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Capital-based pension – Why the state should not be entrusted with a multi-billion fund
A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian Berlin plans to introduce a mandatory funded pension component within the statutory pension insurance system starting in 2028. To this end, employers and employees are to pay two additional percentage points in contributions on a phased basis. A public fund is intended to invest these contributions centrally, with…
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Magna closes plant in Dorfprozelten despite site commitment – 216 jobs lost
Automotive supplier Magna plans to close its plant in Dorfprozelten (Lower Franconia) in mid-2027. Plant management informed the 216 employees of the decision in mid-July 2026. The facility manufactures exterior and rearview mirrors, but the corporation no longer sees a viable economic future for it. The company cites negative market and business trends—persisting despite investments…
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Federal Court of Justice: Apartment owners allowed to install air conditioning units on balconies
Apartment owners can generally request that the homeowners’ association allow them to install a split air conditioning unit with an outdoor unit on the balcony. The prerequisite for this is that the rights of the other owners are not excessively impaired, as the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) in Karlsruhe decided on Friday. The fact…
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Nuclear Power Renaissance: China Builds Faster – Europe Struggles with Costs and Construction Times
The nuclear power renaissance is gaining momentum worldwide in 2026, with China, South Korea, and other Asian nations leading the way in new construction. A new McKinsey analysis identifies AI data centers, electric mobility, industrial electrification, climate goals, and energy security as key drivers. The IAEA currently reports 417 reactors in operation and 77 units…
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Domestic intelligence agency to be allowed to falsify data and sabotage instruments used in crimes
Berlin, July 2026: The Federal Ministry of the Interior is planning new operational powers for the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The draft bill responds to terrorist plots, espionage, sabotage and foreign influence operations. The service should therefore be allowed to change data streams, feed in false information and falsify stored content. Secret…
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On the path to a surveillance state: The state sees more and reveals less
A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian State authorities are expanding their capacity to monitor citizens. Domestic intelligence agencies are set to be granted powers for deeper digital interventions. EU plans are once again paving the way for the automated scanning of private messages. Furthermore, criminal complaints and reporting portals are increasing the pressure on…
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New nuclear power plant expected to generate 1.6 billion francs in annual value added for Switzerland
A study published in Switzerland on July 12, 2026, quantifies the impact of a new nuclear power plant from 2050 onwards. BAK Economics conducted the analysis on behalf of the umbrella business association Economiesuisse. The study was prompted by the foreseeable decommissioning of existing reactors and rising electricity demand. The EPR model promises annual value…
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Experts recommend dynamic grid charges and higher costs for PV operators
Scientific advisors to the Federal Network Agency have proposed changes to the current structure of electricity grid charges. The so-called Scientific Working Group on Regulatory Issues (WAR) recommends, among other things, the introduction of dynamic grid charges and requiring operators of photovoltaic systems to contribute more towards grid costs, the agency announced on Thursday. “We…
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Germany in Decline: Foreign Media See Crumbling Infrastructure and Industry
In July 2026, foreign media are increasingly reporting on Germany’s decline. British and Spanish newspapers, along with international business media, are piecing together a comprehensive picture from the chaos on the railways, crumbling bridges, the Stuttgart 21 project, and the crisis at Volkswagen. They describe an economy with decaying infrastructure and an industrial sector losing…
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The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency warns of high system costs associated with an energy transition without nuclear power
In early July 2026, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency warns of sharply rising costs associated with an energy transition that excludes nuclear power. Global electricity demand could nearly double by 2050 as the transport, industrial, and data center sectors require more electricity. At the same time, coal and gas are set to be phased out…
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Nickel for electric car batteries: New studies reveal environmental damage extending into the ocean
New studies from 2026 reveal significant environmental impacts associated with nickel extraction in tropical regions. While electric vehicles produce no local exhaust emissions during operation, their batteries require large quantities of nickel, depending on the cell chemistry. Consequently, the growing demand for batteries drives up the need for the metal and intensifies pressure to mine…
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The private brewery Eichbaum is closing after 347 years – 240 employees are losing their jobs
Mannheim – The insolvent private brewery Eichbaum began the process of shutting down its plant on Monday, July 13, 2026. Plans for an investor to come on board fell through because the business continued to incur losses despite restructuring efforts and was unable to repay insolvency-related loans. Consequently, around 240 employees are expected to lose…
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Emissions trading: Brussels’ key climate protection tool under fire
The EU Commission plans to present its proposals for amending the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) on Friday. It intends to address demands from industry and numerous EU member states that have been calling for relief measures for months. Here is the background: How does the European carbon price work? The EU sets a cap…
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Software update paralyzes Berlin’s civil and criminal courts – detention periods at risk
A faulty software update largely paralyzed Berlin’s court system on the morning of Monday, July 13, 2026. The disruption affected all local courts, the Moabit Criminal Court, both regional courts, and the Court of Appeal. Consequently, the courts were unable to access electronic case files, emails, or central case management systems. Court administrators sent staff…
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Chinese car manufacturer Nio records only 15 new registrations in Germany in 2026
Nio’s sales figures in Germany and other European markets fell sharply in the first half of 2026. The Chinese automaker manufactures connected electric vehicles primarily for the upper premium segment. The Federal Motor Transport Authority recorded just 15 new registrations in Germany between January and June, compared to 121 vehicles during the same period the…