
Non-alcoholic beer and “Zero” sodas are to be exempt from the planned sugar drinks tax.
AI-generated summary
The federal government is planning to introduce a sugar drinks tax, which has met with criticism from business.
New draft: Non-alcoholic beer and “zero” lemonades out – Klingbeil defuses sugar drinks tax
The sugar drinks tax will be reduced, according to a draft that SPIEGEL has seen. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil addresses the critics of the law at important points. What exactly is planned now.
By Markus Becker and Gerald Traufetter

Russia has threatened NATO with using nuclear weapons if the alliance tries to isolate the Kaliningrad exclave. Moscow warns of an armed conflict, while NATO strongly condemns the threat and classifies it as intimidation.

Federal Health Minister Carsten Linnemann has presented a care reform that is intended to avert an impending eight billion deficit. The package includes adjustments to contribution rates, new benefits for children in need of care and an expert commission for long-term reforms.

The Federal Cabinet has decided on a care reform, which includes higher contributions for the childless.The government also plans tougher penalties for attacks on police officers and train attendants while the Ministry of Economy directs gas storage.
After the Berlin House of Representatives election, the Left, the Greens and the SPD begin preliminary discussions about forming a government. The central theme of the first round is an understanding on anti-Semitism as a prerequisite for possible explorations.
According to a draft law by Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig, attacks on police officers, firefighters, doctors and railway workers should be punished more harshly in the future. The minimum prison sentence for attacks on law enforcement officers and rescue workers is to increase from three to six months.
After long negotiations, the federal government has agreed on a reform of long-term care insurance. A stabilization package includes, among other things, a higher contribution surcharge for those without children and savings in benefit surcharges.