https://www.facebook.com/100316625290904/

Onbrm, Frederiksberg (2026)

10/01/2025

Elon Musk's conversation with Alice Weidel took a bizarre turn discussing Hi**er, the existence of God, and future Martians saving Earth

Elon Musk's conversation with Alice Weidel, a far-right German politician, took a bizarre turn as they discussed topics like Hi**er, the existence of God, and future Martians saving Earth.

Musk's endorsement of Weidel's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party drew criticism from European politicians, but he dismissed it. https://bit.ly/3BRjSkN

Weidel is aiming to succeed Olaf Scholz as German chancellor, and her party is gaining support, currently in second place on about 20% in the polls.

During the conversation, Musk mispronounced Weidel's name as "Veedle."

Weidel made controversial statements about Hi**er, claiming he was a communist and socialist, not a conservative or libertarian.

Alice Weidel said: “Hi**er was a communist and he considered himself as a socialist.” She went on: “The biggest success after that terrible era in our history was to label Adolf Hi**er as right and conservative. He was exactly the opposite. He wasn't a conservative. He wasn't a libertarian. He was a communist socialist guy. Full stop. No more comment on that. And we are exactly the opposite,” according to Poltico. https://bit.ly/3C6DUrH

She argued that Hi**er's success was due to suppressing free speech in 1933, which Musk, a free-speech advocate, called "extreme censorship."

Weidel took her chance to ask the SpaceX CEO why he was focusing so much money and attention on developing plans to travel to Mars. Later in the conversation, he arrived at an answer, of sorts: Because the dinosaurs “didn’t have spaceships”.

“A lot of people think there must be aliens but I have not seen any evidence of aliens,” Musk explained, according to Politico. There’s a big chance of a humanity-ending event occurring — like “a giant meteor” crashing into Earth like the one that did for the dinosaurs, or a nuclear war. “There is some risk.”

“To be clear, if we are a single planet species, it is just a matter of time before we are annihilated.”

There will be a lot of work ahead, though, if we are going to save the human race, Musk said. He estimated it would take about 1 million tons of material and 1 million people to make life self-sustaining on the red planet. But once that little hurdle is overcome, humanity will be laughing — almost as much as Weidel and Musk were.

“My guess is that there will be cases where the future Martians actually come and help and rescue us when there is an emergency, just as America has helped to rescue the rest of world in World War 1 and 2 and the Cold War," Musk said, according to Politico.

“Do you believe in God?” Weidel asked. “I'm open to believing in things that are proportionate to the information that I receive,” Musk replied, indicating he was “open to the idea” of God. “I try to form my opinions based on what I learn. And as I learn more, I aspire to change my views.”

Picture credit: Handelsblatt

09/01/2025

Climate skeptic Donald Trump is reacting to Greenland's melting ice caps

Climate skeptic Donald Trump is reacting to Greenland's melting ice caps with plans for increased resource extraction, faster trade routes, and new military bases.

Donald Trump's interest in Greenland isn't a 19th-century imperial throwback but a sign of a hypermodern reality shaped by climate change.

Greenland's ice sheets are losing 270 billion tons of water annually, and Arctic sea ice is vanishing rapidly, potentially leading to ice-free summers by the 2030s.

During his first term, Trump flirted with the idea of acquiring Greenland but was dismissed by Nuuk and Copenhagen.

Recently, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen again rejected Trump's request to buy the island but welcomed the increased American interest in Greenland.

This interest reflects a broader anxiety among the U.S. and its allies about

Russian and Chinese efforts to dominate the Arctic, which is warming faster than any other region. The melting ice opens new opportunities for resource extraction, trade routes, military bases, and fishing zones.

Russia and China are moving to exert control over the Arctic, with Russia building new nuclear-powered icebreakers to maintain trade routes through the winter, according to Politico. https://bit.ly/3Pt7YRn

In contrast, the U.S. has only two icebreaking ships, one nearly 50 years old.

A new generation of vessels is being built, but the U.S. lags behind.

China is also investing in the Arctic, announcing the Polar Silk Road in 2018 to develop trading and energy routes across Russia's far north, according to CSIS. https://bit.ly/3DKdz3l

The Arctic's transformation highlights an irony about the climate crisis: while EU and many Americans advocates for tackling global warming they seem unprepared for its rapid effects, climate skeptic Russia, slow to cut emissions, are seizing the opportunity.

Picture credit: Yahoo

07/01/2025

Elon Musk's decision to host German far-right leader Alice Weidel in a livestream on X has sparked outrage among EU leaders. Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Greenland on Tuesday

Elon Musk's decision to host German far-right leader Alice Weidel in a livestream on X has sparked outrage among European Union leaders and lawmakers. it.ly/3BRjSkN

On Monday, they urged Brussels to use its full legal authority to address the billionaire tech magnate's actions.

