One against Trump
Remember Jeb Bush?
The former Florida governor once wanted to move into the White House, like his father and brother before him.
When he declared his candidacy in June 2015, he was ahead in the polls among Republicans.
A moderate, serious conservative who does politics without anger or shouting - and still resonates with his party?
Something like that still existed back then.
Why am I telling you this?
I often think about that summer these days - and the frightening ruptures that the USA has experienced since then.
At that time, it was probably the last phase in which the Republicans could still be seen as a state-supporting party - and in the United States as a reasonably reliable country.
It didn't take long for Bush to be overwhelmed by Donald Trump and all the lies and hatred that he brought across the country.
After the first primaries, Bush gave up.
This time, one thing is clear, Trump has it much easier.
From the start, he was the overwhelming favorite of the Republicans, a party that has largely submitted to him.
Voting will take place today in the US state of New Hampshire (if the result is known, it will already be Wednesday in this country).
It's only the second primary, and after Ron DeSantis' withdrawal, Trump has only one remaining opponent: Nikki Haley.
The former UN ambassador is considered a moderate, but even in the rather liberal New England state, Haley almost has to hope for a miracle.
This is despite the fact that non-Republicans are also allowed to vote here if they are registered as independents.
Haley's deficit in the polls has recently even increased.
For them it's already about everything.
If she doesn't achieve a surprise success, her campaign could already be over - and Trump's Republican candidacy just a formality.
DeSantis drops out of the presidential race: The miserable end of the mini-Trump
The money-away plan
It sounds like a simple solution: If a party ban procedure against enemies of democracy is too complicated and risky, you could at least cut off their funding - and thus take away their clout.
After the scandal surrounding the Potsdam extremist meeting, there have recently been increasing calls to fight the AfD in this way.
The tool for this has been in the Basic Law since 2017: Parties can since then be excluded from state funding if “their goals or the behavior of their supporters are aimed at impairing or eliminating the free, democratic basic order.”
In such a case, there would be no more public subsidies and tax breaks for six years.
The practical test is still missing.
But that could change today.
The Federal Constitutional Court decides on a corresponding application from the Bundestag, Bundesrat and Federal Government from 2019. It concerns the NPD, which now calls itself “Die Heimat”.
Two ban proceedings against right-wing extremists have failed.
But the hurdles for stopping financing are lower.
Whether the party is strong enough to put its anti-constitutional plans into practice no longer matters.
In any case, a successful exclusion of the NPD should encourage AfD opponents.
Or as Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder says: "That would also be a blueprint for the AfD."
Exclusion of party funding: SPD and Greens discuss cutting state funding for the AfD
NATO haggling in Ankara
Sweden actually wanted to be in NATO for a long time.
The country had already applied to join the defense alliance in May 2022.
But unlike Finland, which was admitted a long time ago, Sweden has to wait until today.
The reason: Two NATO countries refuse to give their consent – Hungary and Turkey.
At least Ankara could now give up its resistance.
Several media outlets are reporting that the Turkish parliament will debate the motion today and - information varies - perhaps even vote on it.
It would be the end of an unspeakable bargain with which Turkey has shown off Sweden and its NATO allies.
As a reminder: Sweden's application for membership was a direct reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; NATO itself would also benefit.
But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used the explosive security situation to play power poker.
First he accused Stockholm of accepting PKK members, then he wanted to blackmail the delivery of US F16 fighter jets.
There was resistance to this in the US Congress.
Even if there is now a solution.
One problem for NATO remains: the alliance is dependent on autocrats on important issues.
Step towards admission: Turkish parliamentary committee approves Sweden's accession to NATO
Read the current SPIEGEL editorial here
Hate choirs are damaging the fight against the AfD:
The large demonstrations of the past few days are an impressive signal of democratic cohesion.
This should not be endangered by stupid slogans.
Click here for the current daily quiz
The starting question today: What did the flag of the GDR - in the version from 1959 - not show?
Loser of the day...
...is the train drivers' union GDL.
Don't get me wrong: If it's necessary, you have to be able to strike - even if it disrupts the everyday lives of people who aren't involved.
But a six-day record strike without any negotiation over the railway's latest offer?
Starting today at 6 p.m., the GDL wants to paralyze freight traffic first, and then passenger traffic early on Wednesday morning at 2 a.m.
Blockade instead of talking: if you want to denigrate the right to strike, then that's fine.
Collective bargaining conflict: GDL boss accuses Bahn of “tricks and deception”.
The latest reports from the night
USA and Great Britain attack Houthi targets in Sanaa:
The USA, Great Britain and other allies have again responded with a military strike to ongoing Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
In a joint statement they warned the militia.
Hackers used SIM swapping to attack the US Securities and Exchange Commission:
A false report was recently spread through a tweet via the account of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which caused a stir in the crypto industry.
The authority has now provided information about the background to the hack.
Norman Jewison is dead:
He made dramas, thrillers and musicals; the comedy “Moonstruck” with Cher in the lead role is one of his greatest Hollywood successes.
Now Norman Jewison has died at the age of 97.
The SPIEGEL+ recommendations for today
Poorer households are disadvantaged in the energy transition:
There are many intelligent solutions to reduce energy costs.
But people with low incomes often lack access, a study shows.
A rethinking of state funding is therefore necessary.
New school, bad grades – does that have to be the case?
When children go to high school, their academic performance often drops.
But parents and teachers can do something about it.
Professor Silvia-Iris Bag gives tips.
Old money hype - longing for the top:
On TikTok and Instagram, young people show how to dress to look like rich people who don't want to look rich.
Is that silly or logical?
"I had the feeling that I was tearing my family apart":
the Olympics as a goal, the children in my head: How Laura Ludwig organizes her everyday life between family life and competitive sports - and what she learned about relationships from beach volleyball.
I wish you a good start to the day.
Yours, Kevin Hagen, head of duty