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The F126 frigate debacle shows no signs of ending – the shipyard is now demanding 4.68 billion euros
The failed F126 frigate procurement project could end up costing the federal government significantly more. Following the project’s suspension, the Dutch shipyard Damen is claiming €4.68 billion (net) based on contractual payment and indemnification claims. According to their lawyer, Peter Gauweiler, this figure does not yet include additional compensation for damages. The background to the…
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The economic upturn is bypassing the labor market – number of employed persons continues to fall
A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian: According to a draft seen by Reuters, the federal government projects economic growth of 1.3 percent for 2026. Yet, for the workforce, the labor market continues to move in the opposite direction. In August, there were 235,000 fewer people employed than a year earlier. At the same time,…
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First gas stations running out of fuel – shortages following launch of fuel discount
Just days after the introduction of the new fuel tax rebate, some gas stations in Germany are running out of fuel. Reports of empty tanks or sold-out fuel grades have emerged from Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria. Stations offering particularly low prices saw a surge in demand, while restocking efforts could not keep pace…
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Hyundai recalls Nexo hydrogen car: Faulty valve increases fire risk
On October 2, 2026, the EU issued a safety warning for the Hyundai Nexo. The recall affects hydrogen vehicles manufactured between December 13, 2017, and March 28, 2024. A faulty thermal safety valve on the hydrogen tank can allow hydrogen to escape; this gas could ignite upon contact with an ignition source, potentially causing a…
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Head of emergency services radio excludes providers from certain countries
The head of Germany’s public safety radio network is excluding vendors from certain countries when it comes to active network components. It is essential to prevent information leaks or the disruption of supply chains during a crisis, Christoph Hübner told a specialist briefing organized by the “Süddeutsche Zeitung Dossier” information service. “In any case, the…
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Taiwan returns to nuclear power – nuclear regulator approves plan to restart reactor
Taiwan is preparing for a return to nuclear power. On September 24, the Nuclear Safety Commission approved the restart plan for the idled Maanshan nuclear power plant in Pingtung County. This allows the operator, Taipower, to proceed with the technical work required for a potential reactor restart. The move is driven by the country’s heavy…
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Erlasee solar farm being dismantled – continued operation not economically viable even after 20 years
A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian: In 2026, the dismantling of large sections of the Erlasee solar farm—once considered the world’s largest photovoltaic park—is underway in Arnstein, Bavaria. The process affects so-called “movers”—motorized, dual-axis tracking solar units with modules that follow the sun’s position. For several of these systems, the move is prompted by…
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AusweisApp: D-Trust revokes certificate – browsers block federal government website
The federal government’s AusweisApp website was intermittently inaccessible to some users on Saturday, September 26, 2026. D-Trust, the certification authority of the Bundesdruckerei Group, had already revoked the TLS certificate for ausweisapp.bund.de on Friday. Consequently, browsers such as Firefox and—in some cases—Chrome responded with certificate warnings or blocked access. The reason cited for the revocation…
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Budget freeze in Dortmund: Deficit reached 229 million euros
Dortmund is imposing a new budget freeze effective October 1, 2026, following a massive increase in the deficit over the course of the year. While a shortfall of €54 million was initially projected, the gap stood at approximately €228.5 million by the end of August. Internal cost-cutting measures have since brought the current forecast down…
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Uncertainty over US-Iran negotiations: Oil price rises sharply
Oil prices continue to climb unabated amid uncertainty regarding the progress of negotiations between the US and Iran on ending the war. By midday Monday, a barrel (159 liters) of North Sea Brent crude had risen 4.1 percent to $108.65. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $96.31 per barrel—an increase of 4.2 percent. At…
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Heating costs to rise significantly in 2026 – heating oil to become up to 28 percent more expensive
Heating costs for German households will vary significantly in 2026, according to the new nationwide heating cost report. Heating oil will become particularly expensive; for an average single-family home, costs are projected to rise by 28 percent compared to 2025. The primary drivers are sharply higher oil prices resulting from the war involving Iran and…
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Grimm warns against phasing out gas: Germany will need natural gas for decades to come
Economic expert Veronika Grimm warns Germany against a premature phase-out of natural gas. In her assessment, natural gas will continue to be needed for industry, heating, and reliable power generation for decades to come. At the same time, the development of a hydrogen economy is progressing more slowly than long assumed. Furthermore, German gas storage…
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IG Metall demands a five percent wage increase – employers warn of further job cuts
Frankfurt – On September 23, IG Metall finalized its demands for the 2026 collective bargaining round. The union is seeking a five percent pay increase for approximately 3.7 million workers, with the agreement to run for twelve months. Additionally, the union is calling for a social component, profit-sharing at profitable companies, and guarantees regarding jobs…
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Grid operators are permitted to throttle wallboxes during power shortages
Since Wednesday, misleading claims regarding the charging of electric cars in Germany have once again been circulating on social media. Several posts allege that private charging for long-distance travel will soon no longer be possible or will be restricted to “three hours for 50 kilometers.” However, no such limit on mileage or energy volume exists.…
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Macron presents Trump with proposals to curb oil prices
French President Emmanuel Macron has presented US President Donald Trump with several proposals to curb the rise in oil prices that is paralyzing the global economy. According to diplomatic sources, the meeting in New York on Monday focused on a UN resolution regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the security of Saudi Arabian energy facilities.…