Bild: These saving strategies really pay off / Diese Spar-Strategien lohnen wirklich
FAZ: Mayors warn of municipal financial collapse / Oberbürgermeister warnen vor kommunalem Finanzkollaps
Funke: Prices for furnished apartments in Berlin are exploding / Preise für möblierte Wohnungen in Berlin explodieren
Handelsblatt: Farewell to Microsoft / Abschied von Microsoft
RND: Xi and Trump in South Korea: Not welcome by many / Xi und Trump in Südkorea: Für viele nicht willkommen
SZ: Fragile ceasefire in the Middle East / Brüchige Waffenruhe in Nahost
Tagesspiegel: Conservative politicians question dual citizenship – resistance from SPD / Unionspolitiker stellen doppelte Staatsbürgerschaft infrage – Widerstand aus der SPD
taz: Building on occupation / Bauen auf Besatzung
Welt: Confidence at Mercedes despite profit slump / Zuversicht bei Mercedes trotz Gewinneinbruch
Israel reinstates ceasefire in Gaza after massive airstrikes: Following airstrikes targeting suspected command structures of armed groups in Gaza, the Israeli army announced it would again adhere to the US-brokered ceasefire. At least 30 senior members of terrorist organizations were attacked on Tuesday. The military described the strikes as a response to Hamas violations of the agreed truce. tagesschau.de
- Despite the renewed ceasefire, Israeli forces bombed targets in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, hitting a Hamas weapons depot. The army claimed imminent attacks on soldiers were being planned from there. According to Hamas, more than 100 people were killed in the strikes.
- The UN accuses Israel of continuing to obstruct aid deliveries. Due to rerouting and overloaded supply routes, less than half of the usual aid shipments currently reach Gaza. The Israeli-designated route for convoys was said to be unsuitable for large volumes of goods.
- Israel bans Red Cross visits to Palestinian prisoners, citing security concerns. Those affected include members of a Hamas unit allegedly involved in the October 7, 2023 attack.
- Qatar urges Hamas to disarm: Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani called the latest escalation „frustrating“ and announced efforts to push Hamas toward disarmament. He said Hamas was prepared to relinquish control over Gaza.
- Germany calls for observance of the ceasefire amid renewed violence. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Hamas to disarm and appealed to Israel for restraint. UN human rights chief Volker Türk also warned of further escalation.
- Education Minister Karin Prien accuses German media of one-sided coverage of the Gaza war, citing widespread „reversal of perpetrator and victim roles“ and claiming the Israeli perspective is largely missing in German reporting.
UKRAINE
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says US sanctions against Russian oil exports are starting to have an effect: In his evening address, Zelensky announced he would await an intelligence report on the economic impact but said initial data indicated positive results. Russia must end the war, he warned, or face further restrictions on its oil exports.
- US intelligence sees no sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate. According to NBC News, Putin remains „more determined than ever“ to continue the war, aiming to expand territorial control and secure Russia’s influence despite heavy losses.
- Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev expressed optimism in Riyadh that the war could end within a year. After talks with US officials, he claimed both sides were close to a diplomatic solution and that Russia saw itself as a driving force for peace.
- Germany is considering nationalizing Rosneft’s German subsidiaries in response to US sanctions against the Russian oil giant. Alternatives include a sale or a permanent exemption from the sanctions. Russian media value Rosneft’s German assets at around $7 billion, though the actual figure is likely much lower. (faz.net)
Satisfaction declines in the second generation: descendants of immigrants are less satisfied than immigrants themselves: A new study by the Federal Institute for Population Research shows that second-generation migrants in Germany are less satisfied with their lives than those who immigrated themselves. While 22.1% of first-generation immigrants described themselves as very satisfied, only 14.9% of their children did. On a 0–10 scale, the first generation averaged 7.1 points compared to 6.8 for the second. Overall life satisfaction among people without a migration background was also 7.1 — close to pre-pandemic levels. Researchers link the general improvement to the end of COVID restrictions, adjustment to the war in Ukraine, and lower inflation since mid-2023. Tagesspiegel.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz aims to make Germany a global technology leader: In Berlin, Merz presented the government’s new high-tech agenda, designed to position Germany as a leading hub for emerging technologies. The program focuses on six key areas: artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, microelectronics, biotechnology, fusion, and climate-neutral energy and mobility. Merz called for close cooperation between business and science to accelerate innovation, warning that Europe must not become dependent on the US and China for future technologies. faz.net
Cabinet approves gradual minimum wage increase: Starting January 2026, the minimum wage will rise from €12.82 to €13.90 per hour, followed by another increase to €14.60 at the start of 2027. The decision follows a recommendation by the independent Minimum Wage Commission, which includes employer and employee representatives. Labor Minister Bärbel Bas called the nearly 14% increase an important step toward greater social justice and recognition for workers.rnd.de, zdfheute.de
- Biological fathers to be granted more rights: Under a new bill, biological fathers will be able to acknowledge paternity without a court procedure, even if the mother is married to another man. The proposal also allows them to contest another man’s legal paternity if no social-family relationship exists. lto.de
- Cabinet passes Data Act implementation law: Germany has approved the national implementation of the EU regulation to improve the use of data from connected devices. The law will grant companies and consumers access to device-generated data, enabling startups to develop new digital business models. stern.de
