Gregmal Posted February 5 Posted February 5 LOL these losers and their "regulations".... Streaming services such as Netflix (NFLX.NaE) and Amazon (AMZN.NaE) , as well as major broadcasters, will be obliged to reinvest at least 8% of the annual revenue they earn in Germany back into the local industry. However, the measures state that if the streamers and broadcasters opt to invest 12% or more, they will be exempt from complex regulations obliging them to, for example, produce films in the German language.
Marco Van Basten Posted February 5 Posted February 5 1 hour ago, Gregmal said: LOL these losers and their "regulations".... Streaming services such as Netflix (NFLX.NaE) and Amazon (AMZN.NaE) , as well as major broadcasters, will be obliged to reinvest at least 8% of the annual revenue they earn in Germany back into the local industry. However, the measures state that if the streamers and broadcasters opt to invest 12% or more, they will be exempt from complex regulations obliging them to, for example, produce films in the German language. I don't know if that is a big problem. I have read that German porno films are a big hit in Russia, so spend the money to produce the porn and then sell it elsewhere!
UK Posted February 5 Posted February 5 49 minutes ago, Marco Van Basten said: I don't know if that is a big problem. I have read that German porno films are a big hit in Russia, so spend the money to produce the porn and then sell it elsewhere!
Charlie Posted February 7 Posted February 7 (edited) Volkswagen overtook Tesla as Europe's top EV seller in 2025 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/volkswagen-overtook-tesla-europes-top-120323837.html Not everything is lost in Europe. Edited February 7 by Charlie
Dalal.Holdings Posted February 12 Posted February 12 A "competitiveness retreat", of course... https://www.wsj.com/opinion/hurrah-europe-is-fighting-over-economic-policy-fdf27fee?mod=panda_wsj_author_alert Quote The European Union finds itself in the middle of an enormous fight over how to repair the Continent’s ailing economy and restore its global stature. Leaders were set to gather in the Belgian countryside this Thursday for a “competitiveness retreat” focused on boosting economic productivity. This confab is supposed to set the stage for a formal summit next month that might generate some real policy ideas. Brussels already is pushing ahead with snippets of deregulation here and there. As usual, Macron is the one to ruin the party Quote Such an agenda suits Mr. Merz’s natural freer-market instincts. It also responds to the central demand of his base among German businesses for relief from red tape, and it would align Europe’s policy priorities with his aspirations for Germany’s economy, which is Europe’s most important. Ms. Meloni’s participation suggests euroskeptic insurgent-right politicians can be persuaded that a more modest, growth-focused EU is politically saleable to their voters. It’s an intriguing prospect. The roadblock, as usual, is France. Emmanuel Macron, who you might be surprised to learn is still the French president, insists on a vision of European economic reform that’s heavy on the “European” and light on the “economic reform.” Quote In a newspaper interview this week, Mr. Macron argued that the European Union should pursue a form of fiscal integration in which Brussels would issue bonds backed by the EU rather than individual member countries. It’s a naked attempt to socialize France’s fiscal dysfunction, and a nonstarter. Other governments also are exasperated with his attempts to thwart final approval of a major free-trade agreement between the EU and the South American countries in the Mercosur trade bloc. France wants Euro bonds badly...need to pay for all those pensioners/ poor fiscal decisions
