Germany | Common News Update

Feb142019 by adminNo Comments

Germany 'gets away with a black eye' as it dodges recession

The German economy has narrowly missed tumbling into recession but recorded output growth of just 0.02% in the final quarter of 2018.In preliminary figures, which could yet be revised, the country's statistics agency said construction and business spending helped Europe's largest economy avoid two consecutive quarters of negative GDP (gross domestic product) growth - a technical recession. Output in the previous three months, July to September, had been measured at -0.2% as demand in Germany's export-led economy tumbled amid the world economic slowdown, mostly linked to China's trade war with the US.The updated figures meant Germany's economy grew at its slowest rate for five years in 2018 as a whole.Production in the country's car industry continued to drag on growth given weaker demand -...

Jan272019 by adminNo Comments

Germany sets 2038 deadline to end coal use

Technology

In a pioneering move, a German government-appointed panel has recommended that Germany stop burning coal to generate electricity by 2038 at the latest, as part of efforts to curb climate change. The Coal Commission reached a deal early Saturday following months of wrangling that were closely watched by other coal-dependent countries. "We made it," Ronald Pofalla, the head of the commission, told reporters in Berlin. "This is a historic effort." Germany gets more than a third of its electricity from burning coal, generating large amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The 28-member panel, representing mining regions, utility companies, scientists and environmentalists, suggests a review in 2032 could bring forward the coal deadline to 2035. The plan foresees billio...

Dec292018 by adminNo Comments

Flights delayed in Germany after car drives onto tarmac

World

Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Germany's Hannover Airport was temporarily shut down Saturday afternoon after a man reportedly used a vehicle to break through a gate in an attempt to drive on the facility's runway. The man, age 25, who was not identified in local media reports, made it out to the tarmac near the runway at one of Germany's busiest airports about 3:40 p.m. local time as officials suspended air traffic there for more than four hours, The Independent reported. "Officers from the Federal Police were able to stop the car and overwhelm the man," Hannover Police said in a statement. "The security areas are currently vacated, currently there is no clearance. Flight operations are currently suspended. The investigation continues." Police charged that the suspect had tested positive for cocaine an...

Dec212018 by adminNo Comments

Apple pulls older iPhone models from stores in Germany

Technology

Apple is to stop selling older iPhone models at its stores in Germany after losing two patent cases brought by a chip manufacturer, the company has announced. A Munich court ruled that the smartphone maker and its subsidiaries breached a European patent held by Qualcomm.In a statement, Apple said: "Qualcomm's campaign is a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues between our companies."Their tactics, in the courts and in their everyday business, are harming innovation and harming consumers."Qualcomm insists on charging exorbitant fees based on work they didn't do and they are being investigated by governments all around the world for their behaviour." The San Diego-based chipmaker has pursued similar cases in other jurisdictions in the past.Pending an appeal, ...

Oct272018 by adminNo Comments

Cry me a river: Low water levels causing chaos in Germany

Technology

A new island in Lake Constance. A river in Berlin flowing backward. Dead fish on the banks of lakes and ponds. Barges barely loaded so they don't run aground. A hot, dry summer has left German rivers and lakes at record low water levels, causing chaos for the inland shipping industry, environmental damage and billions of euros (dollars) in losses — a scenario that experts warn could portend the future as global temperatures rise. The drought-like conditions have hit nearly 90 percent of the country this year. In Magdeburg, the Elbe River has been so low that no ships carrying goods south to Leipzig or on to the Czech Republic have been able to pass through since the end of June, said Hartmut Rhein of the city's waterways and shipping department. The river's down to a depth of about...