Overview
This edition of the Süddeutsche Zeitung covers key political, economic and technological developments in Germany and internationally, as well as selected reports from sports and weather.
Key Points
- Federal government intends to take responsibility for nuclear waste disposal and require utilities to make fund payments by 2022.
- Swiss city of Yverdon-les-Bains invests in smart street lighting to reduce costs and light pollution.
- Federal Ministry of the Interior approves use of Trojan software for law enforcement under “appropriate, necessary and proportionate” conditions.
- Draft law proposes stricter background checks for security and guard personnel in Germany.
- USA and Russia agree on a ceasefire in Syria starting next Saturday – IS and Al-Nusra excluded.
- EU plans could tie German child benefit for children living abroad to the cost of living in their country of residence.
- Macedonia’s border closure causes thousands of refugees to be stuck on the Balkan route and sparks a dispute between Vienna and Berlin.
- Facebook announces partnership with Samsung in Barcelona for a virtual reality smartphone.
- DFB disciplinary committee opens proceedings against Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt after a referee scandal.
- Germany: mostly cloudy with showers, high temperatures ranging from 2 °C to 11 °C.
Detailed Overview
National Politics
- Nuclear waste disposal: Draft commission report recommends a “new disposal consensus.” Responsibility to lie with the federal government; power companies to pay into a disposal fund until 2022.
- Online surveillance: Interior Ministry approves use of Trojans against suspects when criteria are met; data protection officers involved.
- Security guard industry: New draft law requires mandatory three-year reliability checks for all security personnel – reaction to abuses in refugee shelters.
International Politics & Migration
- Syria conflict: USA and Russia agree on a ceasefire from Saturday for government forces and rebels; IS/Al-Nusra remain excluded.
- EU child benefit reform: Under British pressure, from 2020 child benefit to be adjusted to living standards in country of residence – Germany could save hundreds of millions.
- Balkan route: Macedonia tightens border controls; only a few refugees pass; 5,000 people stranded in northern Greece; conflict over immigration policy reignites between Germany and Austria.
Economy & Technology
- Smart city: Yverdon-les-Bains gradually equipping old town with intelligent street lights (motion sensors, Wi-Fi, environmental monitoring). Investment to pay off by 2025 at one quarter of 2010 lamp costs.
- VR smartphone: Facebook and Samsung announce first virtual reality-capable smartphone supporting headsets with 360° videos.
Sports
- DFB investigations: Disciplinary committee of the German Football Association opens proceedings against Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt after a verbal altercation with referee Felix Zwayer.
Outlook & Action Areas
- Relatively strong state regulation on surveillance and security services requires clear balance between data protection and hazard prevention.
- Adjustment of social benefits in the EU context likely to spark political debate on migration incentives and funding equity.
- Smart city projects offer a model for municipal infrastructure but pose compatibility and cost risks.
- Continuation of the Syria ceasefire and developments on the Balkan route are crucial for EU migration policy and bilateral relations.