Bild: Alice went to her death together with her sick sister / Alice ging für kranke Schwester mit in den Tod
FAZ: Rubio announces changes to the Ukraine peace plan / Rubio kündigt Änderungen am Ukraine-Friedensplan an
Funke: Berlin SPD leaders resign – Steffen Krach is now expected to take over / Berliner SPD-Chefs treten zurück – Steffen Krach soll nun übernehmen
Handelsblatt: The pension rebellion of the economists / Der Renten-Aufstand der Ökonomen
RND: G20 summit in Johannesburg: In Africa, it’s about Europe’s future / G20-Gipfel in Johannesburg: In Afrika geht es um die Zukunft Europas
SZ: USA modify Ukraine plan / USA ändern Ukraine-Plan
Tagesspiegel: Earthquake in Berlin’s SPD: State leaders Hikel and Böcker-Giannini step down / Beben in der Hauptstadt-SPD: Landeschefs Hikel und Böcker-Giannini werfen hin
taz: COP pain from Belém / COP-Schmerzen von Belém
Welt: Confusion over the plan to stop the Ukraine war / Verwirrung über Plan zum Stopp des Ukraine-Krieges
UKRAINE
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined adjustments to the US peace plan during talks in Geneva: Rubio spoke of enormous progress at a joint press conference with Ukraine’s negotiator Andriy Yermak. Yermak expressed optimism and thanked US President Donald Trump for his commitment. Rubio announced a revised version of the US peace plan based on broad involvement of all negotiating partners. Contentious issues such as security guarantees, the future role of the EU and NATO, and key Russian demands remain under negotiation but are said to be „surmountable.“ Representatives of European states are also present in Geneva. The goal is an agreement before Thursday; the presidents of both states would have to approve it. zeit.de, faz.net, tagesschau.de, handelsblatt.com, zdfheute.de
- US President Donald Trump said his Ukraine plan was negotiable and not a final offer, softening his previous ultimatum. Within the Republican Party, criticism of Trump’s Ukraine policy is growing, along with calls for tougher sanctions against Russia.
- According to Ukraine’s Security Council chief Rustem Umerov, the new version of the US peace plan now includes core Ukrainian priorities. „The current version of the document—although still in the final approval phase—already reflects most of Ukraine’s key priorities,“ Umerov says.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees the talks with the US in Geneva positively; the US side is taking Ukraine’s concerns into account. Work continues to „finally end the bloodshed and the war.“
- Zelensky has thanked the US, especially President Donald Trump, and the G7 and G20 countries for their help in efforts to end the war. Trump had accused Ukraine of lacking gratitude. According to insiders, Zelensky may travel to Washington in the coming days to discuss the most critical points of the proposed peace plan with Trump.
- A European counter-proposal would limit Ukraine’s peacetime troop strength to 800,000 soldiers and make NATO accession dependent on unanimous agreement of all members. Permanent stationing of NATO troops in Ukraine is ruled out; air bases are to remain in Poland.
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stresses that European support for the US peace plan depends on Ukraine being militarily secured as a sovereign nation and that border changes through force are excluded. The EU claims a central role in securing peace.
- In an open letter, 47 parliamentarians from Europe urge US President Donald Trump not to yield to Russian aggression. They argue that any appeasement of Russia is morally wrong and undermines shared values. They warn that a „cowed America“ would be a threat to the free world.
- Zelensky calls for strengthening Ukraine’s air defence: alongside diplomatic efforts, protecting the country from Russian attacks must be prioritised. Speeding up the agreed deliveries of air-defence systems and missiles is essential. Zelensky stresses that Ukraine must continue to expand its defence capabilities to secure both its negotiating position and its safety. swissinfo.ch, orf.at
Russian drone attacks on the industrial city of Dnipro set residential buildings on fire on Sunday, injuring at least 15 people, including an eleven-year-old girl. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were killed in attacks on Marhanets, while shelling in Zaporizhzhia injured six residents. - Russian drone attacks on Kharkiv on Saturday killed at least three people and injured 15 when a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district was hit.
PENSION DEBATE
CSU leader Markus Söder warns against a confidence vote in the pension dispute: Considerations by Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding such a vote were clearly rejected by Söder on ARD. Such a step would not create unity but usually signals imminent crises. Söder also spoke out against speculation about a possible minority government and warned against new elections. He called for willingness to compromise—including from the SPD and older CDU/CSU members.tagesschau.de, welt.de
- Despite differences, Chancellor Friedrich Merz expects the coalition to reach an agreement. The burden on younger generations after 2031 would be an unresolved problem, he said on RTL/ntv. He referred to intensive talks and assumes a solution will be reached shortly.
- Parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn urges unity within the CDU/CSU, while noting that stable pensions are central for the SPD. He sees a collapse of the coalition as a threat to the government’s ability to act, despite sympathy for the concerns of younger MPs.
