Bild: How dangerous the flu really is for our heart / So gefährlich ist Grippe wirklich für unser Herz
FAZ: Trump wants to continue airstrikes without Congress approval / Trump will Luftangriffe ohne Billigung des Kongresses fortsetzen
Funke: Berlin plans 30 new refugee shelters / Berlin plant 30 neue Flüchtlingsunterkünfte
Handelsblatt: Risky investments / Gewagte Investitionen
RND: New start-ups and insolvencies on the rise: How Germany’s start-up scene is doing / Neugründungen und Insolvenzen steigen an: So geht es der deutschen Start-up-Szene
SZ: Coalition wants to work its way out of the crisis / Koalition will sich aus der Krise arbeiten
Tagesspiegel: Possible terror plot: Police arrest Syrian in Berlin on terrorism suspicion / Möglicher Anschlagsplan: Polizei nimmt Syrer wegen Terrorverdachts in Berlin fest
taz: Blow against international law (Western Sahara) / Schlag gegen Völkerrecht (Westsahara)
Welt: Coalition divided over deportations to Syria / Koalition uneins über Abschiebungen nach Syrien
Airstrike in the Gaza Strip: According to Palestinian sources, a man was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army confirmed the operation, saying that a militant fighter had been eliminated as a threat to its own troops. A hospital in Gaza City reported the death. The ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas remains fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations. spiegel.de, n-tv.de
- As part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Israel has handed over the bodies of 30 Palestinians to the Gaza Strip. The handover is considered part of the ongoing agreement on the exchange of dead bodies and hostages, whose implementation continues to stall.
- According to the Red Cross, Hamas handed over three coffins with human remains to Israel on Sunday evening. According to the Islamists, the bodies belonged to hostages; the Israeli army is forensically verifying their identities.. tagesspiegel.de
- Investigations by the Israeli army have shown that the three bodies handed over from Gaza on Friday do not belong to missing hostages.
- Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking at a security conference in Bahrain, called for a UN mandate for an international force in the Gaza Strip. The goal, he said, is to turn the ceasefire into lasting peace; support came from, among others, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
- Foreign ministers of Muslim countries are meeting on Monday to discuss the U.S. peace plan for the Gaza Strip. Expected participants include the foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
- After talks in Tel Aviv, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced plans to ease travel warnings for Israel. Wadephul was received by his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, in Saar’s private home. He justified the move with increased trust in the peace process and the desire to foster personal exchange again.
- Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is also advocating for a new UN mission off the Lebanese coast: to ensure regional stability, he wants to push for a follow-up to the UN observer mission UNIFIL. Stability in the region, he said during a visit to the German Navy frigate „Sachsen-Anhalt,“ which patrols the sea area off Lebanon under the UN mandate, is a prerequisite for Europe’s security. After talks in Beirut, he stressed that the Lebanese government had explicitly requested continued international involvement.
UKRAINE
Germany strengthens Ukraine’s Patriot air defense shield: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in his evening address that new Patriot systems had been deployed but gave no details about their number or origin. Germany had promised to deliver two additional systems in the summer. With this step, the agreements have been implemented, said Zelensky, who explicitly praised Germany and Chancellor Friedrich Merz for their contribution. At the same time, he warned that his country still needs more defense systems to protect against Russian attacks. spiegel.de, n-tv.de
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov currently sees no need for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moscow stresses the need for careful negotiations toward a peace settlement after Trump postponed the meeting and imposed new sanctions on Russian oil companies. tagesspiegel.de
- According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia has fired thousands of drones, bombs, and missiles at Ukraine within a week. The attacks targeted residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and energy supplies. Zelensky thanked all foreign partners helping to protect the energy system.
Zelensky said Russia is intensifying its airstrikes. In the past week alone, almost 1,500 combat drones, 1,170 guided bombs, and more than 70 missiles were used. The attacks deliberately target civilian sites and energy infrastructure. Kyiv is stepping up efforts to secure electricity supply for the winter. - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to seek U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval for further energy imports from Russia during their upcoming meeting. A policy shift by Budapest appears unlikely, given its close economic and political ties to Moscow, even though alternatives such as oil via Croatia and liquefied natural gas via Poland exist.
