Rob Schmitz

Marketplace’s China correspondent, based in Shanghai

Rob Schmitz appears in the following:

Americans are concerned about their economy, and the global economic outlook is worse

Friday, October 21, 2022

Inflation and fears of a recession are dominating headlines in the U.S., and a series of global crises means that the economic outlook is even more precarious in some other parts of the world.

Comment

A 1,000-year-old German boys choir is now accepting girls

Monday, October 10, 2022

For the first time since its founding over 1,000 years ago, the Regensburg Cathedral choir and school has begun admitting girls. (Story aired on All Things Considered on Sept. 12, 2022.)

Comment

An act of sabotage shut down parts of Germany's rail system for hours this weekend

Sunday, October 09, 2022

Officials say a key train communications system was compromised, stranding passenger and cargo trains across the northwest of the country on Saturday.

Comment

Here's what to know about the Nobel Peace Prize winners

Friday, October 07, 2022

The winners of this year's Nobel Peace Prize are recognized, the Nobel Committee said, for years of protecting the fundamental rights of citizens in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Comment

Nobel Peace Prize: Human rights activists in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus are honored

Friday, October 07, 2022

The winners are human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, as well as the Russian human rights organization Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties.

Comment

Germany is preparing for a rough winter of sky-high energy costs

Thursday, October 06, 2022

The German government is setting aside 5% of its annual GDP to help the country get through what promises to be a tough winter — as energy prices climb to unprecedented levels.

Comment

The theories of what caused the Nord Stream leaks

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

It has become clear to European leaders that the leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines that run from Russia to Germany were an act of sabotage. Natural gas has been leaking into the Baltic Seas.

Comment

What caused 2 key natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea to rupture?

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

European officials have raised "sabotage" concerns after seismologists say explosions preceded leaks in Russian-owned Nord Stream gas pipelines on Monday.

Comment

EU debates whether to take in those fleeing Russia

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

The European Union is split over whether to give refuge to Russians fleeing after President Vladimir Putin announced last week that men with military experience would be called up to fight in Ukraine.

Comment

Seismologists suspect explosions damaged undersea pipelines that carry Russian gas

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

The events on Monday in the Baltic Sea resembled blasts from depth charges or mines, according to a Swedish researcher. They caused major leaks from the inactive Nord Stream pipelines.

Comment

Amid an energy crisis, Germany turns to the world's dirtiest fossil fuel

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Coal-fired power plants across Germany were scheduled to be shut down by the end of the year. But with Russia cutting gas deliveries, Germany is turning to coal.

Comment

Struggling with its past, Germany's 1,000-year-old choir admits girls for the 1st time

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Since its founding over 1,000 years ago, this Catholic music school and song group in Regensburg, Germany, has been boys only. Until now.

Comment

A 1,000-year-old German boys choir is now accepting girls

Monday, September 12, 2022

Since its founding in 975 A.D., the Regensburg Cathedral boys choir has only admitted boys. But starting on September 12, it will allow girls.

Comment

Germany announces a multibillion dollar inflation relief package

Monday, September 05, 2022

The German government has announced a $65 billion dollar relief package to help citizens facing soaring inflation and surging energy costs as Russia cuts off its gas supplies to Europe.

Comment

At Latvia's border with Russia, the line grows long, and tempers short

Sunday, September 04, 2022

European sanctions on Russia over Ukraine have caused major traffic backups along the Latvian border. And truckers can feel the mounting tension between Russia and NATO members like Latvia.

Comment

Germany's energy options are dwindling as it tries to break ties with Russia

Monday, August 29, 2022

Millions of Germans are worried about efforts to wean the country off of Russian natural gas and possibly not having heat this winter. But energy experts say German industry should be more concerned.

Comment

Long lines of trucks at the Latvia-Russia border show immense toll of war

Saturday, August 27, 2022

European sanctions on Russia have caused massive traffic back-ups along the Latvian border. The war has also put the region's inhabitants in the middle of two hostile power blocs.

Comment

In Latvia there is a debate over whether Soviet-era monuments should be destroyed

Thursday, August 18, 2022

As Russia's war in Ukraine rages on, former Soviet Republics like Latvia plan to destroy Soviet-era monuments. Some believe they should remain as tributes to the fight against Nazis in World War II.

Comment

Germany's Rhine is at one of its lowest levels. That's trouble for the top EU economy

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

A hot, dry summer has meant the water level on the Rhine River, Western Europe's most important waterway, is at a record low, making it too shallow for many ships to pass.

Comment

Shallow Rhine River has a devastating effect on commercial traffic

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

A hot, dry summer has made parts of one of Europe's most important waterways, the Rhine River, too shallow for fully laden ships to pass.

Comment