The most important thing about the corona virus
Government achieves vaccination target. “The booster campaign in Germany is running at full speed. We can all be proud of that,” said Health Minister Lauterbach. Meanwhile, teachers’ associations are calling on politicians not to avoid school closings at all costs. Corona news from Germany
Omikron on the advance worldwide. In France, the authorities are reporting a record number of more than 100,000 corona infections within one day – more than ever since the pandemic began. In Italy, Portugal and the USA, too, the number of new infections is increasing rapidly because of the new variant. Only in Germany not yet. Go to Article
The weekend in a nutshell – What was important besides the corona virus
EXCLUSIVE What the investigators know about the mastermind behind the NSU 2.0. 116 Faxes and e-mails full of hatred: The Frankfurt public prosecutor’s office has brought charges against the right-wing radical who is said to have threatened lawyers, politicians and journalists for years. The trial against the 53-year-old, who was noticed early on through violence and extreme contempt for women, is due to begin in the spring. To the article (SZ Plus)
Greens criticize arms exports in the final phase of the grand coalition. The old government exported more military equipment in the days before the change of government in December than in the nine months of the previous year. Warships and air defense systems worth four billion euros went to Egypt. The regime there has been criticized for violating human rights and the war in Yemen. Foreign Minister Baerbock is now pressing for stricter export rules. Go to Article
OPINION Germany lacks a reliable attitude towards doing business with questionable customers
Özdemir defends plans to legalize cannabis. “Nobody should smoke their pears away, but I am pleased that the madness of the cannabis ban is finally ending,” said the new agriculture minister about the traffic light’s plans. Özdemir also calls for an end to “junk prices” for food. The people in Germany should value the things they put on their plates just as much as their cars. Go to Article
Indictment against the ex-Wirecard boss is imminent. The public prosecutor wants to present its allegations against Markus Braun in the next three months. The former CEO, who denies having known about the machinations of his fugitive board colleague Jan Marsalek, has to prepare for a process that could result in a long prison sentence. Go to Article
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is dead. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate fought against apartheid in South Africa for decades and was considered the conscience of the country. Now he has died at the age of 90. To the article (SZ Plus)
Austria’s ex-chancellor is rearranging his life. As new details of a bribery scandal come to light, it is revealed that Sebastian Kurz wants to switch to a controversial company in Silicon Valley as manager. Go to Article
The volcano on La Palma no longer spews lava. The balance of the natural disaster is devastating for the Canary Island: In the past three months, almost 1,700 buildings have been destroyed and more than 7,000 people lost their homes. The authorities have now declared the outbreak to be over – and are now hoping for a tourist boom. To the article (SZ Plus)
Additional Reports
That interested many over the weekend
“It will be tough again”. Christian Drosten has become the republic’s chief clarifier in the pandemic. In the interview, the virologist talks about how science is dealt with in public, what surprised him about the virus and what Omikron means for Germany. To the interview (SZ Plus)
London’s most expensive lawyer. Ayesha Vardag only accepts cases over 100 million pounds in dispute and is considered England’s highest paid divorce lawyer. A conversation about conflicts at Christmas, problems of the super-rich and the most fulfilling case of their careers. To the article (SZ Plus)
Munich’s dark heart. Police officers who are involved in cocaine deals, forbidden party frenzy in the private club, an Oktoberfest host with existential fear. And a dealer who unpacks to save himself. Go to Article
Last but not least
I do the flutter! From Merkel understanders, Twitter Dadaists, space tourists and other strange birds – a curious review of the year. Go to Article