BamS Sunday trend by Insa: CDU/CSU 25 percent (+1), AfD 26 percent, SPD 15 percent, Greens 11 percent, Left 11 percent, BSW 4 percent, FDP 3 percent (-1), Others 5 percent. bild.de
Sharp decline in asylum applications continues: According to the Interior Ministry, the number of first-time applications fell by more than half between January and October compared with the previous year. A total of 97,277 first-time applications were submitted so far, down from 199,947 in the same period last year. The ministry sees this as a continued trend of sharply declining numbers, attributing it to the federal government’s migration policy measures. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that the reforms initiated were showing results. tagesspiegel.de, handelsblatt.com
No easing of the travel ban for Syrians: The Interior Ministry is maintaining its policy that Syrian refugees lose their protected status if they travel to their home country. A planned rule change to prepare for possible return trips will not be implemented; instead, affected persons will be able to seek counseling in Germany. Syrian refugees are therefore still only allowed to travel to their home country with an exceptional permit, for example, if a close relative is dying.
- CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann calls the discussion about deportations to Syria a „pseudo-debate.“ welt.de
President of the German Association of Cities, Burkhard Jung, is calling for welfare state reform and stronger municipal funding: Cities and municipalities must handle a quarter of all state tasks but receive only one-seventh of tax revenues, Jung told Deutschlandfunk. He said that long-term care insurance is placing a heavy burden on municipal social budgets because authorities are increasingly having to step in for people in need. Jung sees this as a systemic flaw and argues for higher personal contributions to insurance benefits and an adjustment of family income limits. Unfortunately, he said, the black-red coalition has so far lacked the courage to act. deutschlandfunk.de
- Saarland’s Minister-President Anke Rehlinger has called on the federal government to present proposals for fairer financial distribution to the states and municipalities by December 4.
Bavaria pushes for crisis preparedness in hospitals: Health Minister Judith Gerlach believes hospitals and clinics in Germany are insufficiently prepared for crises and a possible NATO defense scenario. She is calling for a federal-state summit, as reported by the *Augsburger Allgemeine*. According to a study by the German Hospital Federation, up to 15 billion euros would be needed to adapt hospital structures to such a scenario. augsburger-allgemeine.de, br.de
Health insurance funds warn of higher contributions: Despite the government’s savings package, contribution increases could average more than three percent in 2026. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds points to additional financial needs, while the government hopes to slow contribution growth through cuts in the hospital sector. The cabinet has adopted a savings package worth two billion euros to stabilize the average additional contribution rate at the current level of 2.9 percent. welt.de
Higher nursing wages burden nursing home residents: The average hourly wage for caregivers has risen by 4.9 percent to 23.70 euros, according to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds. This increases the personal contributions of care-dependent residents by around 100 euros per month on average. Association head Oliver Blatt called on politicians to take measures to limit the rising costs for nursing home residents. ariva.de
Berlin sees signs of easing in the chip dispute with China: The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has indicated that it may grant export licenses for Nexperia chips if companies meet certain criteria. Previously, the Dutch government had placed the Chinese-controlled semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia under state supervision, which led to Chinese export restrictions. Berlin now hopes for stabilization of supply chains that are critical to the European automotive and mechanical engineering industries. n-tv.de
Other reports:
- Chief of Defense Carsten Breuer rejects random conscription by lottery: „What matters is that the entire age group is examined.“
- The government expects a 3.73 percent pension increase in 2026.
- CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann calls for EU import tariffs on Chinese steel.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz announces a „steel summit“ for November .
- Employers’ associations call for dropping the planned mothers’ pension.
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig welcomes the halt to chat control.
- After the end of chat control plans, the German Association of Judges calls for mandatory IP data retention.
- Bavaria’s CSU Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann: „Crime doesn’t just disappear through deportations.“
- Queer Commissioner Sophie Koch considers the Self-Determination Act a success one year after its introduction.
- The Friedrich Loeffler Institute does not expect the current bird flu wave to subside quickly.
- WLAN setback: The government plans to allocate the upper 6 GHz band to mobile communications.
Arrest in Berlin over suspected terror plot: Police have arrested a 22-year-old Syrian who, according to prosecutors, was allegedly preparing a jihadist-motivated attack. He is accused of preparing a serious crime endangering the state. According to ARD information, a warrant for his arrest has been issued. During the raid by a special operations unit in Neukölln, officers seized materials believed to be suitable for building explosives. Details about the possible target and timing of the attack are not yet known. tagesspiegel.de, zdfheute.de, n-tv.de
Other news:
- Bavaria: Victims of sexual violence can confidentially and free of charge have evidence preserved from November.
- Brandenburg: Police investigate drone sighting at BER airport.
- Berlin: State parliament passes tree protection law.
- Bremen: Air traffic was briefly suspended due to a drone at the airport.
