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Munich plans to plant 150 new trees in the city center starting in autumn 2026, even though the city has already had to take on €2.6 billion in new debt for its 2026 budget. The impetus is the desire for more shade on increasingly hot summer days, but narrow streets, underground utilities, and elaborate protective […]

On April 15, 2026, automotive supplier Mahle warned of the severe consequences of the EU’s ban on combustion engines when presenting its annual figures. The trigger is the political mandate to phase out new combustion engine vehicles, while the supplier, despite operational progress, continues to operate in a challenging industry environment. CEO Arnd Franz sees

The petroleum industry has warned of supply shortages over the holiday weekend due to the details of the planned reduction in mineral oil tax on May 1st. This year, May Day falls on a Friday, and delivery options will be severely limited over the following weekend, the Federal Association of Independent Petrol Stations and Independent

In Berlin, the dispute over a potential ideological vetting process for home purchases is escalating. The backdrop is a draft proposal from the Federal Ministry of Construction, headed by Verena Hubertz, a member of the SPD (Social Democratic Party). According to available reports, municipalities would be able to intervene even if there is only suspicion

The German government is sending a signal that many citizens perceive as a slap in the face: While motorists are being fobbed off with a mere 17 cents in tax relief per liter and simultaneously face the threat of increased costs for health insurance contributions, co-payments, and tobacco tax, a draft bill from the Federal

In Berlin, the dispute over the energy policy of the center-right/center-left coalition is escalating. According to information from government and coalition circles, the Finance Ministry, headed by Lars Klingbeil, is blocking several key energy laws proposed by Economics Minister Katherina Reiche, including the Building Modernization Act, the power plant strategy, the amendment to the Renewable

In Berlin, criticism of Chancellor Friedrich Merz is now growing even within his own party. Peter Altmaier recently warned that the German economic model is in acute danger, Jens Spahn said on television that they are “largely managing the decline,” and the former President of the Federal Constitutional Court, Hans-Jürgen Papier, even accused the federal

The president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, has criticized the German government’s energy price relief measures as “in some respects economically inefficient and socially unbalanced.” In a guest article for the “Fuldaer Zeitung” (Monday edition), he proposed instead a one-time energy cost allowance of €300 for all adults – linked

Erich Jäger GmbH, based in Friedberg, filed for insolvency at the Friedberg District Court on April 14, 2026. The company, an automotive and industrial supplier with over 90 years of history and approximately 1,000 employees worldwide, including about 200 in Germany, is affected. The company produces connector systems for vehicles and agricultural machinery. The insolvency

Criticism of the Merz government is intensifying, and it is now coming from the highest court. In an interview with Welt am Sonntag, former President of the Federal Constitutional Court, Hans-Jürgen Papier, accuses the federal government of shortcomings in its governance. He even speaks of “a refusal to govern.” The criticism stems from key decisions

In Schwerte, North Rhine-Westphalia, a 43-year-old father and two children died in a burning Tesla in September 2025 after the car left the road and crashed into a tree following an alleged illegal overtaking maneuver by a 57-year-old Passat driver. The expert report now available identifies the malfunctioning doors and windows as a key risk

Consumers will be able to apply for the German government’s electric vehicle subsidy retroactively to the beginning of the year – likely starting in May. The Bundestag passed the “Act to Promote Climate-Neutral Mobility,” providing the legal basis for this on Friday. Depending on the car model and income, the subsidy can range from €1,500

A new test facility for mini nuclear reactors, DOME, has gone into operation in the US state of Idaho. For the first time, the US has created a place where developers can test mini nuclear reactors under real-world conditions. This is crucial for regulatory approvals, as authorities require reliable data on performance, safety, and operational

The European Union is currently buying more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, even though it actually wants to reduce its dependence. This is triggered by the tense situation on the global market, while new risks to key LNG routes are increasing. The Strait of Hormuz, in particular, is considered a critical factor because a

Russia is pushing sanctioned liquefied natural gas (LNG) into new markets at discounts of up to 40 percent. This is driven by the tense situation on the global market during the Iran-Iraq War, as the near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the disruption of Qatari deliveries have cut off roughly one-fifth of the