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Germany’s Transport Gridlock: Nationwide Strike Halts Public Transport Services

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The public transport system in Germany has come to a halt today, as a result of a nationwide strike by transport workers. The strike was called by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), which represents over six million workers across the country.

The strike has affected trains, buses, and trams in cities across Germany, with many services cancelled or severely disrupted. Commuters were left stranded, with long queues forming at bus and tram stops across the country.

The DGB called the strike in response to the breakdown of negotiations with employers over pay and working conditions. The union is demanding a 4.8% pay increase for workers in the transport sector, as well as improved working conditions and job security.

Speaking to reporters, DGB spokesperson Sabine Zimmermann said: “We have been negotiating with the employers for months, but they have refused to listen to our demands. We have no choice but to take action to show them that we are serious about our demands.”

The strike has been met with frustration by many commuters, who have criticized the timing of the action. The strike comes at a time when Germany is in the midst of a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many people rely on public transport to get to work and access essential services.

In response to the strike, the German government has called on the unions and employers to return to the negotiating table and reach a resolution. In a statement, German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said: “The strike is causing significant disruption and inconvenience for millions of people across Germany. We urge both sides to come back to the table and find a solution that works for everyone.”

The strike is set to continue for the next 24 hours, with the DGB warning that further action may be taken if their demands are not met. The disruption caused by the strike is expected to have a significant impact on the German economy, with many businesses and industries relying on the country’s public transport system to operate effectively.

As the strike continues, commuters and businesses across Germany will be hoping for a speedy resolution to the dispute, and a return to normality for the country’s transport system.

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Ford to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, mostly in Germany, UK in next 3 yrs

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In an effort to streamline operations as it deals with economic headwinds and rising competition for electric cars, Ford announced on Tuesday that it will eliminate 3,800 jobs in Europe over the next three years.

According to the carmaker, 2,300 jobs would be lost in Germany, 1,300 in the U.K., and 200 in other parts of Europe. It claimed that its plan to have an all-electric fleet available in Europe by 2035 remained the same and that it would soon begin producing its first electric vehicle with European components.

The American carmaker will retain around 3,400 engineers in the region who will build on core technology provided by their U.S. counterparts and adapt it to European customers, European passenger electric vehicle (EV) chief and head of Ford Germany Martin Sander said on a press call. “There is significantly less work to be done on drivetrains moving out of combustion engines. We are moving into a world with less global platforms where less engineering work is necessary. This is why we have to make the adjustments,” Sander said.

According to Sander, the automaker’s electrification plan hasn’t changed, and its objective to provide an all-electric fleet in Europe by 2035 remains the same. Later this year in Cologne, Ford will introduce its first electric vehicle in Europe built on Volkswagen’s MEB platform. Sander said Ford is also thinking about introducing a Ford platform to Europe, perhaps to its Valencia facility.

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Ukraine war: Germany won’t block export of its Leopard 2 tanks, foreign minister says

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According to Anna Baerbock, the foreign minister of Germany, if Poland decided to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, she “would not stand in their way.” Ukraine has requested German-made tanks from the West, claiming that doing so will help them beat Russia.

However, Germany has not yet sent the armoured vehicles, and other nations are unable to send their own due to its export regulations. On Sunday, Ms. Baerbock stated that Poland had not yet requested authorization for exports.

She said on Sunday to France’s LCI TV, “For the time being, the question has not been raised, but if we were asked, we would not stand in the way. Mateusz Morawiecki, the prime minister of Poland, announced on Monday that Berlin would be asked for permission. But he said Poland would send the tanks to Ukraine, even if it was not granted.

“Even if, ultimately we did not get this consent, within the framework of a small coalition….we will still hand over our tanks, together with others, to Ukraine,” Mr Morawiecki said.

A representative for the German government stated that no requests to authorise the delivery of the Leopard 2 tanks on Monday had yet been received. Mr. Morawiecki declared last week that his nation was prepared to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev.

