German of the day: Der Kartoffelkönig

That means the Potato King.

Turns out this guy was more of a spec-tater.

Generations of Germans believe Frederick the Great brought the beloved potato to Germany.

The legend is this: King Frederick II of Prussia wanted his subjects to eat potatoes, introduced to Europe in the 16th century from South America. But the people of Prussia, which later became part of a united Germany, wouldn’t touch the tuber.

So the 18th-century monarch resorted to trickery. He placed royal guards and soldiers along the edge of his palace garden — thus creating the illusion that potatoes were a rare and valuable crop reserved for the royal family and its aristocratic friends. But the guards withdrew from their posts each night, creating an opportunity for enterprising locals to sneak in and “steal” the spuds…

The unexciting truth is that the potato has been cultivated in Germany’s Bavarian region since 1647, Luh said. Frederick’s great-grandfather, Elector Frederick William, introduced it to the Brandenburg area of Prussia in the 1650s, but only because he liked the aesthetics of the plant’s leafy greens.

If only the UK, Norway and Germany could learn to live in peace…

What a wonderful world it would be.

Royal Navy Submarine Hunters Challenge Norwegians and Germans in Fjord Showdown – Exercise Green Eel tests cutting-edge anti-submarine warfare tactics in Norway’s challenging waters.

For two weeks, Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 helicopters from the United Kingdom took on Norwegian and German submarines in a complex underwater intelligence battle in Norway’s fjords. The mission was part of the international exercise Green Eel, which brought together naval forces from the UK, Norway, and Germany.

Germans still pretending they don’t need nuclear power…

But it’s not as convincing as it used to be.

German government shows cracks over nuclear energy – The economy minister attended a meeting of EU states using nuclear energy, even though Germany shut down its last reactor in 2023. The environment minister was quick to insist Germany will stick to its nuclear phaseout.

“There are no further commitments [to the nuclear industry], nor will there be any.”

German of the day: Dom

That means cathedral.

Dome, on the hand, means dome.

Germany seeks Israeli partnership on cyber defence – Germany is aiming to establish a joint German-Israeli cyber research centre and deepen collaboration between the two countries’ intelligence and security agencies, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said…

According to Bild, Dobrindt outlined a five-point plan aimed at establishing what he called a “Cyber Dome”, as part of Germany’s cyber defence strategy.

Earlier on Sunday, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soeder called for the acquisition of 2,000 interceptor missiles to equip Germany with an “Iron Dome” system similar to Israel’s short-range missile defence technology.

The highest taxation in Europe…

The highest healthcare and retirement costs, the highest energy costs, the highest regulation costs, then there’s the inflation, now the debt…

No, it’s a real mystery why Germans can’t afford to live on their wages anymore.

Why more Germans can’t afford life on their wages – German politicians are fond of saying, “Work must be worth it.” But ever more full-time workers need state benefits, and the new minimum wage hike is seen as disappointing.

German of the day: Wahnhaft

That means delusional.

Merz ‘delusional’ over US sparing German cars in EU trade deal – Brussels has warned German chancellor not to expect UK-style carve-out for car sector in EU deal with Donald Trump.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is “delusional” in his expectation that Germany’s car industry will be spared from US tariffs, according to EU officials involved in trade talks with the Trump administration.

Merz has been pressing the European Commission, which manages trade policy on behalf of the EU’s 27 member states, to sign a “framework” deal with Washington aping the US-UK agreement signed earlier this month, which included a special dispensation for cars.

But Brussels officials have privately told Berlin that such an arrangement would not be possible, as reducing German car imports is a big focus for US President Donald Trump, two people briefed on the discussions told the Financial Times.

Cut wasteful funding?

What an original idea.

They should start doing that in US-Amerika too.

Germany updates: Berlin to end migrant rescue NGO funding – The German Foreign Ministry said it would no longer fund NGOs rescuing migrants in distress at sea. Meanwhile, police launched a nationwide operation targeting people suspected of inciting hate online.

Hold your horses there, Germany

First the army. Then you can have the nukes.

Most Germans want Europe to have its own nuclear umbrella, poll finds – Nearly two-thirds of Germans support a European nuclear deterrent independent of the United States, according to a new poll released Monday, marking a dramatic shift in public opinion amid growing concerns about American commitment.

The survey found 64% of Germans back the concept of a European nuclear umbrella that doesn’t rely on Washington, with support spanning age groups, regions, and political parties — an unusual consensus in German policy debates.

And how do the majority of Israelis feel about Germany?

Something tells me it will be a negative too.

Majority of Germans now hold negative view of Israel : Survey – Israel’s military actions in Gaza and regional aggression have dramatically shifted public opinion: 57% now hold a negative view of the country, while 37% consider Israel a major threat to world peace.