Page 25 - Germany

Germany enters recession as energy prices soared after Ukraine war

First-quarter output shrank 0.3% from the previous three months following a 0.5% drop between October and December, statistics office. Its initial estimate, last month, was for stagnation

Germany's GDP shrinks by 0.3% in first quarter, puts economy into recession

New figures show the German economy suffered an unexpected dip in the first quarter of this year, putting the country formally into recession. Data released Thursday by the Federal Statistical Office shows Germany's gross domestic product, or GDP, down by 0.3 per cent in the period from January to March. This follows a drop of 0.5 per cent in Europe's biggest economy during the last quarter of 2022. Two consecutive quarters of decline constitute a technical recession. The figures are a blow to the German government, which last month boldly doubled its growth forecast for this year after a feared winter energy crunch failed to materialise. It said GDP will grow by 0.4 per cent up from a 0.2 per cent expansion predicted in late January a forecast that may now need to be revised downward. Economists said high inflation hit consumer spending, with prices in April 7.2 per cent higher than a year ago. GDP reflects the total value of goods and services produced in a country. Some exper

To encourage immigration, Germany considering easier citizenship norms

The change has been brought at a time when Germany needs a workforce to cater to various sectors in the country

South Korean, German leaders agree to cooperate on supply chains, N. Korea

The leaders of South Korea and Germany on Sunday pledged more cooperation in building stable industrial supply chains and addressing the challenges posed by nuclear-armed North Korea as they met in Seoul after flying in from the Group of Seven meetings in Japan. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, pointed to the similarities between the two major manufacturing nations that are dependent on foreign trade and said a stronger supply chain partnership would help them cope with intensifying global economic instability and geopolitical conflicts. He said the countries in particular will work to advance trade relations in high-tech industries and clean energy, including semiconductors and hydrogen projects, and pursue further opportunities in defense cooperation. Yoon said they also discussed the growing threat posed by North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022 while accelerating its push t

'Glad to have met my friend' PM posts photo with German Chancellor at G7

Prime Minister Modi met German Chancellor during which the two leaders reviewed and positively assessed progress in bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional developments

Five on trial in Germany over plot to kidnap health minister, topple govt

Five people go on trial in Germany on Wednesday accused of planning a far-right coup and plotting to kidnap the country's health minister. The four men, aged 44 to 56, and a 75-year-old woman are accused of founding or being members of a terrorist organisation and treason. Federal prosecutors say the group is linked to the Reich Citizens scene that rejects the legitimacy of Germany's postwar constitution and has similarities to the Sovereign Citizens and QAnon movements in the United States. Prosecutors say they intended to create conditions similar to civil war by using explosives to cause nationwide blackouts, then kidnapping Health Minister Karl Lauterbach a prominent advocate of strict coronavirus measures. There were no indications the group, which called itself United Patriots, was close to launching a coup. But prosecutors said the group's procurement of weapons and money showed they were "dangerous criminals who wanted to implement their plans. The men, whose names weren'

Global economy risks stalling as China, Germany juggernauts slow: Report

The latest data suggest that key parts of the upbeat case for a global pickup aren't working out as hoped

Indians fail German language test to qualify for asylum permit: Report

The latest number of failure rates were revealed after a member of parliament from Germany submitted a written question to the federal government

France preferred destination for Indians, sees max visa rejections: Report

At 20.12%, France has the highest visa rejection rate and 27,681 applications were rejected, the report suggests. It was followed by Spain with 18.5% or 14,852 visas rejected

Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin day after Germany announces military package

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Berlin, Germany, for the first time since Russia started its special military operation in February 2022.Taking to Twitter, Zelenskyy said, "Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defence. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security."His visit comes a day after Germany announced military aid to Ukraine since the war began.He also thanked Germany for the military aid. "I thank Germany for the largest military aid package since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. German air defence systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!" Zelenskyy said in another tweet.Even in Berlin, Zelenkyy, while speaking to reporters, said, "I want to emphasize that Germany needs help [in] its defence, defence of life, protection of lives of our people in cities and villages everywhere, which helps to

Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin to meet German leaders, discuss arms deliveries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin early Sunday for talks with German leaders about further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion and rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict. A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. On the eve of his arrival which took place amid tight security the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine with aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros (USD 3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition. Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security, Zelenskyy tweeted Sunday, in an apparent reference to the key priorities of his trip. After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 an

Electric bikes are breaking through in Germany, Europe's carmaking capital

Battery-powered two-wheelers will outsell traditional bikes in Germany for the first time in 2023, according to projections from the country's industry group

Bundesliga: Bayern Munich down Hertha to recapture top spot on the table

Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga after overpowering a stubborn Hertha Berlin 2-0, with goals from Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman in the final match of the 30th round on Sunday

Germany sets new standard for cheap, national mass transit at $54 a month

The impact of the ticket could ripple through to other countries by taking the potentially radical step of positioning transit systems as a public good to which all deserve affordable access

Germany's SAP sees 'phenomenal growth' in India, will increase hiring

Company considering 'specific investment' in the country for sustainability solutions

German public-sector deal sees salary rise for 2.5 million workers

Staff will receive staggered one-time payments totaling 3,000 euros ($3,300) through February 2024

Meet Günter Faltin, the German professor who knows too much of tea

Founder of Teekampagne says, focus on quality, beating the "cheaters" is key to resolving the challenges of Darjeeling tea

German government, labour unions reach pay deal for public workers

German government officials and labour unions have reached a pay deal for more than 2.5 million public-sector workers, ending a lengthy dispute and heading off the possibility of disruptive all-out strikes. The ver.di union had pressed for hefty raises as Germany, like many other countries, grapples with high inflation. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said as the deal was announced early Sunday that we accommodated the unions as far as we could responsibly do in a difficult budget situation. The deal entails one-time payments totalling 3,000 euros (USD 3,300) per employee, with the first 1,240 euros coming in June and monthly payments of 220 euros following until February. In March, regular monthly pay for all will be increased by 200 euros, followed by a salary increase of 5.5 per cent. The deal runs through to the end of 2024. Ver.di originally sought a one-year deal with a raise of 10.5 per cent. The deal was reached on the basis of a proposal by arbitrators who were called in af

Germany closes its nuclear plants in hopes of greener pastures

The decision to phase out the emissions-free power source - first codified in a 2002 law and finalized after the 2011 Fukushima disaster

Majority of Germans oppose imminent nuclear phase-out, says survey

The mood was different 12 years ago, when the already scheduled nuclear phase-out was brought forward by former Chancellor Angela Merkel to the end of 2022