Germany - Deutschland, but in English

May 1 is Labour Day and a public holiday in Germany.

Expect various parties and celebrations this evening. For many people, 'Dance into May' is an opportunity to indulge in alcohol or something else.

Most shops will be closed tomorrow, so you should stock up on urgently needed items today. Otherwise, it is advisable to avoid the shops today, as many people still desperately need to do their shopping for the one day off.

Tomorrow, however, petrol stations, restaurants and travel shops will be open.

There will also be Labour Day rallies and demonstrations tomorrow, people meeting up on the day off for cycling, hiking, barbecues and more. Expect to see a lot of people and crowds in the touristy areas and sight-seeing spots.

https://dawum.de/Bundestag

no receipts

ATMs in Germany did not ask if I wanted a receipt. Then they simply neglected to print a receipt. I noticed one ATM did not even have a printer.. no slot to output a receipt.

Not too long ago I came across some international law regarding ATMs. One of the requirements was that ATMs provide a receipt. How is Germany getting around that law? Or did the law change?

no mention of fees

Every ATM I have encountered outside of Germany (w/the exception of 1 machine) mentions a fee for non-SEPA cards, which is then printed on the receipt. The transparency is also an obligation imposed by international law. Is it safe to assume German ATMs do not charge a fee to non-SEPA cards? Or did I just get lucky on the ATMs I encountered? I think I once used an ATM in France which did not charge a fee on a non-SEPA card.. so they do exist but I’ve found it to be quite rare before traveling to Germany.

Ideally there would be a list of ATMs somewhere that are wholly fee-free. AFAICT, it’s a crapshoot.

banknotes

I heard some German ATMs will dispense bills as big as €200. But banknote availibility is never disclosed until you do a transaction. Some ATMs only went up to €50 and some €100 but I never got a bigger note than that. What bank or ATM operator has €200?

tailgating to reach an ATM

There was a locked ATM room. I did not try my card to open the door because it was not of that bank. But luckily there was enough traffic that I could tailgate someone in to access the ATMs. That’s a bit bizarre, no? Anything wrong with tailgating? Is it setup that way to be a kind of VIP privilege to enter for just that particular bank’s customers?

Archiv

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/27088732

Generated Summary below:

Video Description:

On today's episode, Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Trump's demands that European countries double their military spending, and the new German government has embraced the open remilitarization of Germany--a major shift in policy for Germany since the defeat of Hitler and Nazism in 1945.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

#BreakThroughNews

Generated Summary:

Main Topic: The resurgence of German militarism and its implications for Europe and the world, particularly concerning the shift in the post-World War II power dynamic and its impact on social welfare programs.

Key Points:

• Post-WWII Deal: After WWII, the US provided military protection for European countries, allowing them to focus on social programs. This deal was mutually beneficial: the US boosted its military-industrial complex, while Europe enjoyed social welfare advancements.
• Deal's Dissolution: The US's declining global power and economic strain have led to the unraveling of this post-war deal. The US can no longer afford to solely shoulder the burden of European defense.
• European Remilitarization: European nations, particularly Germany, are increasing military spending, driven by pressure from the US and their own perceived need for self-defense. This is a significant shift in policy since the end of WWII.
• Social Welfare Cuts: Increased military spending will necessitate cuts to social programs in Europe, impacting areas like healthcare, education, and paid leave. This is presented as a direct trade-off between military spending and social welfare.
• Historical Context: The discussion heavily emphasizes the historical context of post-war Europe, the Cold War, and the role of the US in shaping European politics and social structures. The rise of communism and the US's response are central to understanding the current situation.
• Nationalism vs. Cooperation: The video argues that the current situation highlights the limitations of European nationalism and its inability to foster cooperation, leading to a potential return to a fragmented and conflict-prone continent.

Highlights:

• The video uses the example of potential cuts to generous social programs in countries like France (five weeks of paid vacation) and the broader implications for social welfare across Europe.
• The discussion contrasts the social programs of the Soviet Union with those of capitalist Europe, highlighting the significant differences and the potential loss of European social advancements.
• The analysis emphasizes the hypocrisy of the US demanding increased European military spending, given the historical context of the post-WWII deal and the US's own declining global influence.
• The video concludes with a somewhat pessimistic outlook on the future of Europe, predicting a return to internal squabbling and a decline in social welfare, while also acknowledging the historical significance of this shift.

About Channel:

At BreakThrough News we tell the untold stories of resistance from poor and working-class communities. At present, five corporations dominate the media landscape, including 90% of what we read, watch, listen to, and depend on for information about the world. Nowhere among the headlines do we hear the perspectives of working people and movements for social justice. Our mission is to break through the static, disinformation and fluff.

