Author Archives: Hermann Observer
German Of The Day: Umarmung
That means hug.
Frankfurt: A driver joined the convoy of Chancellor Olaf Scholz in his private car without authorization and hugged him after getting out without bodyguards intervening in time.
This incident raises significant questions.
Question number one: Why would you want to hug that guy? Question number two: Nope. That’s it, actually. I don’t have any other questions.
First Arrest For Last Generation
And if it’s not the last that would certainly be a first (I’ve always suspected these protestors of doing more with that glue than just using it to glue themselves to the street).
German of the day: Kriminelle Vereinigung. That means criminal organization.
German police raid climate activists who blocked traffic – German police have carried out raids in seven states in a probe into climate campaigners suspected of forming or backing a criminal group because of their controversial activities.
And particularly cruel and unusual here: The cops woke one protestor up at 07:00 in the morning! Among those raided was Last Generation spokeswoman Carla Hinrichs, whose door was broken down by armed police while she was in bed, the group said.
German Of The Day: Einbrechen
That means to collapse.
You know. Like how Germany’s export numbers to China have collapsed?
Big drop in German exports to China raises fears over EU’s economic powerhouse – Decrease in demand from Asia’s largest economy sparks concern over how Berlin can fix industrial malaise.
A double-digit drop in German exports to China has rattled Europe’s biggest economy, triggering debate over why its vast manufacturing sector has fallen behind rivals benefiting from a rebound in Chinese demand.
The 11.3 per cent drop in German exports to China in the first four months of the year, compared with the same period a year ago, highlights a unique set of challenges for Europe’s industrial powerhouse, economists say. Carmakers are losing market share in China, chemical producers and other energy-intensive companies are reeling from high power prices, and the euro’s appreciation against the dollar has made German goods less competitive.
Can We Work From Home?
If we live in Russia too?
Germany’s would-be spies seek licence to work from home – BND intelligence service is finding expectations of flexible working and taking a mobile to the office are affecting recruitment.
“Remote work is barely possible at the BND for security reasons, and not being able to take your cell phone to work is asking much from young people looking for a job.”
A Gift From Putin’s Russia?
Gift being German for poison.
German police said they are investigating the possible poisoning of two Russian exiles who attended a conference in Berlin at the end of April, organised by Russian Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Berlin police told Reuters “a file had been opened” after German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, citing Russian investigative media group Agentstvo, said two women reported symptoms that suggested possible poisoning.
German Of The Day: Vetternwirtschaft
That means cronyism, nepotism.
Those two are as thick as Green thieves. Or they were, at least.
Germany’s star Robert Habeck brought down to earth by cronyism and boilers – Vice-chancellor’s unpopularity contrasts with the adulation he enjoyed for many years.
The Green economy minister and vice-chancellor faced the darkest day in his 17 months in office on Wednesday when he was forced to sack one of his closest aides over a widening nepotism scandal.
Pauline P.
Healing The Wounds Of German Colonialism
In a country Germans never set foot in, much less colonized?
Seems like there’s just never enough guilt to go around these days. But hey, if it makes you feel good, I mean virtuous, run with any guilt you can find (or steal, or make up).
But you know, personally, I think sending Nigeria 20 Greens instead of 20 Bronzes would have been a much nicer gesture.
Germany had hoped that by returning 20 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria last year it was “healing the wounds” of colonialism and righting a historic wrong.
But when it emerged that ownership of the repatriated objects will pass to the king of Benin rather than the Nigerian state, Berlin found itself facing a PR nightmare.
“The government has recklessly consigned African world heritage to oblivion. The pieces will vanish into the private possession of a Nigerian king.”
“This should be a wake-up call to end the hyper-moralism in the whole restitution debate.”
This Is Not My Planet Anymore
Observing Hermann 