Thermomix Customer Data Breach Affects Millions Worldwide

Albrecht Weinberg, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor, has announced his decision to return the Order of Merit he received from Germany in 2017 due to the recent political alliances between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and far-right parties. Weinberg, who was deported to Auschwitz at 18 and survived three concentration camps, expressed his alarm at the CDU's acceptance of support from the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in pursuing anti-immigration measures. In a phone interview, he remarked, "It’s incredible that we’re back to this," emphasizing the potential for history to repeat itself under the influence of extremist politics. Following a failed anti-immigration bill supported by AfD, he noted that while there is hope, the political climate feels precarious. Weinberg, who has dedicated his post-war life to educating young Germans about the Holocaust, is scheduled to meet with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, although he maintains his decision to return the honor. "The politicians have joined forces with right-wing extremists," he stated, reflecting his concerns about a democracy on the verge of collapse.

A husband stands trial in Hamburg for allegedly murdering his wife, Helga K., by inflicting 82 stab wounds with a kitchen knife. The grisly incident, described as a "massacre" by emergency responders, occurred in their home in the Rönneburg district. According to reports, the couple, married for over 35 years, had a troubled relationship, characterized by increasing isolation and incidents of aggression from the husband, Georg K. The court heard that Georg K., a former Mercedes employee, may have suffered from depression and was in a diminished state of culpability at the time of the attack. On the night of the incident, a disagreement over an upcoming therapy appointment reportedly escalated into violence. Following the attack, Georg K. injured himself and called emergency services. Furthermore, investigators found that he conducted online searches in the days leading up to the murder regarding the implications of committing homicide under diminished capacity. The trial is set to continue on February 11.

Historian Andreas Rödder has voiced concerns about the escalating geopolitical tensions between the East and West, suggesting that the risk of a world war is "quite real." In an interview, Rödder emphasized that the current global order is fracturing, exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's rising influence. He noted that military deterrence alone will not suffice to maintain peace, advocating for a return to the principles of civil society, which prioritize individual rights and qualifications over collective identities. Rödder highlighted the failed predictions regarding the liberal order's permanence, arguing that the ongoing conflicts signal a resurgence of imperial ambitions from nations like Russia and China. He criticized Western countries, particularly Germany, for their previous dependence on Russian energy and their roles in conflicts like the Iraq War, which have weakened their strategic positions. In light of the current challenges, Rödder stressed the need for Western democracies to revitalize themselves, suggesting that internal division could undermine their ability to resist external threats. He concluded that a focus on democratic values and effective governance is crucial for the West’s survival in a multipolar world.