Latest news with #CDU
DW
an hour ago
- Automotive
- DW
Germany updates: Deportations up, Volkswagen profits down – DW – 07/25/2025
The number of deportations from Germany is up slightly compared to the first half of last year. Meanwhile, German automobile giant Volkswagen has seen profits tumble as a result of US tariffs. DW has automobile giant Volkswagen has posted a sharp drop in second-quarter profits, citing US tariffs, rising production costs and an increase in sales of electric vehicles with a smaller profit margin. Volkswagen profits dropped to just under €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) in the second quarter of 2025, a 36.3% decrease on same period last year. The Wolfsburg-based concern said that its Porsche and Audi subsidiaries had performed particularly poorly and that sales in China were also down, but insisted the drop-off was largely in line with analysts' expectations. Chief executive Oliver Blume insisted that Volkswagen is operating in an "extremely challenging environment," while finance director Arno Antlitz said the results were actually "at the higher end" of the company's expectations. "But, in the end, what matters is the money which actually lands in the till," he said. "We've made tangible improvements in design, technology and quality," added Blume. "The order books are well-stocked." Nevertheless, the firm says it will stick to its restructuring plans which it intends to "implement decisively and accelerate where necessary." Volkswagen is expecting to cut 35,000 jobs by 2030. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A leading Austrian migration researcher has criticized the German government's deportation policies, calling them a "bluff." "A great deal of effort is achieving very little – all while undermining EU law," claimed Gerald Knaus, chairman of the European Stability Initiative, in the Friday edition of German finance newspaper . Knaus also defended German migration policy under former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) — which has come under severe attack from Merz and his current government. "Germany had irregular migration under control," he claimed. "The core elements of Merkel's policies after 2016 were correct, as shown by the sharp decrease in refugee numbers following the [2016] refugee deal between the European Union and Turkey. Indeed, Knaus warned that the current government's constant criticism of Merkel, who also headed up conservative-led coalitions, only serves to help the far-right. "The CDU is running from its own history and talking down its own success," he opined. "[Now], every time any crime is committed by a migrant, [the far-right AfD] can claim: the CDU is to blame." The number of deportations from Germany rose to more than 11,800 in the first half of this year, according to data released by the Interior Ministry. The figure, provided in response to a parliamentary question from a lawmaker from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, represents an increase of over 2,000 on the same period in 2024, during which around 9,500 deportations were carried out. The new conservative-led German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has promised a tougher approach to illegal migration, tightening border checks, clamping down on "secondary migration" within the European Union and resuming deportation flights to countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Earlier this month, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) joined his counterparts from Austria, Denmark, France, the Czech Republic and Poland in calling for a tougher European migration and asylum policy. "Effective returns are essential for maintaining trust in a balanced European migration policy," the ministers said in a joint statement. Welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany on Friday, July 25. As the weekend approaches, we'll keep you up to date on stories including: And remember: you can recap on yesterday's Germany news here.
Cision Canada
19 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Carbonova Selected for Funding Through Emission Reduction Alberta's Advanced Materials Challenge
$4.38M ERA Grant Fuels Construction of Canada ʼs First Carbon Nanofiber Commercial Demonstration Plant in Calgary CALGARY, AB, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Carbonova, a cleantech company transforming greenhouse gas emissions into high-performance carbon nanofibers (CNF), is proud to be among the recipients of the Government of Alberta and Emissions Reduction Alberta's (ERA) Advanced Materials Challenge grant. These funds, totaling $4.38 million, mark a major win in Carbonova's journey—supporting the company as it advances toward the commissioning of its first-of-its-kind Commercial Demonstration Unit (CDU) in Calgary. "Together, [these projects] are going to generate over $233 million to our GDP by 2027 and create 1,600 high-quality jobs across the province…this is how we drive responsible growth – supporting home-grown technologies, accelerating commercialization, and building stronger, more resilient industries," said Justin Riemer of Emissions Reduction Alberta. Founded in Alberta and built on proprietary catalytic technology, Carbonova has developed a breakthrough process that converts CO₂ and methane into sustainable, high-performance carbon nanomaterials for use in batteries, plastics, and construction. The company's patented process operates at a fraction of the cost and carbon footprint of traditional alternatives like carbon black, graphite, or carbon nanotubes. "This support from ERA enables Carbonova to turn breakthrough science into real-world infrastructure," said Dr. Mina Zarabian, CEO & Co-Founder of Carbonova. "With customers lined up and eager for better, lighter, and more sustainable materials, ERA is catalyzing the emergence of a new industry—one where carbon emissions become the feedstock for