-
Slump in demand – ZF discontinues several electric car projects
ZF is prematurely ending several electric vehicle projects. The supplier is reacting to a slower market ramp-up. At the same time, the company wants to free up funds so that future programs can reliably generate returns. (ntv: 23.01.26) Why ZF terminates projects with customers early ZF describes the decision as the result of discussions with…
-
Insufficient demand – Honda halts fuel cell production with GM in the USA
Honda and General Motors are ending their joint production of fuel cell systems in the US. The FCSM joint venture in Michigan is being shut down because demand fell significantly short of expectations. Fuel cells played a central role in the original business model, but a lack of customers prevented the necessary ramp-up. Honda and…
-
France abolishes environmental zones in cities – an end to social injustice
France is abolishing low-emission zones in many cities. The system disproportionately affected drivers of older cars, often people with limited budgets. Mobility became a question of cost, even though many depend on their cars. At the same time, political pressure mounted because the unfairness significantly impacted daily life. (lemonde: 21.01.26) January 20, 2026: Abolition confirmed…
-
Innsbruck: E-buses fail on the incline – passengers have to get off and walk
In Innsbruck, electric buses on line 502 are unable to reliably manage the steep section of Schusterbergweg. As a result, passengers are repeatedly forced to disembark so the bus can climb the incline. This situation is disrupting public transport, the operation of the electric buses, and city traffic alike. Especially in Innsbruck, where gradients are…
-
Aldi Süd plans to cut up to 500 jobs at its headquarters in Mülheim
Aldi Süd is restructuring its administration. At the same time, the discount retailer has confirmed that job cuts are planned at its headquarters in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Specifically, up to 500 of the approximately 2,000 jobs could be eliminated because the company is consolidating processes worldwide through an IT project. (fokus: 22.0.1.26) Global IT…
-
Analog AI chip from China – 12 times faster and with only 0.5 percent energy consumption
A research team from Peking University has reported on an analog AI chip with unusual performance characteristics. According to a publication in Nature Communications, also reported by the South China Morning Post, the chip is said to perform calculations twelve times faster than advanced digital processors in selected tasks. At the same time, it consumed…
-
4.33 million euros in development aid for refrigerators in Colombia
Between 2019 and 2024, Germany transferred approximately €4.33 million to Colombia. This money, provided as development aid, funded a project for climate-friendly refrigerators. The German government cites its climate targets in this context and sees a direct benefit for Germany. (bz-berlin: 23.01.26) Project name, partners, and trigger for the debate Specifically, the debate concerned the…
-
Freezing conditions in Swiss electric buses – heaters throttled to preserve range
In Bern and Schaffhausen, winter is forcing new electric buses into a difficult conflict of objectives. With the heating system running at full power, the vehicles are sometimes unable to reliably complete their scheduled routes. The reason is simple and frustrating for passengers: the heating consumes so much electricity that the battery loses too much…
-
Trump confidant takes over German tank farms and pipelines
A Trump confidant is emerging as a new power player in German energy logistics: Kelcy Warren, an owner associated with the Sunoco group, has reportedly gained influence over key parts of Germany’s energy infrastructure, according to a report in Der Spiegel. At the heart of this are tank farms and pipelines—facilities that not only ensure…
-
The Federal Prosecutor General plans to offer a one million euro reward following the Berlin electrical attack
More than 50,000 households suffered power and heating outages after the attack on Berlin’s electricity grid. The Federal Prosecutor General has so far found no concrete leads on the perpetrators and remains completely in the dark. Therefore, the authorities are considering offering a reward, as only a solid lead can put the investigation against the…
-
Amazon is cutting 30,000 jobs
Amazon is reportedly preparing to cut around 30,000 jobs in its corporate division. Amazon intends to significantly alter its central structures and reorganize several core areas. According to Reuters, AWS, Prime Video, online retail, and human resources are among the affected departments. The job cuts are expected to begin soon and will accompany a larger…
-
Rofu Kinderland insolvent: 1,970 jobs affected – 104 branches fighting for their future
Toy retailer ROFU-Kinderland has filed for insolvency under self-administration. This marks the beginning of a critical phase for its 1,970 employees. At the same time, business operations will initially remain stable, as the stores are to remain open. The insolvency filing also only marks the start of the restructuring process, not its end. Customers will…
-
Bought journalism – when the state pays journalists
The accusation of “bought journalism” rarely targets a single article, but rather a structural problem: government agencies commission journalists and pay them fees. This creates a financial relationship between politics and the media, which are meant to exercise oversight. In Baden-Württemberg, this issue is documented in a parliamentary document that records payments for activities such…
-
Nuclear fusion: Breakthrough in China – EAST increases plasma density stably above the Greenwald limit
By adjusting gas pressure and cyclotron heating, the team at the EAST tokamak reduced wall contact during the start-up phase, thus achieving higher plasma densities above the Greenwald limit without edge instabilities. EAST stands for Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak and refers to a Chinese research facility in Hefei that operates with superconducting magnets. The tokamak…
-
SenerTec is relocating the production of combined heat and power plants abroad
Manufacturer SenerTec plans to cease production of combined heat and power (CHP) plants in Schweinfurt at the beginning of the year and relocate operations abroad. The Dutch parent company, BDR Thermea, has announced the closure of the manufacturing facility, but service operations will continue in Schweinfurt. This shifts the Schweinfurt site’s role, while the future…