Stories from Burg · Germany

The WBO world boxing championship title held by Russian boxer Dmitry Bivol will not be vacated following a mass brawl involving spectators at a recent ring fight. The WBO does not plan to strip Bivol of his title.

Finnish company Kone is set to acquire German rival TK Elevator in a deal valued at approximately $24 billion.

Hamburg is pushing for stricter rules regarding trade tax (Gewerbesteuer) within the Bundesrat. The city seeks to implement a higher minimum levy rate to determine the actual tax amount companies pay. This move aims to prevent companies from using large city infrastructure while registering their headquarters in municipalities with low levy rates to avoid taxes. Susanne Röse reported on the city's position. The Hamburg Senate intends to increase the minimum trade tax assessment rate to at least 300 percent. Currently, the lower limit is set at 200 percent. The German federal government has already decided to raise this minimum to 280 percent. Susanne Röse from Hamburg reported that businesses have been using lower rates in Schleswig-Holstein to save on taxes. The trade tax rate remains a factor for business locations.

Costco plans to acquire 80% of the shares in ZIPPL, a logistics company specializing in inland container transport and handling. The acquisition comes as the port of Hamburg has become a primary transshipment hub for Chinese goods, with one in three containers in Hamburg originating from China. Michael Kellner, the Green Party energy policy spokesperson in the Bundestag, expressed concerns regarding potential chain dependencies. Chinese shipping company Kosco is planning to acquire the logistics firm Zippel in Hamburg. The move follows Kosco's existing involvement in a terminal through Costco. The company is reportedly looking to make further investments in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. China remains the most trading partner for the Port of Hamburg. The acquisition follows Costco's established role as a major player in the port's operations.

An environmental authority reported that a wolf, which previously injured a woman in downtown Hamburg, is now located in the Lüneburg Heath. The authority has access to a transmitter attached to the animal.

The German environmental agency stated that if the wolf causes further problems, non-lethal measures such as paintball guns could be used. The agency noted that killing the animal remains a last resort. This follows reports of a wolf migrating south from Hamburg.

Six Italian restaurateurs were murdered in front of a pizzeria in Duisburg, Germany, by members of a criminal clan. The victims were part of the 'Mafia 9 Dunk, Mafia 9 Merci' association formed with other restaurant owners. The attack follows a period where local businesses were targeted with extortion letters demanding money. The incident has caused shock across Germany and increased social tension regarding the Italian immigrant population. The killings are part of four ongoing trials related to the mafia's presence in the region.

Chinese state-owned company Cosco aims to acquire 80% of the logistics firm Zippel. German domestic intelligence services have issued warnings regarding the acquisition, according to reports from NDR and WDR. The company serves as a hub for Chinese goods, with Hamburg acting as a transit point for shipments from China. Michael Kellner, an energy spokesperson for the Green Party in the Bundestag, expressed concerns regarding the logistics and transport of these goods. Chinese state-owned shipping company KOSCO intends to acquire 80% of Zippel Logistics. The company operates green trucks with gold lettering from the port to surrounding areas. Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has opposed the acquisition. The agency warned of increasing Beijing influence over German infrastructure.

Mathias Mittelberg of the CDU stated that three-quarters of companies would be affected by changes to the income tax tariff. He argued against further taxing the economy, noting that businesses are already facing difficult circumstances.

German intelligence services have expressed concerns regarding increasing Chinese influence over ports and hinterland logistics in Germany and the European Union. This includes the Container Terminal Tollerort in the Port of Hamburg. The acquisition of CIPL is reportedly still in progress. The German domestic intelligence agency, Verfassungsschutz, has issued a warning regarding Beijing's influence on German and European logistics. Michael Kellner, energy policy spokesperson for the Greens in the Bundestag, expressed concerns regarding chain dependency on Chinese investors. He noted that Hamburg has become a primary transshipment hub for Chinese goods, with one in three containers in Hamburg originating from China. Industry data indicates that Zippel transports approximately 250,000 containers annually.