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EU relaxations of regulations for genetic engineering: Labeling on food products is partially eliminated
Fewer environmental tests and no mandatory labeling in supermarkets: The EU wants to relax its rules for handling certain genetically modified products. Representatives from the European Parliament and the Council of the 27 EU countries reached an agreement on this in the early hours of Thursday. Critics were unable to prevail with their consumer protection…
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End of Cherry production in Germany
Cherry, the internationally renowned peripherals manufacturer from Auerbach in the Upper Palatinate region of Germany, is ceasing its German production after 60 years. Cherry became particularly famous for its iconic keyboards, which are expected to continue being manufactured in the Far East. Production in Germany, however, is no longer profitable, according to management. (WinFuture, 27.11.2025)…
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Rare earths: EU Commission wants to create a stockpile of raw materials for industry
The European Commission wants to secure access to raw materials such as lithium and rare earth elements for European companies. Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné presented his plans for a European Centre for Critical Raw Materials in Brussels on Wednesday. This centre would coordinate joint purchases by several EU member states and create stockpiles. The aim…
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Risky for the German energy transition – so-called “phantom storage”
Battery storage systems are considered an indispensable component of Germany’s energy transition. They are being registered with grid operators on a massive scale, but most are not being built. The reasons are manifold, the consequences precarious. (focus, 02.12.2025) Example of a solar park in Zerbst In November 2025, a massive solar park covering 41 hectares…
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Survey: Majority of employees want to limit working hours to eight hours
A survey has revealed that a majority of employees in Germany support limiting their working hours. 72 percent of those surveyed want to restrict their daily working time to a maximum of eight hours, as announced by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Berlin on Thursday. DGB Chairwoman Yasmin Fahimi criticized any potential weakening…
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Fear of a lull: Tenders for wind farm projects flop
As is well known, the North Sea, with its strong winds, is an ideal location for wind power generation. The relatively shallow waters make the construction of wind farms comparatively inexpensive. This has attracted investors in the past, such as the energy companies BP and Totalenergies, which paid a total of €12.6 billion for new…
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Ifo: Business climate stagnated in 2025 – companies “sober and concerned”
Business sentiment among German companies has barely improved this year after initial euphoria. The business climate index compiled by the Munich-based Ifo Institute rose by only about 2.8 points between January and November, falling significantly short of previous years’ figures, the institute announced on Thursday. This is practically tantamount to stagnation. The current business situation…
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US gas prices are driving up the global market and leading to higher costs for German households
Rising natural gas prices in the US are triggering a chain reaction on international markets. The sharp increase is not only affecting North America – costs for consumers in Germany are also rising noticeably again. An early onset of winter, record-high exports, fluctuating gas prices, increasing taxes and levies, and global energy supply are shaping…
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OECD report: US tariffs impact global economy less than expected
The economic impact of US tariffs and political instability has been less severe than expected. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) confirmed its forecast of 3.2 percent for global growth this year. “The global economy has been resilient this year, despite the anticipated slowdown due to increasing trade barriers and significant political uncertainty,”…
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The US government plans to build ten new nuclear reactors for over $500 billion
The United States is launching an unprecedented investment offensive in the energy sector. Plans include the construction of ten large-scale nuclear reactors to meet the rising electricity demand from data centers, AI applications, and industrial projects. Officially, funding is to be provided in part by a multi-billion-dollar pledge from Japan – but given Tokyo’s chronic…
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Climate activists from WePlanet: Environmental consequences of Germany’s nuclear phase-out are alarming
Germany’s nuclear phase-out was, as is well known, decided more or less hastily after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. In retrospect, it is almost single-handedly decreed by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). Today, it is considered arguably the most consequential energy policy decision in Germany in recent decades. (t-online 23.11.2025) Shutdown of Germany’s Nuclear Power…
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Rostock has to take out a loan to be able to pay salaries
Rostock is mired in a deep budget crisis that has been looming for some time. The city is now securing its employees’ salaries through short-term borrowing, as cost increases in several areas are spiraling out of control. The city administration describes this as an extraordinary step, but the situation stems from years of neglecting key…
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RTL plans to cut around 600 jobs in Germany
RTL Germany plans to cut approximately 600 jobs in response to declining TV advertising revenue and the expansion of its streaming business. The management has decided to “align the company and cost structures even more specifically with the streaming business,” the company announced on Tuesday. “As part of this focus,” the 600 positions will be…
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Statistics: Municipal debt has risen to 4448 euros per capita
Municipal debt to banks or insurance companies amounted to €4,448 per capita at the end of 2024. This was 6.3 percent higher than the previous year, as the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden announced on Tuesday, based on a model calculation. In total, municipalities and municipal associations were indebted to the tune of almost €343.8…
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Germany’s storage boom: Problems with electricity storage capacity
Renewable energy sources, which only provide electricity depending on the weather, require storage solutions. The focus here is on chemical battery storage, which is currently experiencing a boom worldwide and also in Germany. However, this rapid growth is causing various problems. According to experts, the two biggest are phantom projects and grid overloads. (fr, 25.11.2025)…