Friday's top story: Germany prepares for Krampusnacht and Nikolaustag
Friday marks the eve before St Nicholas Day, in German Nikolaustag, which is also the night when the figure of the saint, along with the devilish looking creature the Krampus, are known to visit the homes of children in some parts of southern Germany. In these places the eve is also known as Krampusnacht.
If you want to catch a view of the horned, furry creature yourself, you might consider a trip to Munich on December 14th this year, when Munich will have its world famous Krampuslauf (Krampus parade).
READ ALSO: Where to see Krampus in Germany in 2025
Saturday is then St Nicholas Day, when German families traditionally place their polished shoes or boots outside the door in the evening. By the next morning, St Nicholas will have filled them with treats.Â
US presents 'a big danger' for Ukraine, European leaders warn
European leaders are deeply distrustful of the US in its efforts to lead peace negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.
Der Spiegel has reported notes from a conference call in which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron issued intense words of warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several other European politicians, suggesting that the US could betray Ukraine and Europe.
According to the notes, Merz said Zelenskyy must be "very careful" in the coming days.
Speaking about the two US negotiators Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul, and Jared Kushner, who is President Donald Trump's son-in-law, he added, "They are playing games with both you and us."
"There is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory without clarity on security guarantees," said Macron.
READ ALSO: Germany says Russia isn't moving to 'negotiating mode' on Ukraine
On Friday Merz is to travel to Brussels to urge top leaders in the EU to go forward with plans to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's defence.
A government spokesman said Thursday that Merz would attend a private dinner with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen instead of going to Oslo.
Under the terms of the European Commission proposal, Germany would be one of the possible guarantor states for securing the assets.
"My aim is not just to convince the Belgian government but also the European Council," Merz said.
Germany’s SCHUFA credit score gets major overhaul
Germany's SCHUFA credit scoring system, long criticised as an opaque "black box," will undergo major reforms from March 2026, slashing criteria from 250 to 12 key factors like the age of one's oldest credit card, recent account charges, and payment declines.
Essential for renting apartments, securing loans or financing purchases, SCHUFA aggregates data from over 10,000 firms including banks and utilities. The overhaul responds to demands for transparency, spurred by consumer advocates and a 2025 European Court of Justice ruling mandating clearer automated decision-making processes.
Access will shift online: users can create free accounts on the SCHUFA website to input data and view simplified scores instantly, with eID verification unlocking detailed reports formerly costing €29.95 and taking weeks by post.
A "data cockpit" will simulate score impacts from actions like new loans or card cancellations, and a mobile app is planned.
READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about Germany's 'Schufa' credit score
Team Germany gears up for Olympic bid
Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a landmark agreement on Thursday backing Germany's bid for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games, committing the federal government to €6 million in funding for national and international phases through 2027.
Joining him were Hamburg's First Mayor Peter Tschentscher and representatives from rival bidders Berlin, Munich and Rhein-Ruhr, marking a united front led by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).
Hamburg's bid chief Steffen RĂĽlke hailed it as proof of teamwork: "We play together to win and bring the Games back to Germany."
Tschentscher called it a "key milestone," though a local referendum looms on May 31st, 2026. The DOSB will pick the national candidate by autumn 2026.
Opposition voices, like Hamburg Left party's Martin Wolter, are concerned about the amount of money – €18 million locally by 2026 – which is likely to be diverted from grassroots sports facilities.
Rescued seal pups begin recovery journey
Two young grey seal pups, Karlsson and Marieke, were moved from quarantine to the rearing area at Seehundstation Friedrichskoog in Schleswig-Holstein on Thursday.
The pups were found abandoned and transferred from Helgoland Dune on November 16th. Initially fed salmon emulsion, they are now eating herring to build up weight.
When Karlsson reaches around 40-45 kg and Marieke 35-40 kg, they will be released into the North Sea.
The station, the only authorised facility in Schleswig-Holstein for seal rehabilitation, cares for over 200 abandoned pups annually. The seal birth season in the region is busy, with nearly 800 pups counted on Helgoland Dune so far.
The station urges the public to keep distance from seals on beaches to avoid disturbance and to contact seal experts if unsure about an animal’s condition.
With reporting by DPA, AFP and Tom Pugh.
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