German of the day: Hin und her

That means back and forth. To and fro. Undecided.

“Until further notice” is now. For now.

The German government says it’s lifting restrictions on exports of military equipment to Israel – The German government said Monday that it’s lifting its restrictions on exports of military equipment to Israel, weeks after the ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militant group.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in early August that Berlin wouldn’t authorize any exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice.” That was a response to a decision by the Israeli Cabinet to take over Gaza City.

Voluntary military service to introduce voluntary military service

But only on a voluntary basis.

Never touch a running system Not even when it’s not running.

Germany to introduce voluntary military service – After months of wrangling, the government has decided not to reintroduce conscription. But all 18-year-old males will have to fill in a questionnaire, and young men will soon have to undergo mandatory physical exams.

“Muslim Interactive” banned in Germany

Banning Islamist organizations doesn’t seem to be all that difficult. Although the next one will just pop up a few hours later.

But banning other forms of Muslim interaction in Germany has proven to be practically impossible.

Germany news: Interior Ministry bans ‘Muslim Interactive’ – The Interior Ministry has also searched the premises of other Islamist organizations in Hamburg, Berlin and Hesse. Meanwhile, the foreign minister has caused an uproar with comments on Syria.

By 2029?

In Germany? I have my doubts.

And “cost-effective?” This is more doubtful yet.

German laser weapon could be on ships by 2029, say contractors – “Successful tests conducted on the frigate SACHSEN proved the demonstrator’s tracking capability, effectiveness and precision under real operational conditions for the first time in Europe,” the announcement says...

“Based on this, an operational laser weapon system could be available to the German Navy as of 2029, providing a powerful and cost-effective addition to conventional guided missiles,” the statement adds.

German of the day: Stadtbild

That means cityscape. And this word is apparently offensive to Germans.

To Germans who are in denial about violence, sexual or otherwise, being committed by… As I said, in denial.

‘Ask your daughters’: Merz defends his call for large-scale deportations – German chancellor accused of taking a page from extremist parties with ‘dangerous’ rhetoric on immigration…

Merz said his priority was “security in public space” and stressed that only if it could be guaranteed “will the [mainstream] political parties win back trust”.

He had drawn flak last week for remarks that critics said hinted that diversity itself was a problem in German cities: “Of course we still have this problem in the cityscape, and that is why the federal interior minister is now working to enable and carry out expulsions on a very large scale,” Merz said on a visit to Brandenburg state outside Berlin.

German of the day: Das crazy

That means that’s crazy.

Checkst du?

Youth word of the year – These were the top 3 youth words of 2025.

The youth have spoken… And, as every year, the rest of us are left wondering. The decision on the youth word of the year will be made on October 18, 2025. But which terms were up for selection in advance?

Get your tickets now!

Although nobody really wants to go, so just pick them up at the gate.

This non-apology tour is just like last year’s non-apology for the migrant madness tour, only different. “Denial is not just a river in Egypt anymore.” – Angie.

Angela Merkel’s non-apology tour – The former chancellor refuses to reckon with her fraught legacy on the war in Ukraine, instead invoking Covid and a missed chance for talks.

It’s a Mossad state of affairs…

When Germany’s security and intelligence services aren’t able to do their job on their own.

Mossad reveals role in arrest of Hamas-linked cell in Germany said plotting to kill Jews – Effort to stop the cell spanned several countries, and was ‘part of an extensive Mossad effort throughout Europe’ that busted weapons caches, saw other operatives detained.

The Mossad was involved in Wednesday’s arrest of a Hamas-linked cell in Germany that planned to carry out attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets, the agency announced Friday.

The Israeli foreign intelligence service said the arrest was possible because of close coordination between the Mossad and Germany’s security and intelligence services.

Deregulate through more regulation

It’s the German way.

If you want to properly deregulate, create a new deregulation bureaucracy first. We don’t want anybody to get fired or anything.

Germany’s new deregulation chief vows to be more subtle than Elon Musk – State modernisation minister Karsten Wildberger promises to bring about digital age in country clinging to fax machines.

Survey: 63% of Germans support European sanctions on Hamas

Just kidding. This is Germany, after all.

Survey: 63% of Germans support European sanctions on Israel – According to Deutsche Welle (DW), citing the research group Verein, the survey published by Der Spiegel Online found that 63 per cent of German voters back proposals from the European Commission to impose sanctions on Israel. Others expressed reservations or opposition.

The poll comes at a time of rising tensions in European–Israeli relations, against the backdrop of the Gaza war, which has caused widespread destruction and hunger, alongside international calls for a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid.