Germany seriously lagging in global competition
Germany is falling behind in the international competition for highly qualified professionals and start-up founders, while small and medium-sized enterprises are rapidly losing their competitive edge, a study finds.
Construction projects plummet amid sky-high prices in Germany
The number of building permits issued was already at a record low last year, but this year, the construction sector may reach a new low in Germany. Meanwhile, the demand for flats is the highest in decades.
Russian crude bought cheap then sold as petroleum products in Europe
China's imports of Russian oil rose by nearly one-quarter in January-February 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The Far East country buys discounted Russian crude, refines it and exports it to Europe as Chinese petroleum products.
After Belgium and Netherlands, drug traffickers extend their operations to German ports
Drug gangs are appearing in an increasing number of German ports. They bribe some of the port workers and threaten others. Cartels are also spreading faster in smaller cities, where corruption is easier to control.
Third of new homes in North Macedonia are empty
House prices in the Balkan country have already gone through the roof, with a registered 20-percent increase in the last quarter of 2022 alone. While figures show that an average of 5,000 homes are built every year, statistics reveal that around one-third of these properties are vacant. The situation is also similar in other countries of the region. V4NA has interviewed an expert, who says this is because most people see property as an investment.
One in four possibly an immigrant in Croatia
Due to the large number of immigrants, Croatia's population will soon mirror the pattern seen in Austria or Germany, according to a local demographer, who pointed out that Zagreb has no other viable alternative to maintain its functioning pension and healthcare systems.
Ambulance delays now more 'frequent'
How quickly ambulance crews respond to an alert is often a matter of life or death. In Germany, the response time – from answering an emergency call to actually reaching the patients – has been increasing for years, but the UK is struggling with similar delays.
Heat pumps useless in many British homes
Although an important part of the government's climate protection targets is to facilitate the mass adoption of heat pumps, Bosch warns that the appliance is unsuitable for many homes.
Will Serbia be rewarded with Qatari money?
After the United Arab Emirates, Qatar may also launch major investments in the Balkan country, but one key condition is that Belgrade must clearly stand with the West, according to the Demostat investigative portal.
Almost no argument in support of new government fixation
The German federal government's new climate protection plan is anything but economical, and it's not even healthy, a recent study shows.
Buying a home remains a dream for Germans
Real estate prices in Germany have been rising for years, making it difficult even for higher-income families to purchase their own homes, and the end of the uptrend is nowhere in sight.
Spanish government to speed up population replacement
The population replacement rate has accelerated recently, and Pedro Sanchez's leftist government is now seeking to grant residence permits to large numbers of illegal immigrants. The debate in the Spanish Congress of Deputies on the automatic granting of residence permits to immigrants who arrived before 1 November 2021 is becoming increasingly frequent.
Western countries sacrifice own security for arms shipments to Ukraine
In the fight against Russia, Ukraine is asking for more Western supplies of ammunition. However, allies are facing a number of problems, with only a third of the desired amount currently looking realistic – and even that will take months.
Adriatic state to make buildings earthquake-resistant
Buildings in Slovenia are being reinforced in an attempt to prepare for a possible earthquake. The disaster in Turkiye a few weeks ago highlighted the importance of the safety of buildings yet again. Slovenia expects partial funding from Brussels in terms of the renovations.
Shoplifting on the rise in European country
Carrot, tuna, condoms, perfume, chocolate: these are the favourite targets of shoplifters in Serbia. Several supermarket owners in Belgrade confirmed that the number of thefts have risen in the past months. They are reluctant to call the police, opting instead to try and protect their goods by themselves.
PM Orban: Hungarian government's focus is economy
During the 2022-2026 cycle, the government's focus is on the economy, Hungary's prime minister said at the opening of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual conference in Budapest on Wednesday.
IMF: Price of energy carriers must increase
The price of natural gas and electricity in Serbia may increase further as early as in May, in line with a request from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Serbia's government. However, electricity will still remain one of the cheapest in the Balkan country, the energy minister says.
Electricity costs endanger hundreds of thousands of jobs in Germany
German industrial companies are paying some of the highest electric energy prices, even by European standards. This problem existed before Russia's war against Ukraine and has gradually put various sectors at a comparative disadvantage globally over the years.
