Germany's cities are growing. In Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin, average earners can't find affordable apartments. Rents are rising and hundreds of would-be tenants compete for flats. The situation has forced some to take up residence in garden huts.

Those who can't stop complaining about Germans and Germany need to look at some cold, hard facts. Unemployment here is hovering around just 5%, taxes are rolling in, and the government is €36 billion in the black.

In the midst of an increasingly networked Europe, Germany is falling behind. Fiber-optic coverage for high-speed internet is lacking. That's not only an annoyance for users; it's dangerous for the country's future as a center for industry.

A startup in Berlin is working on a kite that generates electricity as it soars. It's the pulling on the cord that does it. The firm needs investors, technological prowess, and a keen eye on the competition.

A brewery in Brussels makes beer out of unsold loaves, picking up on a 4000-year-old recipe from Babylon. It's recycling on a modest scale, but it might set a precedent. The brew is bitter but tasty, they say.

This year's World Cup has a female commentator in Germany for the first time. Social media reacted with scorn and sexism. That's typical, says Cristina Cubas. Why aren't female sports journalists taken seriously?

Charlie Thomas invests big sums of his customers' money. They're increasingly demanding sustainable investments, but ones that still give returns. How does he resolve this contradiction? Isn't an investment manager supposed to make money at all costs?

Real estate companies are cashing in big in Berlin. Tenants are struggling to keep up, because they can't afford the rent after a building's been renovated. They move out, and the price goes up.

When money's tight, there's a big difference between buying essentials and non-essentials. If a handbag is too expensive, we just do without. But what happens if basic essentials, like food, become too expensive?

Around three million people in Germany are thought to be in care – a big challenge for society. Managers are looking to maximize profits at nursing homes, often at the expense of residents and staff.