
The Spiegel newsletter on the situation on Sunday by Dirk Kurbjuweit deals with the dwindling compassion in politics in the face of the crises in Ukraine, Israel and refugee policy.
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Dirk Kurbjuweit's weekly newsletter highlights social and political developments.
The situation on Sunday Ukraine, Israel, refugees - how the discourse has become brutal
By Dirk Kurbjuweit
Compassion is one of the most important foundations of politics. It's dwindling more and more. That is the situation on Sunday.
October 18, 2026, 9:12 a.m

The commentary by Leo Klimm from Paris rejects the claim that the connection between the riots in French cities and the origins of the rioters is racist and obscures French failures.
The Science Temporary Contract Act ensures precarious working conditions for mid-level academic staff. Critics complain that the fixed-term practice drives away talent and endangers the quality of research due to a lack of planning security.

At Germany Day in Bonn, the Junge Union called on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to implement reforms quickly. Merz appears self-confident and relies on coalition discipline, while the pension reform is causing conflict.
The SPD is again looking for a new party leadership. Since Gerhard Schröder's departure, the chairmen have changed in rapid succession without the party finding its way back to its former strength or stability.

At the IMF annual meeting in Thailand, Germany is celebrated as an economic model boy. But despite the return of growth, experts warn against a false sense of security and risky policies.

At the IMF meeting in Thailand, Germany is praised for falling debts and new growth. But the strength is deceptive and could lead to risky policies.