casks of nuclear waste by 2031. The government also acknowledges that safety issues remain given that neighbours France and Switzerland still depend heavily on nuclear power.

As a result, the stakes of the inaugural trip by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock have risen, with many EU members hoping Berlin will use this opportunity to set out a clear and united EU line on China, analysts said. Baerbock must now make Germany's position on Taiwan clear during her visit, German foreign policy parliamentarian Nils Schmid told Reuters, adding Macron's remarks had destroyed a hoped-for impetus for a common European China policy. The foreign minister is due to meet her counterpart Qin Gang and China's top diplomat Wang Yi on the two-day trip. Europe's view of China as partner, competitor and systemic rival is the compass of its policy, she added. "More von der Leyen than Macron should be her guideline," conservative foreign policy lawmaker Johann Wadephul, who will join Baerbock on her trip, told Reuters.

☆ Siemens aims to raise software businesses sales share to 20%
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 12 (Reuters) - Germany's engineering firm Siemens (SIEGn.DE) wants to raise the share of software and digital business sales in the group to around 20% in the long term, its Chief Executive Roland Busch was quoted as saying as the company seeks growth in that market. Busch said he was very confident that the company could reach its target of digital growth of more than 10% this year, despite the ongoing switch to a "Software-as-a-Service" rental model. "We have gained new customers and additional sales, especially from small and medium-sized companies, via the Siemens Xcelerator platform," Busch was quoted as saying by Handelsblatt newspaper on Wednesday. The platform which Siemens presented last year now has 70 external partners offering 91 applications and 333 products, he added. Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/5] Chess prodigy Hussain Besou, 11, of Syrian origin plays chess with Andreas Kuehler, his former coach of LSV Turm Lippstadt chess club, at his home in Lippstadt, Germany, April 4, 2023. Hussain and his family immigrated as refugees in 2016 and now he will play for the German national team at the Mitropa Cup in Croatia as the youngest national player in the history of the German Chess Federation. Now 11, Besou will play for the German national chess team at the Mitropa Cup in Croatia later this month, making him the youngest German national player in the history of the German Chess Federation. German national youth trainer Bernd Voelker says Besou is an exceptional player. Despite not yet having full German citizenship, Besou will play with the German team as the youngest player in their history.

☆ Germany to require a 26.5% cut to energy consumption by 2030 - draft law
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 3 (Reuters) - Germany's ruling coalition plans to require the private and public sectors to cut energy consumption by 26.5% by 2030 compared to 2008, a draft law seen by Reuters showed on Monday. Germans managed to save energy last winter amid fears of blackouts and a government campaign to push citizens and industry to cut energy use by 20%. Before the crisis, between 2008 and 2020, the country's energy savings stood at less than 6%. This month, the German cabinet is due to pass a new law making even greater savings obligatory for the public and private sectors, according to the draft law. The draft law also sets unbinding reduction targets of 39% by 2040 and 45% by 2045.

☆ Germany's military gaps cannot be fully bridged by 2030, defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 1 (Reuters) - Germany's military cannot completely fill its existing gaps by 2030, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius was quoted as saying, as Berlin seeks to revamp its armed forces after Russia's invasion of Ukraine following decades of neglect. "We all know that the existing gaps cannot be completely closed by 2030... Everyone is aware of that," Pistorius said in an interview with Welt am Sonntag newspaper published on Saturday. As federal defence minister, I cannot give everything away," he said. "If that is then set in motion at the end of the (legislative) period, then I would be satisfied," he added.

BERLIN, March 26 (Reuters) - Berlin votes on Sunday on making the city climate neutral by 2030, in a binding referendum that will force the new conservative local government to invest heavily in renewable energy, building efficiency and public transportation. "At the moment, climate policy is simply not sufficient to ensure a future worth living in our city," Jessamine Davis, a spokesperson for Climate New Start Berlin, told Reuters. "The new version will automatically apply if Berlin population votes if favour," Davis said. According to the initiative organizers, around 455,000 Berliners have requested to cast their votes via mail so far. In addition to a majority of positive votes, the initiative needs at least 608,000 "Yes" votes to make the results binding.

