Weekly News Summary by German Campus: Week 45 (2 to 8 November 2026)

Last updated: 11 November 2026By Kumar Ashish, German Campus

Your 2-minute update on the week in Germany, 2 to 8 November 2026, in plain English. Only what matters if you study, work or plan to move here.

• ✊ Gen Z protests: most Germans understand the concerns, almost nobody accepts violence
• 🛒 Hackers attack supermarket freezers
• 🚨 New law planned: sexual harassment with words and gestures to become a crime
• 🔧 Bosch cuts 750 more jobs near Heilbronn
• 🏪 Migrant-run shops in Halle close for a day against racism
• 🗓️ November deadlines: Deutschlandticket, tax allowance, buy now pay later, Christmas markets

✊ Gen Z protests: most Germans understand the concerns, almost nobody accepts violence

After the nationwide “Gen Z regelt” protests on 31 October and the riots in some cities that night, politicians from several parties condemned the violence. Hesse’s minister-president Boris Rhein called it “totally unacceptable”, while others warned that the riots should not overshadow the protesters’ demands.

A new ARD-DeutschlandTrend poll by infratest dimap, carried out from 2 to 4 November among 1,297 eligible voters, shows broad sympathy: 73 percent understand the protests, and 82 percent say politics does not take young people’s concerns into account well enough. At the same time, according to The Local, 95 percent reject violence and about two thirds oppose road blockades. The next protests are planned for 20 November.

👉 What it means for you: Peaceful protest is legal for everyone in Germany, but getting caught up in violence can seriously harm your residence permit. If you think about joining on 20 November, read our Gen Z protest guide for international students first.

Sources: leinetal24 (dpa) · The Local · The Local

🛒 Hackers attack supermarket freezers

In early November, attackers manipulated the control systems of refrigeration units in several supermarkets in Germany and other European countries. According to The Local, some units switched to defrost or heating mode and reached temperatures of up to 50 degrees, and meat, dairy and frozen goods had to be thrown away. Nobody has claimed responsibility. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) published a security recommendation for operators: no direct internet access for control systems, access only via VPN with multi-factor login, and fast security updates.

👉 What it means for you: There is no reason to panic, as affected shops remove spoiled food. When you buy frozen food, avoid packs that feel soft, are covered in ice crystals or look thawed and refrozen. If you have a Minijob in a supermarket, follow your manager’s instructions on checking the freezers.

Sources: Linux Magazin · The Local

🚨 New law planned: sexual harassment with words and gestures to become a crime

On 2 November, Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig presented a draft law. Sexually charged remarks or gestures that intimidate or pressure someone would become a criminal offence, punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine. Group rape would carry a minimum sentence of five years, and the limitation period for rape would be 20 years in all cases. States and associations can comment until 30 November, then the federal cabinet will decide. Some states are sceptical, so the final law may still change.

👉 What it means for you: This is not law yet. If you are harassed or attacked today, call the police on 110 in an emergency. Women can get free, confidential help 24/7 in many languages from the Hilfetelefon “Gewalt gegen Frauen” on 116 016.

Source: Berliner Zeitung

🔧 Bosch cuts 750 more jobs near Heilbronn

On 5 November, Bosch announced that it will cut 750 jobs at its Abstatt site near Heilbronn by the end of 2029. The cuts affect the Vehicle Motion unit, which develops brake systems, sensors and vehicle software. Bosch names a stagnating vehicle market, weaker demand in Europe and strong competition from Asia as the reasons. In total, Bosch’s mobility division has now announced more than 23,000 job cuts in Germany.

👉 What it means for you: Jobs at car suppliers are under pressure. If you study engineering, look beyond the car industry too, for example at energy, infrastructure, software and the skilled trades, where Germany is short of workers. Search openings with our job finder and prepare your application with the German CV builder.

Source: autohaus.de (dpa)

🏪 Migrant-run shops in Halle close for a day against racism

On 5 November, around 30 migrant-run shops, barbershops and restaurants in Halle (Saxony-Anhalt) stayed closed for a day as a sign against racism and hostility towards migrants. About 200 people joined a rally in the city centre. The initiative “MigraStark” organised the first “Migra-Streik” in the city. The regional network Lamsa reports racist incidents almost every day since the state election in September.

👉 What it means for you: If you experience racism or discrimination, you do not have to accept it. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency offers free advice at antidiskriminierungsstelle.de, and many cities and universities have their own counselling services. In an emergency, always call 110.

Source: taz

🗓️ November deadlines and dates

• Deutschlandticket: If you have a DB subscription, agree to the new price of €66.80 in DB Navigator or on bahn.de by 30 November, otherwise it ends on 31 December.
• Tax allowance: Since 1 November you can apply for a Lohnsteuer allowance for 2027 at your tax office. It is worth it if you have high work-related costs, for example a long commute.
• Buy now, pay later: From 20 November, providers of small loans up to €200 and payment deferrals must check more closely whether you can afford to repay.
• Christmas markets: Aachen and Munich open on 20 November, Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt and Frankfurt on 23 November, Dresden’s Striezelmarkt on 25 November and Nuremberg on 27 November.
• This week: On 11 November, children carry lanterns for St. Martin’s Day, and the carnival season starts at 11:11 in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz.

Source: The Local

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