Putin's joke
When I visited the Henri Nannen Journalism School in Hamburg many years ago, a guest student from Russia sat in our course for a few weeks: Vladimir Esipov.
He was later admitted to school on a regular basis, had previously worked for ARD, was then editor-in-chief of GEO Russia and is now a reporter at Deutsche Welle in Berlin.
When it was still possible, we, his former classmates, visited Vladimir in Saint Petersburg and Moscow.
Even back then, with his wonderfully sarcastic humor, he made it clear to us how naively Germany views Vladimir Putin.
We didn't really want to hear it.
Vladimir's first book has just been published: »The Russian Tragedy.
How my homeland became the enemy of freedom” (Heyne, 320 pages, 18 euros).
Some chapters fit very well with this day after the “election” in Russia.
“The Russians can simply do some things better than the Europeans,” writes Vladmir.
"For example, planning the outcome of an election." He then describes how he himself once witnessed election fraud, and how last summer the Kremlin conveyed to officials in the regions how the 2024 presidential election should turn out: at least 80 Percent of votes for Putin with a voter turnout of at least 70 percent.
And how did the election turn out?
According to last night's forecasts, supposedly 88 percent for Putin with 74 percent turnout.
What solid order fulfillment.
Despite Putin's mockery of democracy, there were also hopeful signs yesterday: under the motto "Lunch against Putin," many opponents of the regime gathered in front of the polling stations for a silent protest.
“Images that show that there are people who think differently here in the country,” comments my colleague Christina Hebel, who reports from Russia for SPIEGEL.
And as we know: many small signs eventually change the big picture.
Many Russians cast their votes in Berlin, including the widow of Putin opponent Alexei Navalny.
A video report: “Of course these are not elections”
Scholz's difficult journey
There was an irritating moment in the past two days, when the Chancellor was in Jordan and Jerusalem.
It was unclear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would actually appear in front of the press with Scholz as planned.
A rejection would have been a strange signal to a country that many say is still one of the few that stands with Israel in great solidarity.
In fact, in recent weeks there has been great pressure on the federal government to stand up even more clearly for the suffering Palestinians in the Gaza Strip - and to oppose Israel's planned military offensive in Rafah.
Netanyahu officially approved this on Friday.
A difficult journey for Scholz.
In his press statement, which did take place, Scholz spoke clear words for his circumstances.
He did underline Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas' terror.
At the same time, he said: “We cannot stand by and watch Palestinians starve.
That's not us, that's not what we stand for," said the Chancellor and called for a ceasefire.
Did he make an impression on Netanyahu?
Probably not.
Still, the words were important.
My colleague Maria Fiedler accompanied the Chancellor to Israel, you can read her story here: What did Scholz's short visit to Israel bring?
Europe's hope is Rwanda
There are debates in politics that flash up, disappear into obscurity, flash up again, disappear into obscurity, flash up again (and so on) without moving one step further in terms of content.
For me, the eternal call for a dominant culture is part of this phenomenon (do we have one now?) as is the demand for an upper limit for the admission of refugees.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz just brought it back into play in a “FAS” interview (without calling it that), but without explaining in detail how such a limit would be legally implemented.
That is the problem: it is difficult to limit a fundamental right.
Some time ago a new debate arose about the so-called Rwanda model.
The idea: Refugees who entered the country irregularly are taken to a third country - such as Rwanda - where their asylum application is processed.
The hope: the number of refugees is decreasing.
Not only Union politicians think the idea is fundamentally good, migration researcher Gerald Knaus is also promoting it.
Even the SPD, FDP and Greens mention in their coalition agreement that they want to examine this possibility.
The problem here too: law and order.
The British government has been pursuing the model for a long time, but the Supreme Court recently rejected it as illegal.
Now Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his people want to try it with a revised proposed law, which the British House of Commons will debate today.
It is worthwhile for all supporters of this model to look to London today.
More background on the Rwanda model: Could the federal government outsource asylum procedures abroad?
Click here for the current daily quiz
Today's starting question: Which of these historical events took place in 1832?
Winner of the day...
... is Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach.
Today he is giving the starting signal for an internet register on organ donations in Germany.
From today it will be possible to submit a voluntary declaration online if you are willing to donate your organs after death.
Hopefully this will not only make it easier to get one of the many plastic cards in your wallet, but will also increase people's willingness to donate.
What would be urgently needed: Last year, only a third of the need for organ transplants was covered.
In a second step, hospitals should be able to access the declarations in the register directly by July 1st.
Insured people should then be able to submit their declarations via their health insurance company's app by September 30th at the latest.
Now you might ask yourself why it takes almost half a year for everything to work as it should.
But we don't want to complain again.
You can read an interview about the hurdles of organ donation here: “If clinics make losses when organs are removed, that is a false incentive.”
The latest reports from the night
North Korea fires missiles during Blinken's visit to South Korea:
The timing was probably chosen carefully: the regime in Pyongyang has launched at least one ballistic missile - while the highest US diplomat is in the neighboring country.
BKA warns of threats from the left-wing spectrum:
An electricity pylon recently burned in eastern Brandenburg and paralyzed the nearby Tesla factory.
A left-wing extremist group claimed responsibility for the arson - a growing problem, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office.
Steinmeier refrains from congratulating Putin:
After the pseudo-election in Russia, there will be no congratulations from Bellevue Palace.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier instead turned to the suppressed opposition.
I would particularly like to recommend this text to you today:
After all the hard topics, things get cozy at the end of this morning situation.
Touch is healthy and creates intimate bonds.
Why do we almost only do it in partnerships?
My colleague Benjamin Maack writes about the most important rules for cuddling with friends without it getting weird - tangible, hands-on tips.
I wish you a good start to the day – and the week!
Yours, Martin Knobbe, head of the SPIEGEL capital office