Here you will find the most important news of the day, the most popular stories from SPIEGEL + and tips for your evening.
The theme of the day: the Australian inferno
"The fires are raging near my house," says Gary Keys, who lives in southern Australia. "It's all about survival."
Bushfires have been blazing in Australia for weeks. Fanned by high temperatures and strong winds, they eat their way through an area that is now half the size of Switzerland.
In Mallacoota, on the south coast of Victoria, people are looking for shelter on the beach, there are clouds of smoke in the air, breathing is difficult. Warships and military helicopters are said to help with the evacuation. Auto columns form; Residents and vacationers only want one thing: away.
In this video, those affected report the consequences of the fire.
Ãjonty Smith via REUTERS
Rescue workers in Mallacoota: Help almost only comes from the sea or from the air
The fires create their own weather. Read here how dangerous so-called fire clouds are and why they make extinguishing almost impossible.
How does Australian politics react?
My colleague Johannes Korge reports how the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison is putting the fire disaster into perspective and does not want to see any connection to the climate crisis. One reason could be the coal industry, which has a large lobby in Australia. "Everything because of the coal": I recommend his report.
The number of the day: 45,300,000
So many people, 45.3 million, were employed in Germany in 2019. That is more than it has been since reunification. The job boom has been going on for 14 years now, despite the stuttering economy. In 2020, however, the resource of labor threatens to dry up. The pool of labor will soon shrink; around 185,000 jobs cannot currently be filled by municipalities, the federal states and the federal government. You can read about the challenges facing companies and employees here.
Christian Charisius / DPA
Welders at Blohm + Voss in Hamburg: courted and sought-after - but also challenged
News: What you need to know today
- Erdogan can send combat troops to Libya. The Turkish parliament voted in a special session for a government request to send soldiers to the North African crisis state.
- After the riots in Connewitz, the left accuses the police of violence. A police officer was seriously injured on New Year's Eve in Leipzig-Connewitz, now the political division in the city is showing.
- Manuela Schwesig commented on her cancer. "There is hope and it is worth fighting," said the SPD politician. She was "terrified" when she was diagnosed in August 2019. She is confident that she will be completely well again.
- Lyubov Sobol has become Russia's best-known opposition figure. The tenacity with which she acts against the Putin system scares some. A portrait.
Tatyana Makeyeva / REUTERS
Police arrest Lyubov Sobol on August 3 before going to a demonstration
- How will 2020 be? SPIEGEL correspondents give an assessment of the situation in their reporting areas - from the United States and Latin America to Great Britain to Africa and the Middle East. The forecasts.
- Three women are said to have caused the big fire in the monkey house of the Krefeld zoo. 30 animals died in the blazing building. The suspected culprits reported themselves to the investigators, according to the Krefeld criminal police.
- Parking should become more expensive for high earners. This provides a concept for the future of parking for the association of the automotive industry. The fines for incorrect parking should also increase.
Opinion: The most discussed comments, interviews, essays
Europe first! The rivalry between China and the United States will dominate the coming decade. Europe should use them to their own advantage. Michael Sauga's column.
Pornography and chastity: The federal government wants to allow the police to produce and distribute child pornography to combat child pornography. A few arguments against enthusiasm that is too fast. The column by Thomas Fischer.
Did you get so many receipts today? Purchasing professional Harald Schmidt knows where to put it. Here is the video.
THE MIRROR
Stories: The most read texts at SPIEGEL +
A small town defends itself against Viktor Orbán: The autocrat Viktor Orbán wants to form a people from the Hungarians according to his taste. He has opponents in the happiest city in the country - can they win against him?
Martin Fejer / EST + OSTPHOTOGRAPHY
Anti-Orbán demonstration in Budapest: "Dad is worried"
What the fitness bike is good for in the living room: Germany's sports studios are getting competition: the digitally beefed up exercise bike.
My evening: The recommendations for your evening
What you can prepare: the weekend in the snow. Take your ski boots out of the basement, put your ski clothes down from the attic, put your cereal bars in your backpack. Maybe there was even a new pair of skis for Christmas? I recommend spending a few days in the mountains. Move. Good resolutions and such. Whether you are whizzing down the slopes, tobogganing or snowshoeing - we have put together the most beautiful slopes on your doorstep.
Xandi Kreuzeder / ski paradise Sudelfeld / SRT
Hui, it goes downhill quickly: the family ski area Sudelfeld in Bavaria
What you can watch: the crime comedy "Knives Out", which starts today in the cinema. A famous crime writer is found dead there the morning after his 85th birthday. Because his death apparently had no natural cause, two lieutenants begin the investigation. The movie with its evil joke and star ensemble (Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Toni Colette, Jamie Lee and so on) is our movie of the week. Here is trailer and criticism.
Start the new year well. I wish you a nice finishing time.
warmly
Maria Stöhr from the Daily team
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