Bild: Suddenly broke! | Plötzlich pleite!
FAZ: Hundreds dead in Gaza after massive Israeli air strikes | Hunderte Tote in Gaza nach massiven Luftangriffen Israels
Funke: CDU wants to reintroduce misallocation tax for social housing | CDU will Fehlbelegungsabgabe für Sozialwohnungen wieder einführen
Handelsblatt: Fresh start for the energy transition | Neustart der Energiewende
RND: Fleeing via the Canary Islands: Why the world’s deadliest route is still popular | Flucht über die Kanaren: Warum die tödlichste Route der Welt dennoch beliebt ist
SZ: Putin launches attack ahead of Trump call | Putin lässt vor Trump-Anruf angreifen
Tagesspiegel: Major offensive in Gaza: Netanyahu sends ground troops despite international criticism | Großoffensive in Gaza: Netanjahu schickt Bodentruppen – trotz internationaler Kritik
taz: Israel’s exit strategy? | Israels Exit-Strategie?
Welt: Politicians debate the work ethic of Germans | Politik debattiert über die Arbeitsmoral der Deutschen
Israeli government wants to allow aid back into Gaza: Israel will „on the recommendation“ of the Israeli army approve the import of a basic amount of food for the population to ensure that no famine develops in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas should be prevented from „seizing this humanitarian aid.“ Aid supplies will initially be delivered to the sealed-off coastal strip via the routes used to date until a planned new mechanism is implemented. derstandard.at, spiegel.de, tagesschau.de
Israel announces further attacks and calls for evacuation of areas: Following days of air strikes, the army has now launched a large-scale ground operation as part of its major offensive in the Gaza Strip. Among other things, the Israeli military called on people in the Al-Karara area, the municipality of Salka, and the areas south of Deir al-Balach to move to the protection zones in Al-Mawasi; a spokesperson announced a heavy attack on targets from which Hamas was firing rockets toward Israel. Israel’s stated goal is to defeat Hamas and secure the release of the hostages. spiegel.de, handelsblatt.com
European leaders continue efforts to end the war in Ukraine: Ahead of Monday’s planned phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, European leaders want to coordinate with the US government. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also took part in the talks. Possible sanctions against Russia were also discussed if the country does not seriously engage in a ceasefire or peace talks. Russia and Ukraine held direct talks on Friday for the first time in more than three years. A major prisoner exchange was agreed upon. There was no rapprochement regarding a ceasefire. sueddeutsche.de
Largest Russian drone attack since the start of the war: According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 270 drones on Sunday morning. Nearly 90 of the drones were intercepted. The region around the capital Kiev and the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions were particularly targeted. One person was killed and at least three were injured. Russia said its own forces had destroyed 75 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours. t-online.de, zdf.de, n-tv.de
BamS Sunday trend from Insa: Union 26 percent (+1), AfD 25 percent (+1), SPD 16 percent, Greens 11 percent, Left 10 percent, BSW 4 percent, FDP 3 percent (-1), others 5 percent. bild.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for fundamental reforms to social security: Merz wants to initiate fundamental reforms to pension, health, and long-term care insurance in the black-red coalition, he said at the state party conference of the southwest CDU in Stuttgart. The coalition agreement had to leave important issues open due to time constraints. These include the future of the social security systems. Their reorganization cannot be pushed through against the will of the SPD or the trade unions; that is why the governing coalition presents a unique opportunity for change.