BERLIN, March 24 (Reuters) - Germany's transport minister on Friday said he was optimistic a dispute between Berlin and Brussels over the future of combustion engine cars running on e-fuels was close to resolution, though some questions still needed clarifying. The original law would effectively ban registration of combustion engine cars after 2035, but Germany seeks an exemption for cars that run exclusively on climate-neutral e-fuel and legal assurances from the Commission. In a letter to the Commission seen by Reuters on Friday, Germany's transport ministry welcomed the EU executive's proposals but asked for legislation to ensure its implementation. Berlin's demand for an exemption had "now been answered by the EU Commission with a letter that makes me optimistic," German Transport Minister Volker Wissing told a news conference on Friday. The European Commission declined to comment on the latest proposals.

The Verdi union is negotiating on behalf of around 2.5 million employees in the public sector, including in public transport and at airports. Railway and transport union EVG negotiates for around 230,000 employees at Deutsche Bahn (DBN.UL) and bus companies. Verdi has called on around 120,000 employees in the transport and infrastructure sectors, including ground and air traffic service providers, shipping, motorways and municipal ports, to join the strikes. We want a negotiable offer," said Martin Burkert, the chairman of the EVG union, which represents workers at 50 transport companies, including railway operator Deutsche Bahn. German airport association ADV also condemned the strikes expected to hit around 380,000 air travellers on Monday as all airports across Germany, except Berlin, would come to a virtual standstill.

☆ Germany to examine Deutsche Telekom, Huawei ties - Handelsblatt
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BERLIN, March 22 (Reuters) - Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is concerned about the close ties between Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE) and Chinese company Huawei (HWT.UL) and wants to examine them, Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Wednesday. "That doesn't look good," Faeser was quoted as saying by the paper. Germany is considering banning certain components from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE (000063.SZ) in its telecoms networks, a government source said, in a potentially significant move to address security concerns. read moreReporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Christoph SteitzOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Exclusive: EU drafts plan to allow e-fuel combustion engine cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Markus Wacket | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The draft proposal, seen by Reuters on Tuesday, suggests creating a new type of vehicle category in the European Union for cars that can only run on carbon neutral fuels. Such vehicles would have to use technology that would prevent them from driving if other fuels are used, the draft said. The proposal could offer a route for carmakers to keep selling combustion engine vehicles after 2035, the date when a planned EU law is set to ban the sale of new CO2-emitting cars. The Ministry's core demand is that the EU allow sales of new cars running on e-fuels after 2035. An EU official told Reuters on Monday that any proposal on registering e-fuel cars would only be made after the combustion engine phaseout law was finally adopted.

☆ Germany sees progress in EU talks for ban on fossil fuel cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Cars are pictured at rush hour traffic on A100 highway during a snowfall in Berlin, Germany, February 8, 2021. It wants sales of new cars with internal combustion engines to be allowed after that date if they run on e-fuels. "There are positive trends that are a good basis for further talks," a spokesman for the ministry told a news conference. The Commission declined to comment on the letter, which also suggested allowing carmakers to count such cars towards complying with CO2 targets. Such changes are legally problematic as the European Parliament has approved the regulations agreed between the bloc's member states and the Commission, meaning any change could be complicated and time-consuming.

☆ UBS to take over Credit Suisse, assume up to 5 billion Swiss francs in losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

BERN, March 19 (Reuters) - UBS (UBSG.S) agreed to buy rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) in stock and agreed to assume up to 5 billion francs ($5.4 billion) in losses, in a shotgun merger engineered by Swiss authorities to avoid more market-shaking turmoil in global banking. The deal includes 100 billion Swiss francs ($108 billion) in liquidity assistance for UBS and Credit Suisse from the Swiss central bank. In that eventuality, UBS would assume the first 5 billion francs, the federal government the next 9 billion francs, and UBS would assume any further losses, the government said. Credit Suisse Additional Tier 1 shares with a nominal value of around 16 billion francs ($17.2 billion) will be written down completely after the Swiss government provided support for UBS' takeover of Credit Suisse, FINMA said. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe Swiss government said that it was also giving UBS a guarantee of 9 billion Swiss francs "assume potential losses" from assets as part of the transaction.

