Here you will find the most important news of the day, the most popular stories of SPIEGEL + and tips for your end of workday.
THE THEME OF THE DAY
Speed limit and climate protection: The debate is picking up speed
The debate about a possible speed limit on German motorways is polarizing. Shortly after the advance of a government commission, two camps were positioned. The proponents of the thrust, of freedom and time spent talking about more safety and environmental protection opponents of a speed limit. My colleagues also have a varied discussion:
- Mikhail Hengstenberg smiles at the fact that people sometimes profile themselves as good drivers over the tempo. "Everyone can drive straight on quickly," he writes.
- Gerald Traufetter considers the 130 km / h speed limit to be a good idea, but not the most important one.
- Emil Nefzger wants a compromise: a speed limit of 200 km / h.
The discussion puts traffic Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) under pressure. He defends himself against a speed limit. That's why he just duped a Climate Commission by canceling an important working session - apparently to save time.
DPA
Exhaust gases of a diesel engine
And in parallel with the new debate, the Minister of Transport must continue to deal with the diesel affair. Here he is somewhat relieved by a recent publication: Numerous pulmonary specialists question the harmful effects of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter on humans. Some arguments of the scientists can be refuted. Nevertheless, the contribution helps the scientific discourse, writes my colleague Heike Le Ker.
And the political debate on climate protection, the diesel affair and a speed limit, the throw should also continue to fuel. Scheuer told the newspapers of the Funke media group, "The scientific approach has the weight, the approach of prohibition, restriction and annoyance to overcome."
THE NUMBER OF THE DAY
185000
In as many asylum applications were made in 2018 in Germany - 16 percent less than in the previous year. The number of initial applications was only 162,000. Most immigrants came again from other European countries. Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) presented the values. In the coalition agreement, the Union and SPD had agreed on a corridor of 180,000 to 222,000 new arrivals. The actual number of applications is thus clearly lower.
AFP
Horst Seehofer
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NEWS
What you need to know today
- Shutdown becomes a security risk: Due to the budget lock in the US, money is now scarce among security agencies such as the FBI. They warn: Shutdown benefits criminals and terrorists.
- Brandenburg government plans parity on state lists: Half of the parliamentary seats should be filled in the future with women. It would be the first regulation of this kind in Germany - but the project is legally controversial.
DPA
State parliament in Potsdam
- Salvini mocks Macron: He talks a lot but does not achieve much and is "a very bad president," Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini says of French President Emmanuel Macron. He is thus fueling the dispute between Rome and Paris.
- Merkel sends clear signals to Trump in Davos: At the World Economic Forum, Angela Merkel pleads for international cooperation, but at the same time she is clearly criticizing - including the US.
DPA
Angela Merkel
- Berlin police are looking for a swarm of officials on Instagram: About social media, the officials are looking for a woman in which a colleague has fallen. There is encouragement, but also sharp criticism.
- Williams bends over at Matchball and leaves: In the quarter-final against Karolina Pliskova Serena Williams was clearly ahead. After a small misstep she lost but still.
REUTERS
Serena Williams
OPINION
Most talked about comments, interviews, essays
From the everyday life of a Bamf decision maker: It has to do with traumatized, with many hopes and just as many fears: An asylum decision maker at Bamf speaks in the job log about her work.
Trump's doing it right: The US president does not want to give press conferences anymore. Harald Schmidt explains in his video column why he finds short statements in passing much better anyway.
THE MIRROR
Harald Schmidt
STORIES
The most read texts at SPIEGEL +
Gender transformation and the reaction of parents: How a family deals with turning Antonia's daughter into the son of Anton. Especially the father is having a hard time.
TANJA KERNWEISS / DER SPIEGEL
Anton Dalichau
How a Harvard Professor Wants to Defeat Cancer: David Scadden has experienced two revolutions in cancer treatment over the past few decades. With his differentiation therapy, he now wants to initiate the third.
Why a politician believes he can do more as a non-politician: The green financial expert Gerhard Schick resigns his parliamentary mandate and founds a non-profit organization. Why?
MY EVENING
The recommendations for your closing time
What you can see: Germany and France are already in the World Cup semi-final. Now they fight in Fernduell for the group victory in the main round. The last appearance of the DHB team in Cologne promises great things: Germany will meet from 20.30 clock (live ticker SPIEGEL ONLINE, TV: ARD) on European champions Spain - but without the seriously injured Martin Strobel. You can find out about the possible constellations for the semi-final here. My colleague Jan Göbel also explains why the French are not only talented but also more diverse than other teams.
AP
DHB team in Cologne
I wish you a nice finishing time.
warmly
Andreas Evelt from the Daily Team
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