Australia has passed a globally unique law that prohibits children under the age of 16 from using social media. The regulation is intended to force platforms such as TikTok and Meta (Facebook, Instagram) to block access for minors, otherwise they will face heavy fines. The law was passed after intense debate and is to apply from 2025. The aim is to protect children from psychological and physical harm caused by excessive use of social media, particularly through problematic content. Reactions are mixed: while some welcome the law, others criticize it as an encroachment on freedom. Experts and tech companies warn of possible negative consequences such as children being moved to more dangerous platforms.
Ukrainian energy workers risk their lives to maintain the power supply despite Russian attacks. A DTEK thermal power plant, hit several times, requires constant repairs. The workers see themselves as part of the front line in the war and are fighting to supply millions of people with energy, even in winter.
Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of violating a recently agreed 60-day ceasefire. Israel attacked a suspected Hezbollah rocket depot in southern Lebanon on Thursday and opened fire on “suspects” near the border. The Lebanese army and Hezbollah also accused Israel of violations, including attacks on returnees in border villages. The ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, provides for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon within 60 days and prohibits offensive operations. Tensions remain high as both sides complain of casualties and violations threaten to jeopardize the fragile agreement.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum reported on a friendly phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, which is intended to ease tensions over planned US tariffs on Mexican imports. Although the announced 25% tariffs were not discussed directly, the focus was on migration and drug trafficking. Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico's willingness to engage in dialogue and rejected Trump's claim that Mexico had agreed to close the border. She explained that Mexico is focusing on cooperation rather than isolation. Analysts suspect that Trump's tariff threat is primarily a negotiating tactic ahead of the review of the USMCA free trade agreement in 2026. The Mexican government remains optimistic that tariffs are unlikely given the economic costs.
Donald Trump wants to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours. Keith Kellogg, his future special envoy, proposes making arms deliveries to Ukraine conditional on negotiations and renouncing NATO membership. Russia could be offered sanctions relief, with the front line serving as a ceasefire line. Experts doubt a quick solution, but consider Kellogg's approach to be a possible path to negotiations. He presented his plan to Trump back in June.
Russia has once again launched massive airstrikes on Ukraine, attacking 117 targets with missiles and drones. Kiev and Odessa were particularly affected. According to Ukrainian reports, 88 of the 132 drones were shot down. Ukraine responded with attacks on an oil depot in the Russian region of Rostov and a radar station in Zaporizhia. US President Joe Biden strongly condemned the attacks and reiterated the support of the USA. Angela Merkel called for diplomatic solutions to be considered alongside military measures. Meanwhile, Poland reinforced NATO troops in Latvia with “Leopard 2” tanks. Russia's defense minister visited North Korea, and a Russian lawyer was sentenced to seven years in prison for criticizing the war in Ukraine.
The FDP is being criticized for an internal paper on the possible exit from the traffic light coalition, particularly because of the use of the term “D-Day”. Strack-Zimmermann admitted that the choice of words was problematic, while General Secretary Djir-Sarai attempted to relativize the document. SPD politicians sharply criticized the FDP and accused it of undermining trust in democracy. FDP politicians such as Faber defended the paper as necessary preparation for coalition crises.
The damaged Baltic Sea data cable between Helsinki and Rostock has now been repaired after it failed in mid-November. Another cable between Sweden and Lithuania has also been repaired. However, the causes of the damage are still unclear and sabotage is suspected. Investigations are underway, including into a Chinese ship in the vicinity of the breakage. China has declared its willingness to help with the investigation. The incident has not yet caused any major disruption to internet connections.
In Georgia, thousands of people have protested against the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks. In the capital Tbilisi, demonstrators blocked roads and demanded a resumption of the accession process. This led to clashes with the police, who used pepper spray, water cannons and, according to reports, rubber bullets. There were arrests and injuries, including several police officers. President Salome Zurabishvili supported the protests and called for a repeat of the disputed parliamentary election. The accession process had been halted following criticism of the government from Brussels.
Iran is planning to install thousands of new centrifuges for uranium enrichment at the Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities, as documented in a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran informs the IAEA about the installation of 32 cascades with 174 centrifuges each and one cascade with 1,152 advanced IR-6 centrifuges. Iran already operates more than 10,000 centrifuges. It is feared that this step could lead to the development of nuclear weapons, as the enrichment of uranium to 60 percent is close to the 90 percent required for weapons. A meeting with diplomats from Germany, France and the UK is due to take place in Geneva to discuss the nuclear program and other regional issues.
The German inflation rate rises for the second month in a row. Inflation amounted to 2.2% in November. It had recently fallen to its lowest level for around 3.5 years. Prices for package tours and insurance are rising the most. (DESTAT)
France is now expected to pay more interest on its debt than Greece. Major investors around the world are putting governments under pressure. (SUED)
Freiburg-based AI startup Black Forest Labs develops AI-supported image generation tools - and could soon become Germany's third AI unicorn after defense startup Helsing and translation engine DeepL. Find out more in AI Crunch. (TI)
Top managers have resigned and been dismissed, production has been paused and now there are allegations of corruption: things are burning brightly at motorhome manufacturer Knaus Tabbert. Can major shareholder Wim de Pundert save the company? (BR)
A new vacancy at the Adler real estate group: after the CFO, the CEO is now also stepping down at short notice at the beginning of December. There is already a designated successor. (FN)
- ECB President: Advises against retaliation against US tariffs.
- DAX: Working its way back up after recent setbacks (HB)
- Real estate companies: Want to increase rents (TAG)
- German companies: Investing more than ever in research and development (SV)
- Schaeffler: Automotive supplier relocates production to Eastern Europe and Asia (NTV)
- Roche: Pharmaceutical company expands site in Germany (FAZ)
- US antitrust regulator: Initiates investigation against Microsoft (MM)
- Kazamtomprom: World's largest uranium producer reports record profits (WSJ)
- Musk: Wants to start cutting red tape in consumer protection in the financial sector (TAG)
- Government bonds: Yield on French bonds exceeds yield on Greek bonds for the first time (FT)
- Heineken: Wants to build large brewery in Dubai (RT)
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