Resistance Against Data Centers Hinders Billion-Euro Projects

Growing opposition to data center construction in Germany threatens billion-euro projects and puts pressure on the industry.
Economic news on companies, work, consumer issues, markets and developments in Germany and Europe.

Growing opposition to data center construction in Germany threatens billion-euro projects and puts pressure on the industry.

The Dow Jones has surpassed the 50,000-point mark, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reach new records.

The UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.3 percent in March 2026, surpassing economists' forecasts of a 0.2 percent contraction, according to The Guardian.

The inflation rate in Germany reached 2.9 percent in April 2023, marking the highest level in two years, driven by high fuel prices and rising energy costs.

The automotive sector warns of greater job losses than previously expected, with up to 225,000 positions at risk, primarily among suppliers.

The Horst Brandstätter Group, manufacturer of Playmobil, has reported a revenue decline to 409 million euros for the fiscal year 2024/2025, according to Tagesspiegel.

Eon has acquired the British provider Ovo and aims to become the market leader in the UK energy sector.

The German government aims to participate in the IPO of Leopard tank manufacturer KNDS, but disagreements have arisen.

Users of macOS are currently receiving malware warnings for older versions of ChatGPT and Codex due to a security incident at OpenAI.

The German government has approved a fuel discount package to reduce high fuel prices. According to BR, the discount of nearly 17 cents per liter will be granted for two months.

The German travel industry is facing weaker demand due to a kerosene shortage and rising inflation, as reported by Zeit.

According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, interest rates for daily and fixed deposits have significantly increased, allowing savers to benefit from offers exceeding three percent.

Oliver Zipse has departed from BMW amid shareholder dissatisfaction with his direction. His exit is overshadowed by technical issues during the virtual annual meeting, as reported by Elt.

The VinFast VF6 impresses with numerous extras but also has some weaknesses highlighted in the test report.

India's retail inflation rose to 3.48% in April 2023, driven by higher food prices and energy costs, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

The Deutsche Telekom and Google have reportedly ended their collaboration on a sovereign cloud for Germany. The project, launched in 2021, is now facing termination.

Oil prices are declining as Trump and Xi prepare to discuss key issues like Iran in China.

The Federal Government has passed a reform of the heating law that delays the gradual replacement of oil and gas boilers, allowing homeowners more choice.

The FAZ reports that software vulnerabilities have long been tolerated due to their complexity and cost to exploit. Artificial intelligence now compels companies to address these legacy issues more swiftly.

Porsche SE has reported a loss of €923 million in the first quarter of 2026, caused by a substantial write-down on its Volkswagen stake.

The travel company Tui reports a change in travel behavior due to the Iran war, with many vacationers booking last minute and favoring destinations in the western Mediterranean.

Siemens experienced an 8 percent drop in profits in the second quarter, yet maintained stable revenue and increased order intake.

A federal company has held talks in 2023 with an associate of Vladimir Putin regarding the resumption of LNG deliveries, according to research by NDR.

Data spaces could pave the way for collaborative intelligence in industry. Access to specific data is crucial for the success of industrial AI, according to FAZ.

Consumers in Germany may hope for lower chocolate prices, but reductions are expected to be slow.

Deutsche Bahn and Google have announced a partnership that simplifies ticket purchasing for regional trains and S-Bahn services. Starting now, passengers can buy their tickets directly through Google Maps.

The abrupt ending of Vonovia's analyst conference has caused discontent among British investors and raised questions.

The Dussmann Group increased its revenue by 3.8 percent to 3.4 billion euros in 2025, showcasing its resilience in challenging times.

Federal Health Minister Nina Warken defended her planned savings to relieve statutory health insurance on Tuesday in Hanover, calling the measures a necessary burden to prevent system collapse.

The non-food discount retailer Mäc Geiz has filed for insolvency under self-administration at the Halle (Saale) District Court.

Drivers in North Rhine-Westphalia experienced a surprising drop in diesel prices, which, however, was short-lived.

The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bafin) highlights increased risks associated with real estate loans and growing cyber threats to consumers and banks.

Union faction leader Jens Spahn (CDU) proposes reducing all subsidies and tax benefits by five percent to help finance a tax reform.

The EU Commission has introduced new rules aimed at boosting drug production in Europe to combat shortages of essential medications.

German gas storage facilities are unusually low at the start of summer. The Initiative Energy Storage (Ines) warns of potential gas shortages in winter 2026/27 if temperatures drop similarly to 2010.

The industry association Initiative Energien Speichern (Ines) warns of a potential gas shortage in Germany during winter 2026/2027. Gas storage is currently only 26 percent full, which could lead to supply shortages in extremely cold temperatures.

Oil prices are rising in Asia due to dwindling hopes for de-escalation in the Iran conflict, while chip stocks come under pressure after a decline in the South Korean market.

The US government has imposed new sanctions on three individuals and nine companies from Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These measures aim to curb Iran's support for oil exports to China.

Microsoft is driving the transition to Windows 11 with aggressive price cuts and new AI tools. According to Borncity, the software giant plans extensive changes to bring users to the new operating system.

Market concentration on the US stock exchange continues to exceed long-term averages, according to Reuters. Five technology stocks dominate the market and significantly influence its development.