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 3 Posted March 3 What a week it's been for Europe...just revealing how irrelevant & unprepared the continent has become Quote Middle East war sends natural gas prices soaring, raising growth shock risk for Europe and Asia https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/03/middle-east-war-gas-energy-lng-drone-qatar-strait-hormuz-price-shock.html https://www.ft.com/content/8f5f18fb-311d-4df0-805c-063b292506b3 Quote EU urges Ukraine to allow access to pipeline carrying Russian oil It does seem like the German leader is getting it though:
John Hjorth Posted March 4 Posted March 4 (edited) 1 hour ago, Dalal.Holdings said: What a week it's been for Europe...just revealing how irrelevant & unprepared the continent has become https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/03/middle-east-war-gas-energy-lng-drone-qatar-strait-hormuz-price-shock.html https://www.ft.com/content/8f5f18fb-311d-4df0-805c-063b292506b3 It does seem like the German leader is getting it though: Yeah, We're totally screwed, holding on to our glasses, Mertz style. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk is making lots of money every day on delivering lifestyle related drugs to lazy, obese, burger, processed food, junk eating, americans. And Equinor ASA is very busy pumping up gas to send it southbound in Europe, to those who really screwed up earlier. Life is great. - - - o 0 o - - - That said, my PM Mette Frederiksen has called for a Parliamentary Election, and she has proposed a new Danish wealth tax. I'm just shaking my head and thinking it's political suicide. - - - o 0 o - - - Then I look at my digital pension payslip [,which pension I don't need] : DKK 30 in withheld income taxes. That may suffice. No need to go overboard with societal attitude. Next time I'll order our handyman to fix something around the house, withheld taxes are likely going to zero. - - - o 0 o - - - Life is great, and Europe is investable. But how great life is, is naturally a function of your behavior so far, also called where you are now. Edited March 4 by John Hjorth
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 6 Posted March 6 (edited) Europe strikes again. Time for Ursula to call a meeting so the EU can put out a statement expressing lots of “concern” European gas storage at 5 year low (yeah, lower than any time since before Russia-Ukraine). That’s what happens when the people in leadership positions have no real skin in the game. I’m sure Ursula and the gang will figure this out. The continent has done a splendid job with energy for the past decade Edited March 6 by Dalal.Holdings
Spekulatius Posted March 6 Posted March 6 9 hours ago, Dalal.Holdings said: Europe strikes again. Time for Ursula to call a meeting so the EU can put out a statement expressing lots of “concern” European gas storage at 5 year low (yeah, lower than any time since before Russia-Ukraine). That’s what happens when the people in leadership positions have no real skin in the game. I’m sure Ursula and the gang will figure this out. The continent has done a splendid job with energy for the past decade Same as the US jet fuel prices making a 44 month high? https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2797249-us-gulf-coast-jet-fuel-prices-at-44-month-high
whiskybravo Posted March 6 Posted March 6 With those low stocks of European natural gas storage, shutdown of Ras Laffan, and nothing moving through the Stait of Hormuz anyway, Europe’s energy vassal state have all set them up for an significant energy crisis. I hadn’t realized it, but Europe still imports significant amounts of LNG (~15%?) from Russia. Before the onset of the recent war in Iran, Europe had been planning to further “punish” Russia by sanctioning this last amount of LNG imports. However Putin has recently commented that in the current situation other markets have opened up and perhaps Russia will just end supplies to Europe now. Add to that Spain has Europe’s largest regasification fleet and is a major hub for American LNG entry into Europe. Sanchez has resisted allowing American use of Spanish military bases, prompting Trump to threaten an embargo, which would throw European natural gas supply into further turmoil.