The European Commission responded by stating that the SpaceX founder and senior member of the incoming Trump administration could face legal consequences under the EU’s new digital rulebook, depending on whether the Thursday livestream is seen as giving Weidel an unfair advantage over her rivals ahead of Germany’s February 23 election.

Across Europe, Musk's collaboration with Weidel is viewed as a provocative move. Members of her populist and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have long been accused of downplaying and trivializing N**i crimes.

The AfD is currently polling in second place.

French President Emmanuel Macron quickly condemned Musk for his vocal support of the AfD. “Ten years ago, who could have imagined it if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany,” he remarked during a speech at the Elysée Palace, according to Politico. https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-interference-alice-weidel-x-livestream-afd-germany-eu-digital-services-act/

Merz called Musk’s piece “intrusive and presumptuous” in a social media post. https://bit.ly/4239EbW

The European Commission now faces pressure to act, as it is responsible for enforcing Europe’s Digital Services Act. This legislation regulates social media platforms, including X, and imposes severe penalties of up to 6 percent of global turnover, or even temporary blocks, for violations.

Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Greenland on Tuesday, just hours after his father reaffirmed his desire to take control of the Arctic autonomous territory, vowing to "make Greenland great again," according to The Guardian. https://bit.ly/3W7oDxA

In a podcast aired on Monday, Trump Jr. clarified that he was "not buying Greenland" but was embarking on a "very long, personal day trip." He mentioned, "I’m hopping on Trump Force One and landing in Greenland tomorrow morning."

Despite this, his arrival in Nuuk, the capital, led Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to assert that the autonomous territory was "not for sale." She stated on Danish TV2, "Seen through the eyes of the Danish government, Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

Picture credit: Ida Marie Odgaard

06/01/2025

Report: Global heating is devastating the planet’s water cycle leading to severe floods and droughts

The 2024 Global Water Monitor Report reveals that the climate crisis is devastating the planet’s water cycle, causing severe floods and draughts that impact billions of people. https://lnkd.in/d2JMcuKQ

Water is humanity's most essential natural resource, but global heating is significantly altering its distribution.

November 2024 was the second-warmest November globally, after November 2023, with an average surface air temperature of 14.10°C, 0.73°C above the 1991-2020 average for November. https://lnkd.in/d-HBWQWA

In 2024 water-related disasters killed at least 8,700 people, displaced 40 million individuals, and resulted in economic damages exceeding $550 billion (£445 billion).

Seasonal climate forecasts for 2025 and current conditions suggest worsening droughts in northern South America, southern Africa, and parts of Asia, while regions like the Sahel and Europe may face increased flood risks, according to The Guardian. https://bit.ly/3W2XJXS

“We need to prepare and adapt to inevitably more severe extreme events,” said the report’s leader, Prof. Albert van Dijk. This includes stronger flood defenses, developing drought-resilient food production and water supplies, and improving early warning systems.

Rising temperatures from continued fossil fuel use disrupt the water cycle by:

- Allowing warmer air to hold more water v***r, causing intense downpours

- Increasing energy for hurricanes and typhoons

- Causing more soil ev***ration and shifting rainfall patterns

Van Dijk noted that 2024's record extremes are part of a worsening trend.

The report was produced by an international team from universities in Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Germany, and other countries, using data from ground stations and satellites to assess critical water variables.

Rainfall records are being broken more frequently: monthly rainfall records were 27% more common, daily records 52% more frequent, and record lows 38% more frequent than in 2000.

The report warns of even greater dangers in 2025 as carbon emissions continue to rise.

Picture credit: euroweeklynews

06/01/2025

Xpeng and VW have announced an expansion of their partnership to build ultra-fast EV charging networks in China

China's Xpeng Xpeng Motors and Volkswagen have announced an expansion of their partnership, focusing on ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in China, according to Reuters. https://bit.ly/4fOwHKP

The automakers have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to open their respective fast-charging networks to each other's customers, encompassing more than 20,000 charging piles across 420 cities. In addition, they plan to explore the joint construction of co-branded ultra-fast charging stations.

This collaboration builds on their 2023 partnership when Volkswagen acquired a 4.99% stake in Xpeng for approximately $700 million. The two companies plan to jointly launch two Volkswagen-branded EV models by 2026. . https://bit.ly/4dVhtnf

Volkswagen later revealed the development of a new architecture for intelligent and electric cars with Xpeng, which the German automaker believes will help them offer more affordable EVs in its largest market. The partnership aims to enhance the accessibility and convenience of EV charging infrastructure while promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in China.

