German of the day: Freier Fall

That means free fall.

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) believes that Germany’s economy is in “free fall.” German industry is currently facing a dramatic low point, BDI President Peter Leibinger told the news agency dpa. “The economy is in its worst crisis since the Federal Republic was founded, but the federal government is not responding decisively enough.”

A new industry report expects industrial production to decline by two percent this year. This would be the fourth consecutive year of decline. “This is not a temporary dip, but a structural decline,” Leibinger said. German industry is continuously losing ground.

“The New German War Machine…”

Just lost half its ammunition.

After World War II, Germany embraced pacifism as a form of atonement. Now the country is arming itself again…

Thousands of rounds of German army ammunition stolen from lorry – A shipment of German ammunition has been stolen from a delivery lorry in the eastern town of Burg, the country’s defence ministry has said.

Speaking to Germany’s DPA news agency, officials did not specify how much was taken. However, other reports cited a defence spokesperson as saying it was close to 20,000 rounds.

It’s begininng to look a lot like Christmas market time…

In Germany.

A real tradition.

German Christmas markets open 1 year after deadly attack – Christmas markets are open in Germany with increased security this year. In 2024, a man drove an SUV into crowds at the Christmas market in the central city of Magdeburg, killing six.

Wurst case scenario

Yes, I actually used that awful pun.

I don’t care. Ich stehe dazu (I stand by it).

Germany news: Minister sounds alarm on food security – Germany’s farming minister says the country needs to be more prepared for future food emergencies.

Germany’s Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer says farms and food producers must be included in future Bundeswehr emergency exercises, calling them “critical infrastructure.”

He warned that if agriculture failed, “our food supply would collapse.”

“Have died?”

Yeah. Technically, when you have “killed yourselves” you “have died.”

It’s a thing now in Germany, “humane Sterbehilfe.” That means humane or assisted suicide. And it’s getting more popular all the time.

Just look at Germany’s latest government.

Dancing twins Alice and Ellen Kessler have died, police in Germany said Tuesday – Alice and Ellen Kessler, twin dancers and singers who launched their career in the 1950s and performed with Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Harry Belafonte among others, have died, police in Germany said Tuesday. They were 89.

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.