With mass testing and lockdown, Hong Kong plans to bring the rapid spread of the coronavirus in the city back under control. Thus, the German embassy prepares its citizens for "tough weeks". German diplomats are particularly concerned about minors who could be separated from their parents for isolation. Many foreigners have already left the city for good.
By Redaktion Table
Putin's war against Ukraine is sending shock waves through German politics. Certainties such as secure energy supply are being called into question. After all, Germany is dependent on Russian gas. Now, the energy transition is to be accelerated. But new dependencies are looming – on China.
By Nico Beckert
The Ukraine war is clearly not going as planned for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his military. But it is unlikely that the Ukrainian armed forces will defeat the Russian army – despite support from the West. Six scenarios of what could happen next.
By Falk Steiner
A battle over interpretive sovereignty has broken out in the Russian media not only over the war but also over the sanctions imposed by the West. While the pro-government press is trying to appease citizens and thus keep them away from the ATMs, independent media paint a gloomy picture.
By Eugenie Ankowitsch
Western sanctions are causing the Russian economy to falter. Many European companies are reconsidering their investments in the country; the punitive measures against banks and export bans are making business enormously difficult.
By Till Hoppe
The new IPCC report assesses the impacts and risks of climate change as well as human adaptation options. It focuses primarily on the effects for the Global South, but the report also shows significant consequences for Europe.
By Lukas Knigge
In the future, Germany's gas storage facilities are to be 90 percent full by December each year. The German government wants to set corresponding minimum filling levels with a law on the national gas reserve. Meanwhile, the think tank Bruegel warns against national solo efforts, a "subsidy war" among EU states – and risks that could arise if Gazprom supplies increase again.
By Manuel Berkel
The closure of Russian airspace is wreaking havoc on air traffic. Longer travel times are to be expected on China routes. Costs are rising for cargo airlines, which could also affect supply chains and prices. Meanwhile, Asian airlines will be able to continue taking the shorter routes – to Europe's disadvantage.
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In addition to the exclusion from the international payment system Swift, tech sanctions could also have a severe impact on Russia's economy. However, China could offset punitive measures with its own exports. But Beijing has to hold back; after all, the Communist Party does not want to break completely with the West. This price would probably be too high.
By Ning Wang
The change of course by the traffic light government due to the Russian attack on Ukraine is a significant change on many levels. Thomas Wiegold analyzes the new course and its meaning in terms of federal policy, Europe, and for the armed forces.
By Redaktion Table
