What is important today
At least five dead in violence in Norway. In the small town of Kongsberg near Oslo, a man armed with a bow and arrow attacks people in several places. The crime occurred a day before the new government took office, but it is still completely unclear whether there is a connection. The police quickly arrest the suspect. She speaks of a lone perpetrator and checks whether there is a terrorist background. Go to Article
EXCLUSIVE Many air filter studies are sponsored by manufacturers. The federal and state governments have provided 700 million euros for mobile air purifiers in schools – accompanied by massive public pressure. Its greatest advocate is a physicist from Munich who – contrary to the recommendation of the Robert Koch Institute and other experts – declares that conventional ventilation through the windows is not enough. But the research with which the physicist tries to prove this is methodologically questionable. Go to Article
VW boss Diess increases the pressure on employees. The power struggle between staff and management is escalating again in Wolfsburg. VW CEO Diess has made the possible reduction of 30,000 jobs in the room. The pandemic, the chip crisis, but also the switch to electromobility are slowing down demand, especially for the Golf manufactured at the headquarters in Wolfsburg. Go to Article
Dispute over Northern Ireland comes to a head. The EU Commission wants to accommodate Great Britain with the customs regulations and, for example, reduce the number of truck controls at Northern Ireland’s ports. But the government in London is making further demands that are out of the question for the EU. If the dispute escalates, Brussels could impose punitive tariffs. Go to Article
Other important topics
Government Formation News
Scholz uses Washington as a stage. On his trip to the USA, the finance minister is already in the best of moods with his thoughts, words and mobile phone at the new job he is aiming for as Federal Chancellor. The SPD politician wants to be back in Berlin on Thursday evening, and on Friday it will be announced whether the exploratory talks will become official coalition negotiations. No one among the traffic light probes is as experienced as Scholz and he can make good offers to the Greens and FDP. Only Scholz’s tendency to let potential partners feel his superiority could now become a danger. Go to Article (SZ Plus)
EXCLUSIVE A dozen scientific advisory boards of the federal government are calling for more climate protection. In an open letter that was sent to the potential coalition partners on Wednesday, the scientists demand that sustainable development should become the “defining and structuring leitmotif” of the new legislative period. The individual departments should cooperate better, control the Federal Chancellery more closely and modernize the administration. To the article (SZ Plus)
Best things
Heroes in tights. Rugby players are now allowed to wear leggings. A long overdue decision – but is it really a step forward? Go to Article