US-Amerika Isn’t The Only Place In Need Of Foreign Observers To Monitor Elections

The Germans have their problems too, the German capital in particular. But in contrast to us Americans, Berliners actually have the courage to them in.

Berlin is peanuts compared to The Banana Republic itself, I know, but its sure got pluck.

‘Dysfunctional’ Berlin holds rerun after election chaos – German capital has been governed by centre-left coalitions for more than two decades.

It’s not every day that foreign observers are needed to monitor an election in Germany, one of the west’s richest and most stable democracies. But then again, Berlin is no ordinary city.

Fourteen officials from the Council of Europe, the continent’s top human rights body, will arrive in the capital this week to observe Sunday’s rerun of its 2021 election, an event so chaotic its results were nullified: Berliners had to queue for hours at polling stations, which ran out of voting papers and ballot boxes. Some stayed open late to cope with the crowds, when broadcasters were already calling the result.

Sean Penn’s Ukraine Doc Won’t Be Competing!

It’s that good. Just like the Berlin International Film Festival itself. They’re both so good they’re for the greater good.

Too bad their films are always so no good.

The Berlin International Film Festival unveiled the competition lineup for its 2023 edition on Monday morning, naming the 18 movies that will compete for the coveted Gold and Silver Bears at the 73rd Berlinale…

Berlin 2023, taking place a year after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion, will have a major focus on Ukraine. Even the festival’s official pin will be in the Ukraine colors of blue and yellow…

In a late addition, Superpower, Sean Penn and Aaron Kaufman’s documentary on Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russian invasion of the country and the ongoing war, will have its world premiere in Berlin’s out-of-competition Berlinale Special section.

Berlin Kaputt?

Like duh. Always has been. Otherwise they wouldn’t call it Berlin.

The street violence in Berlin on New Year’s Eve has triggered a debate on law and order ahead of regional elections in several states, including Berlin. Bavaria’s center-right Premier, Markus Söder from the Christian Social Union (CSU), lashed out at the center-left government in Berlin claiming it could “neither organize elections nor guarantee the safety of its citizens”.

Blowing Off Fingers And Hands Now Safe Again

Now that the COVID pandemic is finally over.

Germany: New Year’s Eve fireworks for sale again after ban – People in Germany will be allowed to legally purchase fireworks to celebrate New Year’s Eve. They had been banned for the past two years to avoid injuries that could overburden hospitals during the COVID pandemic.

Environmentalists Desecrate Tree

Unable to see beyond the tips of their noses, a group of zany climate activists tried to tip the balance of power in Germany by tipping their hands and cutting off the tip of a Christmas tree.

That’s right. Don’t ask. Hell if I know.

Police got a tip-off but this anonymous tip came too late to keep the tip from tipping off. The activists are doing this, they were told, in order to… Wait a minute, it’s on the tip of my tongue… That’s right! In order to “save the planet.” How stunning and brave or something. Merry Christmas to you too, pal.

Climate activists decapitate prominent Berlin Christmas tree – Climate activists said Wednesday that they have sawed off the tip of the Christmas tree erected in front of Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate.

The group Last Generation said two of its members used a hydraulic lift and a hand saw to cut two meters (six feet) off the top of the 15-meter (50-foot) tree and hang up a banner stating: “This is only the tip of the Christmas tree. (tip of the “climate catastrophe,” get it?).”

The Russians Did It

If it’s something fishy, the Russians are always behind it.

Berlin: Major police operation as massive aquarium bursts – More than 100 firefighters were called to the scene at the Radisson Blu hotel in the German capital’s Mitte district.

A 16-meter (52-foot) aquarium has burst at a hotel in downtown Berlin, Germany, rescue services said on Friday.

Industrious Germans?

Yeah, I read about those once. Looks like it’s been quite a while since then, though.

Tesla’s Berlin Hub Can’t Hire Enough People, or Keep Them – The company’s staffing problems have been magnified in Germany, where it is unable to meet targets as more workers head for the exit.

“Some people are off sick longer than they’ve actually worked. There are people who I haven’t seen working for three weeks in six months. Many people are signed off sick because the motivation isn’t there.”

Black Germans Against Antislavery Novel

Or the use of its name for a subway station.

Which makes sense, if you think about it because.. Actually, no. That doesn’t make any sense at all. But why doesn’t that surprise me?

A Berlin subway stop is called ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’ Some Black Germans want change – Most outbound commuters on the U3 line of Berlin’s U-Bahn subway system exit long before reaching the penultimate stop, nestled between the Grunewald forest and the Free University. But Moses Pölking remembers the uneasiness he felt when he was riding the train and first spotted the station’s peculiar name on the route map: Onkel Toms Hütte.

I Had No Idea He Was Already Dead

Although if you watch any of his last few films…

Berlin film fest gives Spielberg lifetime achievement award – Steven Spielberg will be honored for his life’s work at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.

Festival organizers said Tuesday that the 75-year-old American director, producer and screenwriter will be awarded an honorary Golden Bear, the annual event’s top prize, for a body of work that comprises more than 100 movies and series.

“Glitches” Are Just Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories

Right? Even in, uh, Germany?

Germany Clears Rerun of Part of 2021 Election After Berlin Glitches – Irregularities in capital’s voting marred national election.

German lawmakers cleared a rerun of last year’s national election in six parliamentary districts in Berlin after irregularities at hundreds of the capital’s polling places triggered official complaints.