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The Volkswagen crisis is exacerbating the situation for the German automotive industry, hitting suppliers particularly hard. The massive drop in Volkswagen’s profits is acting as an accelerator in an already fragile environment, as high production costs, the stalled transition to electric vehicles, new US tariffs under President Donald Trump, and growing competitive pressure from China […]

In Schönerlinde near Wandlitz, north of Berlin, a fire broke out at an asphalt plant near the Pankow interchange between 2:55 and 3:00 a.m. on March 11. A truck driver spotted the blaze early and alerted emergency services, but the damage is estimated at millions of euros. Police are investigating the incident in all directions,

In 2025, around 24,000 companies in Germany filed for insolvency. This was almost ten percent more than the previous year and the highest number since 2014. On average, this wave of insolvencies hit a company every 20 minutes. High energy costs, increasing bureaucracy, geopolitical risks, and weak demand are increasingly burdening Germany as a business

A new study describes the significant environmental damage caused worldwide by onshore wind farms, focusing on the impact on biodiversity. The study examined onshore wind farms, the expansion of which poses major risks, particularly in biodiverse regions and areas with limited infrastructure. The authors identify collisions, habitat loss, changes in animal behavior, and disruption of

“Energy-intensive industries have no future here”: With this warning, ifo Institute head Clemens Fuest describes the situation of key sectors in Germany. Steel and chemicals are particularly affected because these sectors depend on large quantities of affordable energy. According to Fuest, the triggers are political decisions that have exacerbated energy shortages, while restructuring the energy

In Guangdong, in southern China, a pilot plant for a novel hybrid reactor, the “China Initiative Accelerator Driven System,” is currently under construction. This reactor will use a particle accelerator to convert highly radioactive nuclear waste into new fuel. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences aim to commission the megawatt-scale prototype by 2027. The

In Brussels, the EU’s Climate Change Advisory Board is urging a fundamental transformation of agriculture and food production, because, according to experts, the sector is not reducing its climate impact quickly enough. This call is prompted by a new report from the independent body, chaired by German climate economist Ottmar Edenhofer, which makes it clear

In Berlin, the scientific advisors to Economics Minister Katherina Reiche presented their impact assessment of the new energy crisis. The trigger is the Iran-Iraq War, which is once again putting pressure on energy markets and leading to higher prices for gas and oil in Germany. The economists therefore advise against rapid price controls such as

Europe’s gas supply is coming under acute pressure ahead of next winter because gas storage facilities are currently at a historic low and the Iran crisis is simultaneously threatening key LNG supply routes. The triggers are Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of production at Qatar’s largest LNG export complex. Europe

In Switzerland, the debate surrounding new nuclear power plants is intensifying as parliamentary discussions on the blackout initiative begin. The trigger is a study by Economiesuisse, which classifies the safety risk of modern Generation 3+ reactors as negligible from an economic perspective. The central question is whether a new nuclear power plant would be viable

In Germany, the center-right/center-left coalition is initiating a fundamental shift in energy policy. This is prompted by the planned repeal of key provisions in the existing heating law, its renaming to the Building Modernization Act, and further amendments to energy legislation. The focus is on the heating sector, but also on the broader question of

The escalation of the conflict with Iran exacerbated Germany’s energy crisis in early March 2026. At the heart of the conflict was the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes. Tankers were attacked, insurers slowed down shipments, and many ships were diverted to longer routes. This drove up oil and gas

The planned Great Sea Interconnector power cable across the Mediterranean, connecting Crete, Cyprus, and eventually Israel, is on the verge of collapse despite EU funding. The project aims to end Cyprus’s energy isolation. It received €657.9 million in EU funding and was considered a strategic project in the eastern Mediterranean. Originally slated for completion by

At Porsche in Stuttgart, CEO Michael Leiters has announced further staff reductions following the ongoing elimination of 3,900 jobs. The trigger is the sports car manufacturer’s massive profit slump last year, during which the company presented the first key elements of its Strategy 2035 at its annual press conference. The strategy focuses on a more

The Netherlands’ nuclear plans are now taking concrete form, as the government has established a new state-owned company specifically for their implementation. NEO NL will initially plan, build, and later operate two nuclear power plants. The Hague is planning for four reactors in the long term. This move is driven by a shift in energy