Labor Minister Bärbel Bas calls for better working conditions for women: Employers must design the working world in such a way that more mothers can work full-time, she told the BamS. This would also increase the number of hours worked in Germany. Every additional worker and every additional hour worked would help the country move forward. However, higher female participation in the workforce can only be achieved if everyone pitches in, said Bas, pointing to a lack of childcare and other resources for families. rnd.de, tagesspiegel.de
NATO discusses plans to increase Bundeswehr personnel: According to information obtained by WamS, the target is 240,000 to 260,000 soldiers by 2030. However, the newspaper reports that Bundeswehr personnel managers consider such targets unrealistic. With around 183,000 soldiers, the Bundeswehr is currently falling well short of its previous target of 203,000 by 2031. welt.de
State environment ministers want to conduct more research into PFAS chemicals: According to a resolution, there is increasing widespread environmental pollution due to these chemicals. A national action plan has been adopted, said Rhineland-Palatinate Environment Minister Katrin Eder. The ministers also called for the establishment of a nationwide coordination center to gather information about the chemicals. mdr.de
Environment Minister Carsten Schneider reaffirms phase-out of nuclear power: There is continuity with the last government on the nuclear phase-out, Schneider said after a meeting with his state counterparts in Mettlach-Orscholz, Saarland. He added that there is also a social consensus that nuclear power should no longer be used. Schneider emphasized that around 80 percent of Germany’s electricity needs will be covered by renewable energies by 2030. Nuclear power will no longer play a role in the future, partly because it is far too expensive. saarbruecker-zeitung.de, borkenerzeitung.de
Education Minister Karin Prien plans expert commission on cell phone use in schools: There are major problems here in terms of the ability of children and young people to concentrate and their health, Prien said on DLF radio. Prien spoke out against the use of cell phones in elementary schools and emphasized the importance of media education. Children need to learn how to deal with the current digital reality. deutschlandfunk.de
Greens call for investigation into deals with Russian Gazprom: Specifically, the role of former Chancellor Angela Merkel is to be examined. Green politicians are sharply criticizing the former black-red federal government under Chancellor Angela Merkel for Germany’s dependence on Russian gas. Green Party leader Felix Banaszak told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that without parliamentary clarification, many questions remain unanswered. According to SZ research, the then-chancellor did not oppose the sale of German gas storage facilities to Gazprom despite internal warnings and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. sueddeutsche.de, zdf.de
East Germany continues to catch up, according to Ifo study: There has been a significant convergence with western Germany in terms of economic performance, research, and quality of life. In the study, which was presented at the East German Economic Forum in Bad Saarow, experts emphasize that East Germany is not a homogeneous economic area, but demonstrates regional strengths. For example, Saxony’s export quota of 32 percent is above the West German average. According to the researchers, Thuringia’s share of industry has reached the level of Bavaria. Structurally, however, the east continues to lag behind the west. Overall, the study puts East Germany’s economic performance at 86 percent of the West German average. freiepresse.de, zdf.de
Brandenburg Interior Minister Katrin Lange resigns after dismissal of head of domestic intelligence agency: Lange had come under fire for dismissing Jörg Müller, head of Brandenburg’s domestic intelligence agency. She had accused him of informing her too late about the classification of the state’s AfD party as a confirmed right-wing extremist organization. The opposition had expressed doubts about this account and demanded the minister’s resignation. The Left Party and the Greens are demanding that the fired agency head Müller be reinstated. rbb24.de, faz.net
More regional news:
- Bavaria: Green politician Martin Heilig becomes mayor of Würzburg. spiegel.de
- Saxony: Unknown perpetrators vandalize the office of Left Party MP Sören Pellmann. n-tv.de
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk calls for financial compensation for increase in commuter allowance. welt.de
- Saxony: Greens criticize culture cuts; diversity at risk. n-tv.de
- Berlin: Petition for Margot Friedländer memorial. zeit.de
- Hamburg: Social welfare organizations want more concrete measures in the coalition agreement. ndr.de
- Thuringia: State Parliament President Thadäus König praises museum landscape. n-tv.de
- Berlin: Parliament President Cornelia Seibeld calls for consistent action against rule violations in debates in the House of Representatives. n-tv.de
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Police search for 35-year-old suspect after attack outside bar in Bielefeld. n-tv.de
EU-US summit in Rome: At a spontaneous meeting in Rome, US Vice President J.D. Vance and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored their shared desire for better relations. Vance said he hoped this would be the start of long-term trade talks and long-term trade benefits between Europe and the US. Von der Leyen added that both sides wanted a „good deal for all sides.“ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had organized the meeting on the occasion of Pope Leo’s inauguration. faz.net
Runoff election in Poland between Rafal Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki: No candidate achieved an absolute majority in the first round. The liberal conservative Trzaskowski from Donald Tusk’s ruling camp won just under 31 percent of the vote, while the national-conservative historian Nawrocki from the right-wing populist PiS party won 29 percent. The far-right candidate Slawomir Mentzen came in third with around 15 percent. The runoff election will take place on June 1. orf.at, spiegel.de, br.de, zdf.de, tagesspiegel.de, welt.de
