Germany

German gov't cancels controversial promotion of ex-intelligence chief Maassen

BERLIN, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The German government has reversed a highly controversial decision to promote an ex-intelligence chief accused of stoking far-right conspiracy theories, the leaders of the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU) and German Social Democrats (SPD) parties announced on Sunday night.

Turkey’s domestic hybrid locomotive showcased in Berlin

19 Sep 2018; AA: Turkey’s new domestic hybrid locomotive was showcased on Wednesday at a leading international transport technology fair in German capital, a co-production company said.

New locomotive will save 40 percent on fuel with hybrid technology.

In a written statement, Turkish Locomotive and Engine Company Inc (TULOMSAS) said the locomotive was displayed at the International Trade Fair for Transport Technology (InnoTrans) in Berlin.

Germany approves Saudi arms sale despite Yemen war ban promise

20 Sep 2018; DW: Germany has approved the delivery of weapons to Saudi Arabia despite a commitment not to export arms to countries fighting in the war in Yemen.

Economy Minister Peter Altmaier greenlighted the shipment of four artillery positioning systems for armored vehicles, according to a letter he provided to a parliamentary committee. The mounted radars can locate the origin of enemy fire and enable precise counterstrikes.

Germany to have 1 million electric cars by 2022

BERLIN (AP) — Germans are beginning to embrace electric cars, with experts predicting the country will have a million hybrid or battery-electric vehicles on the road by 2022.

The government originally aimed to have that many e-cars in Germany by 2020, but slow uptake in the land of the Autobahn forced it to abandon that goal.

A government advisory panel said Wednesday that recent additional financial incentives for buyers have helped provide the necessary jolt for Germany to reach the million mark two years late.

Germany rolls out world's first hydrogen train

Bremervorde, Sep 17 (AFP) Germany on Monday rolled out the world's first hydrogen-powered train, signalling the start of a push to challenge the might of polluting diesel trains with costlier but more eco-friendly technology.

Two bright blue Coradia iLint trains, built by French TGV-maker Alstom, began running a 100-kilometre route between the towns and cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude in northern Germany -- a stretch normally plied by diesel trains.

Cologne takes a stand against deportation

16 Sep 2018; DW: Some 12,000 people took to the streets in Cologne, Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen on Sunday to demand the German government cease deportations to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Opponents of the policy say both nations are too dangerous for individuals to be deported to, and that they should be allowed to stay in Germany instead.

Chemnitz protester convicted over Hitler salute

13 Sep 2018; DW: A 33-year-old has been convicted of hate speech and assault after displaying a banned Nazi greeting at a far-right rally. The district court in Chemnitz is fast-tracking trials related to the recent unrest in the city.

A German court on Thursday sentenced a 33-year-old man to eight months probation and a fine of €2,000 ($2,300) for making the Hitler salute during far-right protests in Chemnitz.

EU not to consider lifting sanctions on Russia, but dialogue to continue: Merkel

VILNIUS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Union will not consider lifting its sanctions on Russia until the implementation of Minsk agreements, however, the EU's dialogue with Russia must be maintained, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here Friday.

"Ukraine's territorial integrity has not been restored and this remains to be a key topic. We will not consider lifting sanctions on Russia until the Minsk agreements are implemented," Merkel told a joint press conference with Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite.

German Catholic priests abused thousands of children

12 Sep 2018; DW: A study commissioned by the German Bishops Conference examined 3,677 cases of abuse allegedly perpetrated by clergy nationwide, German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Wednesday. The universities of Giessen, Heidelberg and Mannheim were involved in the research, which implicated 1,670 priests in sexual abuse spanning from 1946 to 2014.

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