US Existing Home Sales Plunge to Near Three-Decade Low in 2024
US existing home sales in 2024 fell to 4.06 million, the lowest since 1995, driven by high home prices (median $407,500) and mortgage rates (peaking at 7.22%), despite a slight December rise; a housing shortage of 3.7 million units and the 'lock-in effect' further constrain the market.
US Existing Home Sales Plunge to Near Three-Decade Low in 2024
US existing home sales in 2024 fell to 4.06 million, the lowest since 1995, driven by high home prices (median $407,500) and mortgage rates (peaking at 7.22%), despite a slight December rise; a housing shortage of 3.7 million units and the 'lock-in effect' further constrain the market.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Greek PM Defends Agricultural Policies Amidst Opposition Criticism
In a Greek parliamentary debate, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis criticized the government's handling of the agricultural sector, citing high food import costs (10 billion euros annually), farmer debt exceeding 70%, and OPAPE's European trusteeship. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended his gov...
Greek PM Defends Agricultural Policies Amidst Opposition Criticism
In a Greek parliamentary debate, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis criticized the government's handling of the agricultural sector, citing high food import costs (10 billion euros annually), farmer debt exceeding 70%, and OPAPE's European trusteeship. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended his gov...
Progress
48% Bias Score
Record Pessimism Grips Thuringian Businesses Amidst Economic Stagnation
A survey of Thuringian businesses reveals record-low optimism, with nearly half expecting a worse economic performance in the coming months due to reduced orders and profits; the regional economy is projected to stagnate in 2025, with recovery not expected until 2026.
Record Pessimism Grips Thuringian Businesses Amidst Economic Stagnation
A survey of Thuringian businesses reveals record-low optimism, with nearly half expecting a worse economic performance in the coming months due to reduced orders and profits; the regional economy is projected to stagnate in 2025, with recovery not expected until 2026.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Görtz Faces Second Insolvency Due to Investor Dispute
Görtz, a Hamburg retailer, is in a second insolvency proceeding due to unpaid rent and an investor's €1.3 million payment default, jeopardizing employee salaries and the company's future, with ongoing legal battles and brand-rights complications.
Görtz Faces Second Insolvency Due to Investor Dispute
Görtz, a Hamburg retailer, is in a second insolvency proceeding due to unpaid rent and an investor's €1.3 million payment default, jeopardizing employee salaries and the company's future, with ongoing legal battles and brand-rights complications.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Hesse to Fine Owners of Vacant Properties Up to €500,000
Hesse will introduce a new law to combat speculative vacancy of real estate by allowing municipalities to impose fines of up to €500,000. The law addresses a vacancy rate of 3.9% (over 122,000 dwellings), aiming to limit vacancy periods to six months unless justified by factors such as renovations.
Hesse to Fine Owners of Vacant Properties Up to €500,000
Hesse will introduce a new law to combat speculative vacancy of real estate by allowing municipalities to impose fines of up to €500,000. The law addresses a vacancy rate of 3.9% (over 122,000 dwellings), aiming to limit vacancy periods to six months unless justified by factors such as renovations.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Restructuring Boosts Bavarian Retail Sales Despite Employment Drop
Bavarian retail sales increased by 5 percent in 2024 due to a significant online sales increase from a single company's restructuring, despite a 1.1 percent employment drop—the largest in years, affecting the food sector most significantly, and a poor Christmas season.
Restructuring Boosts Bavarian Retail Sales Despite Employment Drop
Bavarian retail sales increased by 5 percent in 2024 due to a significant online sales increase from a single company's restructuring, despite a 1.1 percent employment drop—the largest in years, affecting the food sector most significantly, and a poor Christmas season.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Russian Vegetable Prices Surge Amidst Harvest Shortfall
In 2024, potato prices in Russia skyrocketed by 92%, onions by 48.2%, and cabbage by 44.7%, due to a low harvest resulting from unfavorable weather and reduced planting areas caused by low profitability in previous years; however, buckwheat prices dropped by 15% and eggs by 11.16%.
Russian Vegetable Prices Surge Amidst Harvest Shortfall
In 2024, potato prices in Russia skyrocketed by 92%, onions by 48.2%, and cabbage by 44.7%, due to a low harvest resulting from unfavorable weather and reduced planting areas caused by low profitability in previous years; however, buckwheat prices dropped by 15% and eggs by 11.16%.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Mitsotakis and Androulakis Clash Over Greece's Agricultural Crisis
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis engaged in a heated parliamentary debate on Friday concerning the state of Greece's agricultural sector, with Androulakis criticizing the government's handling of the OPECPE agency and Mitsotakis announcing debt relief measu...
Mitsotakis and Androulakis Clash Over Greece's Agricultural Crisis
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis engaged in a heated parliamentary debate on Friday concerning the state of Greece's agricultural sector, with Androulakis criticizing the government's handling of the OPECPE agency and Mitsotakis announcing debt relief measu...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Record Pessimism Among Thuringian Businesses
A survey of Thuringian businesses reveals record-high pessimism, with almost half expecting economic downturn in the coming months due to low order books and profit expectations; economic recovery is not expected until 2026.
Record Pessimism Among Thuringian Businesses
A survey of Thuringian businesses reveals record-high pessimism, with almost half expecting economic downturn in the coming months due to low order books and profit expectations; economic recovery is not expected until 2026.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Europe's Largest Quartzite Quarry Fuels Taunus Region's Economy
The Taunus-Quarzit-Werk, Europe's largest quartzite quarry, located near Köppern, Germany, produces 4,000 tons of quartzite daily for various uses; its location near Roman Limes structures suggests a long history of extraction, while its modern operations demonstrate the economic significance of thi...
Europe's Largest Quartzite Quarry Fuels Taunus Region's Economy
The Taunus-Quarzit-Werk, Europe's largest quartzite quarry, located near Köppern, Germany, produces 4,000 tons of quartzite daily for various uses; its location near Roman Limes structures suggests a long history of extraction, while its modern operations demonstrate the economic significance of thi...
Progress
24% Bias Score
Restructuring Boosts Bavarian Retail Sales Despite Employment Drop
Bavarian retail sales grew by 5% in 2024 despite a 1.1% decrease in employment, largely due to a major online retailer's restructuring; however, traditional stores saw minimal growth, and the grocery sector experienced significant job losses.
Restructuring Boosts Bavarian Retail Sales Despite Employment Drop
Bavarian retail sales grew by 5% in 2024 despite a 1.1% decrease in employment, largely due to a major online retailer's restructuring; however, traditional stores saw minimal growth, and the grocery sector experienced significant job losses.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Queensland Faces \$217.8 Billion Debt Projection, Premier Assures Public Servants
Queensland's debt is projected to hit \$217.8 billion by 2027-28, prompting Premier Crisafulli to assure public servants of job security despite Treasurer Janetzki's warning of a potential credit rating downgrade, a claim the opposition calls exaggerated.
Queensland Faces \$217.8 Billion Debt Projection, Premier Assures Public Servants
Queensland's debt is projected to hit \$217.8 billion by 2027-28, prompting Premier Crisafulli to assure public servants of job security despite Treasurer Janetzki's warning of a potential credit rating downgrade, a claim the opposition calls exaggerated.
Progress
40% Bias Score