War damaging German economy almost as much as Germany is

And that’s saying a lot.

Energy bottleneck in Middle East is damaging German economy – Expensive energy, rising prices and disrupted supply chains are all bad news for economic growth. The German government is alarmed by events in the Middle East.

When the US and Israel attacked Iran, the response was not long in coming. Iran is no longer allowing ships to pass through its coastal waters. The Strait of Hormuz, the bottleneck in the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the global oil trade passes every day, is now effectively blocked.

After the attack, the price of oil immediately rose sharply. Prices for gasoline and diesel also skyrocketed at German gas stations. Depending on the region, premium gasoline even went as high €2.50 ($2.89) per liter. The average price for diesel is currently just over €2, which is €0.30 higher than before the attack on Iran.

48-hour planned chaos!

But then it’s right back to the regular 24/7 unplanned chaos.

So chill already.

Germans Face Travel Chaos As Transport Workers To Strike – Public transport workers across Germany will stage a 48-hour strike from Friday as talks over pay and conditions stall, a union said, potentially sparking travel chaos for millions.

The Verdi union, negotiating on behalf of about 100,000 workers, said Tuesday it had decided to ramp up pressure on local authorities after making little progress in annual negotiations.

Genocide! Genocide again? Yawn.

Double parking is genocide these days, people.

Get a little more original, please. Or get a life already, Berlin Film Festival.

German minister walks out of film festival after claim of Berlin role in Gaza ‘genocide’ – A German minister walked out of the awards ceremony of the Berlin Film Festival after a prize-winning director accused Germany of complicity in the “genocide” committed by Israel in Gaza.

Social Democratic Environment Minister Carsten Schneider left the ceremony on Saturday evening because of “unacceptable” remarks, his ministry says.

Syrian-Palestinian director Abdallah Al-Khatib, who picked up a prize for Best First Feature Award with his “Chronicles from the Siege,” said in his speech that the German government “are partners in the genocide in Gaza by Israel. I believe you are intelligent enough to recognize this truth.”

No Good Men

Originally titled “Men No Good,” it’s a film about no good men who are just no good.

So you can bet everybody who’s anybody will want to see it at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, which is also no good, but at least run by women.

Berlin Film Festival 2026: Opening Gala, ‘No Good Men’ Premiere & Red Carpet Gallery – The 76th Berlin International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet today for the opening film and the world premiere of No Good Men by award-winning Afghan director Sharbanoo Sadat, starring Shahrbanoo Sadat, Anwar Hashimi, Liam Hussaini, Yasin Negah, and Torkan Omari at the Berlinale Palast.

The Berlinale launched with a festive opening ceremony led by Festival Director Tricia Tuttle and Jury President Wim Wenders. The evening featured the introduction of the International Jury and the presentation of the Honorary Golden Bear to Michele Yeoh, with Sean Baker delivering the tribute.

Don’t burp your house

It’s no fun. Believe me. Don’t do it.

Germans do it with sub-zero temperatures outside. People with any sense don’t do it at all.

‘House burping’ is a cold reality in Germany. Americans are warming to it.

The often mandated German practice of airing out homes no matter the season has strained and even ended relationships, but it’s gotten a boost on U.S. social media.

After moving to Berlin from Honolulu, Wyatt Gordon was surprised when his new German roommate marched into his bedroom at 8 a.m. and threw open the windows.

It turned out that his cohabitant, Laura, maintained a strict ventilation regime. Three times a day, at precise times, all the windows in the apartment needed to be opened. It didn’t matter whether it was the dead of winter or a weekend morning, or if Gordon had company. Rules were rules.

How does Germany deport people?

By not deporting them.

A few thousand, tops. While an average of 250,000 flow in each and every year.

It’s a joke. But fewer and fewer Germans are laughing.

How does Germany deport people? – Germany does not have masked ICE officers or an equivalent agency, but both Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his predecessor have done all they can to accelerate deportations. Here’s how the process works…

The German Bomb is bombing again

They ought to consider putting together a real army first.

The German bomb: Much ado about very little – Discussions about a “German bomb” are like Dracula. No sooner has one killed the Transylvanian vampire than he rises again from his coffin. Since the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, when candidate Donald Trump seemed to indicate that the U.S. might no longer be willing to protect its allies, some German observers have argued that an eventual loss of the U.S. “nuclear umbrella” would make a national nuclear arsenal indispensable…

Alas, the debate about German nuclear weapons is back again. Fueled by transatlantic disagreements, most recently over Greenland, the idea of Germany acquiring its own nukes appears to have again gained salience. Proponents argue that thinking about a German bomb must no longer be a political taboo, since it is the logical consequence of a ruthless realpolitik assessment of the situation. But is it?

German of the day: Sich auflösen

That means to disintegrate.

Klingbeil: Transatlantic relations are currently disintegrating – Federal Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Klingbeil has described relations with the US as severely damaged.

At an event held by the German Institute for Economic Research, the SPD leader said that transatlantic relations as we know them are currently disintegrating. Klingbeil referred to the US military intervention against Venezuela, the conflict over Greenland, and the US government’s new national security strategy. The Trump administration is making it clear that it wants to dominate the Western Hemisphere and is increasingly turning away from Europe politically and culturally, Klingbeil said.

Why are you smiling like that?

Why do you look the way you do!?

German man picks apart the American habit of smiling at strangers in the most German way…

Mothers of Invention, “Weasels Ripped My Flesh,” “Didja Get Any Onya?” Minute 2:00: “Years ago in Germany, when I was a very small boy, there was a lot of people standing around on the corner asking questions like why are you standing on the corner, acting the way you act, looking like you look? Why do you look that way!?”

German of the day: Schneewalze

That means snowroller. As in steamroller.

Snowstorm moves south – 50 centimeters of fresh snow in Baden-Württemberg ++ Many accidents ++ Relief in the north.

Winter storm “Elli” has Germany in its icy grip. Up to 50 centimeters of fresh snow is expected in the south, while rail traffic in the north is still restricted, but the all-clear has been given in some areas. There have been accidents on numerous highways and federal roads due to slippery conditions. Millions of Germans are now asking themselves: What will happen next with “Elli”? The German Weather Service (DWD) reveals all…

Climate Crisis activism in Germany has also been brought to an abrupt halt, I’ve noticed.