Marcin Przydacz, the foreign policy adviser to the Polish president, stated on Monday that while he welcomed Ms. Baerbock’s remarks, he would prefer to hear Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirm Germany’s position. Warsaw, however, ultimately desires that Berlin and NATO partners also send their own Leopard tanks, as government officials acknowledge that 14 tanks will only make a minor effect on Ukraine’s ability to fight.

The Russian T-90 tanks that are being utilised in the invasion were targeted for competition by the Leopard 2 tanks. There are believed to be more than 2,000 of them worldwide and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said about 300 of them would help ensure a Russian defeat.

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Lützerath eviction: German police drag climate protesters from coal village

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Climate activists who have been occupying an abandoned village in western Germany for months are being dragged away by police in riot gear. To stop the adjoining Garzweiler open coal mine from engulfing Lützerath, protesters shut themselves inside.

As the police started to evacuate the camp, several protesters hurled rocks and fireworks at them. In an effort to make the eviction more challenging, protesters climbed into treehouses.

The final resident of the village, which is owned by the energy company RWE, left over a year ago. As police in riot gear invaded the village early on Wednesday to remove the demonstrators, there were bloody altercations.

They pulled a few protesters through the muddy ground, several of whom had scarves covering their faces. The atmosphere was afterwards characterised as being calmer, but numerous demonstrators persisted.

Others have retreated to treehouses or the village rooftops, while others have created human chains. Lützerath is practically about to be engulfed by the enormous open coal mine that is right outside its door. The mine is run by RWE, who also has expansion ambitions. At the edge of the settlement, a massive mechanical digger stands a few metres from the treeline.

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the mine is located, has promised to advance the phase-out of coal to 2030. The country’s goal is 2038.

Police are currently surrounding Lützerath, and one of them told the media this morning that the area would be cleansed.

However, the demonstrators are still adamant about delaying the eviction and the village’s apparent doom for as long as they can.

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Berlin AquaDom aquarium: Police not seeking suspects over explosion

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Following the explosion of the “AquaDom” aquarium on Friday, Berlin police said they are not looking for suspects and have warned the public about what they claim to be a bogus tweet saying otherwise. One million litres of saltwater were released during the explosion at the Radisson Blu hotel, soaking the establishment and the streets around it.

Numerous fish perished, while glass that fell on people harmed two individuals. The structure has now been deemed safe by inspectors. There is no proof the explosion in the 15.85m-high (52 foot) aquarium was the product of a targeted attack, a police source told local media on Friday.

They have also utilised social media to refute a tweet from a replica account that requests public assistance in finding suspects connected to the incident.

According to a tweet from the official Berlin police account, they have encouraged people not to share the phoney message and “expressly distance” themselves from it.

The precise reason of the explosion is still under investigation, however it has been hypothesised that the cold temperatures, which fell as low as -6C over the course of one night on Friday, may have produced a crack in the tank.

Iris Spranger, a senator for the interior in Berlin, told the DPA news agency that early indications point to “material fatigue” as the root problem.

Reynolds Polymer Technology, a US company that worked on the tank’s construction, has announced that it will send a team to analyse the breach but that it is yet too early to tell what caused it.

The largest cylindrical aquarium in the world, AquaDom received the Guinness World Record after it debuted in December 2003. Its construction reportedly cost about €12.8 million (£11.2 million) at the time. It was most recently renovated in 2020.

According to reports, the Radisson Blu hotel lobby has sustained significant damage as a result of Friday’s explosion; a fire department spokesperson told German television Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg that it “looks like a battlefield.” According to Friedrich Engel, a spokesman for the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, which provides assistance in times of need, the structure has been deemed safe and given back to its owners.

According to a spokesperson for the building’s owner, Union Investment, there is no imminent risk of the structure falling. The hotel’s guests have been relocated, and it has been closed indefinitely. According to reports, further companies in the complex of buildings also sustained damage.

