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Next Downward Revision: Germany’s Economic Growth Slumps Again
The DIHK and the Council of Economic Experts have significantly lowered their forecasts for Germany’s economic growth, as previous expectations had assessed the situation too optimistically. For 2026, the DIHK now anticipates growth of only 0.3 percent, down from its previous projection of 1.0 percent. In their spring report, the Council of Economic Experts forecast…
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Suspicion of Manipulation Regarding Climate Data
Globally, the dispute regarding retrospectively altered temperature data from NASA, NOAA, and other climate agencies is currently flaring up once again. One catalyst for this is the debate surrounding the former “worst-case scenario,” RCP8.5—a pathway that is no longer to be considered a plausible standard trajectory for the next IPCC assessment cycle. Experts increasingly view…
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Munich Wind Power Threatens Reindeer Pastures of the Sami in Norway
During the week of May 20 to 23, 2026, Sami representatives in Munich drew attention to a conflict surrounding the Roan wind farm in Norway. Wind turbines—in which the Munich municipal utilities hold a stake—are situated there on traditional reindeer grazing lands. In 2021, Norway’s Supreme Court ruled that Sami cultural rights had been violated,…
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Chemical and Pharmaceutical Production Declined in the First Quarter
Chemical and pharmaceutical production in Germany declined at the beginning of the year. In the first quarter, it fell by 2.8 percent compared to the previous quarter; compared to the same period last year, the decline amounted to six percent, as announced by the industry association VCI on Friday. A sustained recovery is not in…
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The Rescue of Timmy the Whale Becomes a Symbol of German Politics
In the spring of 2026, Timmy the humpback whale strayed into the Baltic Sea and became the subject of a costly rescue operation off the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania—despite experts expressing skepticism regarding his chances of survival. Although the animal was considered weakened, authorities, rescue workers, and private donors nevertheless opted to attempt transporting him…
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Ampler Bikes Files for Insolvency – Berlin Rent Becomes Unaffordable for E-Bike Manufacturer
Ampler Bikes OÜ, the Estonian company behind the e-bike brand Ampler Bikes, has filed for insolvency with the Harju District Court after a dispute regarding the lease for its Berlin showroom blocked its financing. The lease dates back to 2021 and runs for ten years, while—according to the company—the landlord demanded approximately 1.2 million euros…
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100 Percent Green Electricity by 2035—Why Germany’s Power Supply Will Become Even More Expensive
Germany plans to source nearly 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energies by 2035, with climate neutrality slated to follow by 2045. Consequently, this debate affects households, industry, and the national budget. The catalyst is the politically driven restructuring of the power system within a compressed timeframe. However, ensuring supply during periods of low…
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Forester Warns Against Wind Power in the Forest
In a YouTube video, former forester Josef Erhard warns of the consequences of planned wind turbines in the Bavarian Forest. The catalyst for his warning is a designated wind priority area located within his former forestry district. According to his account, turbines are slated for construction there—within a habitat home to lynx, wildcats, bats, and…
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Cleaner and Cheaper: China’s Trucks Are Increasingly Going Electric
A dusty parking lot on the outskirts of Beijing bustles like a beehive. In a steady stream, electric vehicles roll onto the site to charge their batteries. It is not cars that are heading for this hub—located about an hour’s drive from the center of the Chinese capital—but trucks. And they serve as proof that…
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Freight Transport Faces Major Cuts – DB Cargo to Eliminate Nearly One in Two Jobs by 2030
DB Cargo is pressing ahead with the reduction of 6,200 of its approximately 14,000 jobs in Germany—a measure first announced in February—as the freight rail operator seeks to return to profitability and operate more profitably in the long term. Consequently, a formal agreement on balancing interests is expected to be finalized by mid-June. The job…
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EEG reform threatens small hydropower plants – hundreds of plants face closure
In Berlin, the draft amendment to the 2027 Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) is intensifying the conflict surrounding small-scale hydropower plants, as facilities with a capacity of less than 25 kilowatts are slated to no longer receive feed-in tariffs in the future. According to the Central German Hydropower Association, this would affect approximately 150 of…
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US Threatens Europe with Halt to Oil and Gas Supplies over Methane Regulation
A conflict is escalating between Brussels and Washington over the EU’s Methane Regulation, as the regulation’s new climate requirements—set to take effect in January 2027—are intended to apply to oil and gas suppliers outside of Europe as well. Consequently, the United States is threatening to halt its oil and gas shipments to the EU unless…
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Day-Ahead Electricity Price Rises by 29 Percent: Heatwave and Low Winds Drive Up Electricity Costs
In Germany, the day-ahead electricity price for Thursday, May 28, 2026, rose significantly because a heatwave across Europe increased electricity demand for cooling while, at the same time, wind power generation was expected to drop sharply. This additional demand for cooling arose primarily in air-conditioned buildings, offices, shopping centers, data centers, industrial facilities, supermarkets, cold…
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In the event of a change of Chancellor, resignation or a vote of confidence would be possible options
In light of poor poll numbers for Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz—as well as for the government as a whole—speculation has arisen that the incumbent could be replaced by another head of government, such as North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst (both CDU). Senior figures within the Union reacted to such rumors with annoyance. From a strictly…
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Legionella – Why Hot Water Becomes a Problem for Heat Pumps
In Germany, a technical issue regarding heat pumps is currently becoming apparent in many residential buildings. For hygiene reasons, hot water must often reach high temperatures to prevent Legionella from multiplying in storage tanks and pipes. However, precisely these requirements reduce efficiency, increase electricity consumption, and primarily affect houses equipped with large hot water storage…