Picture credit: cnevpost

03/01/2025

Donald Trump calls to "open up" the North Sea and get rid of windmills

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump calls to "open up" the North Sea and get rid of windmills in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. https://truthsocial.com/

This is in response to a report about U.S. oil and gas producer APA Corp's unit Apache's plans to exit the North Sea by the end of 2029. https://bit.ly/4j2qYDR

Oil companies have been steadily exiting the North Sea in recent decades, with production declining from a peak of 4.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day at the start of the millennium to around 1.3 million barrels today.

APA expects North Sea production to fall by 20% year over year in 2025.

In October last year, the British government said it would increase a windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers to 38% from 35% and extend the levy by one year, according to Reuters. https://bit.ly/4gW6TgH

The government wants to use the revenue from oil and gas to raise funds for renewable energy projects.

Britain has a target to largely decarbonise its power sector by 2030, which will mean reducing its reliance on gas-fired power plants and rapidly increasing its renewable power capacity.

North Sea producers have warned that the higher tax rate could lead to a sharp drop in investments and are exiting from the ageing basin ahead of the new tax increases.

Top British North Sea producer Harbour Energy wants to sell stakes in North Sea oilfields and is reviving plans for a U.S. listing.

U.S. oil major Exxon completed its exit from the North Sea region in July last year, according to Reuters.

The North Sea has seen major wind farm development by Britain and European countries, but the rapidly-growing offshore wind sector has had a tough few years as costs ballooned due to technical and supply chain problems as well as higher interest rates and decreasing electricity prices, leading many companies and banks to review investments.

Electricity is traded on a spot market based on supply and demand.

Generators submit bids indicating how much electricity they can provide and at what price, while consumers submit offers indicating how much electricity they need and at what price they are willing to pay.

The price is not fixed until electricity demand has been fully met. It is determined by the installation with the highest marginal costs that gets to feed in electricity.

When wind power generation increases, it can reduce the demand for electricity from other, often more expensive, sources. This can lead to a decrease in electricity prices. https://bit.ly/4gDaC2N

Companies and banks are reconsidering their investments in offshore wind, or have assumed impairments, due to the rising cost of developing wind farms that can be more than 100 kms (62 miles) offshore and decrease in electricity prices.

Orsted, the world's biggest offshore wind farm developer, trimmed its investment and capacity targets last year.

Picture credit: Geogarage

02/01/2025

Chinese electric cars have rapidly gained traction in Norway soaring to nearly 10% of new car sales; hybrid cars are becoming more popular in China

Chinese electric cars have rapidly gained traction in Norway, soaring to 8,8% of new car sales over the past five years, the Norwegian road federation (OFV) reported on Thursday, according to Reuters. https://bit.ly/40dMYUV

Norway, a wealthy nation, leads the charge in transitioning to electric vehicles, and unlike EU and the United States, has not imposed import tariffs on Chinese EVs.

EU and U.S. assert that Chinese EVs benefit from unfair subsidies, a claim China refutes.

Western automakers have expressed concerns about the potential impact of low-cost Chinese imports, although there are uncertainties about whether consumers will prefer these lesser-known brands.

In Norway, the market presence of Chinese manufacturers such as MG (a subsidiary of SAIC Motor), BYD, and XPeng increased to 8.8% last year, up from 5.1% in 2023 and 4.1% in 2021, according to Reuters calculations using OFV data.

The first Chinese EV was introduced to Norway by MG in January 2020.

"The Norwegian car market is likely one of the toughest in the world," remarked Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV association. "Competition is intense."

Beginning in November 2024, the EU increased import duties on Chinese EVs to as high as 35.3%. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5589

"We treat all countries the same," said Norway's deputy transport minister Cecilie Knibe Kroglund. Norway is not an EU member.

The EU's move followed a similar decision by the United States to raise import tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100% of their value in 2024, up from the previous 25%, according to MIT Technology Review. https://bit.ly/3DBOJ5v

In 2023, China became the world's top car exporter, shipping around 1.2 million EVs globally.

Hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular than battery-only ones in China as consumers move away from gas-only cars, according to CNBC. https://bit.ly/41ZhzHg

Market leader BYD sold around 4.3 million passenger cars in 2024, with nearly 2.5 million being hybrids. This is a shift from 2023 when BYD sold more battery-only vehicles than hybrids.

Tesla, which sells only battery-powered cars, is expected to sell over 600,000 vehicles in China for the second year in a row.