The explosion killed the bulk of the 1,500 fish maintained in the aquarium, although some of them made it out alive and were relocated. The power outage that followed the event put hundreds more fish held in the basement for breeding purposes at risk, but they have since all been relocated to safety. An online petition opposing the construction of a new aquarium has been launched by the animal rights organisation Help for Animals in Need.

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Germany to ease entry rules for skilled workers

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In order to draw qualified individuals to its labour market, the German government has agreed to loosen its immigration regulations. The cabinet wants a points system a la Canada to hire people who speak German or possess the necessary qualifications.

Europe’s largest economy, Germany, requires an additional 400,000 foreign workers annually, according to analysts. According to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, the changes will result in “the most modern immigration law in Europe.”

Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz criticised the measures, claiming that Germany was underutilizing its potential and had more than two million unemployed people.

He claimed that while it already benefited from the EU’s commitment to freedom of movement, individuals did not want to relocate there because “the paperwork is horrendous, the taxes are too expensive.” The workforce in Germany is getting older and there are shortages in the IT, healthcare, and construction industries. Hubertus Heil, the minister of labour, estimated that by 2035, seven million skilled workers will be required.

According to Rainer Dulger of the BDA employers’ confederation, “We need people who will help us to retain our success in this country.” The three-party coalition in power seeks to enact a “opportunity card,” based on a points system, which would be used to evaluate non-EU candidates by taking into account things like education and linguistic proficiency.

The process for recognising foreign qualifications would be simplified and unskilled workers would also be allowed in to fill certain sectors.

The suggestions may not be presented to the Bundestag, the German parliament, for several months, but Robert Habeck, the minister of economics, said there is now a pressing need to address the issue: “We have been aware of the impending demographic issue for years, but not enough has been done.”

The proposed immigration reforms follow closely on the heels of ideas to speed up the citizenship process for immigrants living in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that certain persons might be allowed to become citizens after only three years as opposed to up to eight.

The proposed law would further shorten the five-year waiting period for applicants who can demonstrate integration and German language proficiency.

Additionally, the government intends to amend the constitution to permit dual citizenship, which is currently virtually prohibited in Germany.

This week, Mr. Scholz claimed that immigrants “are bringing Germany ahead” and that Germany had transformed into “a land of hope” for those seeking to start new lives.

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KFC apologises after German Kristallnacht promotion

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KFC issued an apology after encouraging German consumers to celebrate Kristallnacht with cheesy chicken in a promotional pitch.

More than 90 individuals were killed in the coordinated attacks carried out by the Nazis in 1938, which also damaged Jewish-run businesses and places of worship.

Many people believe that it marked the start of the Holocaust.  The remark, which received harsh criticism for its lack of tact, was ultimately attributed to “an error in our system.”

The fast-food chain sent an app alert on Wednesday, saying: “It’s memorial day for Kristallnacht! Treat yourself with more tender cheese on your crispy chicken. Now at KFCheese!”

According to the Bild tabloid, a second message with an apology was issued around an hour later.

“We are very sorry, we will check our internal processes immediately so that this does not happen again. Please excuse this error,” the message is reported to have said.

The 9 November Kristallnacht anniversary is taken seriously in Germany, where a number of commemorative activities and talks are planned to remember the more than six million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews’ Director of Public Affairs, Daniel Sugarman, called the original KFC message “absolutely hideous.”Dalia Grinfeld, the associate director of European affairs at the Jewish NGO Anti-Defamation League, tweeted: “How wrong can you get on Kristallnacht KFC Germany. Shame on you!”

The fast food chain said the “automated push notification” was “linked to calendars that include national observances”.

It added that it “sincerely” apologised for the “unplanned, insensitive and unacceptable message” and said app communications had been suspended while an examination of them takes place.

