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Nations have role to call out int’l terrorism: India replies to Pakistan, Germany

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Saturday said in a statement said that Jammu and Kashmir witnesses a similar and sustained terrorist campaign for decades….reports Asian Lite News

Responding to Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto’s comments on alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, during a joint press conference with German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, India has said that all “serious and conscientious members of global community have a role and responsibility to call out international terrorism, especially of a cross cultural nature”.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Saturday said in a statement said that Jammu and Kashmir witnesses a similar and sustained terrorist campaign for decades.

“This continues. Foreign nationals have been victims there as also in other parts of India. The UN Security Council and FATF are still pursuing Pakistan-based terrorists involved in 26/11 attacks,” Bagchi said in the statement.

He further said that when “states don’t recognise such dangers because of self-interest or indifference, they undermine the cause of peace, not promote it and do grave injustice to victims of terrorism”.

Bagchi’s statement came in response to media queries on comments about the Kashmir issue at the recent press conference by the German and Pakistani foreign ministers.

ALSO READ: Kashmiri terror victims address UNHRC event

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Europe

Germany concerned with Britain’s tax cuts

Speaking at an event hosted by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Monday, Lindner suggested that it wouldn’t end well…reports Asian Lite News

The German government is concerned that Britain is conducting a “major experiment” by cutting taxes and boosting borrowing just as the central bank is raising interest rates, a media reports said.

Germany’s Finance Minister Christian Lindner raised doubts about British government’s plans to accelerate spending while the central bank tightens policy to rein inflation, The Guardian reported.

In another sign of rising international concern, Lindner warned: “In the UK, a major experiment is starting as the state simultaneously puts its foot on the gas while the central bank steps on the brakes.”

Speaking at an event hosted by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Monday, Lindner suggested that it wouldn’t end well.

“I would say we wait for the results of this attempt and then draw the lessons,” he said, The Guardian reported.

Larry Summers, a former US Treasury secretary, has warned that the UK government’s ‘utterly irresponsible’ plans could drag the pound below parity against the euro, as well as the dollar.

Summers has heavily criticised Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng for undermining credibility by saying ‘incredible things’ about planning more tax cuts — those weekend comments pushed the pound to a record low of $1.0327 on Monday.

Summers said he was “very pessimistic about the consequences of utterly irresponsible UK policy on Friday”, but didn’t expect the markets to get so bad so quickly.

Summers also suggested the Bank of England should have taken more decisive action, rather than its timid statement on Monday.

Summers said, “The first step in regaining credibility is not saying incredible things. I was surprised when the new chancellor spoke over the weekend of the need for even more tax cuts. I cannot see how the BOE, knowing the government’s plans, decided to move so timidly.”

ALSO READ-Russia to annex occupied Ukraine territories

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-Top News UAE News

UAE, Germany ink new energy security pact

As part of the agreement, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has entered into an LNG supply agreement with RWE AG (RWE), with ADNOC providing an LNG cargo for delivery in late 2022…reports Asian Lite news

UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, have witnessed the signing of a new Energy Security and Industry Accelerator (ESIA) Agreement that will accelerate projects of joint interest between the UAE and Germany in energy security, decarbonization and climate action.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Climate Special Envoy, and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Dr. Franziska Brantner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The agreement signing ceremony was attended by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor of Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; and Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; and members of the delegation accompanying the German Chancellor, as well as a number of ministers and senior officials.

As part of the agreement, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has entered into an LNG supply agreement with RWE AG (RWE), with ADNOC providing an LNG cargo for delivery in late 2022, to be used in the commissioning of Germany’s floating LNG import terminal at Brunsbüttel. In addition, ADNOC has reserved a number of further LNG cargos exclusively for German customers in 2023.

ADNOC has also entered into a number of agreements with German customers, including Steag GmbH (Steag) and Aurubis AG (Aurubis) for demonstration cargos of low-carbon ammonia, a carrier fuel for hydrogen that can play a critical role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industry sectors. The first of these cargoes arrived in Hamburg earlier this month. Under the proposed ESIA, both countries anticipate to explore further opportunities to accelerate growth and collaboration across the hydrogen value chain.

Furthermore, Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy champion, will be actively exploring opportunities in the offshore wind markets in the North Sea and Baltic Sea in Germany that could generate up to 10GW of renewable energy production capacity by 2030 subject to the necessary German policy and regulatory requirements being met between the two nations.

Finally, it was announced that ADNOC had completed the UAE’s first ever direct diesel delivery to Germany in September 2022, and has agreed the terms with Wilhelm Hoyer GmbH & Co. KG (Hoyer) to supply up to 250,000 tons of diesel per month in 2023.

