Musk sparks controversy backing Germany’s far-right party

Elon Musk’s support for Germany’s far-right AfD party sparks controversy, resulting in the resignation of an opinion editor.

Published

1 year ago

December 30, 2024

ticker NEWS

Elon Musk’s support for Germany’s far-right AfD party sparks controversy, resulting in the resignation of an opinion editor.

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has sparked controversy by endorsing Germany’s far-right party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), in a guest opinion piece for the newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

His commentary, published just before the country’s key parliamentary elections on February 23, led to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest.

The comment piece marks Musk’s second endorsement of the AfD this month, in light of the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing coalition over economic concerns.

Musk claimed the AfD represents a “last spark of hope” for Germany, suggesting it could enable a future of economic prosperity and innovation.

Musk asserted that his investments in Germany legitimize his opinions on the nation’s issues.

Chancellor Scholz has dismissed Musk’s claims about the AfD as the only viable alternative for Germany.

The AfD’s candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, is polling well but has negligible chances of success, given other parties’ refusal to collaborate with them.

Musk’s article has ignited discussions within German media about the limits of free speech.

The WELT’s opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel, announced her resignation over the publication of Musk’s piece, stating her discomfort with the endorsement.

Coalition cracks deepen as Nationals break ranks over Labor reforms

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

Published

4 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

A rift has emerged in the Coalition after three Nationals senators crossed the floor to vote against Labor’s post-Bondi hate group reforms, defying party lines and raising questions about their future in the shadow cabinet.

Their proposed amendment calling for greater scrutiny was rejected, and Labor’s legislation passed the Senate 38 votes to 22, cementing the reforms into law despite opposition pushback.

Coalition leadership will meet Wednesday to assess the political fallout, though some MPs consider the issue minor in terms of potential resignations. The incident highlights growing tensions within the party as internal discipline comes under pressure.

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Trump escalates Greenland rhetoric as Davos leaders push back on sovereignty

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

Published

4 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

President Trump has intensified his remarks over Greenland, claiming the U.S. is the only nation capable of ensuring peace in the Arctic, sparking sharp pushback from European leaders. His rhetoric, including hints at potential tariffs, comes as international attention turns to the strategic territory.

The debate has dominated discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump confirmed plans to meet regarding Greenland following a positive conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Meanwhile, Greenland’s leadership has warned that the territory must be ready for potential military scenarios.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also weighed in from Davos, drawing a firm line on sovereignty, declaring Greenland’s independence non-negotiable. The unfolding standoff highlights rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, with global powers increasingly staking their claims.

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OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

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