The most important events and reports on the economy, central banks and politics from the Dow Jones Newswires program
Habeck: Microelectronics crucial for transformation in Europe
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) defended state funding for semiconductor and chip production facilities in Germany. At an event with representatives from the federal states and industry, he emphasized the importance of microelectronics as a contribution to security of supply and as a key to transformation in Germany and Europe.
Scholz: As a global community, we must step up our efforts to combat poverty
Before the United Nations (UN) Sustainability Summit in New York, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) pledged increased efforts against poverty and climate protection. At the same time, he admitted that the UN goals had not yet been achieved.
Werneke was re-elected Verdi chairman
Frank Werneke will continue to lead the Verdi service union in the next few years. As Verdi announced, Werneke was re-elected chairman on Monday at the Ordinary Federal Congress with 92.5 percent. He was elected for the first time in 2019. Andrea Kocsis and Christine Behle remain his deputies.
Germany submits first payment application for the Recovery and Resilience Facility
On September 15, Germany submitted the first payment application to the EU Commission to draw down a tranche of 4.37 billion euros as part of the European Recovery and Resilience Facility. This was announced by the Ministry of Finance in Berlin. According to the information, this is 3.97 billion euros net, taking into account an advance payment received in 2021. The payment application includes evidence of the achievement of 36 milestones and goals in the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP).
Nationwide warning day: test alarm reaches 97 percent of citizens
According to authorities, the test alarm on the nationwide warning day reached 97 percent of people in Germany. In an online survey by the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK), 75 percent of participants said that they received a test alarm via cell broadcast, like this Federal Ministry of the Interior announced on Monday in Berlin. In 2022 this value was 53 percent.
China reacts angrily to Baerbock’s comments about President Xi
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) has described Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “dictator” – causing great anger in China. A spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry in Beijing criticized Baerbock’s comments on Monday in Beijing as “extremely absurd.” She accused the minister of a “serious violation of China’s political dignity and an open political provocation.” The German ambassador was summoned to the Chinese Foreign Ministry in protest.
Government promotes fast charging infrastructure for companies
The Federal Ministry of Transport is supporting companies in setting up fast-charging infrastructure for cars and trucks with a new funding program. Commercially used fast-charging points with a charging capacity of at least 50 kW as well as the necessary network connection are supported, as the ministry announced.
Italy decides on stricter measures against illegal migration
After the arrival of thousands of migrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa, the government in Rome is stepping up its crackdown on illegal immigration. As the AFP news agency learned from government circles, the cabinet of ultra-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni decided on Monday, among other things, to significantly extend the maximum length of detention pending deportation from the previous 135 days to 18 months. Meloni had already announced the opening of new centers for migrants required to leave the country on Sunday.
Searches in Germany and Ukraine during investigations into hacker networks
After a worldwide series of extortions by an international network of computer criminals called “Doppel Spider”, investigators in Germany and Ukraine have moved to search two more suspects. The men, aged 44 and 45, came into focus as part of the ongoing investigation by authorities in Germany and the USA, the North Rhine-Westphalia State Criminal Police Office (LKA) announced on Monday in Düsseldorf.
Former US prisoners arrive in Qatar from Iran
Five U.S. citizens detained by Iran and released in a prisoner exchange arrived in Qatar on Monday. The Qatari plane with the five men and two family members on board landed at Doha international airport shortly before 5:40 p.m. (local time, 4:40 p.m. CEST), as a journalist from the AFP news agency reported.
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*US/NAHB Housing Market Index Sep 45 (Aug: 50)
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 18, 2023 1:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. GMT)