DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Brexit: In multicultural east London, locals look to future with fear Brick Lane, in east London, has long been known for its multiculturalism, and more recently, rapid gentrification. Vintage stores border with curry houses, a vegan market and an infamous cereal cafe, which was targeted by activists during protests in 2015. Now thereʼs another growing topic of anxiety, as locals who work and live there struggle to understand whatBrexit could mean to their way of life. Read more: UKʼs Brexit bubble spells domestic gridlock Queuing at a stall for "Dutch pancakes" is Linda Richmond, 60, who says sheʼs just applied for an Irish passport, thanks to family ties. Richmond says she feels "frightened. I donʼt know whatʼs going to happen." She works as a palliative care nurse in a hospice, and is concerned about medication not being available for her patients when they need it.
Chinaʼs Xi pushes new ʼSilk Roadʼ in France Despite French President Emmanuel Macronʼs resistance to Chinaʼsnew "Silk Road" initiative, he hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit on Monday. During the visit, France and China signed several deals worth billions of euros. The French presidency said Airbus has signed a deal to sell 300 planes to China Aviation Supplies Holding Company, including 290 A320s and 10 A350s. Other deals covered energy, transport and the food industry. In anticipation of the visit, Xi had penned a column in conservative newspaper Le Figaro urging French companies to join the Belt and Road Initiative, the official name for the massive infrastructure project aimed at establishing greater links between Asia and Europe. "French investors are welcome to share development opportunities in China," said Xi. "I also hope that Chinese companies can do better in France and make a greater contribution to its economic and social development."
70/2019 • 26 MARCH, 2019
British PM May says no support for third vote on withdrawal deal Brexit:
British Prime Minister Theresa May says she is still trying to build support for her Brexit deal, which has twice failed in Parliament.
Deutsche and Commerzbank: A marriage of convenience that could well happen Reports that Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank are on the brink of merger talks are gathering strength. Should the two lenders come together, it would have major implications for European banking and beyond. Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, the grandest of the grand old German lenders, will next year both celebrate their 150th birthdays. But it increasingly looks like there might be need for only one birthday party, rather than two. Over the weekend, reports have intensified that the two banks are strongly considering the possibil-
ity of a merger.German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Saturday that Deutsche Bank had agreed to start holding talks with Commerzbank on the feasibility of them coming together. The news agency Reuters reported the same over the weekend, citing "a person with knowledge of the matter." While itʼs important to stress that the reports are unconfirmed, with neither bank yet commenting publicly, few who are familiar with the German financial scene could claim to be surprised if an engagement were to be officially announced sometime soon.
As Germany phases out coal, villages still forced to make way for mining This end of thevillage of Immerathis peaceful, with birds chirping in the gables of empty houses. But off in the distance, the sound of excavators tearing down walls and smashing stones betray that calm. The open-pit lignite mine Garzweiler II is just a stoneʼs throw away from Immerath, and soon the village will be no more. Im-
merath was once a lively community with a sports club, church and several kindergartens. Today, the homes have been barricaded or bricked up. Down one abandoned street, a gutted car sits in the open garage of a family home covered in ivy. At the other end of the road, demolition work has already begun.
Germany establishes parliamentary assembly with France A new Franco-German assembly met in Paris on Monday in their first biannual summit as French and German parliaments deepen relations. The move aims to cement the special bond and influence the two countries traditionally have in the European Union. A total of 100 members of parliament, 50 from Germanyʼs Bundestag and 50 from Franceʼs lower house of parliament (Assemblée Nationale), took part in the joint parliamentary summit. Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble and Assemblée Nationale President Richard Ferrand marked the occasion by signing the founding act for the new cooperation. Schäuble, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkelʼs Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the new entity "underlines our commitment to place bilateral cooperation in a European context." "Germany and France have a special responsibility for Europe," the Bundestag president said, adding that the new assembly "will neither impair nor abolish the sovereignty of either nation."
Germany: Measles vaccine could be compulsory for kids German Chancellor Angela Merkelʼs conservatives and coalition partners, the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), are considering making the measles vaccination compulsory for children nationwide, according to media reports on Monday. The reports have come amida concerning spike in the number of measles cases in Germany, where parents are increasinglyopting not to vaccinate their children.
weather today BUDAPEST
8 / 9 °C Precipitation: 0 mm