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Germany's Autobahn, the world's only democracy without a blanket speed limit on motorways, has long been a symbol of freedom and technological mastery for driving enthusiasts. Lutz Leif Linden, president of the Automobile Club of Germany (AvD), has reached speeds of 400km/h (249mph) on the road, describing the experience as 'like an airplane.'The country's love affair with fast cars dates back to the late 1800s, with Carl Benz patenting the first 'vehicle powered by a gas engine'. The success of the German car industry, which created jobs, gave citizens freedom to travel, and brought in tax revenues, has cemented motorized vehicles in the national psyche.Despite the International Energy Agency (IEA) urging drivers to slow down to cushion the price shock from the biggest blow to oil supply in history, Germans remain opposed to a blanket speed limit. Public opinion has shifted, with a majority supporting the Tempolimit among voters of all big parties except the far-right Alternative für Deutschland and the market-liberal Free Democrats.Researchers have made the case for slowing down in terms of money, fuel, and lives. A study found a speed limit of 130km/h would lead to nearly €1bn a year in societal benefits, cut greenhouse gas emissions from road transport by 2.2%, and reduce toxic air pollutants. However, opponents argue a blanket ban is unnecessary and cite the time saved over long distances and the appreciation of freedom to set their own speed.The industry has found itself in a crisis as high energy prices and competition from China on electric vehicles have resulted in factory closures and job losses. Germany led efforts to water down an EU ban on the sale of combustion engine cars from 2035. A spokesperson for VDA, Germany's biggest car lobby, described the climate impact of a blanket speed limit as 'minimal' and 'increasingly insignificant' as the car fleet becomes more electrified.

Mark Dorsey, a 35-year-old resident of East Oakland, works two jobs to make ends meet, often relying on minimum wage or close to it. The current minimum wage in Oakland is $17.34 an hour, higher than California's $16.90 an hour, but still insufficient for Dorsey.Dorsey is part of a campaign to almost double California's minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030. A similar initiative has been tabled in New York City, backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.The initiatives face opposition from business interests, but have widespread public support. The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009.The Oakland and Alameda Living Wage for All campaign has filed two ballot initiatives for the November 2026 ballot to increase the minimum wage in Oakland and Alameda county to $30 an hour by 2030 for large employers.Zach Norris, co-executive director of the Black Organizing Project, emphasizes that the ballot initiatives are also racial justice issues, as Oakland has seen a 46% decline of Black residents since 2000.In New York City, Councilor Sandy Nurse has introduced a bill to increase the minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030 for large employers, with small businesses given more time to adapt.The Economic Policy Institute projects that 1.68 million New York City residents, 36.7% of the city's wage-earning workforce, will earn less than $30 an hour by 2030.Business groups have voiced opposition, but a 2023 study found that minimum wage increases do not result in job losses or small business closures.