Latest news with #BadenWürttemberg
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
German state sued over failing to meet climate targets
German environmentalists have brought charges against the south-western state of Baden-Würrtemberg over allegedly failing to meet its climate targets, the Environmental Action Germany (DUH) group said on Tuesday. The non-profit, which filed the charges at the state administrative court in Mannheim, aims to force state authorities to pass an action programme ahead of the next state elections in March 2026 to reach the self-imposed targets. According to the Climate Protection Act of Baden-Würrtemberg, the state is to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 65% compared to 1990 levels by 2030, with the state to be climate neutral by 2040. But last year, scientists projected that Baden-Würrtemberg, which is home to many of Germany's manufacturing businesses including big players in the car industry like Porsche and Mercedes, is set to miss the 2030 target. The Climate Act also stipulates that further measures are to be implemented if an "imminent significant deviation from targets" is identified, but so far the state government - a coalition of the conservative Christian Democrats and the Greens - has failed to act. DUH managing director Jürgen Resch accused the state government of "deliberately violating the law." He proposed introducing a state-wide speed limit on the Autobahn motorway - a controversial issue in Germany - as well as the energy-efficient refurbishment of schools and daycare centres as additional ways to reduce emissions.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Science
- The Sun
Rancid-smelling super ants that form whopping colonies & even eat CABLES rampaging across Europe – & could infest the UK
A STINKING species of super-ant is storming through Europe on a path to the UK. The millions-strong mega-colonies have wiped out power supplies and even roads as they overwhelm the ground beneath entire towns. 9 9 9 The species, called Tapinoma magnum, hails from the Med and North Africa - but has been pushing up through the continent. They spread rapidly and establish supercolonies of up to 20million across 60 acres which are "virtually impossible" to eradicate. There were so many ants, you couldn't see the floor anymore Agnes WirthOetwil an der Limmat resident And anyone who dares squash a T. magnum is greeted by the stench of rancid butter. The invaders hit headlines in Sweden this week as officials in regions around the capital Zurich attempt to oust the pests. The ants have also taken root in France - but Germany has suffered the most. In Germany, the sleepy south-western town of Kehl has been swamped. Locals reported watching the town's pavements and curbs sinking as the earth was carted away by the bugs, causing havoc with the roads. And a playground was forced to close after ants took over the entire area and turned it into a nest. City workers had to jet hot water into the labyrinth to wash them out. The wider state of Baden-Württemberg has suffered power cuts and internet outages after the insects chomped through electric cables. Watch incredible vid of ants OUTSMARTING humans to solve puzzle first T. magnum's destructive power comes from the sheer scale of their underground warrens and their tireless determination to expand. While most ant species organise a few thousand workers around a single queen, T. magum clans contain up to 20million and hundreds of queens. Instead of attacking one another, the smaller colonies merge together in alliance. The British Pest Control Association told The Sun that the UK is at risk from the advancing crusade. They explained the ants "spread mainly through horticultural imports, especially potted plants and trees from the Mediterranean". They added: "If T. magnum were to establish here, it could become a nuisance. "They form vast supercolonies, displace native species and can even cause structural issues by excavating under paving." Although the species has not marched into the UK yet, a spokesperson for Defra said the agency "remains vigilant" to the threat. The countryside around Zurich has been tormented by the ants since 2018. 9 9 9 Despite an almighty effort to clear them out, the ants remain "well established" in four areas. In Winterthur, they blocked a billion-pound construction project when they settled exactly where a multi-track railroad tunnel was planned. In the nearby Oetwil an der Limmat region, one supercolony infested an entire five-hectare potato field - about seven football pitches. A local, Agnes Wirth, told Swiss site SRF: "There were so many ants, you couldn't see the floor anymore." But that is dwarfed by the colony in Volketswil, on the other side of Zurich, where an area the size of 35 football pitches is teeming with the busy-body bugs. The infestation is so enormous that the local authority has been legally forced to act. Katharina Weber of the Zurich Department of Construction said: "In areas with large infestations, a coordinated approach by specialists is required. 