Drone defense and no citizens’ money for Ukraine

In Denmark, drones with mysterious origins buzzed the air and the airport had to be closed. Drones have also been repeatedly seen in Belgium – also at airports. But also at the Kleine-Brogel air force base and the Doel nuclear power plant.

So far no drones have been intercepted, so a clear classification is impossible. However, many countries and security agencies suspect Russia of being behind the incident. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said the overflights were intended to create uncertainty and fear.

But what to do? Today the cabinet approved a draft from the Federal Ministry of the Interior for a new aviation security law. The Bundestag still has to approve the reforms. The agreement stipulates that the future Bundeswehr must provide support for domestic drone defense to prevent espionage, sabotage and possible attacks on humans.

If necessary, even with armed forces. The so-called whining is mentioned as a means. This device breaks contact between the drone and its remote control. However, this is only planned if there is no threat to humans or attacks on critical infrastructure.

To ensure things happen quickly in an emergency, coordination between security and military authorities must be simplified and accelerated. According to the plans of the Federal Ministry of Interior, the armed forces will provide administrative assistance to states in the future.

And although this is an important step towards drone defense – the Minister of Defense stressed: “One hundred percent protection of launched drones, especially domestically, will not be possible in the long term.”

The Federal Cabinet today also gave the green light for changes to the so-called Benefit Rights Adjustment Act. Therefore, Ukrainian citizens who come to Germany after April 1, 2025 will in future no longer receive a citizen’s allowance if they need it, but rather a lower allowance under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefit Act.

The rate for single people is 441 euros per month, and for citizens it is 563 euros. According to the Ministry of Labor, this change is intended to put them on an equal footing with people who come to Germany as refugees from other countries.

Economist Enzo Weber said on ZDF that the changes mean Ukrainians will have less support in accessing the labor market, unlike basic security. However, the government can only make savings if the government employs people sustainably. “It’s about sustainability,” he explains.

At least 19 people were killed in Ukraine in one of Russia’s worst airstrikes in months. According to authorities, they were killed in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil when a residential building was hit by a rocket. According to information, 66 other people were injured across the country. In Western countries, Russia’s energy infrastructure has been particularly targeted, reports ZDF reporter Alica Jung.

In Türkiye, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is trying to revive talks to end the current war in Ukraine. Among other things, he wants to talk to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Moscow has said it will not send representatives to Ankara.

The fourth matchday of the Women’s Champions League is coming and VfL Wolfsburg will want to make up for the loss from the last match. However, Manchester United is the next big challenge coming to Autostadt. You’ll hear from us around 9 p.m. whether Alex Popp and his teammates are able to score goals.

In 2026, 48 teams will take part in the World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada – more than ever before. The expanded number of participants has sparked much criticism, but it offers outsiders a greater chance of qualifying for the final – such as the island of Curaçao.

The small Caribbean country got a direct ticket to the final by winning one point against Jamaica. And being happy.

As the DFB team also secured a World Cup ticket by beating Slovakia 6-0, the focus now slowly shifts to the group draw on December 5. What is the German group like? Everything about the World Cup draw:

Red deer are considered to be the largest land mammal commonly living in Germany. And forests benefit from these animals because they clear land for wild butterflies and bees and spread plant seeds. Now the red deer has been named the wild animal of 2026. And it is hoped that this will get the attention that this endangered animal needs.

Some 110 years after it was created, a painting by Gustav Klimt caused a stir at an auction in New York: “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” brought pride $236.4 million (approx. 204 million euros) – making it the second most expensive work of art ever sold. According to Sotheby’s, only Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi,” which sold for $450.3 million in 2017, is more expensive.

US President Donald Trump has maintained Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s innocence seven years after the murder of journalist critical of the government Jamal Khashoggi. He also denied the US secret service report. Many people don’t like Khashoggi. But whether you like it or not:

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“The Lifesavers of Murnau” shows the challenging daily lives of doctors at the BG Accident Clinic Murnau, one of Germany’s largest accident hospitals. This new five-part series shows how patients are treated there from the scene of the accident until they return to their former lives. (Five episodes, 44 minutes each)

The Bundeswehr has been present in Kosovo since June 1999. What was life like for German soldiers there? And how do they deal with this stress? ZDF report series 37 Grad follows officer Alina and trainer Peter for six months. (29 minutes)

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