Trump will have more power than the 'founding fathers' imagined

The article discusses the potential increase in power for Donald Trump and the Republican Party as they gain control of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. It highlights the historical context of unified government control and the challenges Trump may face with Senate confirmations. The article also explores the role of the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority, in supporting Trump's policies, raising concerns about the balance of power and the potential for executive overreach.

Austria's Education Minister should 'wake up' in light of the acute teacher shortage

The teacher shortage debate in Austria has intensified as two small schools in Vorarlberg were unable to open due to staffing issues, affecting 27 students. The liberal Neos party has called for comprehensive education reforms, urging Education Minister Martin Polaschek to address the shortage. Measures such as a recruitment office and increased housing allowances have been implemented, but the problem persists across the EU, with Germany facing a significant shortfall of 30,000 to 40,000 teachers this school year.

Vienna receives monkeypox supply package early, insufficient to meet demand

The Austrian government has allocated an additional 140 monkeypox vaccine doses to Vienna to meet high demand, but this will only cover 350 of the 2,200 pre-registered individuals. Health City Councillor Peter Hacker's office stated that the scarcity of vaccines makes it impossible to inoculate all interested persons. The National Vaccination Panel recommends prioritizing individuals with high-risk behaviors and healthcare workers. Currently, Austria has 4,340 vaccine doses, with two-thirds reserved for post-exposure vaccinations.

Slovak Refinery to Continue Using Russian Oil

Slovakia's largest oil refinery, Slovnaft, will continue to sell Russian oil domestically even after the EU embargo exemption expires. Slovnaft's CEO, Marek Senkovič, stated that this will not violate EU sanctions as long as the oil is processed for the domestic market. Currently, about 60% of Slovnaft's oil is exported, and the refinery will need to source 60% of its oil from other origins due to the embargo. The transition is estimated to cost the company up to 200 million euros.

Investigations into Greek Spyware Scandal Halted Due to 'National Security'

Greece has halted investigations into a spyware scandal citing national security concerns, avoiding questions about the surveillance of journalists and opposition politicians. The European Parliament's committee investigating surveillance technologies has focused on Greece following revelations of espionage against MEP Nikos Androulakis and investigative journalists. The Greek government and national intelligence service are implicated, with significant resignations following the scandal. The use of Predator spyware by Intellexa and the destruction of surveillance files have raised further concerns. The situation highlights the precarious state of press freedom in Greece.

Europe’s quantum pioneers call for EU support to reach ‘quantum advantage’

Europe's quantum technology sector is calling for increased EU support to achieve 'quantum advantage,' a milestone where quantum computers outperform classical ones in solving significant problems. The Netherlands, a leader in this field, is advancing through an ecosystem approach that integrates education, research, and business. However, experts criticize the EU for diluting investments across too many projects, hindering significant advancements. Key figures in the industry emphasize the need for substantial funding to remain competitive globally, particularly against countries like China and the US.

Germany split on using IP data storage to fight online child abuse

The German coalition government is divided on the issue of storing IP addresses to combat online child abuse, with state ministers supporting the measure while federal ministers remain split. The European Court of Justice's ruling against indiscriminate data retention has influenced the debate, with some advocating for the Quick Freeze procedure as a balanced approach. Critics argue that IP retention could lead to mass data collection and privacy concerns. The discussion is further complicated by differing views on the EU's plan to scan chats for suspicious content, which some believe may violate European law.

How one German solar startup is blowing against the wind

Sunmaxx, a German solar startup, is leveraging innovative photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) technology to gain a competitive edge in the solar industry. Despite the dominance of Chinese manufacturers, Sunmaxx's CEO Wilhelm Stein is optimistic about their patented technology, which boasts an 80% efficiency rate by converting solar energy into both electricity and heat. The German solar industry faces significant challenges, including heavy reliance on Chinese imports and insufficient domestic production capacity. Experts suggest that large-scale production hubs and supply chains are essential for Germany to reclaim its position in the solar market. While some companies like Meyer Burger and Solarwatt are considering relocating or reducing operations, others like Oxford PV are pushing forward with high-efficiency technologies. The German government has yet to decide on measures to support the domestic solar industry, with debates ongoing about the effectiveness of subsidies and import controls.

Child Abuse on the Internet: States Support Storage of IP Addresses

Interior and justice ministers from various German states agreed to support the storage of IP addresses to combat child abuse on the internet, despite the federal government's division on the issue. The European Court of Justice recently ruled against indiscriminate data retention, prompting the SPD to push for IP address storage while the FDP remains skeptical and plans to propose the Quick-Freeze procedure. The German Child Protection Association and critics argue that sufficient measures exist without data retention, and the debate must be distinguished from the EU's controversial chat control proposal.

Europa Kompakt: Baerbocks Polenpolitik

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock faces a challenging diplomatic mission in Poland, where discussions on reparations for World War II are taking place. The Polish President has signed a diplomatic note demanding 1.3 trillion euros from Germany. This situation complicates Baerbock's efforts to strengthen German-Polish relations, especially given Poland's crucial role in supporting Ukraine. The demand for reparations, which has been legally settled, poses a setback for Baerbock's policy towards Poland.