Friday, February 20, 2026

20 Feb 2026: Germany: 3 Stories

 1.  Three observations over nightly public TV news (ARD/ZDF) here in  Germany;

-The 7 PM and 8 PM news....have a 'reader'....who simply presents what was already packaged for them by the 'chief', the 'bureau-chiefs' and junior journalists.  They have good speaking habits and superior pronunciation. If you have a problem with the quality of the news....the 'reader' is the last person on the list to get peeved about.

- At least once a month, I'll notice in the middle of some news-package....music (usually sinister/evil tunes).  At that point....I know it's not a ARD or ZDF creation....some foundation or lecture-group built it. It's built like propaganda....but I doubt that the ARD/ZDF news crew even realize what they accepted.   

- I hate to suggest it....but I'll predict within five years....the news-reader for  public-TV here....probably will be AI.   

2. DB (railway folks) Cargo....will dismiss 6,000 workers over the next year.  Order?  They have to reach a level of profitability.

3.  Some rumor starting up....ECB (European Central Bank) 'boss' (Lagarde) might be stepping down. Some additional rumor that Germany is trying to arrange a prime candidate to be the replacement. 

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