BreakThrough / BT Media Inc. is a nonprofit media and educational organization dedicated to independent, fact-based reporting and commentary on a diverse range of issues affecting the global movements for social justice. We are a recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the United States. To remain free of bias and preserve our editorial independence, we accept no corporate donations or state funding. Our funding derives from our viewers and readers, and foundations that support our mission.

Looks Like the current coalition of SPD and Greens can continue, though both parties are suffering loses. The facist AfD can't capitalise on their national success last week. They are gaining seats compared to last state election in Hamburg.

Source: https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/wahlergebnisse-buegerschaftswahl-hamburg-2025-so-hat-hamburg-gewaehlt-a-afb767f0-995c-4269-b406-12286f4ab748

Further reading: https://www.dw.com/en/social-democrats-lead-hamburg-state-election-projection/a-71796487

The Verdi union has called for the work stoppage at Germany's second-largest airport to last until midnight on Friday. Industrial action has also halted cargo traffic at the port of Hamburg.

In 2023, Claudia Roth demanded that the Bavarian State Painting Collections agree to a review by an advisory commission that issues a recommendation on restitution disputes and enforces the Washington Principles.

Due to the slow processing of restitution claims, this process will be replaced with a court of arbitration which, according to Roth, will be able to provide a "faster and more independent" decision without concealment.  

On February 21, a chalk drawing by Adolph von Menzel, which was seized from the Breslau entrepreneur and art collector Leo Lewin, who was subjected to Nazi persecution, was returned to Lewin's heirs after it was found in a federal art collection.

"We want to return all works of art that came into the federal government's possession through similar ways," said Roth in a statement reacting to this latest restitution.  "We want just and fair solutions for the victims of Nazi Germany."

The left side of the graph shows the results, the right side shows possible coalitions

https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2025-ergebnisse-so-hat-deutschland-gewaehlt-aktuelle-daten-a-6ace92df-43cc-48de-b183-2c98c7c19c2f

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25010063

Video Description:

Jeffrey Sachs is a renowned economist, professor, and policy advisor with decades of experience in international development and economic strategy. He has served as a special adviser to three UN Secretaries-General and has played a key role in shaping global initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals and Agenda 2030. As the director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, Sachs has been an advocate for sustainable economic policies, multilateral cooperation, and efforts to reduce poverty worldwide. His work has earned him recognition as one of Time Magazine’s most influential world leaders. In October 2024 he published his book Diplomacy or Desaster in the German Westend Verlag which reiterates why negotiations are vital to shut down the war in Ukraine to prevent further escalation.

In this interview, we discuss a wide range of topics, including Germany’s role in global affairs, the challenges of multilateralism, the effectiveness of international institutions like the UN, and the future of U.S. foreign policy. Sachs also shares insights from his experiences advising governments and organizations such as the IMF and World Bank. Whether you’re interested in global economics, diplomacy, or international development, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the challenges facing today’s world.

📖 Kapitel

1. 00:00 Introduction and what brings you to Germany?
2. 03:25 Is an independent German foreign policy possible?
3. 05:50 US leaders are arrogant
4. 19:30 Dr. Sachs in Latin America and Russia
5. 24:25 Dr. Sachs and Boris Jelzin
6. 29:20 How trustworthy are global Institutions like the UN?
7. 40:23 Understanding centers of power
8. 45:48 What does global enforcement look like?
9. 50:20 Can we trust global policy makers?
10. 54:00 Where is the US going?

About Channel:

Ich heiße Jasmin Kosubek und habe lange Jahre als Moderatorin und Produzentin der YouTube-Sendung "Der fehlende Part" gearbeitet. Anfang 2022 habe ich mit meinem eigenen YouTube-Projekt begonnen und freue mich über die Resonanz. Es ist ein Privileg, das, was ich liebe, mit euch zu teilen. Ich möchte mit interessanten Menschen über allerlei kuriose, spannende und auch kontroverse Themen sprechen. Ich möchte meinen und euren Horizont erweitern. Thematisch sollte für jeden etwas dabei sein.

Feedback könnt ihr mir gerne in die Kommentare schreiben. Wobei mein Telegramkanal vor allem für redaktionelle Hinweise, Gast- oder Themenvorschläge geeignet ist.

Herzlichen Dank!

English Translation:

My name is Jasmin Kosubek, and I worked for many years as a host and producer of the YouTube show "Der fehlende Part" (The missing Part). At the beginning of 2022, I started my own YouTube project and am pleased with the response. It is a privilege to share what I love with you. I want to talk with interesting people about all sorts of curious, exciting, and even controversial topics. I want to broaden my and your horizons. Thematically, there should be something for everyone.

You can gladly write feedback to me in the comments. Whereas my Telegram channel is primarily suitable for editorial tips, guest or topic suggestions.

Thank you very much!

Edit: added in English Translation Section: "Der fehlende Part" (The Missing Part).