Thanks pichlo and nthn for the hints.
I installed coderus Search engines for Sailfish Browser and all is working again after selecting DuckDuckGo and any offered services.
Now i wonder if jolla intended this to softly push us to kill google search from our devices, LOL
Btw, another feature they could snatch for a bargain from coderus

@explit, no, version --verify gives no error (no output?) on 2 jollas and a tablet on my side.