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Iran marks 40 years since Islamic revolution Hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets of the capital Tehran on Monday to mark the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ousted the Shahʼs last government. The march is the culmination of official celebrations called the "10 Day Dawn" that marks the period in February 1979 when the revolutionʼs leader Khomeini returned from exile and toppled the monarchy. Downtown Enghelab, or Revolution Street, was decorated with giant balloons and loudspeakers blasted revolutionary and nationalist songs to encourage people to join the rallies. Fireworks displays were also held across Tehran on Sunday night.
Germanyʼs SPD focuses on welfare as way out of poll misery Lawmakers from Germanyʼs oldest party, the SPD, sealed their plans for a new welfare state on Sunday after months of deliberations, debates, online discussion and regional meetings. "We are leaving Hartz IV behind us," said party head Andrea Nahles, referring to the welfare system that many in the party, and beyond, see as stigmatizing. The state should be viewed as a partner rather than an overseer, she added after party leaders endorsed the plan in Berlin. The SPD wants to replace Hartz IV, the basic welfare benefit — currently €428 ($484) per month — with a basic income. They also want to extend the period of time that older people, from age 58, receiveunemploymentbenefits, to 33 months from 24 months. Younger people, too, will receive unemployment benefits for longer, taking into consideration how long they contributed to the welfare system when they had work. Those who are jobless should have the right to further training, the 17page welfare state concept says.
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US may limit ties with nations partnering with Huawei Pompeo was in Hungary for the first leg of his fivenation tour of Europe
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington may scale back certain operations in Europe and elsewhere if countries contin ue to do business with the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.
Brexit: EUʼs Barnier says customs union idea ʼinterestingʼ
The European Unionʼs chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday appeared to welcome the idea of a customs union arrangement with Britain. In a letter to May, UK opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn suggested a "permanent and comprehensive UKwide customs union" with the EU. Corbynʼs suggestion appears to envisage Britain being part of a separate customs union, rather than part of the EU Customs Union (EUCU) itself. How this would be established or agreed upon in a matter of weeks is not clear. The Labour leader envisages common external tariffs on goods from the rest of the world. It also aims for Britain to have a say in future trade deals made by the EU.
Munich Security Study: Germany needs 260,000 Report sees world immigrants a year to meet labor demand p as a broken puzzle A study has found that migrant laby the Bertelsmann Foundation said.
bor from within the European Union will fall short of the economyʼs needs. To plug the gap, Germany will need 146,000 workers per year from nonEU countries. Germany needs at least 260,000 new migrant workers per year until 2060 in order to meet labor shortages caused by demographic decline, according to a study published on Tuesday. Of that number, 146,000 people each year would need to immigrate from non-EU member states, the research published
more: Germanyʼs migrants: Wooed and discriminated against Due to an aging population, the labor force in Germany is estimated to shrink by a third, or around 16 million people, by 2060 without immigration. Absent immigration, the labor shortage could have a devastating impact on worldʼs fourth largest economy. Under the calculated scenarios, the researchers assume that the birth rate is rising, more women are working and that the pension age is increased to 70.
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As Game of Thrones teaser drops, ʼUnseen Westerosʼ revealed in Berlin y g
Another dark, somewhat foreboding teaser trailer for the delayed finalGame of Thrones installment wowed expectant fans early Monday. But some will be able to get their fix a few months early at the "Unseen Westeros" show in Berlin. Showcasing neverbeforeseen places from the world of ice and fire originally conceived by George R.R. Martin in his
bestselling book series, the exhibition of artwork is a rare collaboration between Game of Thrones artists, and others not directly associated with the series. Running January 2327 at the Umspannwerk, a vast former factory in Reinickendorf, Berlin, the exhibition and book of the same name was created with the permission and cooperation of Martin and his publisher.
The world is in crisis — and the US is only making things worse. Thatʼs the bold verdict of the Munich Security Report (MSR), released on Monday ahead of this weekʼs Munich Security Conference, the annual gathering for leading representatives of all the major powers. US Vice President Mike Pence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Chancellor Angela Merkel will be among the 100 ministers from across the world expected to discuss growing global instability.
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