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

Case by case or policy problem: how right is the police?

Around 250,000 police provide daily safety in Germany. They experience hostility, perform night shifts and overtime - it is often not a grateful job. Since the weekend is determined because of right-wing chat content against five officials of a Frankfurt district. The State Criminal Police Office has apparently now extended the investigation to other departments.

In the recent past, there have been several such cases. That arouses a bad suspicion: Does the police have a bigger problem with right tendencies in their ranks? My colleagues Jörg Diehl and Ansgar Siemens are approaching this difficult question.

DPA

Interior Minister Peter Beuth

The police affair started in Frankfurt with a fax under the code name "NSU 2.0". He went to the lawyer Seda Basay-Yildiz, who represented, among other victims of the terror cell "National Socialist underground". Meanwhile, another letter has appeared that has similarities. The Cologne lawyer Mustafa Kaplan is the recipient and has filed a complaint.

The investigations could also affect the Hessian state policy. There, CDU and Greens are negotiating a continuation of their coalition. It's about posts and power. The already wiggling CDU Interior Minister Peter Beuth is accused of not having forwarded information quickly enough. Tomorrow he will take position in the Interior Committee. And the controversial role Volker Bouffiers - then Interior Minister and now Prime Minister - after the NSU murder of Halit Yozgat in Kassel is suddenly back to the topic.

THE NUMBER OF THE DAY

50

One of the most extraordinary players in German football celebrates his birthday today: Mario Basler. No question: the now 50-year-old footballing one of the heroes of my childhood. My friends and I all wanted to be able to shoot like him. Cut the ball like no one else could (partly from the corner directly into the goal). Admittedly, off the court he was often negative. His successes, his transgressions, his sayings - my colleague Alex Raack has written them worth reading.

imago / Uwe force

Mario Basler

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Yes, I would like to receive non-binding offers from the SPIEGEL publishing house and the manager magazin publishing company (for magazines, books, subscriptions, online products and events) by e-mail. I can revoke my consent at any time.

NEWS

What you need to know today

  • Thousands of hospital trainees get their first money: So far, they had to work evening and weekend to finance their education.
  • One year Austria under Sebastian Kurz: The Chancellor. A video with an assessment of the Austrian Chancellor can be found here.
  • The EU is tightening CO2 limits more than Germany hoped for : the car lobby is outraged by stricter climate protection targets.
  • Manchester United separate from José Mourinho: The club has been in crisis for months, now Manchester United has drawn the consequences: club and coach go their separate ways.
  • Stiftung Warentest advises against combination preparations: The nose is running, the throat scratching or the skull is buzzing? Anyone who has a cold should treat each of his complaints individually.

OPINION

Most talked about comments, interviews, essays

Where the calorie bombs lurk for Christmas: nutrition expert on biscuits, roast, mulled wine - and what that does to our body.

THE MIRROR

Everyday life is full of dangers: Harald Schmidt therefore explains how to use an escalator correctly. But not only that. Here's the video.

STORIES

The most read texts at SPIEGEL +

Can I still put a tree in the living room with a clear conscience? That's fine. Robin Wood expert Rudolf Fenner knows what to look for.

DPA

He was called a Nazi, others celebrated him: At the beginning of 2018, Jörg Sator decided that for the time being his dinner board in Essen would only accept those in need with a German passport: The case caused a huge stir. What has happened since then? My colleague Lukas Eberle visited him.

THE CARTOON OF THE DAY

Klaus Stuttmann

12/18/18

MY EVENING

The recommendations for your closing time

What you could do: If you are still thinking about taking a spontaneous ski holiday between the years, and appreciate the thrills, this is the right evening reading: we have put together the steepest pistes. Below are some insider tips. But beware: The runs are only suitable for experienced drivers.

Mayrhofen mountain railways / SRT

I wish you a nice finishing time.

warmly

Max Holscher from the Daily Team

The most important of the day, the best for the evening: SPIEGEL Daily - order the update as a newsletter here.

- Your update for the evening

The most important news of the day, the best stories - as a compact briefing. Get it daily via push message.

Turn on here.