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GERMANY

Scania in merger talks with Germany’s MAN

Swedish truckmaker Scania and Germany's MAN, who both have links to the Volkswagen automotive group, are considering merging, Scania said in a statement Monday.

Scania in merger talks with Germany's MAN

Scania said it had been investigating links with MAN “for some time” related to research and development cooperation related to commercial vehicles, as well as synergies in manufacturing and sourcing.

“This process has shown that a full realisation of potential synergies requires a closer cooperation by combining the two companies,” Scania said in a statement.

The company added, however, that a possible merger would maintain the “unique brand values” of each company.

Scania emphasised as well that “no decision has been taken” and that discussions were “still ongoing” to resolve a number of outstanding issues.

The announcement comes following German media reports that German automaker Volkswagen wanted to increase its stake in Scania.

The move was said to be part of an overhaul of Volkswagen’s trucking activities that would entail transferring its share in German truck firm MAN to its Nordic rival.

Volkswagen owns 45.7 percent of Scania and nearly 30 percent of MAN. MAN also has a 13.4 percent staken in Scania.

Shares in MAN jumped by more than five percent in early trading in Frankfurt to €86.98 ($118.66) while the DAX slid 0.45 percent overall to 6,704.16 at 8.55 GMT.

Meanwhile, shares in Volkswagen slid 0.18 percent to €113.80 and in Stockholm shares in Scania dipped 0.60 percent to 145.20 kronor.

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GREENPEACE

Two hospitalized in Munich after activist crashes parachute into Euro 2020 stadium

At least two people were hospitalised Tuesday after a Greenpeace activist crash-landed on the pitch before the Germany-France match at Euro 2020 when his powered parachute microlight struck spidercam cables at Munich's Allianz Arena.

Two hospitalized in Munich after activist crashes parachute into Euro 2020 stadium
The activist lands on the turf of the Allianz Arena. credit: dpa | Christian Charisius

The pilot flew over the pitch just before kick-off in the Group F clash with “Kick out oil” written on the canopy of his parachute.

However, when the pilot hit television cables above the pitch, it knocked his microlight off balance and he landed on the turf after clipping one of the stands, where the casualties happened.

The activist was arrested soon after landing.

A Munich police spokesman told AFP that at least two people suffered head injuries and “both had to be taken to hospital, we don’t know yet how serious the injuries are”.

The police spokesman said the activist appears to have escaped injury, but “we are considering various criminal charges. Munich police has zero understanding for political actions that put lives at risk”.

UEFA also slammed the botched stunt.

“This inconsiderate act – which could have had very serious consequences for a huge number of people attending – caused injuries to several people attending the game who are now in hospital and law authorities will take the necessary action,” European football’s governing body said in a statement.

The parachutist above the stadium. Photo: dpa | Matthias Balk

“The staging of the match was fortunately not impacted by such a reckless and dangerous action, but several people were injured nonetheless.”

The stunt was a protest against German car manufacturer Volkswagen, one of the sponsors of the European Championship, Greenpeace explained in a Twitter post.

“UEFA and its partners are fully committed to a sustainable Euro 2020 tournament and many initiatives have been implemented to offset carbon emissions,” said UEFA.

Greenpeace said they regretted any harm caused.

“This protest was never intended to disrupt the game or hurt people,” read a Twitter post on Greenpeace’s official German account.

“We hope that everyone is OK and that no one was seriously injured. Greenpeace actions are always peaceful and non-violent.”

“Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan.”

READ MORE: Climate activists rage as Germany opts for drawn-out coal exit

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