John Hjorth Posted March 6 Posted March 6 (edited) 54 minutes ago, whiskybravo said: With those low stocks of European natural gas storage, shutdown of Ras Laffan, and nothing moving through the Stait of Hormuz anyway, Europe’s energy vassal state have all set them up for an significant energy crisis. I hadn’t realized it, but Europe still imports significant amounts of LNG (~15%?) from Russia. Before the onset of the recent war in Iran, Europe had been planning to further “punish” Russia by sanctioning this last amount of LNG imports. However Putin has recently commented that in the current situation other markets have opened up and perhaps Russia will just end supplies to Europe now. Add to that Spain has Europe’s largest regasification fleet and is a major hub for American LNG entry into Europe. Sanchez has resisted allowing American use of Spanish military bases, prompting Trump to threaten an embargo, which would throw European natural gas supply into further turmoil. *sigh*!, @whiskybravo, The whole mess is just so friggin' frustrating to think about, to a degree that seems to have no end. *shaking head* I really think I need a vacation. I have no money. So it has to be a cheap vacation solution. I have been thinking about Chernobyl as destination. I have read somewhere that there are lots of free rooms, and it should be good for our pale skin colour upon the Northern European winther. I just vented the idea for the Lady of House after she has arrived home from shopping. First time in a month I have heard her laughter. Edited March 6 by John Hjorth
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 6 Posted March 6 (edited) 8 hours ago, Spekulatius said: Same as the US jet fuel prices making a 44 month high? https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2797249-us-gulf-coast-jet-fuel-prices-at-44-month-high Europe looks much worse re: overall energy. It is highly exposed to the Strait of Hormuz. What is dire is the natural gas situation. Europe is lucky winter is ending, but it is quite comical that they haven't figured out how to make their energy system robust after all this time... Edited March 6 by Dalal.Holdings
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 6 Posted March 6 6 hours ago, whiskybravo said: With those low stocks of European natural gas storage, shutdown of Ras Laffan, and nothing moving through the Stait of Hormuz anyway, Europe’s energy vassal state have all set them up for an significant energy crisis. I hadn’t realized it, but Europe still imports significant amounts of LNG (~15%?) from Russia. Before the onset of the recent war in Iran, Europe had been planning to further “punish” Russia by sanctioning this last amount of LNG imports. However Putin has recently commented that in the current situation other markets have opened up and perhaps Russia will just end supplies to Europe now. Add to that Spain has Europe’s largest regasification fleet and is a major hub for American LNG entry into Europe. Sanchez has resisted allowing American use of Spanish military bases, prompting Trump to threaten an embargo, which would throw European natural gas supply into further turmoil. https://newsletter.doomberg.com/p/no-laffan-matter This is from late January 2026 (just about a month ago): Quote “Today, the 27 EU member states formally adopted the regulation on phasing out Russian imports of both pipeline gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) into the EU. The new rules also include measures on effective monitoring and diversification of energy supply… According to the regulation, importing Russian pipeline gas and LNG into the EU will be prohibited. The ban will start to apply six weeks after the regulation enters into force. Existing contracts will have a transition period. This stepwise approach will limit the impact on prices and markets. A full ban will take effect for LNG imports from the beginning of 2027 and for pipeline gas imports from autumn 2027.” We are 4 years into Russia-Ukraine, over 10 years since Crimea was invaded, and Europeans have yet to figure out a solution to their energy woes... Isn't it crazy that Europeans are still ruled by these people ???
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 6 Posted March 6 https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ursula-von-der-leyen-double-downs-in-face-of-energy-crisis-criticism/ Lol...she's doubling down! Quote At an emergency meeting of commissioners on Friday as energy prices soar, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s top team sought to build support for their energy strategy, which includes replacing imported oil and gas with homegrown green energy. The issue has become a major headache for Brussels, as leaders face rising public anger over high bills and sluggish economic growth. Quote “Developments in the Middle East remind us once again of the risks of relying still too much on fossil fuels,” von der Leyen said in a statement following the session, attended by International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol. Oil and gas prices have jumped sharply in the wake of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Quote According to an internal note drafted by EU competition chief Teresa Ribera, a Spanish socialist, and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, a Danish social democrat, “the recent escalation in the Middle East and the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have had an immediate effect on global energy prices and market volatility.” Quote And yet, the Commission’s strategy remains unchanged despite strikes on Iran sparking supply concerns. The internal note, obtained by POLITICO, focuses on long-standing calls to boost green energy, but also acknowledges that may not be enough and hints at a “bridge solution” to slash bills until the benefits from the clean transition are felt. They have socialists as their "competition chief" drafting notes on this...LMAO. European leaders driving the clown car headed off a cliff. They would make Soviet leaders proud Don't be upset when the "far right" parties take over
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 6 Posted March 6 Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund only going to get bigger...Norwegians winning off the stupidity of the UK/EU Meanwhile, UK decided North Sea was not worth it and taxed North Sea operators into oblivion thanks to environmentalist nutjobs
cubsfan Posted March 6 Posted March 6 27 minutes ago, Dalal.Holdings said: “Developments in the Middle East remind us once again of the risks of relying still too much on fossil fuels,” von der Leyen said in a statement following the session, attended by International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol. Oil and gas prices have jumped sharply in the wake of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Oh my, what a dunce!
