Energy and climate package Triple steps or big litter?

Status: 22.06.2021 4:35 p.m.

Shortly before the summer break, the Union and the SPD agreed on an energy and climate package. It is intended to help achieve the goals of the new Climate Protection Act. According to this, Germany should be greenhouse gas neutral by 2045.

From Martin Polansky, ARD capital studio

Shortly before the end of the legislative period, the Bundestag is due to pass the stricter climate protection law this week. And now the Union and the SPD have agreed on a package with initial measures on how the more ambitious climate targets are to be achieved in the coming years. The chairwoman of the Union in the Bundestag Environment Committee, Anja Weisgerber from the CSU, welcomes the agreement. “It is definitely a clear step forward. And with everything we also pay attention to the effects on the economy, on jobs and people’s acceptance.”

Expansion of renewable energies – with restrictions

The government groups have specifically agreed on additional new wind and solar systems in the coming year, on simplified repowering, in which old wind turbines will be replaced by new and higher ones. CSU environmental expert Weisgerber emphasizes that the effects on species protection and noise emissions should continue to be examined. But simplified approval procedures are necessary in order to expand renewable energies more quickly and thus achieve the climate targets. The agreement also provides financial benefits for communities that provide rural open spaces for solar systems. The Union and the SPD could not agree on a faster increase in the CO2 price or the distribution of CO2 costs between tenants and landlords each half. And solar compulsory for new buildings is also off the table. This was not feasible with the Union, says the deputy SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch: “We cannot enforce this measure in such a constellation. I believe that the next government must first and foremost conclude a future pact between the federal, state and local governments , which provides for a binding expansion path for renewable energy sources. ”

Opposition and associations disappointed

Criticism of the resolutions comes from the opposition. The FDP speaks of campaign activism by the Union and the SPD, the Left calls the resolutions a sham campaign. The environmental expert of the Greens, Oliver Krischer, speaks of small, triple steps: “That is not what we need for climate protection. That is politics with our hands in our pockets and not the answer to the climate crisis.”

The BUND and the Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband also criticize the resolutions as half-hearted: they are not only unambitious, but there is also no social compensation for tenants, for example. The Bundestag is to adopt the package of measures on Thursday together with the new climate protection law. This provides for Germany to become greenhouse gas neutral in 2045 – five years earlier than previously planned. In addition, the Federal Cabinet wants to launch an eight billion euro immediate program tomorrow to promote investments in the energy transition. However, the immediate program can only be finally adopted by the upcoming Bundestag

“Repowering” New boost for wind power?

Status: 22.06.2021 3:09 p.m.

The expansion of wind power has not progressed as planned for years. Now the grand coalition has agreed on a number of measures that should give the industry a new boost. This week, the new Federal Climate Protection Act should pass the Bundestag and Bundesrat. It stipulates that Germany will become greenhouse gas neutral by 2045 – five years earlier than planned. By 2030, 65 percent of climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions are to be saved compared to 1990. In order to achieve this goal, along with other measures, renewable energies must also make a major contribution. Wind power is one of them. The planned changes are essentially about making it easier to replace existing wind turbines, known as repowering. The new regulation is intended to facilitate the approval of new windmills at old locations and thus enable repowering that maintains the location. This also applies to wind farms that reach up to 350 meters from residential areas – provided that the loads from the new systems are not higher than the old ones. The aim is to make better use of existing wind sites with more modern system technology, said the politicians Matthias Miersch from the SPD and Stephan Stracke from the CDU.

There is still a lack of space

Lothar Schulze, CEO of the Wind Power Plants Association, maintains that repowering is facilitated “basically makes sense”, but criticizes the unchanged strict requirements for species protection. In addition, there is still a lack of space for new wind farms if the goal set by the federal government of reserving two percent of Germany’s land area for wind farms is to be achieved. Currently 0.9 percent of the area is designated for this, but only 0.5 percent can be used with modern systems. “This means that another 1.5 percent of the federal territory is missing, which means that a giant step has to be taken in the next legislative period”, said Schulze in conversation with tagesschau.de .

