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Reactivation of the Duane Arnold Energy Center – Google brings nuclear power plant back online
Global energy demand is rising at a breathtaking pace – driven by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. More and more data centers are consuming enormous amounts of electricity, posing new challenges even for tech giants. Against this backdrop, Google is pushing ahead with the reactivation of the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa. The…
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The wrong path of climate policy – how CO2 costs are destroying Germany’s competitiveness
Germany’s competitiveness is under massive pressure. Climate policies are driving energy prices to record levels, carbon pricing is escalating, and industry is losing confidence in Germany as a business location. Political decisions have created a system that harms the economy more than it helps. High electricity costs and the phase-out of nuclear power are weakening…
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Mayors warn of impending financial crisis in German municipalities
“We can’t go on like this anymore” – with these urgent words, thirteen mayors from German state capitals are drawing attention to the dramatic situation facing many municipalities. In a joint letter to the federal government, the city leaders describe the escalating financial crisis that is pushing numerous cities to the limits of their capacity.…
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Germany’s hydrogen vision is failing – an expensive dream without a future
The dream of a new energy era has a firm grip on Germany. The vision of a climate-neutral future with green hydrogen was considered a national guiding principle, intended to replace fossil fuels. But billions are being poured into an energy concept that appears hardly viable. According to the Federal Court of Auditors, realistic foundations…
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US government awards multi-billion dollar contract to Westinghouse for new nuclear power plants
The US government has awarded a historic contract to the American company Westinghouse. The contract involves an investment of at least 80 billion US dollars and is considered a cornerstone of a new energy policy. The goal is the massive expansion of nuclear energy, which is intended to play a key role in the national…
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The “autumn of reforms” fails to materialize – exporters doubt Germany’s economic turnaround
The mood in the German export sector remains tense. The “autumn of reforms” announced by Friedrich Merz was supposed to provide new momentum. But reality paints a different picture: stagnating exports, growing industrial problems, dwindling confidence, and a lack of investment. The ifo index of export expectations fell to 2.8 points in October, down from…
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From vacuum tubes to modern microchips – a journey through the history of electronics.
At the heart of every modern technology lies a fascinating story. The vacuum tube marked the beginning of a technological revolution that linked electronics, microchips, computer technology, and innovation. From its inception, it transformed the world of communication and laid the foundation for all subsequent developments. This invention demonstrated that electric current could not only…
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A bottomless pit – Schleswig-Holstein plans new multi-million euro aid for Northvolt.
Despite insolvency, broken promises, and spiraling costs, Schleswig-Holstein is sticking to its controversial commitment to Northvolt. Further subsidies amounting to 75 million euros are intended to prop up the loss-making project, even though more than 336 million euros in funding have already been squandered. The state government is thus risking further waste of taxpayers’ money…
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The electric car subsidy is fizzling out – how the government is squandering the trust of car drivers.
The black-red coalition hopes to revive sluggish sales of electric vehicles with a new subsidy program. However, despite subsidies, improved infrastructure, falling electricity prices, and a growing number of charging stations, the market remains sluggish. Buyers’ lack of confidence in the long-term viability of electromobility is hindering development. Many prospective buyers doubt whether a purchase…
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Over 400 jobs at Kuka in Augsburg are at risk – concerns about the future of the traditional site.
The situation at the robot manufacturer Kuka in Augsburg is escalating. The planned job cuts are causing unrest, as more than 400 jobs could be lost at the plant. The industry is under massive pressure due to Asian competitors driving down prices. At the Swabian site, fears are growing that the job cuts could be…
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Civil servant salaries – the insufficient gap to welfare benefits is forcing Dobrindt to implement a substantial increase.
The increasingly narrow gap between civil servants’ salaries and basic welfare benefits is bringing the issue of inadequate pay for civil servants into sharp focus. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is planning a comprehensive salary reform that is intended to apply retroactively for five years. Around 200,000 civil servants will benefit from this, because, according…
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Germany’s energy transition is hitting small and medium-sized businesses with full force.
German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly under pressure. Rising energy costs and record-high electricity prices are hitting small and medium-sized businesses particularly hard. While industry is often the focus of political attention, companies in the skilled trades, mechanical engineering, and food production sectors are facing existential threats. According to a study by the…
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How the government is shifting billions of euros and misusing the special fund.
The government’s gigantic debt fund was intended to stimulate the economy and enable investments in infrastructure. However, the money from this so-called special fund is increasingly being misused. Billions of taxpayers’ money are being squandered on political pet projects, while urgently needed future-oriented projects are being neglected. The federal government has created an instrument that…
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893 companies have withdrawn from the global climate initiative
Nearly 900 companies – including several large international corporations – have withdrawn from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This initiative requires members to set scientifically validated climate targets in order to align their emissions goals with international standards. However, more and more companies are questioning the feasibility of these requirements. The withdrawal affects approximately…
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The solar boom as a security risk – how China is gaining control over Europe’s power grids.
Europe’s energy transition is on shaky ground, because behind the gleaming facade lurks a massive security risk. The continent has placed its solar infrastructure firmly in the hands of Chinese manufacturers, massively exacerbating its energy dependence. This entanglement increases China’s control over critical power grids – a potential danger that many decision-makers still underestimate. At…