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The automotive supplier ZF is facing drastic downsizing in Schweinfurt. Up to 4,000 jobs in Bavaria are at risk. This poses an enormous challenge for the region, as the future of thousands of families depends on ZF. (merkur: 28.08.25) High debt forces job cuts Automotive supplier ZF employs around 160,000 people worldwide. Despite its size, […]

France is mired in a government crisis closely linked to its high budget deficit. Investors are reacting nervously as the minority government of Prime Minister François Bayrou looms. The looming loss of confidence recently triggered a massive selloff in the financial markets. Both stocks and French bonds fell significantly, while risk premiums rose. This brings

Sweden is planning a restart of uranium mining. Starting in January 2026, the ban that has prevented any production will be lifted. This paves the way for new nuclear power plants and a more stable energy supply. The goal remains to reduce dependence on energy imports and to pursue a self-determined nuclear policy. (nucnet: 28.08.25)

In Sweden, bankruptcies in the wind power industry are on the rise. Numerous operators are slipping into the red because cheap electricity is destroying their cost-benefit analysis. At the same time, the projects are burdened with high debts, causing international investors to lose confidence. This increases the threat to the entire European energy transition. (deutsche-wirtschafts-nachrichten:

Biogas is considered a sustainable alternative to natural gas, but heating costs for consumers are rising significantly. While those who opt for biomethane benefit from climate advantages, high gas prices put a strain on household budgets. According to Verivox, the premium for tariffs with 65 percent biomethane is around 15 cents per kilowatt hour compared

As of September 1, 2025, Aral Pulse will close its truck charging stations for passenger cars. The 25 charging points in Germany will then be exclusively available to electric trucks. The trade publication Electrive cites an email that customers received. The particularly generous space and the ability to drive up to the charging stations from

The automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler announces massive downsizing in Schweinfurt. Almost 600 jobs will be eliminated. Administration and indirect areas are particularly affected. At the same time, the company is relocating a production facility from North Rhine-Westphalia to Franconia. While new jobs will be created in Schweinfurt, the overall job losses will significantly outweigh

A recent study sheds new light on offshore wind farms. Experts identified 228 potential chemicals that could enter the sea from the turbines and thus cause significant environmental pollution. 62 of these are considered to be of particular environmental relevance. These substances are on the list of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Among them are

In Germany, the introduction of new electricity price zones is being considered. The north produces a large proportion of green electricity, while the south consumes more. This divide in the electricity market could have far-reaching consequences. Competitiveness is particularly important for Germany as an industrial location. At the same time, the energy transition will be

The German mechanical engineering industry is under pressure. A study shows that up to 20 percent of jobs are at risk. The reasons are rising trade barriers and increasingly aggressive competition from China. Over a million employees in Germany are feeling the effects, while market shares abroad are faltering.(handelsblatt: 26.08.25) Raising trade barriers and competition

The European automotive industry is calling for a postponement of the 2035 ban on combustion engines. Industry associations such as ACEA and CLEPA have warned the EU Commission in an urgent letter that the current strategy is unworkable. They emphasize that the policy sets ambitious targets but disregards key market and supply chain realities. Without

An unusual concept is causing controversy in Stuttgart’s city center. Two large fast-charging stations operated by EnBW at the university and at Rotebühlplatz are hardly attracting electric cars anymore. Although the charging points are centrally located, many users have observed that they often remain empty. The reason for this is not the electricity price, but

“People should be welcome to install solar panels on their roofs, but please without subsidies.” With this statement, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche initiated the debate about a change of course in the energy transition. She suggested ending subsidies for private photovoltaic systems. She received support from RWE CEO Markus Krebber, who considers

Germany’s energy transition is in the midst of a battle for scarce resources. More and more wind farms are being built in the North Sea, blocking each other. The proximity of the turbines leads to power losses, disputes, and uncertainty for billions of dollars in investments. Lukas Vollmer of the Fraunhofer Institute in Bremen describes

Dresden’s financial situation is spiraling out of control. Internal documents show that Mayor Dirk Hilbert (FDP) and Economic Mayor Jan Pratzka (CDU) plan to eliminate 875 full-time positions in the administration. This would correspond to approximately twelve percent of the current 7,375 positions. However, the city council had only approved a five percent cut. This