SPD parliamentary deputy Miersch also regretted that no agreement had been reached on binding land commitments for wind power. But at least he spoke of one “bridge” in the next legislative period. Green parliamentary group leader Anton Hofreiter criticized that there was only one “a couple of small funding programs” instead of “fundamental reforms”. “Very important and positive” On the other hand, association chief Schulze finds the increase in the tender volume for wind power to four gigawatts agreed for the coming year. However, it is only one “small compensation” the deterioration that has taken place since 2017. In fact, not all tenders were actually implemented between 2017 and 2020. “We would therefore have liked a perspective beyond 2022”, says Schulze. But this task will probably only be taken over by the new government.

Further loosening is necessary

Overall, however, the wind power industry is satisfied with the planned innovations. Material errors and limitations would be corrected. Despite the still too low approval procedures, the quantities were sufficient for 2022 and, due to the catch-up, also in the following years. The next government must, however, continue to promote the expansion of wind energy through further easing, also in the field of species protection, in order to increase the output to 5,000 MW per year, said Association Board Member Schulze.

Nevertheless, the controversial cases in the construction of new wind turbines have steadily increased in recent years. Since 2018, the expansion of wind energy has stagnated at 1,000 to 1,500 MW per year. In addition to the growing resistance from the population, this is also due to the different administrative practices from state to state. The industry also has the impression that new hurdles are always being sought. In the meantime, monument protection has also been included in the approval process for wind turbines. The compromise reached between the Union and the SPD over the past year also caused criticism from the industry Minimum distance from wind turbines to residential buildings . After that, each federal state can now determine which distance is permitted. This can be 1000 meters or less

After Brexit Great Britain and Australia sign trade pact

Status: 15.06.2021 12:07 p.m. Great Britain and Australia have agreed on a free trade agreement. The deal will ensure further growth, announced the government in London. But there are also skeptical voices. For the first time since Brexit, Great Britain has signed a completely renegotiated trade agreement. Prime Minister Boris Johnson reached a free trade agreement with his Australian colleague Scott Morrison. The heads of government have cleared the last stumbling blocks out of the way in the past few days, said both sides.

Boost for 3.5 million employees?

Accordingly, manufacturers of cars and whiskey would benefit from duty-free, the government announced in London. Young Britons under 35 should be given more freedom to live and work in Australia. Industries with around 3.5 million employees in the UK received a boost. The contract will ensure further growth. “Today marks a new dawn in the UK’s relationship with Australia, one that is fueled by our shared history and values,” said Johnson. Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan described the deal as a “gain for jobs, businesses, free trade”.

Exemption from duty for whiskey, among other things Image: dpa

“Good news for both countries”

In 2020, UK-Australian trade was worth £ 13.9 billion – around € 16.15 billion. The UK is Australia’s fifth largest trading partner. Before the British became part of the EU and with it the internal market in 1973, Australia was even the most important trading partner. Economist Gabriele Suder from RMIT University in Melbourne welcomed the British-Australian deal. This is good news for both countries. After all, it is the first agreement in the post-Brexit era. She expects the deal to bring the Australian economy 1.3 billion Australian dollars (around 830 million euros) annually. Other experts believe the pact will be more important to Britain. Australia has a strong trade focus on Asia.

analysis 04/27/2021

04/28/2021

British farmers fear imports

However, the pact with Australia is controversial in Great Britain. Farmers fear a flood of imports of lamb and beef as soon as customs duties cease to exist. This could affect British sheep and cattle farmers. The government in London stressed that the deal included ceilings on duty-free imports over the next 15 years, as well as quotas and other safeguards. Farmers’ associations called on parliament to closely monitor the contract. According to Australian data, the country’s farmers will benefit from the agreement.

Treaties with dozens of states

Great Britain is currently repositioning itself after Brexit. Since the UK left the EU, it has signed trade deals with dozens of countries. However, these were always copies of the pre-Brexit EU treaties with these states.

report March 29, 2021

Alliance against China G7 countries decide on global infrastructure plan

Status: 13.06.2021 6:38 p.m.