Olaf Scholz said: “I welcome the signing of the joint declaration of intent on the “Energy Security and Industry Accelerator – ESIA”. Through ESIA, we enable the swift implementation of strategic lighthouse projects on the focus areas of renewable energies, hydrogen, LNG and climate action.”

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said: “This landmark new agreement reinforces the rapidly growing energy partnership between the UAE and Germany. As we embrace the energy transition, ADNOC is fully committed to accelerate and invest in projects of energy security, decarbonization and climate action as we continue to be a responsible and reliable provider and trusted exporter of low-carbon energy.”

Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, said: “We highly welcome the acceleration of joint lighthouse projects in the field of climate action, decarbonisation and energy security. We look forward to closely collaborate on offshore wind, other renewables and hydrogen in the UAE and in Germany.”

ADNOC has long been a responsible and reliable provider of energy products to customers globally. The company was the first LNG producer in the Middle East and has over 40 years’ experience in the LNG market. It is currently in the midst of a major expansion of its natural gas business, accelerating production to meet both domestic and international demand.

Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas resources have some of the lowest carbon intensity in the world. ADNOC’s flagship crude oil, Murban, has less than half the carbon intensity of the industry average and the company is delivering on its plans to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by a further 25% by 2030. Murban crude is freely traded on the ICE Futures Abu Dhabi (IFAD) exchange, where it is sold as a destination free crude oil to buyers from around the globe.

ALSO READ: Five-fold spike in India’s exports to UAE

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-Top News Europe

Germany nationalises country’s largest gas importer

The stabilization measures are still subject to approval by the European Commission. In addition, an extraordinary general meeting of Uniper is scheduled to adopt the deal before the end of 2022…reports Asian Lite News

The German government agreed to nationalise the country’s largest gas importer Uniper in an effort to ensure energy security against the backdrop of Russia’s gas supply freeze and rocketing gas prices.

The government has agreed with Uniper and its previous majority owner, Finland’s Fortum, on the far-reaching deal. Following the completion of a capital increase and the acquisition of Uniper shares from Fortum, the German government will own approximately 98.5 per cent of Uniper.

The German government is taking over “a total of 99 per cent of Uniper” as part of a further stabilisation package, the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) said on Wednesday. As a result, the government is creating “a clear ownership structure in order to secure Uniper as well as the energy supply for companies, municipal utilities and consumers”.

The stabilization measures are still subject to approval by the European Commission. In addition, an extraordinary general meeting of Uniper is scheduled to adopt the deal before the end of 2022.

Uniper has a 50 per cent share of Russian gas in its portfolio and is responsible for about 40 per cent of gas supply in Germany, especially to over 100 municipal utilities and large companies, and therefore plays a central role in supplying Germany with natural gas.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that the takeover of Uniper was necessitated by Russia’s decision to completely suspend gas deliveries via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline on September 1. Since then, Uniper has had to procure gas on the expensive spot market.

ALSO READ-France preparing disused pipeline to supply gas to Germany

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-Top News Europe

France preparing disused pipeline to supply gas to Germany

Europe’s leaders have talked up the need for present a united front against the fallout from Russia’s actions…reports Asian Lite News

France is reactivating a disused pipeline in its northeastern Moselle administrative department, originally built for east-to-west flows, to send Germany gas under an energy deal unveiled by President Emmanuel Macron, according to French officials.

France will be able to deliver 130 gigawatt hours (GWh) per day, a tiny fraction of German needs, French energy ministry officials have previously said, while Germany will be ready to provide France power in the event of tight supplies mid-winter.

Macron is under pressure to shore up France’s power imports, with the country’s state-run power giant EDF grappling with a record number of nuclear reactor outages that are aggravating Europe’s energy crisis.

For its part, Germany has been at the sharp end of Russian cuts to European gas supplies, resulting in worries that persistently low Russian volumes could lead to winter shortages.

Europe’s leaders have talked up the need for present a united front against the fallout from Russia’s actions.

“Macron is under pressure because of the electricity situation in France. So the signal ‘Germany and France support each other’ is important,” a German government source said.

“We do not expect that France will solve our gas problems. But every possible delivery of gas is a sign to the markets that we will pull through the winter.”

The reactivated interconnector will allow France to deliver Germany up to 20 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas from its reserves over the winter – equivalent to roughly 2% of the gas needs of Europe’s largest economy.

Before the war in Ukraine and the cuts to Russian deliveries, gas typically flowed from east to west across the continent.