- Baden-Württemberg: Defendant in Mannheim car attack case speaks through lawyer at trial opening; deliberately drove into people to kill them.
- Hesse: Tap water in Wiesbaden must still be boiled.
- Berlin: In Putin’s house on Friedrichstraße, sanctions are being ignored.
EU seeks compromise with China in dispute over rare earths and semiconductors: Talks between the EU Commission and Chinese representatives have begun in Brussels. The EU aims to ease export controls imposed by Beijing in the technology and raw materials sector and to lift the export ban on processed products from the Dutch chipmaker Nexperia. The background is the tightened measures introduced by the Chinese government in early October, which have put pressure on both Washington and Brussels.
Migrants in Europe are committed to democratic values: According to a study by the University of Mannheim, people with a migration background largely share the democratic core values of their native-born fellow citizens. Support for liberal-democratic principles increases with the length of stay in Europe. Differences appear mainly among immigrants from authoritarian countries, whose understanding of values is initially more influenced by their countries of origin. Overall, the results suggest successful political integration over time. n-tv.de
Other reports:
- War in Ukraine: Europe must find its own diplomatic path.
- Digital euro: EU Parliament negotiator opposes online use.
- Pressure from Brussels: Swiss universities must lower fees for EU students.
Tens of thousands commemorate victims of Novi Sad tragedy: Many traveled from various parts of Serbia, some on foot, to lay flowers at the train station. The collapse, which occurred despite years of renovation work, sparked nationwide outrage over government mismanagement and corruption. The protests continue to this day, driven mainly by young people, while the government has been cracking down on demonstrators, at times with violence. Hundreds of arrests occur repeatedly. tagesschau.de, srf.ch
Federal Network Agency threatens Deutsche Post with fines over high number of complaints: By August, the agency had registered more than 38,000 submissions, around 40 percent more than in the same period last year. Agency head Klaus Müller announced that if there is no improvement, coercive fines would be imposed; legally, up to ten million euros are possible. The Post cites staff shortages and a strained operational situation. Müller emphasized that customers have the right to reliable delivery—especially following the recent postage increase. n-tv.de
Germany lacks 2.5 million accessible apartments. Despite an aging population, the federal government ended its main renovation funding program due to budget cuts. Only about one million apartments are fully accessible, far below the 3.5 million needed. The Greens call the decision a mistake, warning it will strain the care system. Experts criticize missing data, weak standards, and the lack of a national accessibility strategy. zeit.de
Germany’s startup scene is growing and shrinking at once: new companies are being founded at record rates, while many are shutting down. AI is driving the boom — especially in software, where small teams can achieve big profits. Bavaria has now overtaken Berlin in the number of active startups, with cities like Heilbronn emerging as AI hubs. Yet economic uncertainty, investor caution, and heavy bureaucracy are forcing many young firms to close. Experts predict a leaner but stronger startup landscape by 2030, if Germany reduces red tape and changes its attitude toward failure. itboltwise.de
Other news:
- Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel calls for longer working lives: „We have to be honest with ourselves.“
- Economic survey: One in three companies plans to cut jobs.
- Too many tanks: Helsing CEO Gundbert Scherf criticizes misguided defense priorities.
- Oil cartel OPEC+ plans further production increase by the end of the year.
- Thyssenkrupp parts ways with Dennis Grimm, head of its steel division.
- No strike at Lufthansa for now; pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit will give the airline time to improve its offer.
- Italy’s state railway plans to enter the German market.
- Number of children under school age in daycare has fallen for the first time in almost 20 years.
- Last of five missing German climbers recovered dead in South Tyrol.
Cultural news:
- Wilhelm Raabe Literature Prize goes to German-Swiss author Jonas Lüscher.
- Writer Ursula Krechel accepts the Georg Büchner Prize.
Wahlheymat is a Berlin-based, community-driven grassroots initiative launched on the International Day of Democracy. Rooted in the belief that inclusivity is the foundation of coexistence, it brings together locals, newcomers, and citizens to co-create and co-own a more vibrant, democratic Berlin—one where diverse identities, traditions, and values are actively recognized and celebrated.
As the days grow darker, Germany’s children grab lanterns and hit the streets for Sankt Martin (November 11). The festival honors a Roman soldier who famously cut his cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar — a timeless lesson in sharing that now involves glowing parades, paper lanterns, and plenty of Weckmänner (sweet bread men). Just be warned: if you join in, you’ll likely end up humming „Laterne, Laterne…“ for the rest of the night.