Far-right leader Geert Wilders surprisingly won the Netherlands elections with his anti-EU and anti-Islam campaign. Can he form a government? WeWork's bankruptcy reflects larger issues in real estate. Hyper-bouncy shoes are revolutionizing running and raising questions about technological advancements in sports.
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Quick takeaways
The Dutch parliamentary elections saw a surprising victory for far-right leader Geert Wilders, signaling a significant shift in Dutch politics and the rise of anti-immigration sentiments.
WeWork's bankruptcy reflects broader issues in the real estate industry, including declining vacancy rates and the challenges of sustaining a business model dependent on venture capital and low interest rates.
Deep dives
Political earthquake in the Netherlands
In a surprising turn of events, the leader of the far-right party for freedom, Kirt Wilders, has won the most seats in the Dutch parliamentary elections. His anti-immigration, anti-EU platform secured 37 spots out of 150 in the Dutch parliament. While he still needs to gather support from other parties to become prime minister, this election result signals a significant shift in Dutch politics and will be closely monitored across Europe.
The downfall of WeWork
WeWork, the office space giant, recently declared bankruptcy after facing financial challenges. Despite its rapid growth and the hype surrounding it, WeWork never turned a profit. The company heavily relied on venture capital and low interest rates, but as those factors changed, their business model faced serious issues. WeWork's struggles also highlight broader problems in the real estate industry, including declining vacancy rates and an enduring shift towards remote work.
Controversy over advanced running shoes
Recent achievements in marathon running, including the smashing of the men's record by 34 seconds, have drawn attention to the impact of advanced running shoes on performance. Shoes developed by companies like Nike and Adidas provide significant advantages by offering better energy conservation and a faster running economy. However, these shoes have faced controversy and debate, with critics drawing comparisons to doping. The matter of where to draw the line between technological advancements and maintaining fairness in sports remains unresolved.
Geert Wilders campaigned on leaving the European Union, closing the borders, and even suggested banning Islam. The Dutch surprisingly voted for him anyway. But without a majority, can he form a government? WeWork is a flawed company, but their bankruptcy reflects greater turmoil in real estate (10:10). And, how hyper-bouncy shoes are giving runners an edge (17:42).
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