Exclusive: German defence minister seeks budget hike to over 60 billion euros, source says
BERLIN, May 7 (Reuters) - German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is seeking a drastic increase in the country's annual defence budget, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, with one saying he was aiming for over 60 billion euros ($68.21 billion) starting 2025.
Pistorius aims for the hike to take effect in 2025, one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
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The Guardian
42 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Australian universities urge Albanese to join New Zealand in $170bn Europe fund amid Trump attacks on education
Australian universities are urging the Albanese government to join New Zealand in a $170bn Europe research fund amid US president Donald Trump's sweeping crackdown on higher education and international students. Universities Australia's executive officer, Luke Sheehy, travelled to Brussels this week to meet representatives from the European Commission and the Australian ambassador, Angus Campbell, to discuss the possibility of joining Horizon Europe. The seven-year scientific collaborative research fund, with a budget of €95.5bn ($168bn), has 20 non-European partners – including New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada – but the Australian government has so far been reluctant to join. Industry insiders have attributed the government's reluctance to potential costs. New Zealand will pay €19m ($33m) over five years to be part of the program. The EU is drawing up strategies for the next seven-year funding cycle, due to begin in 2028, with a proposal expected to be announced mid-year. About €36bn ($63bn) is still available to the end of 2027. In comparison, Australia's total annual spend on research across all sectors is less than $40bn. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Sheehy said in a rapidly changing global environment, association with the body would give Australian researchers access to a mega-fund and support international collaboration on key sectors, including health and the environment. 'Growing geopolitical uncertainties are threatening to reshape our existing research alliances and we must adapt to remain ahead of the game,' he said. 'If we're serious about building a prosperous and productive economy, we need a seat at the table, particularly in a changing and more complex global environment.' The trade minister, Don Farrell, is in Paris this week restarting negotiations on a trade deal with the EU. Sheehy 'strongly encourage[d]' him to make Australia's involvement in Horizon Europe a focus of conversations. 'There is a strong appetite in Europe to have Australia come on board,' Sheehy said. 'This would remove the biggest roadblock for Australian researchers and scientists working with their European and other counterparts around the world. It's mutually beneficial. 'For what is a relatively modest investment, our best and brightest would gain access to billions of dollars in potential funding to take their work to the next level.' The higher eduction sector has closely focussed on Horizon Europe since the Trump administration was accused of possible 'foreign interference' in Australia's universities in March, pausing funding for programs at more than six universities. Researchers who receive US funding were sent a questionnaire asking them to confirm they aligned with US government interests and promoted administration priorities – including avoiding 'DEI, woke gender ideology and the green new deal'. Australia's Group of Eight CEO, Vicki Thomson, wrote to then-industry minister, Ed Husic, earlier this year on behalf of its member universities and the European Australian Business Council (EABC) CEO, Jason Collins, urging Australia to associate with the research fund. It has prepared a brief for the ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, at his request. Thomson, also the EABC deputy chair, has lobbied the government to join Horizon Europe for more than a decade. She will be meeting with stakeholders for negotiations in the next fortnight as part of an EABC delegation to Europe. Thomson said association with Horizon Europe was 'critical' to boosting productivity and providing essential buffers against negative global trends. 'Like trade, changes to the global research funding environment are also sending shocks around the world,' she said. 'The US is withdrawing from international research collaboration through the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies as well as defunding research in diversity, equity and inclusion. 'In the face of this, it is imperative that Australia maintains and extends international research collaboration through formal association with Horizon Europe.' The Australian Academy of Science president, Prof Chennupati Jagadish AC, also wants Australia to join the lucrative research fund, pointing to a possible research vacuum in the face of an increasingly unstable US. In April, the body announced a new global talent attraction program to capitalise on academics disfranchised by the Trump administration's research cuts. Americans represent 40% of collaborators in Australian physical sciences publications – including observational systems relied on for cyclone tracking capability and onshore mRNA vaccine manufacturing. Jagadish said the government must 'immediately act to diversify risk' by expanding international research collaborations, focusing on Horizon Europe. The industry minister, Madeleine King, was approached for comment.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Amazon shoppers rush to buy ‘stylish powerhouse' £140 MagSafe portable charger – now just £27
I'VE tested my fair share of portable chargers, and this one ticks all the right boxes. The Aobbow MagSafe Power Bank is on sale right now, down 81% from £139.99 to just £26.99, and it has everything you need. Aobbow MagSafe Power Bank, £139.99 £26.99 BUY FROM AMAZON Amazon's no stranger to solid tech deals, but this one feels like it's punching well above its price tag. For under thirty quid, you're getting a 10,000mAh portable charger that's slim, travel-friendly, and loaded with features. It supports wireless charging and comes with two built-in cables, one Type-C and one Lightning, as well as two additional ports. That's a rare combo, and a design you usually only see in premium models that cost two or three times as much. Now, let's be honest, £139.99 may have been stretching it a bit. But £26.99 is a real bargain for what you're getting here, and it's the kind of deal I wouldn't think twice about if you need a reliable power bank. I've tested plenty of chargers in search of the best power banks out there, and this one hits that sweet spot between practicality and price. It's compact, lightweight, and genuinely useful for everyday life, whether that's commuting, travelling, or just for a quick top-up on the go. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. The reviews on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive, with a near-perfect 4.9-star average and hundreds of buyers singing its praises. I haven't had this one in my hand yet, but in my opinion, it has everything I'd want in a portable charger. It's designed with iPhones in mind, supporting wireless charging from the 12 series all the way up to the latest iPhone 16 models. It even sticks to MagSafe-compatible cases, so it stays put while it charges. If you're not clear on the mechanics of wireless charging, our tech experts have a straightforward guide on how iPhone wireless charging works. But the Aobbow is far from limited to Apple gear, it supports wireless charging for Android phones, tablets, and other USB-C devices. The built-in display shows you exactly how much charge is left, which is a small touch that makes a big difference. And when you make full use of it, you can juice up to five devices at once, so it's great for family trips or group travel. People who've bought it seem genuinely impressed. One reviewer called it a 'stylish powerhouse,' adding, 'It gave my iPhone 15 about 50% juice in just 30 minutes. 'The 10,000mAh capacity easily delivers 1.5–2 full charges depending on your model.' Another praised its convenience, saying, 'It snaps right onto my phone and charges fast with the 20W. 'The built-in cables are a great bonus, and it's compact enough to carry daily. Great design, fast charging, and no hassle.' If you're after a reliable, well-equipped power bank that won't cost a fortune, this one's worth grabbing while it's around.
