Berlin, Sponge City
Germany’s capital is becoming a sponge to stop flooding. It might seem counterintuitive to want to gather more water in order to stay dry, but that’s exactly the plan. Currently…
Germany
Germany’s Transition Away From Coal Helped Jobs and Culture
For years Germany’s transition from coal to sustainable energy has impacted communities. Many feared that jobs would be lost during this transition so plans were put in place to help…
For Years Canada has Outsourced Our Foreign Policy to the U.S. Why Not Let Germany Have a Turn?
If you want to know who is steering Canada’s foreign policy look no further than Canada’s voting record in the U.N. General Assembly whenever a resolution concerns Israel. Under our…
Merkel wrongfoots Left opponents (again) – POLITICO
The center-left is holding off on naming its candidate for chancellor in next year’s election. Source: Merkel wrongfoots Left opponents (again) – POLITICO Filed under: Europe Tagged: Germany, Merkel
Marguerite Duras – The War, A Memoir
A friend recently told me that he likes to save texts, not quotes but texts, larger pieces, that he finds interesting. I am reading this book and thought this was…
Portugal Joins Other Countries by Running Only on Renewable Energy
Portugal reached a very significant milestone on its path to being fully powered by renewables by consuming energy only from sustainable resources for four days. Other countries are on similar…
Tipping point for the German far right – POLITICO
Alternative for Germany vying for first place in regional election. Source: Tipping point for the German far right – POLITICOFiled under: Europe Tagged: far-right, German Elections, Germany
News Satire: U.S. will not tolerate foreigners acting like Americans, officials say
ILLUSTRATIONS: A map showing some of the countries in which the United States has interfered in the political process (grabbed from Geology.com). Below: U.S. CIA Director John O. Brennan, Democratic…
As assumptions give way to knowledge, we have an opportunity to learn from the shooting in Munich
PHOTOS: Into the evening Friday, the mood in the Bavarian city of Munich was surreal (Polizeipräsidium München image). Below: The scene of Friday’s shooting in Munich. The person I know…
A timely reminder on this historic day: The hammer of D-Day crushed Hitler on the anvil of Russia
PHOTOS: Canadians soldiers storm ashore at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944, 72 years ago today. Below: The late University of Victoria Professor Reginald H. Roy, author of 1944: The…
Germany’s extreme right continues to gain ground
It is the rising party of the radical right in Germany. Like the Front National (FN) in France and UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party) in the United Kingdom, Alternative für…
Rightward shift in Regional German Elections
Filed under: Europe, Fascism Tagged: far-right, German Elections, Germany
Using Art to Critique Government Spying of Citizens
Thanks to the efforts of Edward Snowden we know that illegal, immoral, and downright creepy spying by governments has been going on for years. It turns out that democratic governments…
Germany Opens Its First Bike Highway
Germany knows that their autobahns, which are famous for not having a speed limit, can only handle so much traffic. To alleviate pressure put on their highways they have built…
Germany: Refugees today, the exploited workers of tomorrow? – Equal Times
Wajdi arrived in Germany a few months ago. He had studied law in Syria. But he was not able to bring his diplomas with him. The only things he still…
In Flanders Fields? It’s time to encourage another generation of school kids to read some better poems from the Great War
PHOTOS: In Flanders Fields? The reality of the Great war’s battlefields: squalor, incompetence, mechanized industrial death. Below: John McCrae, and a Great War poet still worth reading, Wilfred Owen. A…
Could Syria Become the 21st Century Sarajevo?
There were plenty of proxy wars during the Cold War only back then the principals had enough sense to avoid direct clashes. That was then, this is Syria where today…
Dieseldammerüng
image taken from despair.com’s latest t-shirt Before we get to this message’s main event, I’ll throw another brief shoutout to Pope Francis. Sure, he leads one of the world’s socially…
Aphabeatic: Germany’s broadband plan shames Canada (again)
Germany will have affordable internet connections of at least 50 Mbps by 2018. The Harper government promised 5 Mbps by 2019. Enough said… Which party do you think will do…