Week of November 2

2026-W45: Nov 2 – November 8, 2026
FINAL: Last update November 6, 2026
COUNTRIES IN THE NEWS: United States
Ukraine
Russia
Iran
Belgium
Sweden
France
Israel
NEWS LANGUAGE: English
Deutsch (original)

Democrats win Senate and House majorities in US midterms as Republicans lose Congress

First published Wed, Nov 4

Republicans lost their majorities in Congress and the Senate in the US midterm elections, German outlets reported. Die Welt wrote that the Republicans of US President Donald Trump lost their majority in Congress and the Senate. Der Spiegel reported that, according to projections, the Democrats won a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.1 2

Trump said he would accept the result, Die Welt reported. Asked about the defeat, he said, "I was not on the ballot," according to 20 Minuten. Die Welt also reported that even Texas turned blue.1 3 4

Der Tagesspiegel published the five most important findings of the election night in figures, and Finanz und Wirtschaft reported from New York that the market was pricing in the Democratic landslide. Schweiz heute described the vote as an important mood test for Trump.5 6 7

Merz receives Zelenskyy in Berlin and pledges more aid for Ukraine

First published Tue, Nov 3

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on Tuesday. The meeting had not been announced in advance for security reasons. Merz addressed both Russia and the German public at the visit.1

Merz promised more help for Ukraine and appealed to Europeans to do more. He said of his position: "I advocate that the majority of Germans understand this."2 1

Zelenskyy said Ukraine's hacking of a Russian warning app was a counterattack, according to SZ.de.3

Attributed claim: Die Welt reported that Sahra Wagenknecht called the visit the "next slap in the face for their own people." The outlet did not name a party for her in its headline or lede.4

Reiche's first fuel-price cap draft sets hurdles so high it may never apply

First published Mon, Nov 2

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has presented a first draft law for a fuel-price cap, due to take effect in 2027. The draft sets high hurdles before the cap can bite, and the rules are so lax that filling stations could still charge well above the EU average.1 2 3 4

Attributed claim: Der Spiegel reports that the cap Reiche had drafted will probably never take effect, and that an ineffective cap could instead bring a price jump at the turn of the year. The FAZ writes that Reiche actually opposes the fuel-price cap she is now drafting.1 5

A filling-station chief told FOCUS online that fuel prices will rise markedly in 2027. The ADAC's explainer on the planned cap from 2027 sets out what drivers should know about the draft.6 7

BILD reported on the hurdles written into the 2027 fuel-price cap draft. The outlets carrying the draft's details span the political spectrum, from Der Spiegel and Die Zeit to the FAZ and FOCUS online.8 1 3 5 6

German police foil suspected far-right plot on migrant shelter; two suspects held

First published Mon, Nov 2

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Police in northern Germany moved against a suspected far-right attack on a migrant shelter after journalists alerted them to indications of a possibly imminent assault. Investigators are examining a 15-year-old and a 19-year-old in connection with the plan.1

The 15-year-old suspect is in pre-trial detention in Schleswig-Holstein over a suspected planned arson attack on a refugee shelter. The younger suspect is from Wahlstedt, and the alleged plot in Winsen in Lower Saxony was described as a suspected right-wing extremist attack.2 3 4

Attributed claim: A left-wing research outlet reported that antifascists prevented an attack by a neo-Nazi group called "Terror 18," crediting activists rather than police with stopping the plan. The centre and centre-right accounts describe the intervention as a police operation triggered by journalists' tip-off.5 1

Separate reporting on right-wing terror in Lower Saxony described an attack on an activist. Details of that incident were not established in the cited accounts.6

Hackers raise supermarket fridge temperatures to 50C in attacks across Europe

First published Mon, Nov 2

Cyberattacks have disrupted refrigeration systems at supermarkets in several European countries, with temperatures in some cold cabinets reportedly rising to as much as 50 degrees Celsius. In some branches the temperature climbed so sharply that frozen goods had to be thrown away. The attacks follow earlier incidents in France and have now been reported in Sweden and Belgium.1 2 3 4 5