At the initiative of US President Joe Biden, the G7 countries agreed on a billion-dollar infrastructure initiative for the emerging countries. It should be an alternative to China’s “New Silk Road”. From Notker Blechner, tagesschau.de It sounds like a kind of “Marshall Plan” for the poorer countries of the world: At the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, the leading western industrialized countries have an infrastructure project entitled “Build Back Better World” (in German: a better world rebuild) decided. Hundreds of billions of dollars are to be invested by the G7 countries in cooperation with the private sector.

The US is the driving force behind the initiative

The project was promoted by US President Joe Biden. It is reminiscent of the billion dollar infrastructure plan adopted in the USA, which Biden promoted under the slogan “Build Back Better”. The aim is to offer poorer countries “transparent high-quality partnerships”, announced Biden at the end of the summit. The global infrastructure project of the G7 states is supposed to be an alternative to the “New Silk Road” with which China is promoting infrastructure projects from Asia to Europe. The People’s Republic has agreed “Belt and Road” projects with around 100 countries, including the construction of new train routes, ports and roads. According to the business information service Refinitiv, around 2,600 projects with a volume of 3.7 trillion dollars have already been launched. Critics accuse Beijing of driving poor countries into a debt trap and into political dependency. With the “Silk Road”, China is pursuing the goal of expanding its geopolitical influence worldwide. A US official called the new G7 alliance against China’s Silk Road a positive alternative vision that “shows our values, our standards and our way of doing business”. It is not about “the countries have to choose between us and China”.

Transparent alternative to the “New Silk Road”?

Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a less ideological justification for the infrastructure plan of the G7 countries. “We have to deal with the fact that China is running quite successfully infrastructure projects,” she admitted. “We can’t just stand by and watch.” The G7 group must show “that we are an important and successful factor in development work in the world”. She emphasized that the project was “not against something, but for something”, namely the expansion of the infrastructure, especially in Africa. The German economy has been demanding for some time that Europe react to China’s “New Silk Road” with its own infrastructure strategy. “If we want to regain spheres of influence in developing countries, it is not enough to criticize China. We have to make better deals,” said Friedolin Strack, head of the International Markets department in the Federation of German Industries (BDI), to the “Handelsblatt”. German companies usually go away empty-handed when it comes to the Silk Road projects.

Trillions of dollars are needed

According to Biden, there is a global need of 40 trillion dollars for the expansion and modernization of the infrastructure. He didn’t give any details. In a preparatory paper for the G7 summit it was said that 1.5 to 2.7 trillion dollars of additional money would be necessary every year for the developing and emerging countries to achieve the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. In fact, many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America lack modern roads, train lines, bridges and ports, as well as facilities for water supply, sewage and waste treatment. In the opinion of the G7 group, the World Bank and other international financial institutions have proven to be too clumsy when it comes to infrastructure projects. This is why national development banks in particular, such as the German Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW) or the US International Development Finance Corporation, are now to develop and implement projects.

Concrete projects only in 2022

It will take a few more months for the G7 countries’ global infrastructure plan to take shape. The first concrete projects are not expected to appear until next year. The new G7 task force for infrastructure projects in developing countries is to make specific proposals in 2022. “I hope that we can present such projects at the next G7 summit,” said Chancellor Merkel. Germany will take over the G7 presidency in 2022.

Besides, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed optimism that the two sides will reach an agreement as soon as possible. US and EU express cooperation on protection issues for Boeing and Airbus In March, the EU and the US also agreed to suspend counter-tariff actions for four months over a dispute related to protections for Airbus and Boeing. The US accused the EU of protecting aircraft maker Airbus to create a competitive advantage, while the EU also accused the US of taking similar measures against Boeing. The related lawsuits have dragged on for the past 17 years but have not come to an end. The dispute has led Brussels and Washington to repeatedly launch tariffs to punish each other. In March 2018, former US President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported steel products and 10% on aluminum imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico. In response, the EU approved a regulation to impose tariffs on $3.2 billion in US goods, including a 25% tax on the country’s whiskey. In addition to the issue of Airbus-Boeing, the two sides are currently arguing about France, Spain and some EU countries imposing digital taxes on major US technology firms.

