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: Ursula von der Leyen in an interview
Ursula von der Leyen officially took office as EU Commission President on 1 December. It has big plans for the future of the European community. At the same time, Germany is still working on the advisory affair of the Federal Ministry of Defense, which led von der Leyen until a few months ago.
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The former minister's former cell phone is currently in focus. It was supposed to serve as evidence, but the data was deleted from the phone. In the SPIEGEL interview, von der Leyen rejects the allegations against him. She sees the responsibility for the deletion in the Ministry of Defense. However, from Leyen's point of view, nothing exciting would have been found on her cell phone anyway.
While a committee of inquiry in Berlin is still dealing with the consultant affair, the 61-year-old has meanwhile occupied the EU Commission and presented its program. In the SPIEGEL interview, she talks about Europe's major challenges - and explains how much Brexit is weakening the EU and why, the climate plan is coming at a good time.
Leyen also talks about the strategy she uses to gain respect from US President Donald Trump. The first meeting of the two should take place in the coming weeks.
The topics of discussion will then also include the US sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and the conflict over the Chinese mobile operator Huawei. The EU president has concerns about involving the telecommunications equipment supplier in the expansion of the fast 5G mobile network.
The number of the day: 7.95 billion euros
The federal government has approved more arms exports this year than ever before. The previous record of 2015, at 7.95 billion euros, was just exceeded by December 15. Almost a quarter of all export permits have been issued for Hungary. Egypt and the USA are also good customers for the German defense industry. The opposition reacted indignantly to the balance sheet.
Marijan Murat / dpa
News: What you need to know today
- Victory for Netanyahu: Israeli prime minister was again elected leader of the Likud party with a clear lead. Netanyahu is now the top candidate in the early election in March - the third parliamentary election in Israel within a year.
- An end to the bloated Bundestag: Actually, all political groups want to reduce the size of the parliament - but depending on the model, there are different profiteers. A group of Union politicians is now campaigning for the abolition of the overhang mandates. That would mean a departure from the previous system.
- Majority for speed limit: Once again, politicians are discussing speed limit on motorways. There is currently no majority in the Bundestag for this. According to a survey, the situation is different in the population.
- No EU privileges after Brexit: On January 31, the British want to leave the EU - then renegotiations are due. EU Parliament President David Sassoli wants to stay tough.
- Trump appearance shortened: In 1992 Donald Trump got a short appearance in "Kevin alone in New York". This scene was cut out in the editing of a Canadian TV station. Unlike some of his followers, Trump responded with humor.
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Opinion: The most discussed comments, interviews, essays
Continuous fire television: Our viewing habits have changed massively in the past decade. Streaming services bring an unprecedented variety and are the nightmare of large film studios. The finger on the remote control will decide more than ever what world we see, writes Oliver Kaever in his inventory of the entertainment industry.
Böhmermann on the dream ship! - After the great success of the new dream ship captain Florian Silbereisen, the ZDF has to follow up, says Harald Schmidt in his video column.
THE MIRROR
Why look into the distance? - In winter you can plan your next trip well, maybe a summer vacation or a weekend trip. My colleague Maren Keller prefers to spend her vacation at home. Here she writes why balconies are her favorite travel destination.
Stories: The most read texts at SPIEGEL +
Six correct ones , nothing won: Lottery operator Rainer Henning typed the right numbers - and still went away empty-handed. Why didn't the Lotto headquarters pay? To protect him.
Fresh grain porridge for everyone: celebrity chef Sarah Wiener sits as a career changer in the European Parliament. She wants to talk about bees and healthy eating. Can it change politics?
Jerome Bonnet / THE MIRROR
My evening: The recommendations for your evening
Relax in front of the TV: Christmas is over, and before the New Year's stress begins, you deserve a quiet evening. A few remnants of the feast can still be found, and then off to the couch. The ARD will run the western musical "The Club of Singing Butchers" from 8:15 p.m. The film tells the story of a Swabian butcher who is looking for luck in North Dakota. The film offers few words, but a lot of singing. You have probably never seen something similar before, writes our author Peter Luley.
ARD Degeto / SWR / Moovie / Constanti
I wish you a nice finishing time.
warmly
Anna-Sophie Schneider from the Daily team
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