Belgium's public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the attacks on supermarket refrigeration counters. In Sweden, an outdated vulnerability is believed to be what made the attacks possible in the first place. Hackers are reported to have paralysed cooling systems in hundreds of supermarkets.6 3 5

The incidents drew attention to how refrigeration equipment is connected. FOCUS online asked: "Why do refrigerated shelves have to be reachable via the internet?" The question points to the networked cooling technology that the attackers exploited.7 8

Reports describe the attacks as hitting multiple EU countries, with cases documented in Sweden and Belgium after earlier attacks in France. The refrigeration failures forced stores to discard stock in some branches.3 4 5 9

Also this week

Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.

Gysi urges Left party to expel Berlin MP Vanessa Emde over antisemitism claimsFri, Nov 6Gregor Gysi has called for Vanessa Emde, a Left party member of the Berlin state parliament from Neukölln, to be expelled from the party over antisemitism allegations. Gysi said of Emde's conduct: "antisemitic and indefensible." He added: "I hope that we exclude her."

Gysi urges Left party to expel Berlin MP Vanessa Emde over antisemitism claims

First published Fri, Nov 6

Gregor Gysi has called for Vanessa Emde, a Left party member of the Berlin state parliament from Neukölln, to be expelled from the party over antisemitism allegations. Gysi said of Emde's conduct: "antisemitic and indefensible." He added: "I hope that we exclude her."1 2 3

The Berlin Left's state board wants to demand on Friday that Emde give up her mandate, citing her anti-Israel statements. Party members doubt that Emde will comply with the demand.4 5

Gysi's intervention increases pressure on the Berlin party leadership, which has repeatedly postponed a decision on removing Emde from the party.1

The Berlin Left is distancing itself from Emde over her positions on Israel, and the state board's move to seek her mandate follows those statements.4 2

Trump announces a "very big" Russia deal for all of Europe and a coming Iran decisionFri, Nov 6US President Donald Trump said he would strike a "very big" deal with Russia over the war in Ukraine, one that "could cover all of Europe." He also said he would soon decide on the course of the Iran war. Trump turned back to his two main foreign-policy problems as if the congressional elections had not happened.

Trump announces a "very big" Russia deal for all of Europe and a coming Iran decision

First published Fri, Nov 6

US President Donald Trump said he would strike a "very big" deal with Russia over the war in Ukraine, one that "could cover all of Europe." He also said he would soon decide on the course of the Iran war. Trump turned back to his two main foreign-policy problems as if the congressional elections had not happened.1 2 3 4

The announcement drew calls in Germany to give Europe a seat at the table. The chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, said Europe must be included in the peace talks.5 6

Trump had earlier suspended planned new sanctions against Russia, including punitive tariffs and measures prepared against Moscow, citing the United States' "national interest." Moscow welcomed the suspension.1 7

Hubert Aiwanger, 55, found dead in Berlin hotel; prosecutors open death inquiryThu, Nov 5Hubert Aiwanger, leader of the Freien Wähler and Bavaria's deputy minister-president, was found dead in a hotel in Berlin at the age of 55. Police and prosecutors in Berlin have opened a death investigation.

Hubert Aiwanger, 55, found dead in Berlin hotel; prosecutors open death inquiry

First published Thu, Nov 5 · Updated Fri, Nov 6

Hubert Aiwanger, leader of the Freien Wähler and Bavaria's deputy minister-president, was found dead in a hotel in Berlin at the age of 55. Police and prosecutors in Berlin have opened a death investigation.1 2

Aiwanger served as Bavaria's economy minister and led the Freien Wähler to gains in the state, rising to deputy minister-president while drawing polarised attention over the Flugblattaffäre. Der Spiegel described him as an instinct politician walking the narrow ridge of populism.3 4 5

