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The government is running out of money, but instead of consistently cutting spending, it prefers to look for new ways to increase revenue. The timing is striking, as many of these proposals have emerged in the weeks since Christmas, within just a few days of each other. Health, justice, and security provide the appropriate labels, […]

Following the arson attack on a cable bridge in Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Berlin is ramping up security for its power infrastructure with a massive police presence. According to the Berliner Zeitung, police are deploying up to four hundred officers daily to secure substations and other facilities. Around 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses were without power for several

Meta is restructuring its energy supply because AI infrastructure and data centers require ever-increasing amounts of electricity. Therefore, Meta is entering into long-term contracts for nuclear power to increase security of supply and limit CO₂ emissions. At the same time, Meta is responding to the growing pressure to expand computing capacity in a predictable manner.

The RB 27 regional train connects Berlin with the northern outskirts in Brandenburg. On January 10, 2026, service was disrupted. A lack of hydrogen for refueling caused the Heidekrautbahn hydrogen trains to stop running. The hydrogen shortage affected the line on a weekend. The platform displays showed “Service disruption! (no fuel delivery)”. (berliner-zeitung: 12.01.26 RB

For almost 15 years, the Federal Prosecutor General has been pursuing the Vulkan group, yet the results remain meager. The state speaks of terrorism against infrastructure, but a manhunt with tangible results is lacking. (cicero: 12.01.26) Vulkan Group: Investigation Report Without Action A spokesperson told Cicero that there have been “no arrests or major searches”

The SPD is calling for a “Germany Basket” that would significantly reduce the cost of groceries. This would involve lower prices for basic foodstuffs in stores and the establishment of a price monitoring agency. However, food prices are also rising due to the repeatedly increased minimum wage and the annually raised CO2 tax. The SPD,

The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) is discontinuing the publication of preliminary insolvency figures. The quick overview will disappear, and the official overall picture will be available much later. This increases uncertainty at a time when insolvency filings, corporate insolvencies, and the economic situation are being closely monitored. (destatis: 12.01.26) What Destatis is specifically discontinuing The

Tesla’s European sales figures are projected to fall in 2025. The company is now selling fewer vehicles than in 2022. This is relevant for Grünheide because the Gigafactory was already operating below full capacity in 2022. If sales drop below this level, capacity utilization will decline further. This will increase fixed costs per vehicle, as

In the university city of Heidelberg, bus service disruptions are becoming increasingly frequent, forcing Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (rnv) to reorganize its daily operations at short notice. According to the company, cancellations are possible on all 14 bus lines within the city limits, and disruptions are also affecting some outlying routes. Hydrogen buses with fuel cells are

After the blackout, all households in Berlin are reconnected to the power grid, but in Zehlendorf, entire streets are still without heating: The days of freezing temperatures damaged many heating systems to the point that they cannot be restarted. Without electricity, pumps and controls were shut down, and many buildings cooled down completely. Numerous heat

The EU is extending the toll exemption for zero-emission trucks until 2031, yet the effect for freight companies remains limited. The measure is based on the cost per kilometer, but it ignores the operational realities of many businesses. Without charging infrastructure, without network expansion, and with high acquisition costs, a political signal will not translate

The far-left Vulkan group announced another attack on Berlin’s power grid online. The message circulated on the Indymedia internet platform shortly after the Berlin blackout. The text later disappeared, but authorities treated it as a concrete warrant for investigation. The Federal Prosecutor General is investigating because of potential extremist structures. (ntv: 08.01.26) Volcano Group: New

Mercedes will relocate A-Class production to Kecskemét, Hungary, starting in the second quarter of 2026, meaning the Rastatt plant will lose a key volume model. The company cites the need for more space, but production is moving abroad, while jobs in Germany are at least indirectly coming under renewed pressure. (reuters: 06.01.26) A-Class and Location

Zalando will close its logistics center in Erfurt by the end of September 2026. The company has stated that it has begun informing the 2,700 employees at the site about the decision. Zalando cites the realignment of its Europe-wide logistics network following the acquisition of About You in 2024 as the reason for the closure.

DAX-listed companies are increasingly posting losses in Germany. According to EY, 23 of the DAX 40 companies have been operating at their German locations for more than a year, while their foreign operations continue to generate profits. This is turning Germany into a cost factor. Industrial production is faltering. Rampant bureaucracy is slowing things down.