Federal states call for clearer e-mobility rules: Baden-Württemberg is demanding more transparency on electricity prices at public charging stations and criticizing high surcharges for non-customers, saying prices should be as easy to understand as at petrol stations. Alongside Bavaria, Berlin, Hamburg, and Baden-Württemberg, the state also advocates for wider use of autonomous driving in public transport and freight to strengthen Europe’s technological independence. Plans also include boosting pedestrian infrastructure through additional funding and better facilities. The transport ministers’ conference agenda also includes distribution of the infrastructure fund and driver’s license costs. swr.de, inforadio.de
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Jordan to discuss Gaza peace plan implementation: At the start of his Middle East trip, Wadephul said Germany and its partners would examine how to concretely support the next steps of the plan. Jordan, he noted, has become a key hub for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Germany pledged continued support to Amman. n-tv.de
SPD rejects conservative push to abolish dual citizenship. SPD domestic policy spokesman Sebastian Fiedler called it a “success model” for immigration countries like Germany and Canada, pointing out that the coalition recently reaffirmed its commitment to it. His remarks came after CSU politician Stephan Mayer questioned whether Germany could still “afford” dual citizenship. The AfD also supports restricting it and urged the Union to work with them on the issue. zdfheute.de
OTHER NEWS
- Protectionism in defense policy slows down the Bundeswehr. handelsblatt.com
- Saxony-Anhalt’s CDU leader Sven Schulze calls for mandatory work for asylum seekers. n-tv.de
- CDA leader Dennis Radtke warns SPD of internal rebellion over citizen benefit reform. welt.de
- 22,000 people have changed their legal gender since the Self-Determination Act took effect. n-tv.de
- New medical registry law aims to simplify access to health data.heise.de
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig tempers expectations for a femicide law. spiegel.de
Saxon parliament narrowly approves reform of public broadcasting: With votes from the CDU, SPD, Greens, and Left Party, Saxony has become the 13th of 16 German states to ratify the reform treaty. The agreement aims to make public broadcasters leaner and more digital, reducing the number of TV and radio programs while increasing cooperation between stations. If all states approve it on time, the reform could take effect in early December. (dwdl.de, handelsblatt.com)
Other Germany news:
- Bavaria: RWE begins symbolic construction of Germany’s largest battery storage facility in Gundremmingen. (stern.de)
- Rhineland-Palatinate: Bad Dürkheim district council rejects AfD motion to grant honorary citizenship to former US President Donald Trump. (echo-online.de)
- Hesse: Opposition rejects findings of inquiry committee on dismissal of State Secretary Lamia Messari-Becker. (hessenschau.de)
- Saxony: Justice Minister Constanze Geiert wants stronger measures against urban crime. (lvz.de)
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Despite serious allegations, Klaus Esser remains in the AfD. (wdr.de)
- NRW: Iris Stalzer sworn in as mayor of Herdecke after violent attack. (rnd.de)
- Thuringia: State parliament approves municipal mergers. (n-tv.de)
- Schleswig-Holstein: Norderstedt town hall to host AfD event with Erika Steinbach; police on alert. (abendblatt.de)
- Hesse: Frankfurt am Main to bid for the 2040 Federal Garden Show. (faz.net)
- Bavaria: Police officer loses civil servant status after public criticism of COVID policies. (br.de)
US withdraws hundreds of troops from Romania: Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu said the move affects the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base on the Black Sea, which will be developed into a central military hub. The number of US troops at two other bases will remain unchanged. The withdrawal is part of President Donald Trump’s strategic shift toward other regions, though US European Command reaffirmed NATO solidarity. (rnd.de, n-tv.de)
Other international news:
- US tech giants spend €151 million on EU lobbying. (faz.net)
- EU–India trade deal nearing completion. (diepresse.com)
- EU Parliament frustrates Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chancellor Friedrich Merz by blocking bureaucracy cuts and budget reforms. (handelsblatt.com)
- Switzerland joins new EU sanctions against Russia. (nau.ch)
Around 72,000 people in Germany were uninsured in 2023, according to new data from the Federal Statistical Office — less than 0.1% of the population. About 61% were men, and three-quarters were non-working individuals, such as retirees or students over 26. Another 198,000 people were not formally insured but had access to healthcare benefits, including asylum seekers and social welfare recipients. The figures are based on the Microcensus, an annual survey covering about 1% of Germany’s population. (tagesschau.de)
Other economic news:
- Survey: AfD supporters less concerned about right-wing extremism in schools. (stern.de)
- Study confirms long-term climate benefits of electric vehicles. (heise.de)Microsoft cloud outage disrupts websites. (handelsblatt.com)
- Microsoft reports strong revenue and profit growth. (tagesspiegel.de)
- Google parent company posts one-third profit increase despite EU fine. (tagesspiegel.de)
- Employers want to end free co-insurance for spouses. (n-tv.de)
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in Berlin. Every year from October 31 to November 2, families in Mexico gather to honor their departed loved ones with altars adorned with flowers, candles, and favorite foods — a joyful remembrance known as Día de Muertos. Rooted in ancient indigenous beliefs and enriched by Catholic tradition, the celebration sees death not as an end, but as part of life’s natural cycle.
The Embassy of Mexico in Germany invites you to the inauguration of its traditional Day of the Dead altar — a space of color, memory, and culture.
- Friday, October 31 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Embassy of Mexico, Klingelhöferstr. 3, 10785 Berlin
Come experience one of Mexico’s most beautiful traditions, recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
If you’ve ever clinked glasses in Germany, you’ve probably noticed—you must make eye contact. Failing to do so isn’t just impolite; it’s said to bring seven years of bad luck in love. The ritual is almost sacred: raise your glass, look each person in the eye, say „Prost!“, and only then take a sip. Germans take this tradition seriously—it’s about respect, connection, and perhaps a tiny bit of superstition. So next time you toast, remember: eyes first, drink second!