Government, business and unions are mourning Aiwanger, Die Zeit reported. The FAZ and other outlets reported that prosecutors are investigating the death, and the Berliner Morgenpost reported a preliminary autopsy result.6 7 8

BILD framed its account around what it called the riddle of the death in the Berlin hotel, while the Hamburger Abendblatt focused on the hotel itself where Aiwanger died. Neither account stated a cause of death.9 10

UPDATES

Fri, Nov 6 · New development

Tobias Gotthardt is taking over Bavaria's economy ministry for the time being, Die Zeit reported on Friday, filling the post held by Hubert Aiwanger.11

The Berliner Morgenpost reported that the autopsy has been completed, and the search for the cause of Aiwanger's death continues.12 11

Pistorius disputes Dobrindt's "migrant rioters" remark as Merz vows no tolerance for Gen Z violenceThu, Nov 5Boris Pistorius has distanced himself from Alexander Dobrindt's description of rioters as "migrant chaotics" after the Gen Z protests, asking: "What, please, are migrant groups?" The dispute follows violence on the margins of the youth protests.

Pistorius disputes Dobrindt's "migrant rioters" remark as Merz vows no tolerance for Gen Z violence

First published Thu, Nov 5

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Boris Pistorius has distanced himself from Alexander Dobrindt's description of rioters as "migrant chaotics" after the Gen Z protests, asking: "What, please, are migrant groups?" The dispute follows violence on the margins of the youth protests.1 2 3

Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the riots at the edge of the youth protests and said, "My government will not show tolerance." He threatened perpetrators with harsh punishment.4 5 6

Attributed claim: Die Welt / ZDFheute / BILD: Union politicians pushed back against Pistorius over his criticism of Dobrindt, while Pistorius questioned Dobrindt's statements about the rioters.6 3 2

Outlets across the political spectrum carried the exchange, from right-leaning BILD and Die Welt to centre outlets ZDFheute and Deutschlandfunk.2 6 3 1

In Frankfurt, questions were raised over whether the Gen Z protesters' demands are being lost in the debate over the violence.7

IG Metall stages warning strikes at Audi Neckarsulm and Zeiss over payThu, Nov 5IG Metall has called warning strikes in Germany's metal and electrical industry to press for higher pay. Employees at Audi's Neckarsulm plant protested, and walkouts were planned at Zeiss, Jenoptik and Jena-Optronik. The union also took its campaign onto the streets in Hameln on Thursday.

IG Metall stages warning strikes at Audi Neckarsulm and Zeiss over pay

First published Thu, Nov 5

IG Metall has called warning strikes in Germany's metal and electrical industry to press for higher pay. Employees at Audi's Neckarsulm plant protested, and walkouts were planned at Zeiss, Jenoptik and Jena-Optronik. The union also took its campaign onto the streets in Hameln on Thursday.1 2 3 4

A union official warned that household budgets will be tight by the end of the month, saying: "It'll be tight at the end of the month." The warning-strike action is tied to the collective bargaining round in the sector.1 2

BILD reported that a metal-industry boss raised the alarm over a further 300,000 jobs at risk. The figure appears in BILD's headline on the labour dispute, which frames the wage fight against a wider threat to industrial employment.5

Justice Minister Hubig drafts bill to tighten Germany's sexual offence lawWed, Nov 4Justice Minister Hubig has presented a draft bill to tighten Germany's sexual offence law, moving beyond the 2016 reform under which a rape is established when those involved clearly reject sex and no longer requires them to physically resist. The 2016 standard is known as "No means no."

