Bild: Death drama surrounding Jack White / Todes Drama um Jack White
FAZ: Trump plans to meet with Putin in Budapest / Trump will sich mit Putin in Budapest treffen
Funke: Stefan Gelbhaar is back – and wants to enter the House of Representatives / Stefan Gelbhaar ist wieder da – und will ins Abgeordnetenhaus
Handelsblatt: The silent revolution / Die stille Revolution
RND: Putin’s challenge: How the Russian economy suffers from the consequences of war / Putins Herausforderung: Wie die russische Wirtschaft unter Kriegsfolgen leidet
SZ: Rebellion against the pension package / Rebellion gegen das Rentenpaket
Tagesspiegel: Wegner counters Merz’s statement on migration: „Berlin is a diverse, open-minded city“ / Wegner kontert Merz’ Aussage zu Migration: „Berlin ist eine vielfältige, weltoffene Stadt“
taz: Hold on to your newspaper / Halt dich an deiner Zeitung fest
Welt: School performance is deteriorating / Mit den Leistungen an den Schulen geht es bergab
Israel is considering opening the Rafah crossing on Sunday: Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told the Italian news agency Ansa that preparations are currently underway. It remains unclear whether the opening would apply to passenger traffic or humanitarian aid. Egypt has reportedly not yet confirmed the plan, while international actors are pushing for a stable agreement for aid deliveries.
- The stalled return of the bodies of Israeli hostages by Hamas is increasing domestic pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli Hostage Forum has urged the government to suspend the ceasefire agreement with Hamas as long as it refuses to return all bodies. Israel has threatened Hamas with resuming fighting after only nine of the 28 dead hostages have been handed over so far.
- Hamas claims that due to the destruction in Gaza, heavy equipment is needed to recover more bodies. Turkish disaster relief specialists are searching for the bodies of hostages in the Gaza Strip. Around 80 experts from the Afad agency are already on site, according to Turkey’s Defense Ministry.
- According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel will pursue all military objectives in the Gaza Strip and impose severe consequences for attacks on the country. At a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers, Netanyahu said Israel’s enemies had learned that anyone who raised their hand against the country would pay a high price.
- Despite the existing ceasefire, Hamas has declared on the first anniversary of the death of its leader Yahya al-Sinwar that it will continue its armed struggle against Israel. The organization called Sinwar a martyr and emphasized that its goals remain unchanged. The 61-year-old was considered one of the masterminds of the October 7, 2023 massacre.
- U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Hamas with invasion and the killing of its fighters following reports of executions in the Gaza Strip. On Truth Social, he stated that the U.S. would „have no choice“ if the Islamist organization continued killing people. spiegel.de
- According to Hamas’s Health Ministry, Israel has transferred 30 more dead Palestinians to the Gaza Strip via the Red Cross, bringing the total number to 120 since the start of the ceasefire on Tuesday. It remains unclear whether the deceased died in Israeli custody or were already dead before being taken to Israel.
The Palestinian Authority has presented a 65-billion-dollar plan for the reconstruction of Gaza: Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa presented a comprehensive five-year plan to UN representatives and foreign diplomats. The coastal strip is to be rebuilt as an „open, connected, and thriving part of the State of Palestine.“ The plan includes investments in 18 cross-sector areas, including housing, education, and governance. In addition to economic recovery, the main goal is the political reunification of Gaza and the West Bank to create a coherent Palestinian government and functioning state framework.
Reports of a drone strike despite the ceasefire: Palestinian authorities accuse Israel of killing two people in a drone attack near Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. Israel denies any operation in the area. There were deadly incidents shortly after the ceasefire began. The army has warned civilians to stay away from its troops.
spiegel.deAir forces have struck several sites allegedly used by Hezbollah, including a cement factory and a quarry. Israel’s military said Hezbollah used the quarry „to rebuild terrorist facilities and infrastructure.“ According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, several people were injured.
UKRAINE
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House: Talks focus on future U.S. military aid and preparations for a possible summit between Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Kyiv is pressing for the release of Tomahawk missiles, which Moscow has called an escalation. The White House remains cautious about possible commitments. tagesschau.de, rp-online.de, tagesschau.de, spiegel.de
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington for talks with defense and energy companies about air defense systems and the energy crisis in Ukraine. Before his upcoming meeting with Trump, he expressed hope that a policy of strength could succeed in dealing with Russia. handelsblatt.com
- Before Zelensky’s visit, Trump had a phone call with Putin. On Truth Social, Trump said it was a long conversation about the war in Ukraine and possible Tomahawk missile deliveries to Kyiv, against which Russia had warned.
- Trump expects to meet with Putin in Budapest within two weeks. The meeting will be prepared by Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, with senior advisers meeting next week in Budapest. The goal is to discuss a potential end to the war in Ukraine.
- Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused EU states of obstructing Trump’s peace efforts in the Ukraine war, claiming that Europeans pushed Zelensky toward confrontation and prevented an agreement.