- More than 20 renowned economists and scholars are calling for a complete halt of the pension package. They criticize in particular the pension-level guarantees and the expansion of the maternity pension as a heavy burden on public finances. Signatories include members of the Council of Economic Experts and other leading pension and economic specialists.
- The Greens present their own reform paper, calling for stabilizing pension levels at an average of 48 percent of wages while easing the burden on younger people. They want to include civil servants and advocate for using capital markets. Early retirement and the pension at 63 should be restricted. The Greens will not support the coalition’s pension package in the Bundestag.
BamS Sunday Trend by Insa: CDU/CSU 25 percent, AfD 26 percent, SPD 15 percent, Greens 11 percent, Left Party 10 percent (-1), BSW 4 percent, FDP 3 percent, Others 6 percent. bild.de
ZDF Politbarometer by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen: CDU/CSU 27 percent (+1), AfD 27 percent (+1), SPD 14 percent, Greens 12 percent, Left Party 9 percent (-1), Others 11 percent. zdf.de
CSU wants a significant expansion of deportations: CSU leader Markus Söder announced a „deportation offensive“ for next year and reaffirmed plans for a separate deportation terminal at Munich Airport. At the same time, he argued that migrants with a residence permit should be allowed to work immediately. The CSU is also calling for the abolition of the electricity tax and an end to the Building Energy Act. . br.de, t-online.de
Number of deportations rises significantly: In the first ten months of the year, deportations increased by 18 percent. According to the Interior Ministry, 19,538 people were returned to their home countries between January and October, compared to 16,563 in the same period in 2024. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt reiterated his intention to continue this course, calling it a matter of control and a clear line in migration policy. . n-tv.de
Increase in domestic and gender-based violence: According to the BKA, the number of registered victims of domestic violence rose to nearly 266,000 last year—a 3.8 percent increase on the previous year and 17.8 percent over five years. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said these were predominantly cases of partner violence, mostly affecting women. The BKA also recorded more sexual offences, human trafficking cases and digital violence targeting women in 2024. spiegel.de
Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder is examining income-based e-car leasing: In the NOZ, Schnieder proposed a „social leasing“ model for electric cars. The income-based subsidy would become an additional option within the government’s e-mobility funding. He pointed to France as a possible model, where the state covers up to 27 percent of the vehicle price and caps monthly payments at 200 euros. spiegel.de
Federal Council gives green light for the Deutschlandticket: The Bundesrat has halted the law passed by the Bundestag to stabilise health insurance contributions and referred it to the mediation committee. The plan includes savings of around two billion euros and cost reductions in hospitals. At the same time, the Bundesrat approved continued funding for the Deutschlandticket until 2030, with its price rising to 63 euros at the turn of the year. It also passed relief measures for households and businesses on energy prices, new rules for returning old electrical devices, and gave approval for CO2 storage under the seabed. The higher social-security contribution ceilings were also approved. welt.de
Former President Christian Wulff calls for distancing from Merz’s cityscape remark: Wulff described the wording as „absolutely unfortunate.“ Merz had said in October that problems in the cityscape were still linked to migration policy. Wulff warned in the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung that the impression that societal problems could be solved through deportations was dangerous. He urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz to withdraw the remark. noz.de, welt.de, spiegel.de
Other reports:
- State construction ministers want to slow down EU regulation in housing construction.
- Health Minister Nina Warken proposes a specialist doctor fee.
- FDP defence politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann says women should also be conscripted; no reason to exclude half the population.
- North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister-President Hendrik Wüst calls for major state reform: „a liberation for the economy and administration.“
- Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer: „The gravity of the situation has not yet reached political Berlin.“
- Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a parliamentary inquiry in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: the long refusal to build LNG terminals was a mistake.
- Government announces ban on disposable e-cigarettes.
- Foam in car exhausts: sabotage series aimed at influencing the federal election.
- Federal anti-discrimination commissioner calls for longer complaint deadlines.
- Catholic bishops and lay representatives agree on a national church body.
Berlin SPD leadership resigns after internal opposition: Nicola Böcker-Giannini and Martin Hikel will step down at the end of the month. Both said they no longer had sufficient support within the party. Böcker-Giannini recently failed in her attempt to secure a spot on the state list for the 2026 parliamentary election in Reinickendorf, while Hikel received only 69 percent support for his re-election bid as Neukölln district mayor and considered this too low. The state executive unanimously proposed Steffen Krach, the party’s lead candidate for the 2026 state election, as the new state chair. tagesspiegel.de, n-tv.de, welt.de
Schleswig-Holstein’s CDU leader Daniel Günther re-elected: He was confirmed with 203 out of 215 votes at the CDU state convention in Neumünster. Günther, who has led the state association since 2016, called the roughly 95 percent result overwhelming. He announced he would again run as the CDU’s top candidate in the 2027 state election. zeit.de, ndr.de
Other news:
- Bavaria: Sculpture in Bayreuth defaced with a swastika.
