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Cologne is at its financial limit. No sooner has Torsten Burmester taken office as mayor than he resorts to a drastic measure: a spending freeze that hits the city in the midst of a deep financial crisis. The city budget is spiraling out of control, as exploding social welfare costs collide with declining revenue from […]

The abrupt discontinuation of government subsidies in the USA has thrown the electric vehicle market into disarray. The $7,500 tax credit for electric cars expired in September. October then dramatically illustrated just how artificially inflated the market had been. Major manufacturers experienced a dramatic drop in demand, and consumers turned back to conventional combustion engine

The debate surrounding the heating law is once again gaining momentum, as Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) remains steadfast in his adherence to the 65 percent rule, even though the coalition agreement included its abolition. The CDU also advocated for opening up the heating options during the election campaign. But reality shows that voters are

The progressive deindustrialization of the German automotive industry is culminating in a massive job massacre of unprecedented scale. Former VW CEO Matthias Müller identifies the politically enforced ban on combustion engines as the central driver of an escalating crisis in the automotive industry. This abrupt technological shift not only threatens industrial value creation but also

The financing model for the Reinsdorf wind farm is faltering. Despite intensive advertising, there is insufficient private capital. The energy supplier Sachsen-Energie is looking for investors to invest in the project. However, investor reluctance is hindering progress. Citizen participation, return on investment, energy projects, and wind turbines are suddenly at the center of public debate.

Norway is experiencing a security shock: full control over a large part of its public transportation system is in the hands of a foreign manufacturer – and the operators were completely unaware of it. A secret test revealed that China not only has remote access and data access to the vehicles, but also that the

Infineon announced extensive job cuts at its Belecke plant in early November. The news came as a shock to both the workforce and the region, as semiconductor production has been one of the most important economic factors there for years. The announced job losses affect a mid-three-digit number of employees, while, according to the company,

In the Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido, the energy supplier Hokkaido Electric Power (also known as “Hokuden”) has announced a significant reduction in electricity prices. Following the planned restart of the reactor unit at the Tomari nuclear power plant, the tariff for households is expected to decrease by approximately eleven percent. The population will thus benefit

The “Alpha Ventus” offshore wind farm was once considered a flagship project of Germany’s energy transition, a symbol of technological progress and a green future. Twelve wind turbines in the open sea were meant to prove that wind power, climate protection, and electricity generation are possible even under extreme conditions. Today, fifteen years after its

The automotive industry is facing a tectonic shift: Stellantis, the parent company of brands such as Opel, Fiat, Peugeot, and Jeep, is shifting its focus to the USA. With a massive investment of 13 billion dollars, the group is strengthening its position in the American market and diverting much-needed capital away from the European automotive

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is sticking to her course: LNG from Russia remains the only viable option for Tokyo because it is simply cheaper. Even compared to US gas, Russian liquefied natural gas proves to be more cost-effective and efficient. This allows the country to keep energy prices stable and avoid dependence on expensive

In Havixbeck, a serious accident involving a Nordex N149 wind turbine has caused a stir. The wind turbine collapsed at the end of October, severely damaging the Herkentrup wind farm. Over 100 investors and shareholders, who are involved through subordinated loans as part of a citizen participation scheme, are now worried about their money and

A profound transformation is underway in the industrial heartland of southwestern Germany. The former engine of the German economy is mired in a crisis that has long since become symbolic of a historical upheaval. Transformation, job cuts, and declining sales are hitting the automotive industry hard. Both Porsche and Mercedes are losing momentum, while southern

Europe is locked in a dangerous race for the future of its energy supply. The solar boom is driving electricity generation to record highs, but the power grid is lagging behind. While new plants are coming online everywhere, there is a lack of infrastructure to safely distribute the energy. Without intelligent planning, a major blackout

Bill Gates, once a celebrated climate pioneer, criticizes the “doomsday view of climate change” and calls for a clear change of course. The Microsoft founder – a symbol of innovation, the energy transition, economic growth, and sustainability – was once one of the most influential drivers of global climate policy. Today, he advocates for a