Here you will find the most important news of the day, the most popular stories from SPIEGEL + and tips for your evening.
The topic of the day: Every year again: Putin's press show
Vladimir Putin has been in power for 20 years. He has rarely answered questions from journalists. But once a year he asks for a big press conference. The SPIEGEL was there.
Almost 1900 representatives of the press came to the Moscow commercial center today to compete for the attention of the President, who, with his spokesman, used his finger to choose who was allowed to ask a question. Some waved posters, waved icons or helmets to catch his attention.
The following was about Ukraine, his daughters' business and Moscow protests. My colleague Christina Hebel reports on the location of the event. The Questions - Putin's Answers: Your Observations.
My colleague Christian Esch was one of the few foreign journalists who spoke. He addressed the Changoshvili case - a Georgian who was shot in Berlin's Little Zoo. Investigations by the federal prosecutor's office provided evidence of a murder on behalf of Russian state authorities.
Putin had claimed on several occasions that Russia had asked for the "terrorist" to be extradited. The Federal Government and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, on the other hand, said that there had never been an application. "Who is right: Mr. Maas, or you?" Asked Esch at the conference. "He is right and I am right," replied the Russian president. The report.
The picture of the day:
ZUMA Press / imago images
A reindeer in north-west London, immortalized on a digital map with a bicycle and fitness app
Briton Anthony Hoyte artistically immortalizes his cycling routes on digital maps. That takes a lot of time and perseverance. Read more about his project and discover more pictures.
News: What you need to know today
- Indian police arrest thousands of protesters: Protests against a new law that allegedly discriminates against Muslims are becoming more violent. In order to curb the demonstrations, public transport was restricted in New Delhi. Mobile phone services are also only available to a limited extent.
- US House of Representatives opens impeachment proceedings against Trump: The House of Representatives has decided to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. It is only the third such event in US history. Now the Senate decides.
- Imprisoned Catalan wins before European Court of Justice: A Spanish court sentenced Catalan leader Oriol Junqueras to 13 years in prison. Therefore, he could not take up his mandate in the European Parliament. The European Court of Justice now decided: That was illegal.
- The Queen opens the British Parliament: for the second time in ten weeks, the Queen had to present Boris Johnson's government program. It was about Brexit and domestic politics. The speech.
- Tirol also introduces driving bans in winter: In summer, Tyrol fought traffic congestion by banning secondary routes. This is how tourists are forced to drive on toll roads. Now the measures apply to Christmas.
Opinion: The most discussed comments, interviews, essays
"We need more nuclear power": Harvard professor Steven Pinker considers the fear of many people about nuclear energy to be irrational. Coal electricity is much more dangerous. Our Boston correspondent Martin Schlak spoke to him. The interview.
Jason Grow
Steven Pinker: "They underestimate how many people die when the dam breaks. Or they fall off roofs while installing solar cells."
Can I actually talk this out now? Data protection is a sensitive issue, says Harald Schmidt. Good thing that doesn't concern him. The video column.
THE MIRROR
Stories: The most read texts at SPIEGEL +
"His body betrays him": Police psychologist Darren Stanton examined Prince Andrew's BBC interview on the Epstein affair scene by scene. Here he explains at what moments the prince supposedly says the untruth.
Disney submits to China's rulers: Walt Disney was considered a communist hater, his successors pander to the Chinese government. It's about an amusement park in Shanghai, public apologies, billion dollar deals and censored films.
Tang Yanjun / CNS / VCG / Getty Images
Mickey and Minnie Mouse greet the Chinese New Year
How to switch to a cheaper tariff: If the private health insurance increases the contributions, changing the tariff can often save many thousands of euros a year. Experts explain what you need to do now.
My evening: The recommendations for your evening
What you could hear: How about the best albums of the past year? My colleague Andreas Borcholte listened to you, listened and turned louder. You can listen to us on the page, in our "Heard 2019".
The leaderboard is led by 18-year-old pop surprise Billie Eilish. The "feeling of gradually simmering through, the world in general and one's own psyche in particular" makes her album "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go" our favorite of the past year.
Kenneth Cappello / Universal Music
Billie Eilish: She'll stay. And it will grow up
In addition to Billie Eilish, you will meet new savages and old acquaintances in the top songs, from Slowthai to Leonard Cohen. If you like the acoustic ride through the best of 2019, you can import the playlist directly into Spotify. Enjoy listening!
I wish you a nice finishing time.
warmly
Isabella Reichert from the Daily team
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