Inflation fuels existential fears
Low-income households have been particularly hard hit by inflation. 26.1 per cent of those with an income lower than 2500 euros a month, and every tenth household with a higher monthly income are struggling in the current cost of living crisis.
Serbia welcomes more returning workers, offers a future for those highly qualified
From October 2020 to the same month last year, the number of workers returning to Serbia was 15,000 higher than those who have left. Among the returnees, there is a significant number of highly qualified people, such as IT specialists and mechanical engineers. The reasons are mostly financial: although they earn more abroad, they also need to spend more there.
French government puts the onus of tackling inflation on retail chains – video
The government has scrapped the introduction of its previously announced single-inflation basket. Instead, the minister expects retail chains to draw up a list of products that will be offered at permanently low prices. According to one of the most popular opposition politicians, the French government has once again shown its inability to protect people's general purchasing power. Following talks with supermarkets, the government has finally reached an agreement to allow customers to buy hundreds of products at low prices for three months.
Youths leave family nest late, due to economic reasons
Most young adults in Serbia are stuck in their parents' home for a long time, only moving out at the age of 31, on average. The same figure is even higher in case of men, who are – on average – 33.7 years old when they leave their parents' house. Experts blame the dire economic situation as the main underlying reason, which makes it impossible for the youth to live an independent life using their own salaries.
Lack of affordable food forces more French into shoplifting – video
Food inflation continues to soar in the country and no end of the process is in sight, according to forecasts. The extremely steep rise in prices has a negative impact on almost the entire population, forcing a growing number of people to shoplift in order to have something to eat. The finance minister has promised a swift, new government measure, with the involvement of both retailers and manufacturers.
Germany buckling under mountains of debt
Germany is slowly losing its resilience to crises, the Federal Court of Auditors says.
French afraid in their own country, move east
The majority of elderly French citizens pick countries like Portugal, where some 120 thousand French pensioners are currently living, younger generations choose to move to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Price of war: Number of bankruptcies hit record high last year
Even wealthy Western European countries were not able to escape the financial and energy crisis caused by the war and the sanctions policy.
France in for brutal price hike in nappies
Inflation in France has spread to baby products, forcing young parents to dig deeper into their pockets. The price of disposable nappies is likely to rise by as much as 25 per cent in March, the head of one large store chain says. It is an essential product for families with small children and thousands of nappies are used before a child becomes potty-trained.
German-style climate protection: 30 thousand tonnes of coal transported by train per day
With Germany shutting out Russian fossil energy carriers, the use of coal is gaining more emphasis. Despite all the talk about climate protection, the Germans have re-opened several mines, are purchasing large amounts of coal from overseas, and are striving to expand coal-fired power plant capacities.
Reliance on food banks rises sharply as number of needy grows in France
An increasing number of French people are depending on food banks for help, reflecting a steep drop in the population's purchasing power, a study shows. The French would need another 500 euros per month in their pockets to maintain a decent standard of living, another study highlights.
Largest chemical giant to cut thousands of jobs
The energy crisis and inflation are posing great challenges even to the biggest companies. The world's largest chemical company is about to make a painful decision in Europe.
Alarming situation: Germany collapsing under migration wave
Reception and social centres are so full that Germany is once again having to use tent camps to accommodate migrants. However, it is not only difficult to secure housing for immigrants: working Germans are also suffering.
After vegetables, fruit shortage comes next
Europe is expecting a serious shortage of peppers and tomatoes, but in the UK, apples and pears will also be in scarce supply.
PM Orban: Hungarian government is on the side of peace
Inflation cannot be reined in unless there is peace and Brussels withdraws the sanctions. Hungary is able to reduce inflation with the government aiming to have single-digit inflation by the end of the year, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told parliament's Monday session ahead of the regular agenda.
Pressure mounts – Will Western investments in Serbia stop, unless Belgrade aligns its foreign policy with Brussels?
Mercedes may set up an electric car factory in Serbia, but press reports suggest that the Germans may have some serious conditions. First, Serbia should allow Mercedes to engage in lithium mining in its territory, and secondly, Belgrade should align its foreign and security policy with the European Union. In practice, the latter means the introduction of sanctions against Russia, which Serbia has been trying to avoid since the outbreak of the war.
Inflation plunges tens of millions into extreme poverty worldwide
The sharply rising costs of living may push more than 140 million people around the world into extreme poverty, a recent study highlights.