Li Auto delivered a record 500,508 vehicles in 2024, most of which have a fuel tank to extend battery range.

Leapmotor, a partner of Stellantis, sold nearly 300,000 cars and aims to deliver 500,000 in the coming year.

Joe McCabe, president and CEO of AutoForecast Solutions, predicts that internal combustion engine vehicles, including hybrids, will still be in demand by 2031, according to CNBC.

Picture credit: dailysabah

#

02/01/2025

Russian gas exports through Soviet-era pipelines running through Ukraine halted

On New Year's Day, Russian gas exports through Soviet-era pipelines running through Ukraine halted, ending Moscow's decades-long dominance over Europe's energy markets, according to Reuters. https://bit.ly/3W2cASg

Despite nearly three years of war, the gas had continued flowing until 0500 GMT, when Ukraine refused to renew the transit agreement, prompting Russia's gas firm Gazprom to cease supplies.

This anticipated stoppage is not expected to impact EU consumer prices, unlike in 2022 when reduced Russian gas supplies triggered record price hikes, exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis, and affecting the bloc's competitiveness.

The final EU countries relying on Russian gas via Ukraine, such as Slovakia and Austria, have secured alternative supplies, while Hungary will continue receiving Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea.

The immediate effect was felt in the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria, which lost heating and hot water on Wednesday morning.

Local energy company Tirasteploenergo advised residents to dress warmly, hang blankets or thick curtains over windows and balcony doors, and use electric heaters.

The route was frequently contentious, with Russia allegedly leveraging gas supplies as a tool for political coercion during its numerous crises with Ukraine.

A report from the Center for European Policy Analysis (Cepa) last month stated: “Russia has exploited Ukraine and Europe’s dependency on gas supplies and transit revenues to extort political concessions, spread corruption, and exert malign influence.” https://cepa.org/article/betraying-ukraine-for-blood-gas/

Picture credit: pgjonline

23/12/2024

Honda and Nissan have begun talks toward a potential merger due to the growing threat from Chinese EV makers

Honda and Nissan have begun talks toward a potential merger, marking a historic shift for Japan's auto industry due to the growing threat from Chinese EV makers, according to Reuters. https://reut.rs/4gPFRra

The merger would create the world's third-largest auto group by vehicle sales, following Toyota and Volkswagen. This integration would provide both companies with the scale and resources needed to compete against Tesla and agile Chinese rivals like BYD.

If successful, it would be the biggest reshaping in the global auto industry since the Fiat Chrysler and PSA merger in 2021 that formed Stellantis. Smaller Mitsubishi, with Nissan as its top shareholder, is also considering joining the merger.

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe emphasized the need for greater scale to compete in developing new technologies for electric vehicles and intelligent driving. He stated that business integration would provide an edge unattainable under the current collaboration framework.

"The rise of Chinese automakers and new players has changed the car industry quite a lot," Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe told a press conference, according to Reuters.

A business integration would give the companies an “edge that will not be possible under the current collaboration framework,” Mibe also said, according to CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/23/honda-and-nissan-merger-talks.html

The merger would share intelligence and resources, deliver economies of scale, and protect both brands.

A holding company would be formed as the parent of both Honda and Nissan, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Honda, the larger entity, would nominate most board members. The merged group could potentially generate 30 trillion yen ($191.4 billion) in revenue and over 3 trillion yen ($19.69 billion) in operating profit.

Honda reported 1.382 trillion yen ($9.07 billion) in operating profit for the fiscal year ending March 2024, while Nissan reported 568.7 billion yen ($3.73 billion). https://bit.ly/41NpuHn

Combined, the companies would have a value of nearly $54 billion, with Honda contributing the larger $43 billion share.

Discussions are expected to conclude by June 2025.

Picture credit: insightpakistan

#

21/12/2024

Congress passed a funding patch early Saturday averting a government shutdown following Trump, Musk disruptions

In its last action of the year, Congress passed a funding patch early Saturday, including over $110 billion in disaster aid, averting a government shutdown and closing out the 118th Congress, according to Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/21/congress-clears-government-shutdown-patch-00195785

The bill, which passed the House on Friday evening, capped off a tumultuous week on Capitol Hill. Speaker Mike Johnson managed last-minute demands from President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk, alongside the ensuing furor of congressional Democrats whose votes were needed to pass funding bills amid conservative opposition.

While Johnson abandoned his initial bipartisan deal with Democrats at Trump’s and Musk’s urging, he failed to meet Trump’s demand for lifting the debt limit.

Some Republicans voted against the package because it did not cut spending. Johnson said the party will have more influence next year when they control both chambers of Congress and Trump is in the White House.

