The German government’s Climate Action Program is due to be presented in four weeks – yet five million metric tons of CO₂ reductions are still unaccounted for, along with several billion euros in required investment. Policymakers remain divided over which sectors must deliver the most substantial emission cuts. And then there is the issue of the Building Energy Act.
By Bernhard Pötter
Thermal batteries convert renewable electricity into storable heat and steam, enabling the replacement of fossil fuels in industrial processes. Pilot projects in the chemical, food and cement industries have demonstrated the technology’s significant potential.
By Nico Beckert
Shortly before the anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression, Hungary is undermining relations with its European partners by threatening a double veto. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has signaled that Budapest could block both the European Union’s 20th sanctions package against Russia and a €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
By Stephan Israel
Following the ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States, US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs, casting doubt on the transatlantic trade agreement with the European Union. Regardless of the next steps, however, companies may be entitled to claim billions in potential refunds.
By Katharina Kort
ByteDance’s AI video tool Seedance 2.0 generates astonishingly realistic, cinematic-quality videos. The tool is being celebrated as a milestone not only in China. The technology is becoming part of everyday life faster than many expect, says AI expert Hans Uszkoreit – even if its training data remains in the dark.
By Fabian Peltsch
At the start of the year, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan outlined plans to restructure her ministry. Now, the first concrete details have come to light and indicate just how far-reaching the overhaul will be.
By Lucia Weiß and David Renke
The US online payments provider PayPal is investing tens of millions of dollars in Africa and the Middle East. With a new global platform, the group aims to tap customer segments and markets beyond those served by traditional mobile money providers.
By Olivia Samnick and Lucia Weiß
In its draft investment strategy for the energy sector, the Commission describes how the European Investment Bank will mitigate one of the biggest cost drivers of the energy transition. The EU will also provide guarantees for certain nuclear power plants.
By Manuel Berkel
The free trade agreement with Australia has so far met with less resistance from EU farmers than the trade deal with Mercosur. Comparable environmental and social standards and lower export quotas have provoked less criticism. However, this could change.
By Antonia Zimmermann and Julia Dahm
Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a tightrope walk on his China trip. Climate cooperation with China remains important – yet business representatives are calling for a strong “made in Europe” approach, including in green-tech industries.
By Nico Beckert
