Briefly

GERMANY

Schwarzenegger held at Munich Airport

Hollywood action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger was held at Munich Airport on Wednesday for failing to declare an expensive watch, a customs spokesman told Agence France-Presse. The Austrian-born actor and former California governor, 76, was detained in the customs area on Wednesday afternoon after arriving from the United States, spokesman Thomas Meister said. Schwarzenegger was expected to be able to continue his journey later in the day, but "the watch will probably have to stay", Meister said. Criminal proceedings were initiated against the Terminator star and former bodybuilding icon for tax evasion, he said.

Women found to earn 18 percent less than men

Women in Germany earned 18 percent less on average than men last year, due largely to a leveling-off in earnings after having children and taking part-time work, the Federal Statistics Office said on Thursday. The data shows that the gender pay gap in Europe's biggest economy has remained unchanged since 2020. That is down from 23 percent when records started in 2006. On an adjusted basis, the gender pay gap for 2023 was 6 percent, said the office. Women's earnings start to stagnate from the age of 30, the average age for women to have their first child in Germany, said the office, while men continue to earn more.

UNITED KINGDOM

Sudden inflation rise dashes rate cut hopes

British annual inflation unexpectedly picked up in December, data showed on Wednesday, dashing hopes of an early cut to UK interest rates and prolonging the cost of a living squeeze before an election. The Consumer Price Index accelerated slightly to 4.0 percent from 3.9 percent in November, the Office for National Statistics said, confounding expectations of a modest slowdown. The news dented hopes the Bank of England would cut interest rates in the first half of this year, boosting the pound versus the dollar and, but sending the London stock market slumping.

SINGAPORE

Transport minister resigns, faces 27 charges

Singapore's former transport minister S. Iswaran was charged with 27 offenses in court on Thursday, according to local media reports. Iswaran was charged with corruption, obtaining items from someone he had business dealings with as a public servant, and obstructing the course of justice, the reports said. He was reported to receive benefits from local business tycoon Ong Beng Seng. Iswaran rejected the charges and reiterated his innocence, noting that he will focus on clearing his name. He resigned his post on Tuesday.

Agencies - Xinhua