
Thiel-Backed Fintech N26 to Offer Mobile Service to Boost Growth
N26, the Peter Thiel-backed German neobank, is planning to offer mobile phone contracts to customers as it seeks new avenues for growth, copying a strategy that its larger competitor Revolut introduced last year.
'Germany has some of the most expensive local plans among telecommunication markets in Europe,' Chief Executive Officer Valentin Stalf told Bloomberg News in an interview on Monday. N26 will start offering telecom services in May using one of the top two German mobile networks, he said.

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New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Port of Los Angeles sees sharp drop in cargo ships, West Coast dockworkers sit idle
Shipping activity at major West Coast ports has plummeted, with the Port of Los Angeles averaging just five ships a day — down from a typical dozen — and job orders for dockworkers falling by nearly 50%, according to port officials. On a typical June day, the Port of Los Angeles would be buzzing with activity — about a dozen ships arriving from Asia, containers being unloaded, and cargo moving quickly across the country. But lately, things have been eerily quiet. Advertisement 4 Shipping activity at major West Coast ports has plummeted, with the Port of Los Angeles averaging just five ships a day — down from a typical dozen. Getty Images 'We've averaged about five ships a day,' Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, told Bloomberg News. 'Job orders for our dock workers are down nearly 50%.' That drop isn't just a temporary blip. It's part of a larger slowdown linked to President Donald Trump's trade war with China — a policy shift that's been quietly wreaking havoc on West Coast port cities like Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma. Advertisement While most of the attention around tariffs has focused on rising prices and stock market swings, the economic damage to these cities has gone under the radar. These ports depend heavily on trade with Asia, especially China. And now, because of increased tariffs and uncertainty in US-China relations, the flow of goods has slowed dramatically — with real consequences for jobs, businesses and local economies. Advertisement Even a recent truce between the two countries has done little to reverse the trend. Data released Monday by the Chinese government showed that exports to the US tumbled 35% in May compared to the year before — the steepest drop since COVID lockdowns froze trade in early 2020. 4 A container ship is docked at the Port of Los Angeles. Job orders for dockworkers fell by nearly 50%, according to port officials. Getty Images That followed a 21% drop in April. While China's shipments to places like Southeast Asia and Europe are on the rise, they haven't been enough to balance out the loss in US-bound cargo. All told, China's overall exports rose just 4.8% last month, well below forecasts. The effects of the slowdown in Chinese exports are being felt across the Pacific. Advertisement Long Beach — along with Los Angeles — operates the biggest port complex in the US. Roughly 60% of its trade is with China. In 2022 alone, the ports pumped about $300 billion into the Los Angeles County economy and brought in $93 billion in tax revenue. One in five jobs in the region — from truck drivers to warehouse workers — is tied to the ports. More than 70% of dockworkers live within 10 miles. But with fewer ships arriving, the impact is spreading. The Port of Oakland saw cargo volumes fall 15% in April. Los Angeles has already had 17 ship cancellations in May, and another 10 were scrapped in June. New government data also shows a sharp nationwide drop in imports. Mayor Rex Richardson of Long Beach told Bloomberg News that his city, home to about 450,000 people, is especially vulnerable. 4 President Trump initiated a trade war with China and other nations after introducing tariffs. REUTERS Advertisement He fears that trade-related companies near the port won't hire as they normally do this summer. 'We need certainty,' Richardson said. 'We need long-range trade policy. We don't think that is a controversial idea.' But certainty is in short supply. Trump recently accused China of violating trade agreements and slapped even higher tariffs on steel and aluminum — now up to 50%. Advertisement Meanwhile, West Coast leaders like Seroka say their attempts to engage with the federal government have gone nowhere. Despite serving on an advisory panel for the US Trade Representative's Office, Seroka says his calls to the Trump administration have been ignored. Instead, he's been holding regular press conferences to sound the alarm. On Wednesday, he stood alongside Los Angeles City Council member Tim McOsker, who represents the port district. McOsker didn't hold back, saying: 'This is a mistake for absolutely no reason. There's no one who can describe why we're going through this.' 4 Trump is seen left with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019. Chinese exports have plummeted. REUTERS Advertisement Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was also critical of the tariffs, saying: 'It's a tax on individuals and their families.' Seroka warned that the pain won't stay confined to California. Since ports are on the front line of the economy, they feel shocks early — before the ripple effects hit stores, factories and households across the country. Advertisement 'As the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach go,' Seroka said, 'so goes the US economy.' The Post has sought comment from the White House.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Officials unveil $100 billion investment to transform how nation gets its power: 'Bombshell'
