Feature • Table.Briefings

February 7th, 2022

'None of them had ever seen snow'

China wants to shine at the Olympic Games – organizationally, but of course also athletically. Winning medals is on the agenda. To make this happen, Michael Brunner has been hired for the task. The former World Cup skier was supposed to find alpine medal contenders in China and whip them into Olympic shape: In today's interview, Michael Radunski speaks with Brunner about how elegant dancers are transformed into fast skiers and how China's officials ensure that their muscles are sore in the morning.

By Michael Radunski

China Russia 8104565 04.02.2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose during their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China. Alexei Druzhinin / Sputnik Beijing China PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAlexeixDruzhininx

Feature

February 6th, 2022

Xi and Putin praise each other – and the Olympics

Vladimir Putin is the special guest at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. He is the first head of state to meet Xi Jinping in person in almost two years. The two are forging far-reaching plans that also involve Ukraine. The fact that the two authoritarian states are moving closer together is also the fault of the West.

By Michael Radunski

Feature

February 4th, 2022

Data Act: how to get the data economy off the ground

Whether it's connected cars or virtual assistants – until now, manufacturers have often been the only ones with access to the data generated. The EU Commission now wants to change this. In many sectors, however, it remains up to companies to decide whether to share information with others. Unless the government asks.

By Till Hoppe

Feature

February 4th, 2022

Despite scandals: gas from Azerbaijan to provide relief

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson is traveling to Azerbaijan today. Despite political scandals in the country, possibilities for increasing gas supplies to Europe are to be explored in Baku. In the search for alternative energy sources, however, the EU's greatest hopes continue to rest on the United States. However, the industry considers it unrealistic to replace pipeline gas with LNG in the short term.

By Eric Bonse

Feature

February 4th, 2022

Claude Turmes: "without LNG ports, we would be completely vulnerable to blackmail"

For Luxembourg's energy minister, the only way out of the current gas price crisis is a package of measures: increasing energy efficiency, expanding renewable energies and diversifying gas sources. He does not see any risk that the current crisis situation will push the climate issue into the background. Demand for gas will continue to fall, says Turmes in the interview.

By Charlotte Wirth

Feature

February 4th, 2022

'The IOC betrays the Olympic idea'

Michael Brand calls for a repositioning of Germany's China policy. Chancellor Scholz should take a clear position on the internment camps and human rights violations in Xinjiang demands the CDU's human rights politician. He questions whether Germany should prioritize its economy over all other interests. He demands more transparency from Volkswagen and Siemens. Brand considers the awarding of the Winter Olympics to Beijing a serious mistake. He complains, "The IOC has degenerated into a billion-dollar money machine." Felix Lee spoke with Brand.

By Felix Lee

211122 -- LUANCHUAN, Nov. 22, 2021 -- Cross-country skiing team members of Luanchuan County Special Education School Sun Jiaxin 1st R, Pei Fuxin2nd L, Wang Siyu1st L, Li Yinuo 2nd R and Liu Jiaohan 3rd R pose at the Funiu Mountains Ski Resort in Luanchuan County, central China s Henan Province, Nov. 18, 2021. Since 2019, Luanchuan County Special Education School began winter sports training among children on the campus by building cross-country skiing training slides, floor curling gyms and other facilities. Luanchuan County is located beside Funiu mountains, which gives these children chances to go skiing in the ski resorts. Despite physical obstacles affect their understanding of guidance and training efficiency, these children practice hard and very much enjoy themselves. In recent years, more than 30 children stepped out of the mountains to compete in several national special Winter games, Winterspiele,Spiele, Summer games and won about 60 medals. Five intellectually disabled children, Sun Jiaxin, Pei Fuxin, Wang Siyu, Li Yinuo, and Liu Jiaohan were pre-selected into the national team, Nationalteam of cross-country skiing for Special Olympics Winter Games. They are now preparing for the 12th Special Olympics World Winter Games. SPCHINA-HENAN-LUANCHUAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL-CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING-TRAINING LixAn PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN

Feature

February 4th, 2022

Ski industry benefits from the Olympics

Enthusiasm for ice and snow sports is growing across China. The government hopes that the Winter Games will help create a massive new industry.

By Redaktion Table

Feature

February 3rd, 2022

Olympic opening: unprecedented wave of disapproval

With the opening ceremony this Friday, the most controversial Winter Olympics in history will begin in Beijing. While the members of the International Olympic Committee once again reassured each other that their decision was correct the day before, criticism and disapproval from all over the world are raining down on the Olympic Committee.

By Marcel Grzanna

Feature

February 3rd, 2022

Norms and standards to become a top priority

In its new strategy, the EU Commission proposes to coordinate standardization in Europe at a high political level. A strategic approach is intended to prevent the EU from losing further ground to China and the USA. In addition, the authority wants to limit the influence of foreign groups in European standardization bodies.

By Till Hoppe

Feature

February 3rd, 2022

Taxonomy: the dispute continues

Yesterday, the EU Commission officially presented its legal act to supplement the taxonomy. Despite ongoing criticism, natural gas and nuclear energy continue to be classified as sustainable. This is causing outrage, and not just among environmentalists. It is unlikely that the taxonomy will be stopped now – but the dispute continues.

By Timo Landenberger