- Russia’s EU Ambassador Sergey Nechayev called the planned use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine „theft,“ warning of serious consequences after Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for using the funds to finance Ukraine’s defense.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for more decisive European action in global politics and the economy: Merz emphasized that Europe must strengthen its role as a peace power and promote peace and stability more actively. He pointed to the success of the Gaza peace plan as proof that political action can make a difference. At the upcoming EU summit, he plans to push for measures to boost competitiveness—reducing bureaucracy, opening markets, and fostering innovation. dw.com, tagesschau.de
Conscription reform divides coalition and opposition: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signaled willingness to compromise on the planned conscription law but insists on screening entire age groups starting in 2027. The opposition demands a lottery system to randomly select young men for service if volunteer numbers are too low. Opposition and Greens criticized the government’s lack of clarity. Pistorius and SPD leaders urged unity within their ranks. handelsblatt.com, faz.net, stern.de
- The Bundeswehr will remain part of the EU’s „Aspides“ mission in the Red Sea for another year, protecting trade ships from Houthi attacks. The Bundestag extended the mandate, allowing up to 350 soldiers instead of 700. The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan will also continue.
- Labor Minister Bärbel Bas defended her plan to maintain the pension level at 48 percent until 2031. The opposition calls for broader reforms and debates over funding, while Bas warns against panic, saying stable pensions benefit younger generations too. tagesschau.de
- Green MP Andreas Audretsch criticized the government for ignoring young people’s concerns, while Left Party leader Heidi Reichinnek accused the coalition of failing to address old-age poverty.
- Young CDU members warned that stabilizing pensions could burden future generations, calling for deeper reforms but supporting the 2031 goal.
- The federal government plans to fully compensate municipalities for tax losses from the „growth booster“ program by 2029, totaling about 13.5 billion euros.
- The Bundestag has legalized tasers for correctional officers. Supporters see this as expanding available tools, while critics warn of health risks, especially for those with heart conditions.
- The Bundestag has extended the law ensuring social protection for parcel delivery workers, keeping main contractors responsible for unpaid social contributions by their subcontractors.
Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder plans a comprehensive reform of driving education: obtaining a driver’s license will be simplified and made cheaper. Theory questions will be reduced by one-third, classroom lessons will be replaced by digital learning via apps, and practical training will use more simulators and fewer mandatory lessons. Schnieder assured that safety would remain „at the highest level.“ rnd.de, handelsblatt.com
- Driving instructors support a shorter program, citing too many driving hours as the main cost driver due to denser traffic and poorer perception among youth caused by smartphone use.
Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner contradicted Chancellor Merz in the migration debate: While Merz spoke of a „problem in the appearance of cities,“ Wegner stressed that Berlin is open and international, with problems in violence, litter, and crime not tied to people’s origins. zdfheute.de, n-tv.de
- Green Party leader Felix Banaszak demanded an apology from Merz for his „cityscape“ remark. n-tv.de
More News
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig calls for the decriminalization of abortion. evangelisch.de
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants closer oversight of special funds. handelsblatt.com
- The Student Union demands more say in the conscription debate. spiegel.de
- Cultural Committee Chair Sven Lehmann calls for mandatory AI labeling. deutschlandfunkkultur.de
The Police Union of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern demands a decisive national drone defense strategy: state chief Christian Schumacher warned of dangerous complacency, criticizing poor equipment and unclear responsibilities. He said the existing „drone competence center“ consists of only a few under-resourced staff and called for a national strategy and stable funding. ostsee-zeitung.de
Other Germany news:
- Hesse: Suspected attack on the home of a Green local politician in Offenbach district. n-tv.de
- Baden-Württemberg: CDU leads clearly in polls; Greens risk falling to third place. n-tv.de
- Berlin: Monument to Korean „comfort women“ in Moabit must be removed by court order.n-tv.de
- Schleswig-Holstein: Weapons found among teenagers. ndr.de
- Bavaria: ProSiebenSat.1 owner Berlusconi to keep operations in Unterföhring. dwdl.de
The EU launches a major defense initiative through 2030: The European Commission has presented four strategic rearmament projects, focusing on drone defense, air defense expansion, protection of the eastern flank, and satellite infrastructure. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cited the threat from Russia and the need for greater European autonomy in security policy. Funding will come from member states and existing EU programs, partly in response to U.S. pressure for Europe to take more responsibility for its defense. faz.net, tagesschau.de
- The EU agreed on a 1.5 billion euro program to strengthen the defense industry by 2027, expanding production capacity and promoting joint procurement—seen as a key step toward European military autonomy. rp-online.de
Other news:
- EU seeks partnerships in the southern Mediterranean.
- Brussels and New Delhi struggle over a free trade deal.
- EU Social Democrats want to expel Slovakia’s ruling party of Robert Fico.
- EU Parliament committee proposes a minimum online age of 16.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for a joint EU stock exchange.
- From 2028: EU expands USB-C requirement to chargers.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen fined for showing solidarity with Georgian protesters: Georgia’s Interior Ministry imposed a fine of about 1,600 euros after Valtonen expressed support for democratic rights during an OSCE visit in Tbilisi. The Georgian government has faced international criticism for its crackdown on protests.
Ever wondered why Germany feels like it collectively vanishes on Sundays? Welcome to Sonntagsruhe — the sacred Sunday quiet. Almost everything shuts down: shops, construction sites, and even your neighbor’s vacuum cleaner. The idea is to slow down, recharge, and embrace Ruhe — peace.
Instead of running errands, locals head out for a Spaziergang (a leisurely walk), enjoy long coffee breaks with cake (Kaffee und Kuchen), or simply do nothing — proudly. It’s not laziness; it’s cultural preservation.
So this weekend, if you find yourself wondering where everyone went, grab a slice of cake and join the quiet. You’ll fit right in.