Snipers in the subway?

Germans copying amerikanische Verhältnisse (American conditions, the American situation) again or what? Sheesh.

Snipers in the metro: German military conducts urban warfare drills in Berlin – German military forces began a five-day urban warfare training exercise in Berlin, focusing on rapid deployment and protection of critical infrastructure in a landmark event.

German military forces began five days of urban warfare training in Berlin, practising emergency deployment scenarios across the capital as Europe’s security landscape shifts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Bundeswehr’s guard battalion launched the “Bollwerk Bärlin III” exercise on Sunday at multiple locations including Jungfernheide underground station, the Ruhleben police training ground and a former chemical plant site in Rüdersdorf.

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.

Which Europe is he talking about?

If the future of the world is being shaped in Europe then the future looks pretty dim indeed.

The future of the world is being shaped in Europe, says German Chancellor Friedrich Merz – In his speech to his party’s youth wing on Saturday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) clearly distanced himself from the far-right AfD and stressed the importance of Europe and the European Union.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) on Saturday stressed Europe’s strategic importance, saying that the future of the world is being shaped on the continent.

Speaking to the German youth at the Young Union (Junge Union)’s Germany Day conference in Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Merz said this was not just about the European Union but the principles guiding the coexistence of people on the continent.

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.

Maligning German politicians online?

The nerve. That ought to be strictly verboten – in Germany.

Oh. Thank goodness. It already is.

Germany news: Internet freedom in decline — Self-censorship and robust use of anti-defamation laws are on the rise in Germany, says the Freedom House agency.

Germany has witnessed a decline in internet freedom, an annual study by Freedom House said on Thursday.

The Washington-based democracy promotion group surveyed freedom on the internet in 72 nations for 2025, in a global landscape marred by persistent authoritarian repression and backsliding in western democracies when it comes to imposing growing curbs online.

Freedom House said that Germany fell by three points in the internet freedom score to a total of 74.

Nobody wants to host Climate Woodstock anymore!

Not even Germany. Ouch.

Gimme a C! Gimme an L! Gimme an I

Germany seeks to avoid becoming next UN climate host by accident – Australia and Turkey both want to host the COP31, and if neither back down the talks will be held in Germany.

“We would have to, but we do not want to.”

We can’t defend our own country…

From drones. It’s illegal or something here in Germany.

So we’ll send our drone-defense experts to help some other country. Keeps them busy.

German Luftwaffe dispatches drone-defense experts to help Belgium – The German military has sent specialists to Belgium to help authorities there combat drones following sightings near crucial military facilities, including those housing nuclear weapons.

The Bundeswehr announced the move in a press release late Thursday. According to the military, first units of the Luftwaffe – Germany’s air force – have already arrived in Belgium, where they are investigating the situation on the ground and coordinating with the Belgian armed forces. Further German forces would “soon follow,” the military said.

German of the day: Betrug

That means fraud.

Not just any fraud in this case. German fraud.

5 Southern California suspects arrested for German fraud scheme that stole over €300 million from victims – Five Southern California residents were arrested for their alleged roles in a fraud scheme that stole over €300 million from victims in Germany.

The suspects are accused of creating a scheme that targeted their victims with millions of recurring debit and credit card charges that hit below €50 (around $57 USD) to avoid any detection or suspicion.

The charges were linked to fake or non-existent companies and used fictitious websites that were only accessible via direct links or URLs, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Germany: Are we allowed to say we feel unsafe yet?

The Media Brain Police still haven’t given the official OK.

Germany: Survey shows every other person feels unsafe – The monthly Deutschlandtrend survey has looked into the debate about the perception of urban space in Germany. It found that the number of people who no longer feel safe in public has risen.

A statement on migration and public safety by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been polarizing Germany for weeks. In mid-October, Merz said that the federal government is correcting previous failures in migration policy and making progress, “but of course we still have this problem with our “Stadtbild” [lit. cityscape, a reference to urban spaces], which is why the Federal Minister of the Interior is now working to make it possible to carry out repatriations on a very large scale.”

“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.