Is Germany finally getting over its military industrial complex?

September 19, 2026 By in Hard Facts, Hi-tech Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

35 F-35s might be a good place to start.

Germany takes delivery of first F-35A fighter jet in Texas – The delivery comes as Berlin and Washington seek closer defence-industrial cooperation.

Germany unveiled its first F-35A fighter jet on Friday, marking what Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called the start of a new era for the German Air Force.

The aircraft was unveiled at the historic US Air Force Plant 4 in Fort Worth, where combat aircraft have been built since 1943, after the German delegation toured Lockheed Martin’s production line for the fifth-generation fighter.

German of the day: Wiesnflation

September 18, 2026 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

That means Oktoberfest inflation.

Oktoberfest: A Maß of beer (one liter) costs five times as much as it did in 1985 – Beer prices at the Wiesn (Oktoberfest) —or rather, the frustration over them—have been a topic of discussion in Munich for decades. In raw numbers: This year, a Maß of beer costs an average of 15.61 euros, 2.4 percent more than last year.

Sometimes UN, sometimes U Out

September 17, 2026 By in Helplessness, Hard Facts, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Ain’t nobody gonna listen to you at the UN anyway.

Merz cancels UN visit after AfD election win puts his leadership on the ropes – German chancellor gets support from state leaders but further far-right gains this weekend could spell the end.

Powerful German state leaders from Friedrich Merz’s party have rallied behind him as speculation builds that his days in office may be numbered.

The chancellor’s hold on power has looked increasingly shaky since a bombshell regional election result earlier this month in which the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party routed his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in Saxony-Anhalt.

With two more states heading to the polls on Sunday where the AfD is expected to perform well, Merz cancelled a plan to speak at the UN general assembly in New York next week because “his presence is required in Berlin”, a government official said on condition of anonymity.

A meeting in Germany so secret…

September 16, 2026 By in Hard Facts Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

Not even the Germans know about it.

U.S., Israeli and Arab military chiefs held secret meeting on Iran – Top military commanders from the U.S., Israel and several Arab countries met last week in Germany to discuss the war with Iran and broader tensions in the region, two Israeli officials told Axios.

The private retreat, organized by Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Adm. Brad Cooper, was not officially announced by any of the participating countries.

“Elections still closed to foreigners” in Berlin?

September 15, 2026 By in Hard Facts, Helections, Hideology, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I don’t understand.

How could elections not be closed to foreigners? In Berlin or anywhere else.

In cosmopolitan Berlin, elections still closed to foreigners – A quarter of Berlin residents will have no say in the German capital’s city-state election because they lack citizenship. That’s the highest proportion of residents excluded from the election yet, and many are unhappy.

My name is Mustafa…

September 14, 2026 By in Hard Facts, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

And I’m a communist.

How Mustafa is taking on the far-right Eastern Germany – We followed Mustafa through the final weeks of his campaign for the Left in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. What matters to young people in Saxony-Anhalt?

When we first meet Mustafa, there are only a few weeks left until the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. He is a candidate for The Left (Die Linke), which, alongside the AfD, is one of the most popular parties among young people in Germany.

2,268 offenses recorded in Berlin in 2025

September 13, 2026 By in Hard Facts Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That’s up 24.3% from the previous year.

Woman suffered cuts before suspects fled scene – The woman attempted to defend herself and suffered several cuts to one of her hands. The two suspects fled the scene following the attack…

The attack joins a long list of antisemitic incidents recorded in recent years in the German capital. According to Berlin authorities, 2,268 antisemitic offenses were recorded in the city in 2025, up 24.3% from the previous year. Sixty-four of the cases were classified as violent offenses.

Hamas is a “militant group?”

September 12, 2026 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

I guess that’s one way you could put it.

Germany charges 7 suspected Hamas members over attack plot – Prosecutors say the suspects had moved beyond general preparations and were already pursuing a concrete plan for a deadly attack on Israeli or Jewish targets…

The men are accused of helping obtain guns and ammunition for an attack targeting representatives of Israel, Jewish people or people regarded as pro-Israel.

The plot allegedly became concrete by July 2025 and was intended to take place on the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.

Prosecutors say that one of the suspects recorded a video claiming responsibility in advance and announcing the planned attack in the name of Hamas.

German of the day: Insolvenz

September 11, 2026 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

That means insolvency.

German corporate insolvencies hit 13-year high in first half – The number of corporate insolvencies in Germany rose to a 13-year ​high in the first half of ‌2026 despite signs of a nascent recovery in Europe’s largest economy, figures from the ​federal statistics office showed on Friday.

Local ​courts reported 12,812 corporate insolvency filings from ⁠January to June, an increase of ​6.7% year-on-year, with transportation and warehousing ​the most affected sectors.

A warning for Germany?

September 10, 2026 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I think this warning is coming a little too late.

Warning Systems in Germany Are Being Tested – Can authorities reach and warn the public in an emergency? That will be tested today starting at 11 a.m. as part of the nationwide Warning Day. In the past, gaps in the system have repeatedly come to light.

Across Germany, disaster warning systems will be tested on Thursday morning starting at 11 a.m. On the nationwide Warning Day, the federal government, states, and local authorities will trigger a test alert via various channels—including official warning apps such as Nina and Katwarn, as well as the cell broadcast system for cell phones. The media and electronic display boards will also broadcast warning messages. An all-clear is expected to be issued around 11:45 a.m.