Here you will find the most important news of the day, the most popular stories of SPIEGEL + and tips for your end of workday.
The theme of the day: Live on TV - the hearings in the impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump
Yesterday, public hearings for a potential impeachment case against Donald Trump have begun in the US - broadcast live on television. At the hearings, it should be clarified whether Trump used a planned military aid for Ukraine as a means of pressure to force legal action in Kiev against his domestic rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter - in support of his election campaign.
The US Congress has been holding two witnesses for more than five hours: the Executive Ambassador to the Ukraine, William Taylor, and State Department diplomat George Kent. Both had previously testified beyond the public, now also took a wide audience in the Ukraine party. Taylor reiterated his allegations against Trump for using the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Selenskyj, for his "political campaign."
Andrew Harnik / DPA
William Taylor, US Ambassador to Ukraine, and George Kent (left), US State Department diplomat, testify before the US Congress
New were some information from Taylor, who said Trump had also telephoned after his phone call with Selenskyj with the US ambassador in Brussels, Gordon Sondland. An employee had heard the conversation and Taylor later confided that Trump in the Ukraine policy "more interested in the investigation of Biden" than in Ukraine.
Trump later said at a press conference that he remembers "not even a bit" of the alleged conversation. For him, the whole thing is a "witch hunt".
The hearings of the two witnesses on Wednesday were only the beginning. On Friday, the ex-ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, interviewed. Next week, more government officials will follow. These may include Security Council lieutenant colonel Alexander Vindman and ex-security advisor John Bolton. Trump's acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney is also summoned. After the hearings, the case goes to the Judiciary Committee, after which the House of Representatives would vote, and finally the Senate.
The aim of the Democrats is to make it clear at the hearings in the media how deeply Trump is involved in the Ukrainian affair. Because an impeachment procedure can only succeed if there is enough support in the population. Only then could the 20 Senate Republicans required for a majority be convinced to stand up to Trump.
The number of the day: 160
The currently largest bridge construction project in Europe is completed: the Hochmosel Bridge near Zeltingen-Rachtig is 160 meters high and 1.7 kilometers long. After the Kochertal bridge in Baden-Württemberg it is now the second highest bridge in Germany. The construction took eight years, now only the lane marking is missing, then the bridge is passable.
Thomas Frey / DPA
Rhineland-Palatinate, Zeltingen-Rachtig: The Hochmosel Bridge
News: What you need to know today
- Bundestag adopts Measles vaccination obligation: Children and staff in day nurseries, schools and community facilities must be vaccinated against measles in the future.
- Bundestag decides Soli only for the rich: The solidarity surcharge is largely abolished. The regulation, which will take effect from 2021, will benefit around 90 percent of taxpayers.
- Mercedes should save a billion euros in personnel: The strict limit values for car exhaust gases pose major challenges for Daimler. The CEO's answer is a strict austerity program.
- Federal agency collects sanction notices for all: Judge had judged the Federal Constitutional judge in their recent judgment to Hartz IV sanctions only for older recipients. But the message went much further.
- EU criticizes Poland over sex education law: Poland faces draconian imprisonment for teachers who teach sex education.
Opinion: The most discussed comments and columns
How GroKo fuels the generational war: Union and SPD are proud of their new basic pension - while they have the statutory old-age insurance turned into a pile of rubble, says Michael Sauga.
Elon, Germany loves you: Tesla boss Elon Musk wants to build an electric car factory in Brandenburg - and everyone is electrified. Now only a few pines are in the way, commented Harald Schmidt. Click here for the video
THE MIRROR
Harald Schmidt
Stories: The most read texts at SPIEGEL +
A man's friendship that can be heard: In the late 1960s, two of the biggest stars in the US met to sing together: Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Now the recordings were first published.
Walt Disney Television / ABC / Getty Images
THE JOHNNY CASH SHOW: Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash 1969
The West is dead - but we just do not know it yet: The US no longer wants to be a world police and no torchbearers of freedom. America has undergone a sex change, says the philosopher Ivan Krastev.
My evening: the recommendations for your end of workday
What you could do today: Of course you look at the new Scorsese in the cinema today, which I already recommended on Tuesday. After the interview with the director about how he tells gangster films today, we still have a film review for "The Irishman" for her today. It is Martin Scorsese's most expensive, longest and saddest movie - and probably the last of his great mafia epics.
Netlfix
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and colleagues in "The Irishman"
What else could you do: If you still have time in front of the cinema: Take care of your own home! You may find a few suggestions in the text by Marianne Wellershoff. She describes how she finally managed to clean up her apartment.
I wish you a nice finishing time.
warmly
Milena Hassenkamp from the Daily Team
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