The author wrote that the book industry is in a deep crisis. The costs of paper and transport have risen while AI and social media are drawing attention. At the same time, high energy, housing, and food prices are taking up an increasing part of the budget. Books are needed now more than ever, he wrote. https://t.co/iPWgIRWMzv #Buchbranche #Krise #Lesen #DE (translated)
The famous bell tower by Giotto in Florence is being comprehensively renovated for the first time, with the work on the 86-meter-high structure expected to last around five years and cost more than seven million euros, which will be fully covered by the cathedral's construction office Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore. #Florenz #Giotto #Restaurierung (translated)
The bureaucracy in Germany, whose costs and burdens have been criticized for over 200 years, remains inadequately quantified, as existing measurement tools do not fully capture the impact of the growing norms and regulations. #Bürokratie #Regulierungswut #Kostenanalysen (translated)
Alex reported that a colleague bought Velux windows, a heat pump, drywall, and screed in Poland for the renovation of his house because the prices in Germany were too high for him. The Velux windows cost about half there; even the product description was in German. Alex asked why identical products were significantly more expensive in this country and wrote that the savings from shopping in the neighboring country raised questions about what was going wrong in Germany. He believed that if this development continued, even a working person here would soon be unable to afford anything. #Bauprojekte #PreiseVergleichen #Hausbau (translated)
The rising costs and uncertainty surrounding oil and gas are accelerating the energy transition to sustainable alternatives, not due to war, but by making our dependence on fossil fuels visible. #Energietransitie #Duurzaamheid #Olieprijzen (translated)
The article addresses the possible explosion of costs in healthcare and the upcoming questioning of Schumann in Parliament regarding the deductibles. (translated)
The German wine cooperative Habitat Weine eG from Rhineland-Palatinate has to file for bankruptcy due to declining wine consumption, rising costs, and fierce competition, and is completely discontinuing its wine production. #Weinbau #Insolvenz #Weinkrise (translated)
Kieler shareholder recommended the free navigation app Waze. He wrote that it was originally developed in Israel and is now owned by Google/Alphabet. Its use in Germany is prohibited, as the app displays all speed cameras, including mobile ones, he explained. #Waze #Navigation #Apps (translated)
The blue stewardess 2.0 wrote that the person in question had provided free publicity to the AfD. She also stated that the parties involved were making fools of themselves and welcomed that with a thank you. https://t.co/2x7mJFlSiF #AfD #Politik #Deutschland (translated)
The goal is to reduce costs and have enough supplies, including for defense. Chairperson Von der Leyen announced this week a "strategic dialogue" on refineries in Europe: "The goal is to reduce costs and have enough supplies, including for defense." #olieprijzen #raffinage #duurzaam (translated)
Judo bonds coach remains optimistic despite a medal-less World Championship for the Netherlands and indicates that he will not participate in the team competition due to high costs. #Cookies #OnlineSecurity #Telegraaf (translated)
The prices for Christmas trees are expected to rise this year by three to five euros per meter due to higher costs for logistics, wages, and plant protection, while the Nordmann fir remains the most popular Christmas tree. #Weihnachtsbaum #Preisanstieg #Nordmanntanne (translated)
Mirjam152 challenged the reasoning that a lower VAT rate cost the government a lot of money. She compared it to the income a landlord misses out on by asking for a lower rent and sarcastically suggested that the VAT should then be raised to 30 percent and inheritance and gift taxes to 100 percent. According to her, people were already paying more than enough tax. The researchers defended a higher VAT rate for, among others, hairdressers, bicycle mechanics, and plasterers with the argument that a tight labor market could make services more expensive due to insufficient staff availability. Mirjam152 called that reasoning flawed and accused the researchers of having a political agenda and pandering to the government and the cabinet. #BTW #Belastingen #Overheid (translated)
The police in North Rhine-Westphalia are pursuing a wait-and-see approach to high-risk football matches to minimize conflicts with fans and save costs, which, however, is meeting with resistance from the municipalities. #Fußball #Polizei #NordrheinWestfalen (translated)
The high diesel prices put pressure on both truckers and Republicans in the run-up to the Congressional elections, with Republican candidates fearing that rising costs will cause them electoral damage. #Dieselprijzen #Republikeinen #Congresverkiezingen (translated)
Zara Riffler wrote that the app enables citizens to confront politicians with a snapshot of reality and is free of charge. https://t.co/XeD6Vn5mWJ #Politik #Bürgerbeteiligung #App (translated)
Anna wrote that US Senators Schumer, Shaheen, and Warren called Trump's diesel deal with Putin a "total betrayal" of Ukraine and pledged their support to Kyiv. They blamed the Iran war for rising fuel prices in the US and Europe and accused Trump of disregarding the bipartisan will of Congress, which had passed a law just weeks earlier prohibiting the purchase of Russian energy. The senators called for an end to the Iran war instead of financing Russia's war machinery, stating that Putin only responds to strength. Anna recalled that Trump told Zelensky in February 2025 at the White House that he had no cards. Now, Trump is allegedly asking Zelensky for oil with diesel prices exceeding $6 per gallon. According to Anna, Moscow is receiving a sanctions reprieve and new sales markets while Washington is facing accusations of betrayal in its own Senate. She cited a joint statement from the senators, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Arab News, and SRF as sources. #Ukraine #Trump #Putin (translated)
Sandra Navidi wrote that the Trump family is making personal deals with Vladimir Putin at the expense of Ukraine and Europe. She recalled her warning from March 2025 that Donald Trump would side with Russia and take action against Ukraine, likely also against Europe. Additionally, she claimed that Pete Hegseth is currently removing dissenters from the military and that the AfD would also support Russia. #Putin #Diesel #Trump #Putin #Ukraine (translated)
Governments are handling the affordability crisis incorrectly and should raise incomes instead of suppressing prices, according to an article from The Economist. #levensonderhoud #kostenleven #economie (translated)
The Berlin SPD is covering the costs for the private legal defense of its state leader Steffen Krach in a case concerning allegedly anti-competitive agreements, which raises legal concerns and puts pressure on the party. #SteffenKrach #SPD #Rechtspolitik (translated)
