Three Topics

 1. VAT discussion: going from 19-percent to 21-percent.

Look....most of the EU has a 20-to-21 percent VAT.  Finland has a 25.5-percent VAT.  Hungary even has a 27-percent VAT.  So it's not the end of the world if they go to 21-percent.  If you were peeved....you could always shop still in Lux-City....where it's 17-percent VAT.

Now....what should worry you....if this discussion comes up in 2030....to go up to 23-percent.  

2.  This social media age-discussion.

This age thing is centered on Tik Tok, FB, Twitter, Instagram. However....both the CDU and SPD are avoiding a 'list'.

WhatsApp and SnapChat?  I would guess near 90-percent of 12-year old German kids have a cellphone, and actively use WhatsApp.  If you tried to list on a forbidden list....parents might get hyped-up.  SnapChat?  Well....there's forums for talking over subjects, and I would imagine the ban would include them.

Telegram?  It's sorta  on the bad-boy list....so they might get dumped on the list.

VKontakte (VK)?  Popular in Russia and half of eastern Europe......oddly, no one mentions them, but the coalition might consider them just as 'dangerous'.   

Mastodon?  Decentralized alternative similar to X, based in Germany.  No one seems to mention them. 

Bluesky? Decentralized social network gaining some traction as an X alternative. Leftist?  Well....yeah.  Oddly, they aren't mentioned on the age discussion. 

Pixelfed?  Not mentioned......but decentralized image-sharing platform similar to Instagram. 

W? Not mentioned. Newly announced European platform positioned as an X alternative, emphasizing EU data rules (launched in 2026). 

Monnet?  Not mentioned. Luxembourg-based alternative to X. 

Steemit?  Not mentioned.  Blockchain-based social platform. 

TRUTH Social: Niche platform associated with U.S. politics, with some EU availability. 

Tribel?  Not mentioned. Emerging social network

So I'll state the obvious....the ban chatter will occur....ONLY with certain platforms,  and the kids  will all drift to non-age-ban platforms.  While the CDU and SPD will pat themselves on the back for saving German youth....99-percent will drift to other platforms.

3.  Natural gas reserves....as of yesterday....22.3-percent left.

This marginal amount is now getting traction. On the positive?  Well....Sat/Sun are slatted to be near 10C (50 F).  For most of next week....near 8C.

The number/amount will probably bottom-out by mid-March....near16-percent.

I did notice some discussion starting up on Twitter....Germans asking why they can't drill for natural gas on their soil.