☆ Britain ready to fill Warsaw's air defence gaps after MiG-29 delivery to Ukraine - newspaper
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, March 20 (Reuters) - Britain is ready to help Poland fill its air defence gaps caused by Warsaw sending some of its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine but Poland has not yet made such requests, British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey was quoted as saying on Monday. Poland last week said it would send Ukraine four MiG-29 fighter jets in coming days, making it the first of Kyiv's allies to provide such aircraft and possibly creating a need to ramp up Poland's air defence equipment. Britain would be able to help fill such gaps, as it previously did when Poland sent T-72 main battle tanks to Ukraine, providing Warsaw with Challenger 2 tanks, Heappey told German newspaper Welt. "We will look very positively at a Polish request to fill in the gaps that have arisen," Heappey said. Reporting by Riham Alkousaa Editing by Peter GraffOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UBS to take over Credit Suisse, assume up to 5 bln Swiss francs in losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The deal includes 100 billion Swiss francs ($108 billion) in liquidity assistance for UBS and Credit Suisse from the Swiss central bank. In that eventuality, UBS would assume the first 5 billion francs, the federal government the next 9 billion francs, and UBS would assume any further losses, the government said. Credit Suisse Additional Tier 1 shares with a nominal value of around 16 billion francs ($17.2 billion) will be written down completely after the Swiss government provided support for UBS' takeover of Credit Suisse, FINMA said. Authorities had been scrambling to rescue Credit Suisse, among the world's largest wealth managers, before financial markets reopened on Monday. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe Swiss government said that it was also giving UBS a guarantee of 9 billion Swiss francs "assume potential losses" from assets as part of the transaction.

☆ Mercedes set to invest billions in e-vehicles plants
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] An electric-powered Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow conception car is seen at the Auto Zurich Car Show 2022 in Zurich, Switzerland, November 10, 2022. Mercedes has said it will be ready to go electric by the end of the this decade, where market conditions allow. The carmaker will start work on the Rastatt plant over the coming months and will produce the first model of the compact vehicle platform MMA from 2024. In addition, Mercedes will invest a low single-digit billion dollar sum in modernising the painting systems at its Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rastatt plants in Germany. Burzer said Mercedes was ready to respond to any further changes in the regulatory environment.

☆ Germany to buy Airbus civil helicopter and convert for combat, Business Insider reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, March 18 (Reuters) - Germany's Defence Ministry wants to buy 82 Airbus (AIR.PA) H-145M civilian helicopters and convert some of them into combat helicopters to replace its Tiger combat fleet, Business Insider reported, citing military internal documents. Germany last year shifted its defence policy after Russia invaded Ukraine, committing 100 billion euros ($107 billion) to modernize the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces. The Defence Ministry was not immediately available for comment. The H-145M helicopters are approved for military use but are not designed as combat aircraft and the Bundeswehr has concerns about the machine's combat suitability and crew protection, which the ministry has ignored so far, the report added. ($1 = 0.9376 euros)Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Exclusive: TSMC's Germany chip plant talks hone in on govt subsidies -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TSMC said in December that there was "no concrete plan" to build a chip factory in Germany. Saxony officials discussed the EU Chips Act with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on March 6 in Brussels, according to the state government. Germany's economy ministry said it could not comment on individual company plans, but noted the federal government was willing to support and promote semiconductor production projects under the European Chips Act. TSMC's German factory, if is goes ahead, will likely produce less advanced chips, especially those used in the auto industry, the first person said. "These are the kinds of chips German industry needs," the person added.

☆ German police at scene at hostage situation at Karlsruhe pharmacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] German police sealed the area at the scene of a hostage situation at a pharmacy in the western German city of Karlsruhe, Germany, March 10, 2023. Police in Karlsruhe cordoned off an area in the central part of the city and urged residents to avoid the area. REUTERS/Tilman BlasshoferSummarySummary Companies Police say large deployment sent to Karlsruhe hostage situationCity centre cordoned off, police urge residents to stay awayNo danger to the broader public, police spokespersonFRANKFURT, March 10 (Reuters) - German police said officers were at the scene of a hostage situation in the western German city of Karlsruhe on Friday but that there was no danger to the broader public. Police in Karlsruhe cordoned off an area in the central part of the city and urged residents to avoid the area. The Stuttgarter Zeitung reported that two people had been taken hostage and that there was a demand for a ransom of a single-digit million euro sum.

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