high-performance advanced materials. Alberta is proving that climate leadership and industrial innovation can go hand-in-hand." The ERA-funded project will de-risk scale-up and commercialization by enabling Carbonova to complete Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and begin procurement and construction of its CDU, capable of producing 25 tonnes of CNF per year while utilizing over 50 tonnes of CO₂. The CDU will serve as a launchpad to fulfill offtake agreements already in progress and demonstrate Carbonovaʼs readiness for global deployment through a build-own-operate and licensing model. This milestone builds on Carbonovaʼs growing momentum, following strategic partnerships with global manufacturers in batteries, composites, and construction, and a strong track record of customer-led Joint Development Agreements. Carbonova is collaborating with a variety of strategic customers and partners at this exciting inflection point. With patented technology, world-class collaborators, and a clear path to commercialization, Carbonova is poised to scale its impact globally—starting right here in Alberta. About Carbonova Carbonova transforms CO₂ and methane into sustainable, high-performance carbon nanofibers used in batteries, composites, and construction materials. Based in Calgary, the company is accelerating the transition to a circular, low-carbon economy by offering scalable, cost-effective alternatives to legacy carbon materials. Learn more about the ERA Advanced Materials Challenge: For more information about Carbonova, visit About Tailwind Ventures Tailwind Ventures is a strategic partner supporting Carbonova and continues to work with the company to prepare for its future Series A financing. Tailwind Ventures empowers early- and growth-stage companies to withstand the scrutiny of due diligence and secure capital. Tailwind's diligent preparedness process enables ventures to build stronger businesses and improve the risk-reward relationship for ventures and investors. Tailwind Ventures has raised over C$370 million for clients since 2022. Tailwind is based in Calgary, Canada. For more information about Tailwind Ventures, visit Forward-looking statements Certain statements contained in this press release relate to future events, conditions, or outcomes with respect to Carbonova's business, its customers, technology, and the broader industry. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements and are often, but not always, identified using words such as "believes", "seek", "plan", "expect" and similar expressions.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Germany to Smooth Military Procurement in Massive Spending Push
By and Michael Nienaber Save German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's cabinet approved a law designed to accelerate military planning and procurement, part of the ruling coalition's effort to swiftly transform the Bundeswehr into Europe's strongest conventional army. Merz's conservative CDU/CSU bloc and his Social Democrat partners have effectively suspended rules limiting new borrowing to fund defense outlays and pledged to meet NATO's revised spending goal of 5% of gross domestic product on the military.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Germany's Merz faces pressure to toughen stance on Israel
FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses the media with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store (not pictured) at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, July 21, Niesner/File Photo BERLIN - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under pressure to take a firmer stance towards Israel, with members of his own coalition calling for Berlin to join a statement by dozens of Western nations condemning the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians. Merz, who leads Germany's centre-right CDU, has been increasingly critical of Israel. But Germany was notably absent from the joint statement issued on Monday by the EU and 28 Western countries including Britain and France, which called on Israel to immediately end the war. The countries condemned what they called the "drip feeding of aid" to Palestinians in Gaza and said it was "horrifying" that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking aid. Reem Alabali Radovan, international development minister in Merz's cabinet and a member of the centre-left SPD junior coalition partners, said on Tuesday she was unhappy with Germany's decision not to sign it. "The demands in the letter from the 29 partners to the Israeli government are understandable to me. I would have wished for Germany to join the signal sent by the 29 partners," she said. Merz's office says Germany's criticism of Israel is similar to that of other allies. Merz said on Tuesday he had told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "very clearly and very explicitly that we do not share the Israeli government's policy on Gaza". "Above all we see the great suffering of the civilian population there. That is why I would like to once again renew my call to truly provide the necessary humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The way the Israeli army is operating there is not acceptable," he said. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said that although Germany did not sign the joint declaration, Merz and his foreign minister "expressed very critical views of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip yesterday – and in terms of substance and significance, said the same thing." "Their statements are in no way inferior to the joint declaration," Kornelius said. But the decision to withhold Germany's signature from the declaration follows many months in which Germany has taken particular care in public to restrain its criticism of Israeli actions. German officials say their approach to Israel is governed by a special responsibility, known as the Staatsraeson, arising from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust. They believe they can achieve more through diplomatic back channels than public statements. German statements on Gaza typically include a demand for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. The joint statement that Merz declined to sign to this week stopped short of such a demand, although it noted that the hostages were suffering under worsening conditions. Merz is one of the few European leaders who has publicly offered to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, without arresting him on a warrant for suspected war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Israel rejects the charges against Netanyahu and says they are political motivated. The ICC says all signatories of the court's founding statute, which include all 27 EU members, are obliged to arrest Netanyahu if he enters their territory. Critics of Merz's approach, including within the SPD coalition partners, say the legacy of the Holocaust cannot be an excuse for ignoring Israeli crimes, and, on the contrary, the post-Holocaust motto of "never again" should apply to Gaza now. 'The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and represents a humanitarian abyss," said a joint statement by two senior SPD lawmakers - foreign policy spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic and rapporteur for the Middle East Rolf Mützenich - who called for Berlin to join the joint declaration. There should be "clear and immediate consequences" for Israel, including the suspension of a pact governing EU-Israeli relations and a halt to the export of weapons to Israel that are used in violation of international law, they said. REUTERS
Reuters
3 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Germany's Merz faces pressure to toughen stance on Israel
BERLIN, July 22 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under pressure to take a firmer stance towards Israel, with members of his own coalition calling for Berlin to join a statement by dozens of Western nations condemning the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians. Merz, who leads Germany's centre-right CDU, has been increasingly critical of Israel. But Germany was notably absent from the joint statement issued on Monday by the EU and 28 Western countries including Britain and France, which called on Israel to immediately end the war. The countries condemned what they called the "drip feeding of aid" to Palestinians in Gaza and said it was "horrifying" that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking aid. Reem Alabali Radovan, international development minister in Merz's cabinet and a member of the centre-left SPD junior coalition partners, said on Tuesday she was unhappy with Germany's decision not to sign it. "The demands in the letter from the 29 partners to the Israeli government are understandable to me. I would have wished for Germany to join the signal sent by the 29 partners," she said. Merz's office says Germany's criticism of Israel is similar to that of other allies. Merz said on Tuesday he had told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "very clearly and very explicitly that we do not share the Israeli government's policy on Gaza". "Above all we see the great suffering of the civilian population there. That is why I would like to once again renew my call to truly provide the necessary humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The way the Israeli army is operating there is not acceptable," he said. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said that although Germany did not sign the joint declaration, Merz and his foreign minister "expressed very critical views of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip yesterday – and in terms of substance and significance, said the same thing." "Their statements are in no way inferior to the joint declaration," Kornelius said. But the decision to withhold Germany's signature from the declaration follows many months in which Germany has taken particular care in public to restrain its criticism of Israeli actions. German officials say their approach to Israel is governed by a special responsibility, known as the Staatsraeson, arising from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust. They believe they can achieve more through diplomatic back channels than public statements. German statements on Gaza typically include a demand for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. The joint statement that Merz declined to sign to this week stopped short of such a demand, although it noted that the hostages were suffering under worsening conditions. Merz is one of the few European leaders who has publicly offered to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, without arresting him on a warrant for suspected war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Israel rejects the charges against Netanyahu and says they are political motivated. The ICC says all signatories of the court's founding statute, which include all 27 EU members, are obliged to arrest Netanyahu if he enters their territory. Critics of Merz's approach, including within the SPD coalition partners, say the legacy of the Holocaust cannot be an excuse for ignoring Israeli crimes, and, on the contrary, the post-Holocaust motto of "never again" should apply to Gaza now. 'The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and represents a humanitarian abyss," said a joint statement by two senior SPD lawmakers - foreign policy spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic and rapporteur for the Middle East Rolf Mützenich - who called for Berlin to join the joint declaration. There should be "clear and immediate consequences" for Israel, including the suspension of a pact governing EU-Israeli relations and a halt to the export of weapons to Israel that are used in violation of international law, they said.
