Author Archives: Hermann Observer
Energy Conservation Is A Good Thing
It’s progressive even. One should see this latest problem as another opportunity, another chance to excel into the Brave New German Green World you seek. Using this environmentally-friendly private transportation model, for instance. There are no areas in which you can’t conserve energy, if you only try. Really, really hard.
Germans urged to use less energy after Russia cuts gas supply and prices surge – Germany has accused Russia of trying to push up gas prices by cutting supplies.
What’s 40%?
“We’ll just build some more of those solar windmill thingies to compensate and make Germany greener than ever,” an unnamed German Green government minister said. “The rest of the world really marvels at our green energy utopia here, you know,” he added. “They’re like totally green with envy.”
Russia‘s announcement that it would reduce natural gas flows through a key European pipeline by roughly 40% appears to be a political move rather than a result of technical problems, Germany’s vice chancellor said Wednesday.
The reduced flows follow Russia‘s halt of natural gas supplies to Bulgaria, Poland, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark as Europe works to reduce its dependence on Russian energy amid the war in Ukraine. Gas demand has fallen after the end of the winter heating season, but European utilities are racing to refill storage ahead of next winter with prices high and supplies uncertain.
Of Course Germany Is Planning To Do That
Germany is, after all, much closer to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine than Lithuania is.
More or less. Less, actually. But still.
Germany plans to base extra Nato troops at home rather than Lithuania – Berlin proposes 3,500-strong brigade for its own soil, which could be quickly deployed to Baltics if necessary.
With Inflation This High…
We might as well get high ourselves.
Germany Moves Ahead With Plan to Legalize Cannabis Sales – The German government is setting in motion plans to legalize the sale of cannabis for recreational purposes, aiming to have legislation ready in the year’s second half.
“A Limit To Fiscal Capacity?”
Is there really such a thing? Someone should inform the Biden administration immediately.
Germany’s federal government has reached the limit of its fiscal capacity, its finance minister said, with extra financing to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, the impact of the war in Ukraine and a climate fund having exhausted government coffers.
“There are no reserves in the 2022 federal budget,” Christian Lindner was quoted by news website t-online as saying on Saturday, Reuters reported.
He warned against granting further financial support before the autumn to citizens to offset the impact of rising inflation. “I advise letting the measures taken so far take effect,” he said.
Border Checks?
In Germany? To “prevent potential perpetrators of violence” from entering the country?
It’s far too late for that, I’m afraid. And since when does Germany have borders?
Germany to introduce some border checks during G7 summit – Germany says it will temporarily introduce some border controls as the country gets ready to host the Group of Seven summit later this month in the Bavarian Alps
“The controls are intended to prevent potential perpetrators of violence from entering German territory, the statement said, adding that ”travelers must therefore expect to be subject to checks during this period.”
Annika L.
German Of The Day: Billig Will Ich
That means “cheap is what I want.*”
Budget startup Norse Atlantic Airways adds 2 US routes to Berlin – A week before its eagerly-anticipated launch, Norse Atlantic Airways is announcing a new destination to add to its growing route map.
The Norwegian ultra-low-cost long-haul airline will launch flights from the German capital’s new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)…
Daily service between BER and JFK begins on Aug. 17 with one-way introductory fares of $120. Thrice-weekly service between BER and LAX begins on Aug. 19 with one-way introductory fares of $138.
* Some might translate it as Cheepnis is what I want.
Russia Attacks German Space Telescope
By trying to turn it back on again.
And thus threatening to observe far-off galaxies and supermassive black holes without Germany’s expressed written permission. This clearly goes beyond the scope of the telescope’s mission. Somebody make them stop or something.
Russia Trying to Hijack German Telescope – After being banned from involvement in a cooperative X-ray telescope project with Germany in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is now seeking to operate the telescope without Germany’s input.
“Despite Germany’s demand to shut down one of the two telescopes at Spektr-RG, Russian specialists insist on continuing its work.”
Observing Hermann 