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Slovakia is building a new nuclear reactor using US technology from Westinghouse
Slovakia is planning a new reactor unit in Jaslovské Bohunice. The American company Westinghouse is slated to supply the technology. The project aims to expand nuclear power and increase energy security in Slovakia. (zeit: 17.01.16) Agreement in Washington – Slovakia links project to US technology The US and Slovakia signed an agreement in Washington, D.C.,
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2,960 doctors registered as unemployed – a paradoxical development in the German healthcare system
In Bavaria, 2,960 doctors are currently registered as unemployed. This number is rising, even though healthcare provision, skills shortages, and a shortage of doctors have been political buzzwords for years. At the same time, the overall need for medical care continues to grow. Nevertheless, unemployment among doctors is increasing faster than employment. This reveals a
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BND satellite “Georg” – a multi-billion euro project delayed by years
In 2014, the Chancellor’s Office needed up-to-date images from space. Russia had annexed Crimea. Therefore, the German government wanted to know whether Russian forces were operating covertly in eastern Ukraine. They were looking for evidence of troop movements. Equipment and supply routes were also important. For this, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) needed external providers,
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Melitta unexpectedly closes modern factory in Neu Kaliß – 115 jobs lost
Production at the Neu Kaliß plant will cease on March 31st because Melitta has decided to close its modern factory in Heiddorf, which is only a few years old. The Neu Kaliß plant, which belongs to Melitta, recently produced a wide variety of specialty papers and nonwovens, including coffee filter paper, wallpaper backing, electrically conductive
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Nord Stream blast – Federal Court of Justice sees Ukraine as the suspected client
The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled that the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines was an “intelligence-orchestrated act of violence” carried out on behalf of a foreign state, and the ruling names Ukraine as the suspected client. The ruling is also significant because the BGH explicitly does not consider the pipelines a legitimate
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A 20 percent increase in one week – frost and low storage levels cause gas prices to explode
Gas prices are rising sharply because a cold spell in Europe is increasing consumption and storage levels are far below the seasonal average. The Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF), considered the most important reference market for natural gas in Europe, is a key factor in price formation, consolidating supply and demand expectations. Traders are securing
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Wind turbine scrap is becoming a persistent problem – rotor blades are piling up, recycling doesn’t exist
Wind turbine scrap will become a key waste management issue in the energy transition in the coming years. Since 2020, 2,351 onshore wind turbines have been decommissioned. An additional 415 were decommissioned in November of last year. An industrial recycling process for fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) rotor blades is still lacking.
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Climate impact of hydrogen trucks – study warns against green promises and costly missteps
Trucks consume around one-fifth of the world’s total oil, and at the same time, EU heavy goods vehicles are responsible for a large share of transport-related CO₂ emissions. Therefore, the climate impact of hydrogen trucks is becoming increasingly important. However, the origin and logistics of the hydrogen remain crucial, because only green hydrogen combined with
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Cyberattack on Poland’s energy system – government reports near-blackout
Poland successfully thwarted a cyberattack on its energy system at the end of December, according to the government. The power grid was under extreme strain and on the verge of a blackout. Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski told radio station RMF FM that the situation was tense and remained stable only thanks
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Schwäbisch Gmünd: 60% increase in district heating and a €30 million deficit at the municipal utilities
In Schwäbisch Gmünd, the Bettringen district heating network is becoming a financial burden. Following a planned tariff increase, district heating prices could rise by 60 percent. At the same time, the debate surrounding a 30-million-euro budget shortfall at the municipal utility company is intensifying. (remszeitung: 17.01.26) Schwäbisch Gmünd: 30 Million Euros and the Question of
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Heat pumps – subsidies in 2026 only if stricter noise limits are met
Since the beginning of 2026, owners of heat pumps have only been eligible for government subsidies if they comply with new noise limits. The federal government aims to reduce noise conflicts in residential areas, as many complaints originate from the outdoor unit. Anyone hoping to secure heat pump subsidies should therefore check how quiet the
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KTM is cutting 500 jobs – restructuring after insolvency affects employees and managers
Motorcycle manufacturer KTM, based in Mattighofen, Upper Austria, is known for its off-road, street, and racing models. The company is intensifying job cuts as part of its restructuring following insolvency, eliminating another 500 positions. A job foundation is intended to serve as a safety net for these affected employees. (t-online: 15.01.26) KTM to Cut Jobs
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Parts of the CDU want to redefine the term “climate neutral”
Within the CDU, there are efforts to redefine the term “climate neutral.” Two influential party organizations are driving this: the MIT, the CDU/CSU’s SME and Economic Union, and the CDA, the Christian Democratic Employees’ Association, the union’s labor wing. Both want to define “climate neutral” so that it no longer means net zero, but rather
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Three hydrogen production projects in Saarland have failed
The German government aims to make hydrogen readily available. In Saarland, however, this plan has suffered a significant setback, as the three planned hydrogen production projects in Völklingen, Saarlouis, and Perl will not be implemented. The decisive factors are high electricity prices, a lack of large-scale consumers, and regulations that make investing in electrolyzers in
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€1.2 billion write-down – EnBW withdraws from British offshore wind farms
EnBW is withdrawing from the British offshore wind farm projects Mona and Morgan. This brings its involvement in the Irish Sea to a temporary end. A write-down of €1.2 billion will be recorded in the 2025 financial statements, as the company has already invested heavily in the projects. Without government subsidies, the wind farms are