Stories from Mainz · Germany

BioNTech management announced in Mainz today plans to close several production sites. The move is expected to affect up to 1,000 employees. The company previously acquired CureVac, a competitor based in Tübingen, last year.

The IG BCE union criticized plans by BayonTech to close facilities. The head of the Rhineland-Palatinate-Saarland district accused the corporation of cutting production capacities based on financial calculations.

Company founders Shahin and Türgi are leaving BioNTech to establish a new firm. BioNTech is also planning to cut production sites in Germany and Singapore. BioNTech founders Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci are leaving the company to establish a new firm.

The future CDU and SPD coalition government in Rheinland-Pfalz plans to review the reformed burial law sooner than originally scheduled.

A potential partial withdrawal of US troops from Germany poses a challenge for the new state government in Rhineland-Palatinate. The region hosts a high concentration of US military personnel. The situation follows recent political shifts in the United States.

President Zelensky stated he is ready to react if necessary.

There are expectations of a series of decisions regarding the Iran war. Support from the federal government is anticipated. Concerns exist that the region might become a pawn in political disputes between the federal government and the White House.

The installation of new solar panel systems in Germany has decreased. In the first quarter, the newly built systems had 6% less capacity compared to the same period last year. The CDU in Rhineland-Palatinate voted for a coalition agreement with the SPD. This decline is partly attributed to the continued sale of fuel with old tax rates in many areas.

Alexander Sverev defeated Alexander Blocks in the semi-finals, winning 6-2, 7-5. Sverev will face world number one Jannik Sinner in the final on Sunday. This is the fourth match between the two this year, with Sinner winning the previous three.

Flooding in northern Rhineland-Palatinate has resulted in 30 confirmed deaths and left approximately 500 people missing. The number of missing persons has risen to 500. An operations leader provided a direct briefing regarding the scale of the catastrophe.