Justice Minister Hubig drafts bill to tighten Germany's sexual offence law

First published Wed, Nov 4

Justice Minister Hubig has presented a draft bill to tighten Germany's sexual offence law, moving beyond the 2016 reform under which a rape is established when those involved clearly reject sex and no longer requires them to physically resist. The 2016 standard is known as "No means no."1 2

The new approach is summarised as "Only yes means yes," with Hubig going a step further than the existing rules.1

The draft leaves catcalling in a grey area, according to an SZ.de commentary on the proposal.3

The taz argues the reform is not about clumsy compliments.4

Merz faces angry CDU district chiefs as party base warns of "dark red" alarmWed, Nov 4Chancellor Friedrich Merz met the CDU's district chairmen on Monday evening for an open exchange, and the frustration inside the party was plain. The Tagesspiegel reported that Merz "got a sense of how enormous the frustration in the party is." Ahead of the meeting, BILD described the mood among the CDU base as alarm level "dark red."

Merz faces angry CDU district chiefs as party base warns of "dark red" alarm

First published Wed, Nov 4

Chancellor Friedrich Merz met the CDU's district chairmen on Monday evening for an open exchange, and the frustration inside the party was plain. The Tagesspiegel reported that Merz "got a sense of how enormous the frustration in the party is." Ahead of the meeting, BILD described the mood among the CDU base as alarm level "dark red."1 2

The district chiefs did not hold back in the discussion with Merz, and one of them followed up in a podcast, the Tagesspiegel reported under the line "The distress is great." A CDU politician sharply criticised Merz after the chancellor's meeting, according to BILD. Die Zeit put the encounter under the heading "Alarm level 'dark red': chancellor meets an angry base."3 4 5

Die Welt asked why an uprising of the CDU base against Merz fails to materialise, while Die Zeit reported that CDU politician Serap Güler is demanding more say for the party base. The two accounts point to the same conference from different angles: one on why the discontent has not broken into open revolt, the other on a concrete demand for more grassroots participation.6 2

The Bundesnetzagentur has awarded subsidies for the construction of eleven new gas-fired power plantsTue, Nov 3The Bundesnetzagentur has awarded subsidies for the construction of eleven new gas-fired power plants, with most of the reserve capacity to be built in North Rhine-Westphalia. The projects are meant to secure supply during periods of low wind and sun from 2031 onward.

The Bundesnetzagentur has awarded subsidies for the construction of eleven new gas-fired power plants

First published Tue, Nov 3

The Bundesnetzagentur has awarded subsidies for the construction of eleven new gas-fired power plants, with most of the reserve capacity to be built in North Rhine-Westphalia. The projects are meant to secure supply during periods of low wind and sun from 2031 onward.1 2 3

RWE and Leag received ten of the eleven awards, according to ad-hoc-news.de. The agency approved billions in funding for the plants.4 5

Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said operators of gas power plants benefit from the federal subsidy. Brandenburg's Minister-President Dietmar Woidke warned that the construction will push electricity prices higher.6 7

Baden-Württemberg's environment and energy ministry said state minister Walker criticised the auction results for the back-up power plants. Die Welt reported the warning that the electricity price will rise because of the plant construction.8 9

Trump threatens new strikes on Iran and says remaining targets take "ten minutes"Mon, Nov 2US President Donald Trump said further attacks on Iran are pending, telling audiences that "we still have to take care of one or two facilities, but we can do that in ten minutes." He pointed to a target 200 kilometres south of Tehran, which Der Spiegel linked to the name "Pickaxe Mountain."

Trump threatens new strikes on Iran and says remaining targets take "ten minutes"

First published Mon, Nov 2

US President Donald Trump said further attacks on Iran are pending, telling audiences that "we still have to take care of one or two facilities, but we can do that in ten minutes." He pointed to a target 200 kilometres south of Tehran, which Der Spiegel linked to the name "Pickaxe Mountain."1 2

BILD carried the threat as a direct warning to Iran under the line "done in ten minutes," and Ad-hoc-news.de reported Trump threatening a devastating military strike. The German reports describe the remarks as boasts about new attack targets rather than an announced operation.2 3

Die Zeit paired Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing two weakened men who now need a victory. tagesschau.de reported that the Gulf states are preparing for a new escalation in the Iran war.4 5

T-Online reported that fears of a new escalation in Iran are growing, framing the war plans as "crazy" and tying the timing to the period after the midterms.6