Pro-European candidate Nicusor Dan wins presidential election in Romania: Nicusor Dan won 54 percent of the vote in the runoff election, while his right-wing populist rival George Simion received just over 46 percent. Dan is a staunch supporter of the EU and NATO. He had stated that Romania’s support for Ukraine was essential for its own security in view of the growing Russian threat. Simion, on the other hand, had announced during the election campaign that he would cut funding for military support to Ukraine if elected. web.de, zdf.de, tagesspiegel.de, welt.de
Alianca Democratica government coalition wins parliamentary elections in Portugal: Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s conservative alliance improved its position and won a good 32 percent of the vote, falling short of an absolute majority of 116 seats in parliament. The Socialist Party won over 23 percent. Prime Minister Montenegro had recently ruled out any cooperation with the right-wing populists of Chega, who came in third again with 22.5 percent, just behind the PS. spiegel.de, rnd.de
Former US President Joe Biden has prostate cancer: The 82-year-old has also been diagnosed with bone metastases. His office said it is an aggressive but treatable form of the disease. Biden and his family are currently consulting with his medical team on how to proceed, the statement said. faz.net, spiegel.de
Cross-party opposition to ban on AI regulation: Democratic and Republican attorneys general from 40 states have spoken out against a bill to ban AI regulation. If artificial intelligence is not regulated for a period of ten years, this will have far-reaching consequences, they said in a joint letter to Congress. Because the bill does not provide for any replacement for current or planned laws, it leaves US citizens completely unprotected against potential harm from AI. The attorneys general cite examples such as AI-generated pornography, deepfakes used to misinform voters, and spam calls. dw.com
More News:
- Spain: Thousands protest against mass tourism in the Canary Islands. zeit.de
- France: 130 flights canceled at Paris-Orly due to technical problems. stern.de
- Czech Republic: Suspected Ebola case in Prague triggers large-scale operation. spiegel.de
- Vatican: Leo XIV warns against greed and calls for reconciliation. zdf.de
- Turkey: Swedish journalist Joakim Medin released from custody. n-tv.de
- Denmark: First verdict for violating the „Koran law.“ tagesanzeiger.ch
- Sweden: Örebro shooter acted out of financial and mental distress. lessentiel.lu
- France: Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau elected chairman of the Republicans. zeit.de
- France: Louis Sarkozy, son of the former president, wants to reach the top. sueddeutsche.de
- France: Macron attracts investors from around the world at gala dinner in Versailles. faz.net
- Moldova: Battle on the hybrid war front between the EU and Russia. spiegel.de
- Serbia: Protests against President Aleksandar Vucic continue; early elections possible. n-tv.de
- Hungary: Thousands protest against law on surveillance of media and NGOs. tagesschau.de
- United Kingdom: Religious leaders call for a more moderate tone in the migration debate. zeit.de
- Slovenia: Statue of US First Lady Melania Trump stolen in her hometown of Sevnica. faz.net
- Syria: Commission set up to investigate the atrocities of the Assad regime. orf.at
- South Korea: Ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol resigns from the Conservative Party. handelsblatt.com
- Taiwan: Maanshan, the last nuclear reactor, is shut down. zeit.de
- Somalia: At least 10 dead in suicide bombing in Mogadishu. sueddeutsche.de
- Mali: UN High Commissioner Volker Türk criticizes ban on political parties, saying military government is silencing dissenting voices.
- Gabon: Ousted former president Ali-Ben Bongo Ondimba arrives in Angola. africa-live.de
- Botswana: Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe: „We cultivate a language without war.“ derstandard.at
- Rwanda: Hundreds of Rwandan refugees return from eastern Congo. zeit.de
- Peru: Another constitutional complaint has been filed against President Dina Boluarte for failing to prevent massive violence by the national police and armed forces during mass protests in late 2022 and early 2023.
Germans work less than people in other countries: According to a study by the employer-friendly German Economic Institute, Germany will reach around 1,036 hours worked per inhabitant of working age in 2023. According to the study, only France and Belgium work fewer hours per year among the 38 OECD countries. There is currently a debate on this topic in Germany; Chancellor Friedrich Merz has repeatedly called for citizens to work more. zdf.de, tagesspiegel.de
More from Business, Tech and Science:
- „What’s more important: Aperol Spritz or local journalism?“: Local newspaper publishers rail against the black-red coalition kress.de
- Media lawyer Christian Schertz on appreciation for politicians and a ban on the AfD kress.de
- Customized ads: Interactive ads and more personalization – How Netflix plans to upgrade its advertising market presence meedia.de
- JJ with „Wasted Love“: Austria wins Eurovision Song Contest with 436 points – German duo Abor and Tynna came in 15th place with 151 points. spiegel.de
- Statements after the ESC final – Raab takes responsibility for the result and ratings dwdl.de
- Rapper Werenoi: French superstar dies at 31 t-online.de
- King Harald and Barack Obama celebrate reunion in Norway promiflash.de
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.
- A rocky start for Jürgen Klopp – RB Leipzig is having its worst season in Bundesliga history and will not qualify for European competition. Even in Austria, Red Bull’s club is lagging behind. sportschau.de
- Hertha keeps Reese: New contract until 2030 kicker.de
- Victory against ManCity: Glasner wins the FA Cup with Crystal Palace sueddeutsche.de
- The odds were stacked against them: Historic collapse for Ajax as PSV defend their Eredivisie title kicker.de
- Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Back on track – Verstappen triumphs in Imola sportschau.de
In her hometown of Sevnica: Thieves nab statue of First Lady Melania Trump faz.net