German of the day: Gefährdet

That means exposed, as in in danger.

In this case it also means failed. As in don’t work. As in dumb idea that nobody is willing to admit.

Europe’s shrinking flexible power cushion leaves Germany exposed – German power prices have hit their highest since 2022. While weak wind output and higher gas costs triggered the rally, the root cause is Europe’s shrinking flexibility cushion.

Germany’s latest power shock reveals a challenge that is becoming central to Europe’s broader energy transition. The issue is no longer how quickly ​the region can add renewable generation, but whether the power system can maintain sufficient flexibility when weather-dependent generation falls short.

All the news that’s fit to blow up

Talk about explosive news stories…

Bomb threats spread to European newsrooms after wave of passenger jet scares – Several media outlets in Europe have reported receiving bomb threats.

It follows a spate of threats to passenger flights across the continent forced airlines to ground or escort planes.

The signature attached to the threats matches the name of a far-right movement in Russia, but the link is yet to be confirmed.

German of the day: Ernstes Signal

That means a serious signal.

46,000 Jobs Lost: German Corporations Lead the EU in Job Cuts — “a serious signal.”

In 2025, leading German corporations cut significantly more jobs worldwide than companies in France, Spain, or Italy. Workforces are shrinking dramatically, especially at large corporations.

The German economy is in crisis. One bankruptcy follows another. But things aren’t looking particularly rosy internationally either. Nevertheless, companies in Germany are cutting significantly more jobs than firms in Spain, France, or Italy.

Is Germany finally getting over its military industrial complex?

35 F-35s might be a good place to start.

Germany takes delivery of first F-35A fighter jet in Texas – The delivery comes as Berlin and Washington seek closer defence-industrial cooperation.

Germany unveiled its first F-35A fighter jet on Friday, marking what Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called the start of a new era for the German Air Force.

The aircraft was unveiled at the historic US Air Force Plant 4 in Fort Worth, where combat aircraft have been built since 1943, after the German delegation toured Lockheed Martin’s production line for the fifth-generation fighter.

The first German rocket launch from European soil?

Since World War II, maybe. But still.

German company successfully launches rocket to space – Bavaria-based Isar Aerospace managed to launch its Spectrum rocket into orbit, 18 months after its first attempt. This is the first such launch from European soil.

A Spectrum space rocket built by German company Isar Aerospace was launched into space from the Norwegian spaceport at Andoya.

Germany alert: Level 2!

But at least Germany’s not a ‘wasted cause’ like Spain.

US cites terrorism risk in Germany – Alongside Germany, Sweden, France and Italy are also listed by the US government at security level 2. In these countries, travellers from the US are urged to be particularly vigilant in busy places because of an increased terrorist threat.

“Terrorist groups and lone actors remain a constant threat in Germany and Europe, attacking people in public places with knives, small arms, improvised explosive devices and vehicles. Such attacks can occur with little or no warning and target: tourist sites, transport hubs (airports, railway stations or bus terminals), markets and shopping centres, municipal facilities, hotels, clubs and restaurants, places of worship and educational institutions, parks, major sporting and cultural events, schools.”

“More investment is needed”

Duh. More investment (taxpayer subsidies) will always be needed because wind and solar don’t deliver.

Why Germany keeps switching off its solar and wind farms – and three ways to stop the problem…

Europe’s solar and wind farms are actively choosing not to produce energy, as experts warn more investment is needed in storage and flexible technologies.

We’re number one!

Not just “a leader.” We’re number one!

We’re number one in having the highest EU electricity prices! And in tanking economies, too. Do you think they could be related?

Germany is a leader in renewables, so why does it have one of the highest EU electricity prices?

Germany generated more electricity from solar and wind in 2025 than any other EU country – but its prices remain tied to volatile fossil fuels.

German households pay around a third more for electricity than the EU average, despite the country’s impressive efforts to ditch fossil fuels.

New development: The most vulnerable are the most vulnerable

And the poorest are the most poor.

It’s a good thing we have a steady flow of experts bringing out new reports about things we ought to know.

UK, German and French aid cuts will take ‘devastating toll’ on most vulnerable, says study – As Europe’s leading donor countries slash budgets, the result could be more than 11.5m preventable deaths, report suggests.

Cuts to foreign aid budgets by the UK, France and Germany could contribute to more than 11.5 million preventable deaths by the end of the decade, according to a new report, which warns that Europe is abandoning its role as a pillar of global health and development.

Three separate studies within the report reveal the extent to which the nations have slashed their foreign aid budgets, and illustrate the impact worldwide. UK official development assistance (ODA) spending is projected to fall by 45% between 2020 and 2026, Germany’s by 37% between 2023 and 2026, and France’s by 30% over the same period, according to the research.

Pro tip: When the money’s gone, the money’s gone.