Auto Blog
4 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Mercedes CEO Has a Trump Tariff Deal That Could Reshape US-EU Auto Trade
Ola Källenius's comments to Der Spiegel comes as German automakers like Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen negotiate with the Trump Administration. Tariffs have the auto industry on watch Hours before an event in Michigan on April 29, President Trump signed two executive orders aimed at reducing the impact of trade tariffs on the automotive industry. One order prevents automakers, who face 25% tariffs on auto imports, from being subject to additional levies on materials. The other order allows automakers to apply for tariff relief, which will reduce a portion of the costs associated with their imported components. However, these benefits will be gradually phased out over the next two years. Ola Källenius, CEO of the Mercedes-Benz Group, and Winfried Kretschmann, Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, stand in the production area during a tour of the Mercedes-Benz passenger car plant in Rastatt. During a rally that night in Michigan, Trump described this move as providing 'a little flexibility' to the automotive industry, hoping to persuade automakers to produce their cars and components in the United States. He said, 'We gave them a little time before we slaughter them if they don't do this. They're going to make so much money. They're going to have so many jobs.' Despite the developments, German luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz withdrew its earnings guidance for 2025 during the announcement of its Q1 results. This decision was driven by uncertainty regarding the potential impact of President Trump's tariffs on imported vehicles. The company also stated that if auto tariffs remained at their current levels, it would decrease profit margins by 300 basis points on cars and 100 basis points on vans. Mercedes CEO offers some guidance on a potential tariff solution In a new interview with German business publication Der Spiegel, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said that while he is looking at different scenarios, the kind of investments he has to make are ones that could last for decades, rather than ones made 'in response to a volatile situation' such as the current US-EU tariff situation that is currently unfolding. Recognizing that the current administration has the impression 'that we in Europe are closed to certain issues and only demand openness where we have strengths,' the CEO proposed a deal meant to balance its imports and exports. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQS — Source: Mercedes-Benz In his proposal, Källenius would allow duty-free imports of U.S.-built cars into Europe in exchange for tariff waivers on an equal number of vehicles exported by EU automakers to the U.S., adding that it would alleviate and fulfill its desire to reindustrialize and become an attractive destination for companies to set up factories for exported goods. 'For every car that leaves the USA or Europe, a car from the other side comes in duty-free,' Källenius told Spiegel. 'We have put this idea to both sides, and it is a possible component of the negotiations between the USA and the EU.' Such a solution would work for a company like Mercedes-Benz. In the same interview, Källenius noted that Mercedes 'is a major producer' of cars in the United States, adding that the company builds and sells around 350,000 vehicles in the country, which could count for consideration in trade talks. 'But the models we build and sell [in the U.S.] are not the same,' Källenius told Spiegel. 'Two-thirds of the vehicles from our plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are exported to 150 countries worldwide. We therefore contribute to a more balanced trade balance for the USA. We believe this should be taken into account in the negotiations.' The team at Spartanburg that helped make the seven millionth BMW a reality. — Source: BMW Ford CEO Jim Farley proposed a similar idea Källenius's idea of rewarding U.S. exports is roughly on the same wavelength as similar ideas proposed by other automotive CEOs. Previously, Ford CEO Jim Farley raised the idea that automakers like Ford should get credit for building cars in the United States that are shipped overseas for international consumption, noting that it is 'essential' that the federal government come up with policies that encourage manufacturers to build cars for export, adding that it exports nearly as many vehicles as its brings in. 'So many of the vehicles we build here are exported around the globe,' Farley said. 'Shouldn't we get credit for that?' Around the same time Farley made those comments, the export of some high-ticket models to China, including the F-150 Raptor, Mustang, Bronco, and Lincoln Navigator, was halted due to retaliatory tariffs as high as 150% on imported vehicles. Final thoughts For what it's worth, German automakers like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have a lot of leverage for a potential U.S. tariff deal, especially if they propose that German automakers receive credits based on the number of vehicles they produce in the United States. These aren't small potatoes, either. BMW alone manufactures some of its highest-volume models, such as the BMW X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM, at its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant, which serves both U.S. and international markets. According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, BMW is the largest automotive exporter by value in the U.S., shipping 'more than $10 billion' of cars in 2024. American hands assemble these cars, no matter the badge or its supposed country of origin. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
