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The Star
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Merz visits UK as Europe closes ranks in face of threats
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner BERLIN/LONDON (Reuters) -Friedrich Merz embarks on his first trip to London as German chancellor on Thursday to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and sign a wide-ranging friendship treaty, as part of a broader push to reset the EU's relationship with Britain. Merz's day trip comes a week after a three-day state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, signaling greater cooperation between Europe's three top powers at a time of growing threats to the continent and uncertainty about their U.S. ally. Europe is facing trade tensions with the United States since the return of President Donald Trump to the White House as well as existential questions about Washington's commitment to helping defend its European allies, including Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion. "The agreement comes at a time when, as Europeans, we are particularly challenged in terms of security policy," a German government official said in a briefing ahead of the trip. "Not stated in the preamble is that transatlantic matters are also — let's put it this way — in flux. This too is part of the context." Germany has such friendship treaties with just a handful of countries like France, symbolizing the closeness of their ties. Coming nearly a decade after Britain voted to leave the European Union, the treaty includes a clause on mutual assistance which, "in light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, is highly significant", the official said. It builds on a defence deal agreed last year that included the joint development of long-range strike weapons, and comes after France and Britain agreed last week to reinforce cooperation over their respective nuclear arsenals. German defence tech company Stark on Wednesday announced a new factory in Britain, the first production facility outside of Germany, to create AI-powered unmanned systems. The treaty will include an agreement to jointly combat smuggling and human trafficking, the German official said. The British government said Germany would make a landmark commitment to outlaw the facilitation of illegal migration to Britain with a law change to be adopted by the end of the year. That would give law enforcement the tools to investigate warehouses and storage facilities used by migrant smugglers to conceal dangerous small boats intended for illegal crossings to Britain, it said in a statement. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh in Berlin and Elizabeth Piper in London;Editing by Ros Russell)
The Star
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
A border stone of Poland is seen as Polish border guards check a vehicle at Polish-German border, as Poland starts controls on borders with Germany, Lithuania over migration, near the German town of Frankfurt an der Oder, in Slubice, Poland, July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland introduced temporary controls on its borders with Germany and Lithuania on Monday in an effort to stem what the government says is an increasing number of undocumented migrants crossing from the north and west. The re-imposition of border checks is just the latest example of how mounting public concerns across the European Union over migration are straining the fabric of the bloc's passport-free Schengen zone. The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany itself have already implemented similar measures. In Poland, the debate over migration has become increasingly heated in recent weeks, with groups of far-right activists launching "citizens' patrols" on the western border amid Polish media reports of German authorities sending undocumented migrants back across the frontier. "Everything is proceeding without incident," Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak told private broadcaster TVN24 on Monday after the controls came into effect. "Traffic is currently moving smoothly, 800 police officers, 200 gendarmerie soldiers, 500 territorial army soldiers, all services... are in full readiness." Speaking at a midnight press conference on the German border when the checks began, Siemoniak also said only state officials such as border guards were authorised to check vehicles entering Poland, in a reference to the "citizens' patrols". The border guard said in a post on X it had detained an Estonian citizen on Poland's border with Lithuania for transporting four illegal migrants believed to be Afghans. HARDENING PUBLIC MOOD Public sentiment in Poland towards migrants has hardened since a 24-year-old woman was killed in the city of Torun by a Venezuelan citizen in June. On Sunday some 10,000 people took part in a march organised by nationalist activists in remembrance of her. Meanwhile on Saturday evening a Polish man died after being stabbed during a fight in Nowe, northern Poland. A Colombian citizen was arrested on suspicion of being responsible. Police said on Monday they had detained a total of 13 people in connection with the incident - three Poles and 10 Colombians. State new channel TVP Info showed angry crowds gathering in the town outside the workers' hostel where the Colombians lived. Human rights activists condemned the "citizens' patrols". "The actions of these self-proclaimed groups are the result of a radicalising political narrative that presents migration as a threat, which fuels social fears and distrust of state institutions," the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights said in a statement on Friday. "The Foundation once again appeals for an honest and reliable public debate on the migration situation and border policy, based on facts, not fear and manipulation." (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Pawel FlorkiewiczEditing by Gareth Jones)
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A border stone of Poland is seen as Polish border guards check a vehicle at Polish-German border, as Poland starts controls on borders with Germany, Lithuania over migration, near the German town of Frankfurt an der Oder, in Slubice, Poland, July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner WARSAW - Poland introduced temporary controls on its borders with Germany and Lithuania on Monday in an effort to stem what the government says is an increasing number of undocumented migrants crossing from the north and west. The re-imposition of border checks is just the latest example of how mounting public concerns across the European Union over migration are straining the fabric of the bloc's passport-free Schengen zone. The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany itself have already implemented similar measures. In Poland, the debate over migration has become increasingly heated in recent weeks, with groups of far-right activists launching "citizens' patrols" on the western border amid Polish media reports of German authorities sending undocumented migrants back across the frontier. "Everything is proceeding without incident," Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak told private broadcaster TVN24 on Monday after the controls came into effect. "Traffic is currently moving smoothly, 800 police officers, 200 gendarmerie soldiers, 500 territorial army soldiers, all services... are in full readiness." Speaking at a midnight press conference on the German border when the checks began, Siemoniak also said only state officials such as border guards were authorised to check vehicles entering Poland, in a reference to the "citizens' patrols". The border guard said in a post on X it had detained an Estonian citizen on Poland's border with Lithuania for transporting four illegal migrants believed to be Afghans. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore More nurses to anchor care in community settings as Singapore's population ages Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements from April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators Asia Australian woman found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59 HARDENING PUBLIC MOOD Public sentiment in Poland towards migrants has hardened since a 24-year-old woman was killed in the city of Torun by a Venezuelan citizen in June. On Sunday some 10,000 people took part in a march organised by nationalist activists in remembrance of her. Meanwhile on Saturday evening a Polish man died after being stabbed during a fight in Nowe, northern Poland. A Colombian citizen was arrested on suspicion of being responsible. Police said on Monday they had detained a total of 13 people in connection with the incident - three Poles and 10 Colombians. State new channel TVP Info showed angry crowds gathering in the town outside the workers' hostel where the Colombians lived. Human rights activists condemned the "citizens' patrols". "The actions of these self-proclaimed groups are the result of a radicalising political narrative that presents migration as a threat, which fuels social fears and distrust of state institutions," the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights said in a statement on Friday. "The Foundation once again appeals for an honest and reliable public debate on the migration situation and border policy, based on facts, not fear and manipulation." REUTERS
GMA Network
02-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Heatwave across Europe: 8 dead as early summer temperatures hit records
Fans are displayed for sale outside a shop, during a heatwave, in Kreuzberg district in Berlin, Germany, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/ Lisi Niesner LONDON — Four people died in Spain, two in France and two in Italy as an early summer heatwave continued to grip much of Europe on Wednesday, triggering health alerts and forest fires and forcing the closure of a nuclear reactor at a Swiss power plant. Spanish officials said a wildfire in Catalonia had killed two people a day earlier, and authorities reported heatwave-linked deaths also in Extremadura and Cordoba. France's energy minister reported two deaths linked to the heat, with 300 others taken to hospital. Italy issued red alerts for 18 cities, while in Germany temperatures were forecast to peak at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas, making it the hottest day of the year. Two men over the age of 60 died in separate incidents on the beach in Sardinia from the heat, ANSA news agency reported. Weather forecaster Meteo France said red alerts remained for several areas of central France. The risks were greatest for vulnerable members of the population, and Catherine Vautrin, France's health and families minister, said authorities should remain vigilant. "In the coming days, we'll see the consequences, particularly on the most vulnerable, and I'm thinking particularly of the elderly," she said. Turkey, which battled blazes on several fronts forcing the temporary evacuation of about 50,000 people earlier in the week, said its fires were largely contained. Tuesday's fire in the Catalonia region of Spain destroyed several farms and affected an area stretching about 40 km (25 miles) before being contained, officials said. A man cools off with water at Piazza del Popolo during a heatwave in Rome, Italy, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/ Antonio Denti Storms ahead, reactor shut Italy, France and Germany warned of the risk of heavy storms due to excessive warming in unstable atmospheres. Violent storms in the French Alps late on Monday triggered mudslides, disrupting rail traffic between Paris and Milan. Swiss utility Axpo shut down one reactor unit at the Beznau nuclear power plant and halved output at another on Tuesday because of the high temperature of river water. Water is used for cooling and other purposes at nuclear power plants, and restrictions were expected to continue as temperatures are monitored. The extreme heat would likely impact the region's economic growth, which was expected to slow by half a percentage point in 2025, Allianz Research said in a report, likening the financial toll of one day with temperatures exceeding 32 C to half a day of strikes. Scientists say heatwaves have arrived earlier this year, spiking temperatures by up to 10 C (50 F) in some regions as warming seas encouraged the formation of a heat dome over much of Europe, trapping hot air masses. 'Testing our resilience' Greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels are a cause of climate change, they say, with deforestation and industrial practices being other contributing factors. Last year was the planet's hottest on record. "Extreme heat is testing our resilience and putting the health and lives of millions at risk," said Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme. "Our new climate reality means we can no longer be surprised when temperatures reach record highs each year." Allianz Research's warning of a dent in economic activity due to the heat rang true for some businesses. British baker Greggs GRG.L warned on Wednesday its annual profit could dip below last year's levels as the unusually hot UK temperatures discourage customers from eating out. In Germany, people flocked to open air swimming pools and lakes to cool off, with many schools across the country closed. The fire brigade was tackling several forest fires in the eastern states of Brandenburg and Saxony. The upper floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris was shut to visitors on Tuesday, while the iconic Atomium in Brussels, an atom-like structure made of stainless steel, closed early on Wednesday as a precaution, its third early closure this week. Spain experienced its hottest June on record this year, and France had its hottest June since 2003. — Reuters
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Germany rejects Russian allegations of journalist harassment
FILE PHOTO: German national flag flutters on top of the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, March 25, 2025. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/ File Photo BERLIN - A German foreign ministry official on Friday rejected "unfounded accusations" made by Russia's foreign ministry that Berlin had persecuted Russian journalists working in the country. "In contrast to Russia's increasingly harsh repression of journalists, Germany upholds the principles of the rule of law and freedom of the press," the official said in a statement. Russia summoned the German ambassador earlier on Friday to inform him of retaliatory measures in response to what it sees as the harassment of Russian journalists based in Germany, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. In a statement, the Russian ministry said the German ambassador, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, was informed that "Berlin should not continue the practice of systematic harassment of Russian journalists in Germany." Such "open unfriendly actions by the German authorities will inevitably be met with a response from the Russian side," the ministry said. Lambsdorff was quoted by the Izvestia outlet as saying the meeting, which lasted over two hours, was "interesting." "We discussed the working conditions of our correspondents. We will continue this dialogue." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