The US-EU reached a historic agreement to settle a 17-year dispute involving Airbus and Boeing. (Source: Getty Images) US officials confirmed that the country and the EU had reached an agreement to end a dispute over government subsidies to the world’s top commercial aircraft manufacturers at the US Summit- EU in Brussels. The two sides agreed to suspend the tariffs for a period of five years. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the deal “resolves a longstanding trade issue in the US-EU relationship”. “Instead of fighting one of our closest allies, we are ultimately fighting a common threat together,” Ms. Tai said. Under the agreement between Airbus-Boeing, any passenger aircraft built in the future will not be allowed to receive subsidies from the government. In addition, these two allies also pledged to settle another dispute related to imported aluminum and steel products. According to the CNN The fact that the EU and the US reached an agreement to end the dispute and impose a “eaten patty” tax for the past 17 years is a positive signal for bilateral cooperation under President Joe Biden. Immediately after the news was announced, shares of Airbus group rose 1.4% on the Paris exchange. Meanwhile, shares of Boeing have not changed much. (according to CNN)

The US spent more than 1 billion USD on drugs to treat COVID-19 (Artwork). The oral antiviral drug Molnupiravir, which prevents the development of COVID-19 disease, is used to treat the early stages of the disease. The current trial regimen is 2 doses per day for 5 days. According to Dr. John Whyte – medical director of Merck & Co Inc. Laboratories, the US needs therapeutic drugs to be ready for the new wave of COVID-19. “This is a Tamiflu-like drug that we use to treat the flu,” said Dr John Whyte. Now we still have to do some research to make sure this drug is effective for treating COVID-19. But this is a correct strategy to prepare for new waves of COVID-19 to emerge.” Merck & Co Inc expects to produce more than 10 million courses of Molnupiravir by the end of the year and said many other countries are in discussions with the company about pre-ordering Molnupiravir. Data on the global trial of molnupiravir is expected to be released next fall. If successful, Merck & Co Inc will apply for an emergency use license as early as the second half of this year.

Diners enjoy coffee outdoors, when shops are allowed to reopen after a 7-month separation to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, in Brussels, Belgium on May 9, 2021. Photo: AFP/VNA According to European sources, during the meeting in Brussels, diplomats proposed that those who can present a certificate of having had a full dose of an EU-approved COVID-19 vaccine, can enter the bloc. . In addition, the limit for assessing a country on the list of entry restrictions has also been raised, whereby this list will include countries with a rate of new infections within two weeks of 75 cases per 100,000. population, instead of the current 25 cases. The recommendations are expected to be approved by EU ministers on May 20. Currently, the 27 EU member states still ban entry without a good reason, except for some countries considered safe with low rates of COVID-19 cases. However, business in Europe is also being resumed after the epidemic prevention restrictions are lifted. * On the same day, French people could not hide their joy when they were able to do old habits again such as sipping a cup of coffee outside a restaurant, preparing to go to the cinema or visit a museum. After more than 6 months of imposing measures to control the COVID-19 epidemic, France has relaxed restrictions, whereby cafes and restaurants with courtyards or rooftop gardens can serve guests to eat and drink. outdoors, while museums, cinemas and theaters will also reopen. This is part of phase 2 of the plan to lift the blockade. After that, restaurants will be allowed to serve indoors from June 9, and the French economy will fully reopen on June 30. Contrary to the deserted atmosphere, “doors closed, bolted” for many months, all over Paris, cafes and restaurants are busy preparing and arranging outdoor dining and drinking areas, while the first “gods” were enjoying their morning coffee. Mr. Pascal, manager of Saint Jean’s in the Montmartre district, is pleased to say that he has welcomed 3 customers to drink coffee. Meanwhile, one of the customers called it a big change from having to buy takeaway coffee. In the western city of Rennes, Patricia Marchand, manager of the cafe des Feuilles, confirmed that the whole city center is busier and full of excitement, although the meteorological agency predicts rain may occur in many places. . Also from May 19, the night curfew in France will also be shortened by 2 hours, starting at 21:00. Thus, people were able to have dinner together and chat longer, although eating and drinking still had to be limited to no more than 6 people/table. Not only enjoying a cup of coffee or drinking wine, many French people also look forward to going to the movies or watching exhibitions. In a statement posted on the webiste, the Louvre museum posted a status line expressing its joy when it was reopened to visitors. In order to boost the economy, France has also decided to reopen non-essential businesses but must implement social distancing regulations. Currently, the number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units in France has decreased to 4,250 cases, much lower than about 6,000 cases a month earlier. The weekly rate of new cases also fell to 142 cases per 100,000 people, much lower than 400 at the beginning of April.