Germany recently approved a landmark €100 billion ($107 billion) investment package to supercharge its transition to clean energy, and it's being called a "green bombshell," according to Forbes. The plan will pour funding into renewable energy infrastructure, grid modernization, and other projects aimed at reducing the country's pollution. This will not only create jobs and strengthen innovation but also position Germany as a global clean tech leader. This comes as Germany's clean energy milestones stack up. In 2023, renewables made up nearly 52% of the country's electricity consumption, and solar capacity soared past 100 gigawatts at the start of 2024. But rapid growth has exposed challenges — specifically, outdated infrastructure. "We've scaled renewables at an impressive pace, but the grid hasn't caught up," said Jan Lozek, founder and managing partner at Future Energy Ventures, a German climate-focused venture capital firm, to Forbes. The solution will be smarter, more decentralized systems. "We need to roll out smart meters, decentralised controls, and energy storage solutions that let us manage this new ecosystem in real-time," Lozek explained. "Local optimisation will be key — not just pouring more power into the grid, but using it where it's produced." The green transition is opening up huge investment opportunities in the U.S. and around the world. Clean energy and sustainability-focused businesses have consistently outperformed traditional dirty energy stocks over the long term, and Germany's plan mirrors a growing understanding that building a cleaner economy isn't just good for the planet; it's also financially smart. Despite setbacks here and there, the momentum has never been stronger, backed by solid market logic. Similar moves are gaining steam elsewhere, such as massive solar farm projects in the U.S. and renewable energy investments in the European Union. Globally, investment in clean energy now outpaces fossil fuels, such as gas and coal, 2-to-1, with total energy investment surpassing $3 trillion in 2024. For everyday people looking to put their money on a greener future, GreenPortfolio is a free tool that makes climate-forward investing easier. While planning your strategy to support the green transition can be tricky, GreenPortfolio connects you with remote financial advisors who offer guidance on building portfolios and choosing sustainable banks, investments, and credit cards. As for Germany's plans, Lozek is optimistic. "Decarbonizing heavy industry and transitioning to a circular economy — these are massive opportunities. We need scalable solutions that can make a dent in global emissions," he said. "This is not just about hitting climate targets — it's about reshaping the entire energy landscape," he added. Do you think America could ever go zero-waste? Never Not anytime soon Maybe in some states Definitely Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Insurtech Slide targets $2 billion plus valuation in US IPO
(Reuters) -Insurance tech company Slide is aiming for a valuation of up to $2.12 billion in its U.S. initial public offering, joining a lineup of insurance companies that have made impressive stock market debuts in recent weeks. Slide's roadshow launch follows stellar first-time share sales in recent weeks from eToro and Circle , underscoring a revival of investor appetite for market debutants after months of dealmaking paralysis from U.S. policy turbulence. Slide and some of its existing stakeholders are looking to raise up to $340 million by offering 20 million shares priced between $15 and $17 each, the company revealed in a filing on Monday. Insurers are more immune to market downturns, with heightened uncertainty boosting demand for their risk-mitigation offerings. Sectors focused on intellectual property continue to pique investor interest, some analysts have said. While, Apollo-backed Aspen Insurance and Florida-based American Integrity Insurance went public last month, specialty insurer Ategrity is poised to debut later this week. Founded in 2021, Slide offers family and condominium insurance policies in Florida and South Carolina. The company is led by Bruce Lucas, who previously founded and led Heritage Insurance. Filings show 99.5% of Slide's policies are concentrated in Florida, where the company is aiming to grow its footprint in a market from which some insurers are pulling back, due to its history of natural disasters, primarily hurricanes. The company's profit rose 69.1% to $92.5 million for the quarter ended March 31. Combined ratio was at 58.9%, versus 66.7% last year. A ratio below 100% means the insurer earned more in premiums than it paid out in claims. Barclays and Morgan Stanley are the lead underwriters on the listing. The company's shares are expected to start trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol "SLDE". Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data