David McHugh

AP Business Writer

Today in Manufacturing Podcast

Today in Manufacturing Podcast

Today in Manufacturing has a new podcast brought to you by the editors of Industrial Media. In each episode, we discuss the five biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward.

In this Sept. 27, 2021 file photo, steam billows out of the cooling towers at a coal-fired power station in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu province. The world's facing an energy crunch.

Energy Issues Hamper Global Recovery as Winter Approaches

The biggest squeeze is on natural gas.

In this Thursday, April 29, 2021 file photo, a coal-fired RWE power plant steams on a sunny day in Neurath, Germany. The International Energy Agency is urging governments to make stronger commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions at an upcoming U.N. climate summit.

Energy Agency Urges Bigger Global Push to Cut Emissions

The economic rebound from the pandemic has seen an increase in the use of coal and oil.

In this Wednesday, April 8, 2020 file photo, the sun sets behind an idle pump jack near Karnes City, USA. The OPEC oil cartel and allied countries are meeting to decide on production. The meeting is being closely watched because oil markets are tight and the price of crude is just off a three-year high as the global economy bounces back from the pandemic.

Oil at 7-Year High After OPEC+ Decides on Cautious Increase

The decision comes amid stronger demand for oil products like gasoline and jet fuel.

A worker completes an electric car ID.3 body at the assembly line during a press tour at the plant of the German manufacturer Volkswagen AG (VW) in Zwickau, eastern Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Volkswagen are completely converting the plant in Zwickau from 100 percent combustion engine to 100 percent electric. Around 100,000 electric models are to be produced in Zwickau as early as next year.

VW Closes European Plants for 2 Weeks

Uncertainty surrounds demand for cars and supplies of parts amid the virus outbreak.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell walks pasts a reporter a the end of news conference, Tuesday, March 3, 2020, where he discussed an announcement from the Federal Open Market Committee, in Washington. In a surprise move, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a sizable half-percentage point in an effort to support the economy in the face of the spreading coronavirus. Chairman Jerome Powell noted that the coronavirus 'poses evolving risks to economic activity.'

Economic Coordination Not Happening

The world economy is increasingly looking like it will fall into recession.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde talks to German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz during a meeting of European Union Finance Ministers in Eurogroup format at the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020.

Europe Tries to Stave Off Recession

The country is staring a recession in the face.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, arrives for a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, and non-OPEC members at their headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Friday, March 6, 2020.

Oil Nosedives

Failure to strike a deal could send weak prices even lower, inflicting more pain on the U.S. oil patch, where thousands have been laid off.

Workers dismantle a booth after that the 90th Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) is cancelled by Swiss authorities, at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. The 90th edition of the International Motor Show, scheduled to begin on March 5th, is cancelled due to the advancement of the (Covid-19) coronavirus in Switzerland. The Swiss confederation announced today that all events involving more than 1,000 people would be banned until 15 March.

Trade Shows Go Virtual as Virus Spreads

Companies are taking their shows online.

In this Dec. 18, 2009 file photo snow covered grapes hang in a vineyard near Freyburg, Germany. A warm winter means that for the first time Germany's vineyards will produce no ice wine _ a prized vintage made from grapes that have been left to freeze on the vine. The German Wine Institute said Sunday that none of the wine regions that make ice wine saw the necessary low temperature of minus 7 degrees Celsius, or 19 degress Fahrenheit.

Warm Winter Nixes Special Wine

No ice wine for you.

Airbus Sees No Benefit from Boeing Woes

"It has to do with safety, and safety is paramount for the industry. This is one of the things we all have in common."

In this file photo Ola Kaellenius, CEO of Mercedes, stands next to a 'Vision EQS' car at the IAA Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany.

Daimler Profits Slump

The losses underline pressures related to shifting consumer trends and tougher limits on greenhouse gases.