The situation on Friday: Did Israel spy on the White House?

Today we are dealing with the trade dispute between the US and China, with a possible spy scandal in Washington. And with the ideas in the grand coalition for the promotion of e-cars.

Terry Chea / DPA

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Issue 37/2019

King Boris

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Is everything going well in the trade dispute between China and the US? It may be too early for too much optimism, but at least both sides are trying to relax the relationship. As a sign of goodwill, US President Donald Trump has postponed the planned increase in some tariffs from 1 to 15 October.

US media reports that Trump's advisers are pushing for early progress in the talks. The aim is to conduct the negotiations so constructively in the coming weeks that the tariffs planned for October and December could be postponed until next year. The White House is evidently growing afraid that an economic downturn could reduce the chances of a re-election of the president.

The Chinese are also more sociable: according to the Wall Street Journal, they want to simplify talks with the Americans by dividing the topics into smaller portions. The entire trading area should be separated from security-related issues. So far everything has been connected with everything: the trade, patents and the future of the controversial Huawei, to whom the Americans accuse of espionage. If the issues were separated, it might be easier to reach agreement, the Chinese hope.

It all sounds rational and thoughtful, but White House advisors and the Chinese will barely manage a problem in their negotiations: Donald Trump's unpredictability.

• JP Morgan analyzes: That's how Trump's Twitter tirades move the financial market

Did Israel spy on the White House?

Ronen Zvulun / REUTERS

Actually, the US and Israel are considered best friends. But behind the scenes, there is apparently plenty of reason for upset: According to a report by the magazine "Politico" US intelligence agencies have discovered months ago in Washington spy devices that intercepted around the White House and other security-related facilities in the capital of mobile communications could be.

The so-called StingRays have been clearly assigned by experts to the Israeli intelligence service . The aim of the Israelis was therefore to intercept, for example, the phone calls of US President Trump. He had used for a long time for some calls a barely protected mobile phone.

If the report is correct, it would be piquant: Donald Trump always presents himself as the closest ally of Israel, between him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly fits no sheet. Both the Israeli embassy in Washington and Netanyahu immediately rejected the allegations. "There is a clear instruction, I have a clear instruction: No intelligence activity in the US, no spies," said Netanyahu. "The report is an absolute invention." And Donald Trump said, "I do not think Israel is spying on us."

• Interview with Netanyahu and the Jordan Valley: "A Sign of Weakness"

Coalition meets for climate brainstorming

Roland Frankincense / DPA

Today, the leaders of the Grand Coalition come together to discuss the planned climate package again in a working session . Until September 20, the plan should stand. For weeks, the coalition partners of the Union and SPD try to outdo each other with different proposals. Several suggestions are on the table. One thing is for sure: in Germany soon, far more electric cars could roll, the purchase should be massively promoted. At the same time, the number of charging stations should increase to up to one million.

According to a report of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung", Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) already has very concrete ideas on how the purchase of electric cars could be advanced. So it should give premiums of up to 4000 euros, if the car costs less than 30,000 euros. The purchase of electric used cars could be promoted with 500 euros, e-taxis with up to 8000 euros. The purchase of electric buses in the cities is also to be promoted: By 2030, every second public bus is to go electric.

• GroKo and the black zero: Saving does not help the climate

Loser of the day ...

Thibault Camus / AP

... are Princess Hassa bint Salman , the sister of the Saudi heir to the throne Mohammed bin Salman, and her bodyguard . The princess was sentenced to ten months probation and a fine in Paris. She is said to have asked her bodyguard (pictured) to beat and humiliate a craftsman. According to the craftsman, he is said to have been forced, inter alia, to kiss the feet of the princess. The reason: he had dared to photograph a bathroom in the Paris luxury apartment of the Saudi ruling family as part of renovations.

The princess was not present at the verdict, she had left France shortly after the incident. Maybe she will pay at least the fine, it is 10,000 euros. She should have left it.

The latest news from the night

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I wish you a nice start to the day.

Your Roland Nelles