"This was a necessary step to bridge the gap, to put us into that moment where we can put our fingerprints on the final decisions on spending," Johnson told reporters after the House vote. He said Trump supported the package, according to Reuters. https://bit.ly/49NqQno

The result is a spending patch that retains some initial bipartisan elements, including funding the government at current levels through March 14, over $110 billion in disaster aid, and a one-year farm bill extension. However, more than 1,000 pages of policy were removed from the bill at Trump’s and Musk’s behest, including restrictions on U.S. investments in China, stricter rules on deceptive advertising of event tickets, and new rules for pharmacy benefit managers aimed at lowering prescription drug prices.

Congressional Democrats, despite their frustration with the influence of Trump and Musk, largely voted in favor of the package.

“It feels to me there were a lot of things that were not great for billionaires and corporations that dropped out of this bill. And I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) before voting for the bill, according to Politico.

After days of chaos in the House brought Congress to the brink of a shutdown, the Senate acted swiftly once the bill reached the upper chamber. https://bit.ly/4fJxa0V

“The president put his stamp on it, so let’s get ‘er done,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), according to Poltico.

Picture credit: jewishinsider

20/12/2024

Elon Musk has sparked outrage in Germany after appearing to endorse the far-right AfD

Elon Musk has sparked outrage in Berlin after appearing to endorse the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), according yo The Guardian. https://bit.ly/4gJpEnx

Musk, appointed by Donald Trump to co-lead a commission aimed at reducing the size of the US federal government, posted on his social media platform X: “Only the AfD can save Germany.” https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1869986946031988780

In his post, Musk shared a video by German right-wing influencer Naomi Seibt, who criticized Friedrich Merz, the leader of the conservative Christian Democrats and a potential German chancellor, while praising Javier Milei, the libertarian president of Argentina.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called Musk’s intervention in the German political debate weeks before the snap election “undignified and highly problematic,” according to The Guardian.

Germany, Europe’s largest economy, is set to go to the polls on February 23 after the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s center-left coalition last month. https://apnews.com/article/germany-scholz-confidence-vote-parliament-election-87c6c0c64726eefaa95d9c46dae611dc

The AfD is currently running in second place in opinion polls. Elements of the party have been classified as right-wing extremists by Germany’s domestic intelligence services, and mainstream parties have vowed not to work with the AfD at the national level.

The German government issued a brief response to Musk’s post, noting that it had registered it but declined to comment further.

At a press conference in Berlin, Scholz indirectly addressed the post, saying: “We have freedom of speech here. That also applies to multimillionaires. Freedom of speech also means that you’re able to say things that aren’t right and do not contain good political advice,” according to The Guardian.

In a post on X, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called Musk an “out of touch billionaire running the incoming Trump Administration” who “enthusiastically supports the neo-N**i party in Germany,” according to CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/20/elon-musk-endorses-far-right-alternative-for-germany-party-in-election.html

Picture credit: bfmtv

20/12/2024

Donald Trump: I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large-scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise..

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday that he told the EU to reduce its trade gap with the U.S. through oil and gas purchases or face tariffs.

“I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large-scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform shortly after 1 a.m. ET. https://truthsocial.com//posts/113683654440040843

According to U.S. figures, the country’s goods and services trade deficit with the European Union was $131.3 billion in 2022. https://bit.ly/49KfEYV

A senior EU diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the topic, told CNBC’s Silvia Amaro that they were not surprised by Trump’s comment and that energy was a “good option” for buying more U.S. goods, according to CNBC. https://bit.ly/4gI5Vof

Another EU official, also anonymous, mentioned that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Trump the previous night.

The comment followed the EU heads of state’s final meeting of the year on Thursday, where Europe-U.S. relations were discussed.

“The message is clear: the European Union is committed to continue working with the United States, pragmatically, to strengthen transatlantic ties,” European Council President António Costa said after the meeting.

In his first interview since taking office, Dan Jørgensen, the EU’s new energy chief, expressed concerns about the EU's increasing purchases of Russian liquified natural gas and the ongoing dependency of five EU countries on Russian nuclear fuel. https://bit.ly/4fhs8sb

He stressed that LNG imports will be a key topic in discussions with the incoming U.S. administration.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also suggested that the EU could buy more American fuel to avoid a potential trade conflict with Donald Trump.

Picture credit: Yahoo

Onbrm

10/01/2025

09/01/2025

07/01/2025

06/01/2025

06/01/2025

03/01/2025

02/01/2025

02/01/2025

23/12/2024

21/12/2024

20/12/2024

20/12/2024

Adresse

Internet side

Underretninger

Genveje

Del

Type