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The supply of antibiotics is once again critical for certain medications because stocks of specific depot penicillins are expected to run out. The Federal Ministry of Health is reacting promptly to ensure that therapies are not interrupted. At the same time, the situation demonstrates how quickly a fragile supply chain can falter when only one […]

For many property owners, May 2026 will be a key date, as new EU regulations for energy performance certificates will then come into effect. Anyone wishing to sell or rent a property from this point onward will often need a newly issued energy performance certificate that meets the updated standard. Failure to provide a valid

The arctic cold is already noticeably impacting US gas production. The Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico is particularly affected, as temperatures there are dropping well below freezing. In the early morning hours, valves, measuring points, and manifolds are especially quickly pushed to their limits by the frost. (bloomberg: 24.01.26) Production freezes due to

The Berlin power outage last winter affected around 45,000 households. Energy economist Claudia Kemfert, head of the Energy, Transport, and Environment department at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), draws a clear conclusion: emergency power should be mandatory in new buildings. In her view, the problem wasn’t so much the grid itself, but

The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) warn that wind turbines located near radar systems can interfere with military radar installations. They cite reflections, false echoes, and shadowing, as these can degrade the quality of the air situation picture. The Ministry of Defense therefore demanded strict building limits around air defense radars. However, this safety measure was

Plastic flowerpots are not a luxury item, but a functional means of transport. They hold the soil together, protect the roots, and prevent moisture from ending up in the car or home. Nevertheless, the EU wants to ban these flowerpots as single-use packaging. The goal sounds good, but the path to achieving it could create

Sweden is slowing down its climate protection efforts, even though the country was long considered a pioneer of the green transition. At times, the expansion of green energy and the pace of political action were significantly ahead of Germany and many other European countries. Now, however, economic thinking dominates, and the government is setting different

Several reports on the Federal Network Agency’s forecast currently highlight a key point: electricity prices could remain stable or even fall in 2026 because the expansion of renewable energies will increase supply and therefore have a price-dampening effect (welt: 27.12.25). This portrayal shapes public perception, especially since it is presented as a sign of success

In Tübingen, homeowners are reporting high additional costs after switching to a heat pump. Specifically, they are facing charges of €3,332 for the final disconnection from the gas network. At the same time, a look at other German states shows that there is no uniform standard. Depending on the network operator, the charges range from

A French court has explicitly confirmed that wind turbines can cause health problems. The court in Strasbourg has thus established a rarely clear legal precedent. The Tribunal judiciaire de Strasbourg sees a direct link between the operation of a nearby wind farm and the complaints of a resident from the Somme region. The court considers

A large portion of Germany’s gold reserves is not stored in Frankfurt, but in New York. Specifically, the Bundesbank currently holds 1,236 tons of gold deposited with the US Federal Reserve. This represents more than a third of Germany’s total gold holdings. Moreover, the gold has a market value of approximately €164 billion, which is

ZF is prematurely ending several electric vehicle projects. The supplier is reacting to a slower market ramp-up. At the same time, the company wants to free up funds so that future programs can reliably generate returns. (ntv: 23.01.26) Why ZF terminates projects with customers early ZF describes the decision as the result of discussions with

Honda and General Motors are ending their joint production of fuel cell systems in the US. The FCSM joint venture in Michigan is being shut down because demand fell significantly short of expectations. Fuel cells played a central role in the original business model, but a lack of customers prevented the necessary ramp-up. Honda and

France is abolishing low-emission zones in many cities. The system disproportionately affected drivers of older cars, often people with limited budgets. Mobility became a question of cost, even though many depend on their cars. At the same time, political pressure mounted because the unfairness significantly impacted daily life. (lemonde: 21.01.26) January 20, 2026: Abolition confirmed

In Innsbruck, electric buses on line 502 are unable to reliably manage the steep section of Schusterbergweg. As a result, passengers are repeatedly forced to disembark so the bus can climb the incline. This situation is disrupting public transport, the operation of the electric buses, and city traffic alike. Especially in Innsbruck, where gradients are