Scholz announces new energy, inflation relief plan

Germany is to invest an additional 65 billion dollars in a new round of measures aimed at easing the sting of inflation and high energy prices for consumers.

Among the measures announced Sunday are additional one-time payments to help consumers cover energy costs, a planned price cap on a basic amount of energy consumption for families and individuals, and a successor to the country's popular "9-euro ticket" for nationwide public transit.

Retirees will receive 300 euros, for example, while students will receive 200 euros. Scholz's government has faced pressure in recent weeks to indicate how it planned to follow through on its promise to help consumers shoulder the costs of inflation and higher energy prices.