Friday’s top story: Extreme heat expected in western Germany It will be hot everywhere in Germany on Friday, but people in North Rhine-Westphalia, parts of Hesse and Lower Saxony may be affected by “extreme heat stress”. For large parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, the German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a warning for extreme heat. It also applies to the northernmost tip of Hesse and areas in the south of Hannover, such as around Meppen, Osnabrück and Göttingen. Temperatures are also peaking across most of the
rest of Germany: Very warm to hot air is coming from the southwest, the DWD said. READ ALSO: Where in Germany will be hottest this week? There is a risk of thunderstorms, especially in the morning in the west and northwest. These may bring heavy rain with 15 litres per square meter in a short time, hail and stormy gusts. In southern Baden and Swabia, severe storm gusts of over 100 kilometres per hour are possible. The thunderstorms are expected to mostly subside in the
night to Saturday. US launches trade probe on Germany over pharma pricing The United States on Thursday started an investigation into Germany over its pharmaceutical pricing policies and other practices, in a move that could lead to fresh tariffs. The probe seeks to determine if “persistent underpayment for innovative pharmaceutical products by Germany is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts US commerce,” said the US Trade Representative’s office. The move was launched under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, and it comes
months after the Trump administration tapped similar authorities to investigate dozens of trading partners over issues like forced labour and industrial overcapacity. The probe will look into the means that Germany uses to implement its pricing policies and practices. Chemical company to cut 3,200 jobs German chemicals group Evonik has announced plans to cut 3,200 jobs worldwide by 2029, as the industry faces mounting economic and geopolitical pressures. The reductions amount to around 10 percent of the company’s workforce and will affect both operational and
administrative roles. The Essen-based firm said 2,150 positions would be cut in Germany, with talks due to begin with employee representatives. The move forms part of a broader restructuring strategy aimed at improving efficiency and competitiveness. Evonik also confirmed it would shut down its polyester business next year, with facilities in Germany and China set to be affected. Chief executive Christian Kullmann cited weak global growth, geopolitical uncertainty and intensifying international competition as key challenges. The energy-intensive chemicals sector has been particularly hard hit by
high costs, recently worsened by rising energy prices linked to the Iran conflict. Evonik currently employs around 31,000 people globally and has already undertaken previous rounds of job cuts. The announcement comes as the German government seeks to support the struggling industry through measures including energy subsidies and regulatory changes. Verdi calls for nationwide strike at IKEA stores on Friday Think twice before heading to IKEA on Friday. Germany’s Verdi union has called on employees at stores across the country to strike today, escalating an
ongoing dispute over pay in the retail sector. The union said workers at more than half of IKEA’s German outlets are expected to join the industrial action. Verdi argues that the furniture retailer is financially strong, citing revenues of €6.1 billion in 2024, and should therefore be able to fund meaningful wage increases. Instead, the company is planning job cuts, including 280 roles at a customer service centre in Rostock and the closure of its IT department in Dortmund, with further reductions expected at its
headquarters. The union criticised what it described as an inadequate employer offer in current negotiations, warning that workers face real-terms pay cuts. Verdi is demanding a seven percent wage rise, or at least €225 per month, over a one-year period. As a key player in employer negotiations, IKEA is seen as influential in shaping the outcome. Further talks are scheduled next week in several regions. Germany’s interior ministers discuss civil defence in Hamburg Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) met with the interior ministers of
the German states for three days in Hamburg this week as part of their biannual conference. Reportedly immigration and deportations ranked high on the agenda, especially in light of new EU rules that were passed this week, which approved the use of external ‘return hubs’. Also on the agenda was how Germany can improve its civil defences as the country increasingly finds itself in the crosshairs of Russian sabotage. Dobrindt and his colleagues are set to announce how they plan to improve civilian defences on
Friday. Not officially on the agenda was a discussion about what security can be put in place for Germany’s democratic institutions ahead of an AfD state government potentially coming to power in Saxony-Anhalt. Der Spiegel reported that this topic was addressed, however, at a confidential ‘fireside chat’. READ ALSO: How Germany’s politicians are trying to ‘AfD-proof’ the country With reporting by AFP, DPA and Tom Pugh.
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