France already delivers some gas to Germany, typically via Belgium or Switzerland. West-to-east flows through the Moselle interconnector would be a first, one French energy ministry said.

“Germany needs our gas and we need power from the rest of Europe, notably Germany,” Macron told a news conference after a phone call on Monday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

French and German technocrats were working to overcome small technical matters and regulatory issues related to ordorants, a French energy ministry official said. France adds odorants to gas before it is piped across the country, while Germany does not.

“It will happen,” the energy official said of the pipeline reactivation.

ALSO READ: Modi’s 5 pledges for India’s future

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-Top News UAE News

UAE FM, German counterpart discuss strategic ties

The UAE foreign minister also affirmed the UAE’s keenness, with the support of its wise leadership, to develop prospects for joint cooperation in various sectors…reports Asian Lite News

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock have discussed the strategic relations between the two countries and joint cooperation in all fields.

The two sides also reviewed several issues of common interest, including economic integration and cooperation in the energy and renewable energy fields.

Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the well-established strategic relations between the UAE and Germany and the continuous coordination between the two countries.

The UAE foreign minister also affirmed the UAE’s keenness, with the support of its wise leadership, to develop prospects for joint cooperation in various sectors to achieve the mutual interests of the two friendly countries and their peoples.

For her part, the German Foreign Minister praised the Emirati-German strategic ties and both countries’ eagerness to foster them in all domains.

Meanwhile, Abdulla Mohamed Alblooki, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary for Protocol Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received a copy of the credentials of Alexander Schonfelder, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UAE.

Alblooki wished the new Ambassador success in the performance of his duties and in enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation between the UAE and his country.

The newly appointed Ambassador expressed his pleasure at representing his country in the United Arab Emirates, which enjoys a prestigious regional and international position under the visionary policy of President  Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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Ammonia shipment to Germany

Last week, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced that its first shipment of low-carbon ammonia has left the UAE bound for Hamburg, Germany. This was the first ever cargo of low-carbon ammonia to be shipped to Germany.

The demonstration cargo was to be delivered to Aurubis, a leading global provider of non-ferrous metals and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide, that has its headquarters in Hamburg. On arrival in Germany, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), one of Europe’s leading logistics companies will handle the cargo.

Produced by Fertiglobe, a partnership between ADNOC and OCI, at its Fertil plant in Abu Dhabi’s Ruwais industrial complex, the demonstration cargo is the first of several test cargoes sold to customers in Germany as ADNOC expands its strategic energy partnership across the hydrogen value chain.

The cargo follows a number of similar low-carbon ammonia sales that have been made to customers in Asia. Aurubis plans to utilise the low-carbon ammonia as a feedstock in its wire rod plant, testing its application as an additional, lower-carbon energy source for industrial utilisation. The hydrogen it contains has the potential to be a low-carbon energy alternative for the energy-intensive processes in multi-metal production.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi hosts UAE-Bulgarian biz forum

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-Top News Europe

France, Germany to help each other through energy crisis

The French president said that he was in favour of solidarity measures at the European level to deal with the current energy crisis…reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France and Germany will help each other through the energy crisis.

Speaking at a press briefing after a videoconference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Macron on Monday said that France is ready to deliver more gas to Germany while the latter will offer more electricity to France, if the current energy crisis persists in winter.

“We are going to finalise the gas connections in order to be able to deliver gas to Germany… It (Germany) will be ready to produce more electricity to bring to us in extreme situations,” Macron said.

The French president said that he was in favour of solidarity measures at the European level to deal with the current energy crisis.

“We are in favor of common gas purchasing practices that will make it possible to buy cheaper,” he explained.

However, he said there was “no need” for a gas pipeline linking France and Spain.

Concerning the high energy prices in Europe, Macron proposed to set up control mechanisms for speculative operations at the European level.

Days ahead of a European Union (EU) energy ministers’ meeting, Macron said that he supports a price cap on gas purchased from Russia at the EU level.

Macron assured his countrymen that France is not in a situation for energy rationing, but called on people to limit heating to 19 degrees Celsius to save energy.

“If we collectively know how to behave more soberly and save energy everywhere, then there will be no rationing or cuts,” he stressed.

On Friday, Macron chaired a Defense Council meeting on the energy crisis. French Minister for Energy Transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher said after the meeting that France’s gas reserves were 92 per cent full in preparation for possible shortages this winter.

According to the minister, 32 of the country’s fleet of 56 nuclear reactors are currently offline for routine maintenance, but French multinational electric utility company EDF has committed to restarting all of them for this winter.