- Berlin: Election campaigning at TU Berlin – a lesson in power and the defence of science.
- Saxony: Investigation after riots in Leipzig’s Connewitz district for breach of the peace; an allegedly left-wing extremist group set up and burned barricades in several locations.
- Lower Saxony: Interior Minister Daniela Behrens wants to fire police officers over racist chats; trivialising Nazis.
- Brandenburg: SPD candidate wins mayoral runoff in Brandenburg an der Havel against CDU candidate.
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Prosecutors investigate a 100-year-old former Nazi guard.
COP30
Fossil phaseout remains voluntary: The global climate conference ended without an agreement on a binding phaseout of coal, oil and gas. Instead, the roughly 200 participating countries agreed only on voluntary measures for more climate protection. Financial aid for poorer countries is to be expanded to help them cope with the impacts of climate change. China, India and Saudi Arabia blocked binding commitments, while host Brazil and Germany pushed for clear pledges.spiegel.de, tagesschau.de, handelsblatt.com, zdfheute.de, sueddeutsche.de
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres sees progress but warns of dangerous gaps in global climate protection and insufficient measures to prevent further temperature increases and tipping points.
- UBA president Dirk Messner criticises the absence of a clear political statement and timetable for phasing out fossil fuels. He calls on the more than 80 willing states to ally frontrunners.
- Environmental groups reacted with clear disappointment. Greenpeace called the outcome a major disappointment, the WWF said it was a missed opportunity for more effective climate action.
- Environment Minister Carsten Schneider expressed dissatisfaction with the summit results, accusing oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and India of blocking the negotiations.
EUROPE + WORLD
G20 summit shows willingness for multilateral coordination: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa drew a positive conclusion despite high-profile absences. Leaders agreed in their final declaration to mobilise more funds for climate protection and assist developing countries with debt relief. Access to new loans for poorer nations is to be eased. Despite the absence of US President Donald Trump, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, Ramaphosa viewed the summit positively.
The G20 states adopted a unanimous declaration committing to the UN Charter and human rights, without naming Russia or Vladimir Putin. They call on states to refrain from the threat or use of force to assert territorial claims.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the US boycotting of the G20 summit as a strategic mistake, saying the meeting showed that the global order is visibly shifting and that Germany’s presence was important.
- EU Council President António Costa called for relief for heavily indebted states, noting that some spend more on interest payments than on health or education, blocking future investment. He criticised the unequal burden-sharing in development aid; the EU provides around 40 percent of global development assistance.
- On the final day, participants discussed securing critical raw materials and the handling of artificial intelligence. States agreed to support the exploration of rare minerals, especially in developing countries.
- Between South Africa and the USA: uproar over the handover of the G20 presidency.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejects readmitting Russia to the G8: there is no willingness among G7 members—apparently with the exception of the USA—to readmit Moscow. Expansion is only possible with consensus among all members. French President Emmanuel Macron had already expressed the same view. US President
- Donald Trump had proposed Russia’s return to the G8 as part of his Ukraine peace plan.
- EPP leader Manfred Weber pushes for an independent European security architecture, calling for the EU to be built into a European NATO because Europe can no longer rely fully on the United States. He describes the current situation as „historic moments“ concerning not only Ukraine but the security of all of Europe.
Consumer advocates warn of fraud traps in online retail: Ahead of Black Friday, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Consumer Protection Minister Anne Bernhardt warns of an increase in fake online shops that increasingly resemble legitimate providers. Customers should be especially cautious with unusually cheap offers and foreign sellers outside the EU.
- DHL phishing during the peak season of online retail.
Other news:
- Monopolies Commission sees an increase in market power among retailers and manufacturers.
- Germany: Number of collective bargaining agreements is falling; only every second employee still works under one.
- Federal Network Agency threatens Deutsche Post with heavy fines.
- Mobility study: the car is the most important means of transport in Germany.
- Court documents reveal internal information: Meta is said to have covered up a study on psychological harm.
- Arab state-owned company Adnoc receives approval from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to take over chemical company Covestro.
If you’ve opened your inbox this morning, you probably noticed it: Black Friday has begun — in every corner of the Internet. But while everyone is hunting for deals, scammers are hunting for… well, you. Fake shops are getting so realistic that even seasoned online shoppers blink twice.
Germany’s consumer watchdogs say: if the price looks like a miracle, it’s probably more of a mystery. And remember — that “DHL delivery problem” email you just got? It’s not your package. It’s a phishing rod.
So here’s your German-life wisdom of the day:
Trust your instincts, not the 70%-off toaster.