Customers choose to buy Xiaomi products. (Photo: THX/VNA) On May 12, the US Department of Defense removed Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi from a “black list” that Washington had accused of being involved in the military operations . The decision comes after an announcement by a US court on May 12, which said Xiaomi and the US government had agreed to settle a legal dispute, which has been one of the causes of increasing tensions. Sino-US relations have not been smooth sailing for many years. Attorneys for the US government said they would not appeal the ruling. In early January 2021, the last days of his presidency, the administration of former US President Donald Trump listed Xiaomi and eight other Chinese companies on the above list, and asked all US investors to withdraw. capital from these companies before 11/11/2021. Soon after, Xiaomi filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense and the US Department of Finance, arguing that this decision was illegal. Along with this case, in March 2021, a federal judge in Washington criticized the inclusion of Xiaomi on the above list, and expressed skepticism about the government’s arguments to protect national security. America. Huawei – Xiaomi’s rival company was also included” black list ” in 2019 and is prohibited from accessing critical US-origin technologies. Professor Doug Fuller, who tracks China’s semiconductor sector at the University of Hong Kong, said the incident Xiaomi being removed from the “black list” by the US could be a factor for President Joe Biden’s administration to adjust its policy towards China, which was seen as tough under the previous administration. Xiaomi was founded in 2010 and specializes in the production of smartphones, tablets and smart products for home use. Shares of Xiaomi rose 11.3% on the US stock market and gained more than 6% on the Hong Kong (China) stock exchange after being removed from the “black list.” The company’s share price has fallen about 20% since January 2021.

Give me more than a lifetime Staying in and talking to people of kindness The realms of flowers bloom Italy made candles to light the edema pants Data gentle and bright Love incense is here to resolve the crime Don’t wait for the time to drop your hand Live more than exist in the present moment I forgive the word realm Braided rope glowing golden words The bell rang again The world is immature in the legs like this. NGUYEN QUANG HUNG Shadow yourself Heart thrilled as the trees closed the leaves The street pushes the sky high I do not know from March Morning dawn patiently self-morning Illustration: XUAN HUYEN. How many years with so many good people Come to life and speak love Many lyrics remind themselves You don’t need to hurt me Noises here and there People who are more gentle than before the cause of life I watered the old attentiveness To live for me and be more real. NGUYEN VAN STUDIES Take me to the delta Take me to the delta to listen to the love song The crazy cotton lure the spirit fish to catch the net My feet are smooth and soft for girls’ skin He hesitated, daring to wash his tapered finger First time take me to your hometown delta What also surprised me Pumpkin flowers cover a lovely golden sky Maybe tomorrow there will be a little fate together? The sound of clanging clanged the river Alluvial soil is deposited on the heels of her child I said yes Like water in Tien River, he drank sweetly The night of the thick delta echoes a million sounds Back to your hometown The first time I listen to the song Da ancient Dieu Hoai is sad and sad, and Ganh Hao deep in the night Where did you split up, but I hesitated? Plain section … He is similar Turn to stone What are you saying, why do lilies stop at night … I started paying you with the first afternoon Hands times delta night Desolate Plain Plain heavy debt I’m gone Weeping the river delta and crying with the moon …