Railway reconstruction brings economic opportunity – works approach Hungary-Serbia border
Construction of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line is progressing apace. On the Serbian section, works are approaching the Hungarian border. The mega-investment will not only link the two capitals, but will also be a major economic, touristic and cultural asset for both sides.
Croatia holiday prices up sharply, but there are cheap alternatives
Holidays in Greece and along the Adriatic have become much more expensive compared to last year, with an average price hike of 10-20 per cent. The exception is Croatia, where prices are up by as much as 35 per cent on top of the already steep price hikes. Despite this, demand is high, with people already pre-booking their holidays offered with discounts. Those wanting to vacation in the Balkan region without spending a lot can find cheaper alternatives in Montenegro and Albania.
Egypt may become major customer for Serbian wheat
Wheat exports may reach a new record in Serbia. While the Balkan country shipped more than a million tonnes of wheat abroad last year despite restrictions and bans on grain exports, it still has 700 thousand tonnes of last year's bread grain harvest. This will ensure that the country will have enough wheat by the next harvest not just to meet its own needs, but also to sell, according to experts.
French farmers in trouble due to historic draught and rodents
No precipitation has fallen in France for a month, and in addition, this year is forecast to be extremely hot, which puts those living off the land in a very difficult position. In some departments, the negative effects of extreme weather conditions are compounded by the proliferation of rodents. Voles eat the roots of plants, destroying them and leaving farmers with nothing to harvest and feed their animals.
Europe likely to face tomato shortages
Customers see a growing number of empty shelves in the vegetable departments of shops in the UK, as importers find it difficult to source tomatoes due to bad weather in Morocco and Spain.
Price hikes and raw materials shortages to impede green energy investments
Prices for lithium, cobalt, nickel, aluminium and copper have jumped sky-high as renewable energy projects and battery manufacturing operations expand across the globe. While the scarcity of these resources is a major concern, many energy companies are also worried that the rising prices of metals and minerals may thwart their plans for large-scale green energy investments.
Germany faces new spate of crippling strikes
This time, civil servants are threatening to extend their warning strikes if employers do not fulfill their demands. Now there is a strike in Germany every single week.
Bird flu threatens European biodiversity
Millions of animals have already died, and over the years new variants of the disease have emerged that are resistant to vaccines. Mass deaths also pose a direct threat to biodiversity.
Real estate prices hit new record in Croatia
The upward trend in the real estate market continues in Croatia. It is practically impossible for a person without substantial savings to buy or rent an apartment in the capital. Prices rose by nearly 15 per cent in one year, figures released by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics show.
Britain's energy industry risks “death by a thousand cuts”
The constant threat of bureaucracy, policy and tax interventions have stymied investment, warns the leader of one of Britain's largest energy producers.
Germany a paradise for money laundering?
The money laundered in Germany every year comes to roughly a hundred billion euros and investigators can trace less than one per cent of this amount. Each year billions of euros are laundered by selling and buying property. Germany boasts a huge real estate sector that's worth around 15 trillion euros, making the investments of large sums in the sector barely noticeable.
Hypocritical Verhofstadt's shipping company did business with Putin
The lack of principles characterising the Belgian liberal MEP is clearly demonstrated by his blatant disregard for both the origin of energy carriers, and the pollution they cause when it comes to his own interests. His ability to demonise Russian gas in the public eye and speak out against climate change speaks volumes about his hypocrisy.
Teacher shortage causes education crisis in Germany
Teacher shortage has been a problem in Western Europe for years, but the situation has worsened significantly in the last year or two. The number of teachers could drop drastically in the coming years, which a big problem because fewer highly skilled young people can enter the already ailing labour market.
Wages may decrease in Germany due to employees from Balkans
German trade unions are concerned by the mass influx of cheap and low-skilled workers from the Western Balkans, as Berlin is planning to double the number of visas issued to them. So far, an annual 25 thousand people with secondary school education or lower from the region have been permitted to work in Germany. That may rise to 50 thousand in the future. According to the trade organisations, these people inundate construction sites and catering jobs, and are exploited by employers because they are not aware of their own rights.
Poles furious as Brussels eyes Poland's forests
In Poland, the general public and politicians have firmly rejected the European Union's plan that would curtail the power of member states over a significant part of forestry.