Tag Archives: German

German of the day: Sich auflösen

January 15, 2026 By in Habitudes, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means to disintegrate.

Klingbeil: Transatlantic relations are currently disintegrating – Federal Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Klingbeil has described relations with the US as severely damaged.

At an event held by the German Institute for Economic Research, the SPD leader said that transatlantic relations as we know them are currently disintegrating. Klingbeil referred to the US military intervention against Venezuela, the conflict over Greenland, and the US government’s new national security strategy. The Trump administration is making it clear that it wants to dominate the Western Hemisphere and is increasingly turning away from Europe politically and culturally, Klingbeil said.

German of the day: “Faktisch am Ende”

January 13, 2026 By in Hard Facts, History Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

That means effectively finished.

Iran’s regime is finished, says Merz – “I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime,” German chancellor says as Iranian protests sweep the country.

“If a regime can only stay in power through violence, then it is effectively finished. I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime.”

German of the day: Schneewalze

January 10, 2026 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means snowroller. As in steamroller.

Snowstorm moves south – 50 centimeters of fresh snow in Baden-Württemberg ++ Many accidents ++ Relief in the north.

Winter storm “Elli” has Germany in its icy grip. Up to 50 centimeters of fresh snow is expected in the south, while rail traffic in the north is still restricted, but the all-clear has been given in some areas. There have been accidents on numerous highways and federal roads due to slippery conditions. Millions of Germans are now asking themselves: What will happen next with “Elli”? The German Weather Service (DWD) reveals all…

Climate Crisis activism in Germany has also been brought to an abrupt halt, I’ve noticed.

Almost half want a ban on fireworks?

December 31, 2025 By in Habitudes, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means more than half don’t.

Let the Knaller (bangers) knallen (bang)!

Almost half of all Germans want a ban on fireworks – In Germany, it is only permitted to sell fireworks in the three days leading up to New Year’s Eve. Some line up early to buy them, but others have safety concerns and want to see them banned altogether.

Happy New Year!

German of the day: Stellenabbau

December 29, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means job cuts.

German business groups expect job cuts in 2026 as economic crisis drags on – A majority of German business associations expect job cuts in 2026 as the country’s economic crisis persists, with industry hit hardest by global protectionism and weak exports, a survey by the German Economic Institute IW showed on Monday.

Of 46 business associations surveyed, 22 anticipate workforce reductions next year. Only nine expect to increase hiring and 15 foresee stable employment levels.

FSB, DGSI, FBI…

December 28, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

It’s all BfV to me.

Recruiting for Germany’s Secret Police – Like almost any other country – the Russian Tsar’s Okhrana (later: NKVD and now: FSB), Iran’s feared SAVAK, Pinochet’s torturing DINA, South Africa’s BOSS and NIS, Franco’s BSI, Mussolini’s OVRA, and Hoover’s FBI – Germany too has a secret police that today is no longer called Gestapo or Stasi. Yet Germany’s agency is distinctively different from, for example, France’s DGSI.

Deceptively labelled the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz, or BfV), it spies on people. It operates in the shadows, in secret and by stealth. Being unnoticed and silent is of the essence.

Cheaper coffee?

December 27, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Why, that’s capitalism!

Or maybe even Raubtierkapitalismus (predatory capitalism)! Or something else like that.

People really are confused these days, don’t you think? Not that they weren’t in the past. I just think they’re better at it now. Being confused.

Berlin’s budget chain cafes attacked by mobs of hard-Left activists – Protesters in Berlin are hurling red paint at outlets for a new chain that offers drinks at nearly half the price of others.

It is at night that the group of angry Berliners hurl red paint at the coffee shop front, scrawling “Boycott LAP” on the walls.

German of the day: Wenn das Geld alle ist

December 22, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means when the money’s gone.

And when the money’s gone, the money’s gone.

Sweden and Germany slash aid budgets to focus on Ukraine and defence spending – Echoing the dismantling of USAID, other countries are changing funding priorities and health and hunger programmes in Africa will lose out.

German of the day: Insolvenz

December 19, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means bankruptcy.

German business bankruptcies hit decade high amid downturn – Business bankruptcies have climbed to an 11-year high, with small firms hardest hit by Germany’s anemic growth. Economists warn of job losses but see tentative signs that the insolvency wave may be leveling off.

Don’t worry, in other words. Once everybody has gone bankrupt the bankruptcies will stop.