Spekulatius Posted March 7 Posted March 7 4 hours ago, cubsfan said: Oh my, what a dunce! Actually relying on fossil fuels is not a great strategy for Europe, because they don’t have enough to become self sufficient. a combo of green energy and nuclear with NG/LNG for peak demand would probably work best long term.
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 7 Posted March 7 When the U.S. said in its strategic review that its European allies were becoming less reliable, they weren’t kidding
Gregmal Posted March 7 Posted March 7 Is it any surprise? In terms of “allies”, Canada at least is like the little brother that in some ways outdoes us on occasion in certain aspects, but follows wisely and knows its place in the pecking order. Europe is like the snobby cousin who’s house is a mess, with failing infrastructure, behind on the mortgage, dressed in designer clothing despite being behind on the high interest credit cards, while always reliable for a lecture that everyone else just rolls their eyes at. Fuck them.
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 7 Posted March 7 1 hour ago, Spekulatius said: Actually relying on fossil fuels is not a great strategy for Europe, because they don’t have enough to become self sufficient. a combo of green energy and nuclear with NG/LNG for peak demand would probably work best long term. This has been the policy of Europe for about 15 years now. How has it worked out? They still need Russian gas. Only Norway is winning because they continued with fossil fuels. The UK also has access to pretty much same resources but squandered it. But the bottom line that the U.S. and China understand and Europe doesn’t is that you need cheap energy to thrive. The European elites frankly don’t care if manufacturing plants in Germany or UK shut down. They are after all “degrowth” socialist environmentalist nutjobs who have brought ruin to everything they touch
Spekulatius Posted March 7 Posted March 7 10 hours ago, Dalal.Holdings said: This has been the policy of Europe for about 15 years now. How has it worked out? They still need Russian gas. Only Norway is winning because they continued with fossil fuels. The UK also has access to pretty much same resources but squandered it. But the bottom line that the U.S. and China understand and Europe doesn’t is that you need cheap energy to thrive. The European elites frankly don’t care if manufacturing plants in Germany or UK shut down. They are after all “degrowth” socialist environmentalist nutjobs who have brought ruin to everything they touch UK’s oil & gas reserves are largely exploited and nowhere near the resources that Norway has. Of course the UK could do more exploration if they had a better tax resume, but it’s not a given that there are going to be many new finds. Also you forgot about the nuclear power part. Europe reduced nuclear power while they should have been increasing it. I think nuclear and green energy and NG/LNG for peak demand should work.
Sweet Posted March 7 Posted March 7 1 hour ago, Spekulatius said: UK’s oil & gas reserves are largely exploited and nowhere near the resources that Norway has. Of course the UK could do more exploration if they had a better tax resume, but it’s not a given that there are going to be many new finds. Also you forgot about the nuclear power part. Europe reduced nuclear power while they should have been increasing it. I think nuclear and green energy and NG/LNG for peak demand should work. Debatable if that’s true. The UK still has a lot, some estimates higher than Norway. Why would you explore or produce in the UK though, not only do you get an higher tax rate than other businesses the government will also periodically hit you with an additional levy if they think they are making too much. They have a theoretical maximum taxation rate of 78%.
Dalal.Holdings Posted March 7 Posted March 7 3 hours ago, Spekulatius said: Also you forgot about the nuclear power part. Europe reduced nuclear power while they should have been increasing it. I think nuclear and green energy and NG/LNG for peak demand should work. Well the problem with nuclear is that the environmentalists are the ones who wanted them shut down. The plants in Germany have been demolished. Now how long does it take to build new nuclear plants in Western countries with huge bureaucracies, strict labor/environmental regs, expensive materials/labor/energy/concrete/etc. Those new nuclear plants will be at least an order of magnitude more expensive and take longer to build than the old plants that were demolished by the Greens. Look at the plants that were built in Southern U.S. that went way over budget and bankrupted Westinghouse. In Europe, it will be even worse to build new nuclear plants. The great irony is that the French (or all people) have been great with nuclear energy while the Germans and British screwed up royally.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now