Rob Schmitz
Stories
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Climate
To fight climate change, 2 siblings in Germany make chocolate without cocoa beans
As global warming makes cocoa expensive, a German couple is working on a tasty chocolate substitute
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Europe
Germany will soon start checks along its 9 land borders
Beginning next week, Germany will start to introduce border checks along all of its nine land borders. The country aims to reduce what it calls “irregular migration.”
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Europe
German automaker Volkswagen considers closing two plants in the country
Germany’s largest industrial employer, Volkswagen, is reportedly considering closing at least two plants in Germany after years of declining value and a struggle to transition to electric vehicles.
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World
Far-right wins in two German states
Voters in two German states deliver a boost to the country's far-right party, the Alternativ für Deutschland.
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Europe
Far-right party makes large gains in elections in 2 states in eastern Germany
Voters in two states in eastern Germany have given a far-right party its best result since WWII — results that have many worried about a resurgence of anti-immigrant, populist politics in Europe.
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Environment
A lithium mine in Serbia could rev up Europe's e-vehicles, but opposition is fierce
A proposed lithium mine in Serbia is spurring protests over its potential impact on the environment. The mineral is in high demand because it’s crucial for the batteries that run electric vehicles.
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World
Proposed lithium mine in Serbia sparks protests over potential environmental impact
A proposed lithium mine in Serbia is spurring protests over its potential impact on the environment. The mineral is in high demand because it’s crucial for the batteries that run electric vehicles.
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World
Why are people in Serbia protesting plans to dig a giant lithium mine?
Thousands filled the streets of the Serbian capital Belgrade on Saturday to protest plans to mine one of Europe’s largest deposits of lithium. Lithium is a crucial material for electric car batteries.
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World
Prisoner swap with Russia frees Americans including Wall Street Journal reporter, ex-Marine
The Wall Street Journal reporter and the former U.S. Marine have been released by Russia in exchange for Russian prisoners held in the U.S. and Europe, in what the U.S. calls a historic prisoner swap.
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World
Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan among Americans freed from Russian custody in prisoner swap
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was detained in Russia in March 2023 on espionage charges that the newspaper and U.S. government say are false. Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, has been detained in Russia since 2018.
