Major news items in leading German newspapers

The following are major news items in leading German newspapers on Thursday.

Die Welt

-- A low pension is not the main reason for older people to continue working in retirement, said a study commissioned by the German Institute for Retirement Provision (DIA). The study thus contradicts the assertion by trade unions and social organizations in Germany that more and more pensioners would have to go to work because they could not live on their low pension.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung

-- German Chancellor Angela Merkel makes it clear on Wednesday during her inaugural visit to the new European Commission under President Jean-Claude Juncker that the German government wants to sign the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States (TTIP) later this year. Merkel said that the agreement is important for economic growth and job creation.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

-- China will raise its defense budget by around 10 percent this year, said Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the annual session of the country's top legislature on Wednesday in Beijing. She said that a big country like China must be able to safeguard its national security and people. She also pointed out that the increase rate was below that of past year, as the defense budget increased by more than 12 percent. Endit