“We understand and respect the gravity and history of this day, and remain committed to equity, inclusion and belonging for all,” the company finished by saying.

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Piet Mondrian artwork displayed upside down for 75 years

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According to an art historian, a Piet Mondrian abstract painting has been hanging upside down in different galleries for 75 years.  Despite the recent discovery, the painting, titled New York City I, will still be exhibited backwards to protect it from damage.

The 1941 image was first displayed in 1945 at the MoMA in New York. Since 1980, it has hung in Düsseldorf at the North Rhine-Westphalia state art collection.  The long-standing mistake was discovered by curator Susanne Meyer-Büser early this year when researching the museum’s new exhibition on the artist, but she cautioned that if it were placed the correct way at this time, it might fall apart.

New York City I is an adhesive-tape version of the similarly named New York City painting by the same artist.

The similarly called New York City, which is on exhibit at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, shows a thickening of lines towards the top rather than the bottom, which appears to support this notion.

Furthermore, the identical painting is visible hanging on an easel the wrong way up in a picture of the prominent Dutchman’s workshop that was shot a few days after his passing. In June 1944, the picture appeared in the American lifestyle publication Town and Country.

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Germany fires cybersecurity chief ‘over Russia ties’

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After claims that he had established an association with Russia in an uncomfortably close manner, Germany’s head of cybersecurity was fired 
Since 2016, Arne Schönbohm served as the head of the Federal Cyber Security Authority (BSI), which is responsible for securing government communications.

He has been charged with having connections to individuals connected to Russian intelligence services by German media. He is the subject of an investigation by the interior ministry. It did, however, confirm that he had been let go with immediate effect.

Mr. Schönbohm was under investigation after Jan Böhmermann, the host of one of Germany’s most well-liked late-night TV shows, brought up his possible connections to a Russian corporation through a prior position.

Prior to taking over the BSI, Mr. Schönbohm assisted in founding and managing the Cyber Security Council Germany, a private organisation that provides business and policymakers with cybersecurity advice.

The association’s 10th anniversary celebrations were held in September, and he is claimed to have continued to keep close ties with them. Protelion, a cybersecurity firm that was a branch of a Russian company allegedly founded by a former KGB agent honoured by President Vladimir Putin, was one of the association’s members.

The allegations of connections to Russian intelligence are unfounded, according to Cyber Security Council Germany, which expelled Protelion from the group last weekend.

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France sends Germany gas for first time amid Russia energy crisis

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In response to mounting energy strain, France has delivered gas to Germany for the first time in an act of “European solidarity.” The pipeline-delivered gas is a component of a pact between the nations to reduce energy shortages following Russian shutoff of the taps to Europe.

Despite providing less than 2% of Germany’s daily demands, the increased flow is appreciated as Berlin fights to diversify its energy sources. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been charged with exploiting gas supplies as a weapon against the West.

The French grid operator GRTgaz announced that it would initially supply 31 gigawatt hours (GWh) per day via a pipeline from the village of Obergailbach on the country’s border.The additional gas flow has a 100 GWh daily maximum capacity, it was added in a statement. 

In the energy solidarity agreement last month, Germany committed to aid France with gas supplies in exchange for Germany agreeing to supply additional electricity to France as needed.

“We would have significant problems right now if we didn’t have European unity and an integrated, united market,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday. Russia shutting off the gas is less of an issue for France because most of its energy requirements are met by Norway and through supply of liquefied natural gas.

Gas prices increased as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, and this winter EU customers will pay record prices.

Germany had previously gotten 55% of its gas from Russia. It has decreased this to 35% and eventually wants to stop all imports.

Despite the detrimental effects on the environment, Germany is also increasing its usage of coal and prolonging the life of power plants that were scheduled to close.

During her 16 years in office, former German chancellor Angela Merkel claimed she did not regret relying on Russia as a significant gas provider.

This winter, the German government plans to reduce the consumption of lighting and heating in public buildings by 2%.

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