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Job cuts at Dürr: 500 jobs lost – four German sites affected
Bietigheim-Bissingen – Job cuts at Dürr are affecting around 500 employees worldwide at its subsidiary, BBS Automation. The group announced the measure on July 22, 2026. In Germany, approximately 200 jobs will be eliminated across four locations: Garching, Hallbergmoos, Sonthofen, and Freiberg am Neckar. Weak orders from the automotive industry and lower market expectations are…
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Gas price rises to nearly 63 euros – Germany’s winter could be expensive
Berlin, July 25, 2026. The European gas price has risen to nearly 63 euros per megawatt-hour. At the same time, Germany’s gas storage facilities were only 45.7 percent full. The escalation of the US-Iran war is disrupting LNG shipments from the Gulf region. Furthermore, Europe and Asia are competing more intensely for available supplies. New…
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Guideline from Hanover: AfD candidates lose their chance of election without a judge’s ruling
A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian Hanover and Lüneburg, July 29, 2026: The district election committee denied Stephan Bothe permission to run in the election for district administrator by a vote of 6 to 1. Following Martin Sichert, Justin Vogel, and Thorsten Moriße, this measure affects at least the fourth AfD candidate in Lower…
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Hydrogen train breakdowns in the Taunus – RB12 running on diesel again
In the Taunus region, the RB12 line has been operating with diesel trains again between Königstein, Kelkheim, and Frankfurt since June 21, 2026. Ongoing issues with the hydrogen trains are forcing the RMV to continue flexibly allocating available rolling stock. Following the expiration of a lease agreement, more modern diesel trains were transferred from the…
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Industry welcomes controversial energy laws from Economics Minister Reiche
German industry has welcomed the controversial energy laws proposed by Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU). “With the amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and the grid package, the federal government is providing important and long-overdue impetus for an efficient and competitive energy system,” Holger Lösch, Deputy Director General of the Federation of…
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Lidl parent company halts electric company cars in Germany – depreciation costs becoming too high
Neckarsulm – On July 24, 2026, the Schwarz Group confirmed a freeze on orders for all-electric company cars in Germany. The corporate group behind Lidl and Kaufland is responding to weak residual values and what it views as a volatile market environment. Schwarz purchases its company cars outright and therefore bears the full risk upon…
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Up to 600 jobs at risk: Albert Weber faces three plant closures
Automotive supplier Albert Weber faces the potential closure of three plants in Markdorf, Neuenbürg, and Magdeburg in July 2026. Porsche intends to terminate all contracts in Magdeburg as of September 30, while Mercedes-AMG is withdrawing orders from the Markdorf and Neuenbürg sites. According to the trade union IG Metall, talks with BMW are also going…
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The Judiciary in Germany: Is the State Losing Its Sense of Proportion?
A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian Berlin, July 25, 2026: The well-known Islamist Abdul B. allegedly attacked the CSD parade. One woman died, and 31 people were officially reported injured. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) had previously classified him as a high-risk individual. Nevertheless, a court released him from pre-trial detention on May…
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ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio: Only one of nearly 5,000 programming complaints upheld
In 2025, ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio received just under 5,000 formal complaints regarding their programming nationwide; the figure for the previous year was around 1,100. This increase was driven by a rise in specifically formulated submissions and the use of the “Rundfunkalarm” portal. Nevertheless, only 184 cases reached the relevant oversight bodies, and the broadcasting…
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Right to repair and less money for solar power: What’s changing in August
Consumers are gaining more rights regarding broken smartphones or washing machines. Households will receive less money for electricity generated by new photovoltaic (PV) systems. Additionally, companies are required to label content created using artificial intelligence (AI). August brings several changes: Right to Repair Previously, consumers were only entitled to repairs under the two-year statutory warranty.…
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“12 o’clock rule” at gas stations: Nearly 240,000 violations go largely unpunished
Berlin – Nearly four months after the introduction of the “12 p.m. rule,” a nationwide enforcement backlog has emerged. In April alone, authorities recorded 237,950 instances of price hikes occurring outside the permitted timeframe. The law, which took effect on April 1, 2026, was a response to the sharp rise in fuel prices caused by…
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Desert Power for Germany: €30 Billion Cable Stalled Before Construction Even Begins
Sila Atlantik is a German project company established specifically to create a power link between Morocco and Germany. The company is planning two subsea cables, each approximately 4,800 kilometers long, designed to transport renewable energy generated in Moroccan solar and wind farms to the German North Sea coast. The total infrastructure is expected to cost…
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Berating citizens as a style of governance—when one’s own voters suddenly become a nuisance
A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian Leading federal politicians are discovering a surprisingly convenient way out of the political mess: they are framing the citizenry as the problem. Friedrich Merz dismisses critics as “whiners” and “complainers,” deems Germany too complacent, and questions the necessity of so many sick days. Karl Lauterbach suggests that potential…
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Incorrect electricity bills following smart meter installation – customers asked to pay thousands of euros
In Bavaria, electricity customers are increasingly reporting incorrect bills following the installation of digital meters in July 2026. Households with photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, or wallboxes are also affected. Often, the issue lies not with the metering itself but with data exchange between multiple companies. Consequently, incorrect or missing data can lead to substantial demands…
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CSD attack: Merz warns against bad jokes rather than state failure
A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian On July 25, 2026, around 10 p.m., Berlin was the scene of an attack linked to the Christopher Street Day (CSD) festivities. Abdul B. allegedly drove a rented van into a crowd in the Tiergarten park. He then reportedly attacked passersby with a bladed weapon. One woman died,…