9 9 9 "This means a plan is needed, and special pest controllers must be deployed. These can target the insecticide at the nests." In the UK, DEFRA recommends that anyone who sees a non-native insect species takes a photo and reports it. Mike Fox, record manager for the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society, said: "As far as I know, there are no records of Tapinoma magnum becoming established in the UK but of course it could possible in the future." Niall Gallagher, the Technical Manager at British Pest Control Association, said they closely monitor pest species - including Tapinoma magnum. He told The Sun: "Research on Tapinoma magnum supercolonies in Switzerland has found that these ants live outdoors and can continue to forage at temperatures as low as 6 degrees during the winter months. 'Individual efforts by homeowners and gardeners are not sufficient to effectively control an infestation, and specifically tailored pest control solutions are needed to eradicate a colony." He recommend that anyone concerned about an ant infestation contacts a professional pest controller for help. Tapinoma magnum species According to the British Pest Control Association, one of T. magnum's most striking traits is their procession behaviour. These ants form conspicuous trails across pavements and up buildings, often in large, coordinated lines. These trails are reinforced with pheromones and can span several metres, connecting different parts of their supercolony. To the untrained eye, this may look like a very active colony of common ants – but the sheer volume and organised movement can be a telltale sign of T. magnum. In established infestations, these trails may even lead into buildings, across walls or deep into pavements and garden features. If the species were to establish here, pest professionals would likely rely on a combination of bait gels (such as indoxacarb or imidacloprid) and surface treatments, as was done successfully in Zurich, Switzerland. As always, public awareness and early reporting are vital tools in managing invasive pests. Think you've seen something unusual? Here's what to do:
Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- 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
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Germany updates: Mannheim to remember knife attack victim
German authorities will unveil a memorial plaque commemorating a police officer who died due to a knife attack in the city of Mannheim last year. In other news, the number of naturalizations in Germany hit a record level in 2024 after a citizenship reform went into effect. In regards to irregular migration, Germany's interior minister hopes for an EU-wide consensus on sending failed asylum seekers to third countries. Here's a roundup of the latest news stories from Germany on May 31, 2025: The western German city of Mannheim plans to remember the 29-year-old police officer Rouven Laur on Saturday in the market square where he was stabbed one year ago. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Baden-Württemberg Interior Minister Thomas Strobl, and Mannheim Mayor Christian Specht are expected to unveil a memorial plaque providing information about the May 31, 2024, incident. A floor slab commemorating the Laur will also be presented. The fatal stabbing last year also wounded five people who participated in a rally organized by the anti-Islam Citizens' Movement Pax Europa (BPE). The now 26-year-old suspected Islamist perpetrator, identified as Sulaiman A, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. His trial has been taking place at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court since February. Guten Tag from the team in DW's Bonn newsroom, where we bring you reports covering the main headlines in Germany. Here, you can read headlines, analyses, multimedia content, and DW on-the-ground reporting on everything to do with Europe's largest economy.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mannheim to mark fatal stabbing incident one year ago
The German city of Mannheim plans to commemorate slain police officer Rouven Laur on Saturday in the market square where he was killed in a knife attack one year ago. As part of the event in the city in the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg, there is expected to be an interfaith peace prayer, and German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is expected to attend. Together with Dobrindt, Baden-Württemberg Interior Minister Thomas Strobl and Mannheim Mayor Christian Specht plan to unveil a memorial plaque providing information about the events of May 31, 2024. A floor slab commemorating the 29-year-old police officer is also due to be presented. "We pause to remember an exemplary and courageous police officer who lost his life in the service of our society," Specht said in remarks released before Saturday's anniversary. "The market square, the scene of the crime, will become a place of silent remembrance – embedded in the heart of our city," Specht added. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office is convinced that the now 26-year-old suspected Islamist perpetrator identified as Sulaiman A injured six people with a knife in the attack in Mannheim, namely five participants in a rally organized by the anti-Islam Citizens' Movement Pax Europa (BPE) and Laur. The police officer succumbed to his serious injuries two days later. The trial of the alleged Islamist, who is charged with murder and attempted murder, has been taking place at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court since February.
