Reuters

By Maria Martinez

BERLIN (Reuters) - High energy costs, weak global demand, a disruptive shift towards net-zero economies, and growing competition from China are raising existential questions for Germany's economic model.

CEOs and business lobbies say its historically strong industrial base is close to cracking, a "de-industrialisation" risk often accompanied by calls for government support.

But how real is this risk? Here... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) - Foreign investors ended a three-week trend of selling Japanese bonds by purchasing long-term securities, although analysts suggest the rebound could be fleeting amid ongoing market uncertainties.

They bought 1.7 trillion yen in long-term bonds in the week ended May 10, the largest purchase in eight weeks, according to Ministry of Finance data.

Foreigners offloaded about 2.43 trillion yen worth of short-term local bonds after... (continue reading...)

By Ali Kucukgocmen

TBILISI (Reuters) - Dimitri Chikovani, a member of Georgia’s opposition United National Movement (UNM) and an active protester against a controversial new law said he was attacked by five people last week, blaming the government for seeking to intimidate opponents.

Mass protests have swept through the capital Tbilisi over the past month since the first reading of the so-called "foreign agent" bill was passed in... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) - Methane emissions at nearly two dozen U.S. landfills regularly exceeded federal limits and in some cases were higher than facility owners reported to the government, according to an analysis of inspection reports published on Thursday.

The study by environmental nonprofit Industrious Labs concluded that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations are insufficient to prevent landfills, or garbage dumps, from emitting large amounts... (continue reading...)

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Dozens of Thai cannabis advocates urged the government on Thursday to abandon its plans to re-list marijuana as an illegal narcotic, a week after it announced its dramatic policy U-turn just two years after de-criminalising it.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has made a push to allow cannabis use only for medical purposes, promising a tough stand on illicit drugs that he said were causing addiction and destroying the future of... (continue reading...)