ALSO READ-UAE, France discuss future of cultural ties

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-Top News Europe

Germany on energy-saving mode

The effects of the measures will be particularly visible in the evening hours after sunset, as public buildings and monuments, such as the Brandenburg Gate in the capital Berlin, will no longer be illuminated…reports Asian Lite news

Energy saving measures for individuals, companies and the public sector took effect in Germany in response to soaring gas prices across Europe.

“To avoid an energy supply emergency in winter, policymakers, businesses and consumers must continue to work together,” the government said last week when it adopted the measures, stressing that “every kilowatt-hour saved helps”, reports Xinhua news agency.

The effects of the measures will be particularly visible in the evening hours after sunset, as public buildings and monuments, such as the Brandenburg Gate in the capital Berlin, will no longer be illuminated. With some exceptions, neon signs and billboards will also be switched off at night.

When the weather turns colder, maximum room temperatures in public buildings and workplaces will be lowered from 20 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius.

In places where heavy physical work is performed, temperatures may even be as low as 12 degrees Celsius.

Private households will not have to lower room temperatures, but tenants are free to do so as long as no damage is caused to the building.

Rental contracts that require rooms to be heated to a certain minimum temperature will be suspended from September.

The country’s one million private swimming pools and whirlpools will have to remain unheated during winter. The government expects this measure alone to save two terawatt hours of gas and four terawatt hours of electricity.

Facing record inflation driven by soaring energy prices, citizens expect further relief from the government.

One of the first measures, a fuel rebate, ran out on Thursday and fuel prices jumped up immediately.

On the heels of relief packages worth 30 billion euros, Minister of Finance Christian Lindner envisages the adoption of another package of measures worth a single-digit billion euros.

“We need a massive package for relief throughout the entire span of society,” he said on Thursday.

Further energy saving measures, such as requiring energy-intensive companies to increase efficiency, will come into effect in October.

It is “quite essential to save significantly more gas: in public administration, in companies, in as many private households as possible”, Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck said.

ALSO READ: Ukraine seeks more weapons from Germany

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German Foreign Minister pledges support to Ukraine

She also warned that the war “could go on for years”, but added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been delusional in thinking that Ukraine would fall within a few weeks…reports Asian Lite News

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has reassured Ukraine of Germany’s support in the war against Russia for years to come if necessary.

“Unfortunately, we have to assume that Ukraine will still need new heavy weapons from its friends next summer,” Baerbock told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

“Ukraine is also defending our freedom, our peace. And we support them financially and militarily – and for as long as it is necessary. Full stop,” Baerbock said.

She also warned that the war “could go on for years”, but added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been delusional in thinking that Ukraine would fall within a few weeks.

Baerbock also defended Ukraine’s claim to the Crimean Peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. “Crimea also belongs to Ukraine. The world has never recognised the annexation of 2014, which was against international law.”

Warning Germans against allowing war fatigue to set in six months since the conflict began, Baerbock conceded that people were “now feeling the consequences of Putin’s energy war in their own pockets.”

“The social division of Europe is part of Putin’s warfare. We must prevent this. It will be a rocky road, but it is part of our political responsibility to cushion the social imbalances resulting from high energy prices.”

Baerbock also categorically rejected demands made by some politicians in Germany for Berlin to approve the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline to allow for a greater volume of Russian gas deliveries to avert a gas crisis in Germany later this year.

ALSO READ: Ukraine seeks more weapons from Germany

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-Top News Europe

Germany, Canada to ink hydrogen deal

The two heads of government will then travel to Newfoundland, where an agreement on stronger cooperation between the two countries in the production and transport of hydrogen is to be signed….reports Asian Lite News

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend an economic conference in Toronto on Tuesday, the second day of the German leader’s inaugural trip to Canada.

The two heads of government will then travel to Newfoundland, where an agreement on stronger cooperation between the two countries in the production and transport of hydrogen is to be signed in the remote town of Stephenville, reports dpa news agency.

Scholz will be accompanied on his trip by his deputy, Economy Minister Robert Habeck.

Newfoundland is considered a favourable location for the production of renewable hydrogen.

The region is very windy and sparsely populated.

The use of hydrogen does not produce greenhouse gases.

To produce it, water has to be split into hydrogen and oxygen, an electrolysis that is only climate-friendly if sustainably produced energy is used.

In principle, hydrogen can serve as a basis for fuels to replace coal, oil and natural gas in industry and transport.

Because its production is very energy-intensive, hydrogen is currently still significantly more expensive than fossil fuels.

ALSO READ: India seeks extradition of Khalistani Hardeep Nijjar from Canada