The general global trend towards protectionism has been boosted by the pandemic, as countries try to buy more locally. That's a serious threat to jobs in Germany.

Germany is to shut down its last nuclear reactors next year. However, the country still has no place to store the 27,000 cubic metres of highly radioactive material it has already produced, with the amount set to grow as power stations are decommissioned and dismantled. German authorities have set a deadline of 2031 to find a permanent storage location – but for now, the waste is being stored in temporary locations, much to the anger of local residents. Our correspondents report.

Germany’s short-time work model prevents mass layoffs during an economic downturn when workers have less to do. When they do work, they get paid as usual. When they don't work, they get an allowance from the state. This helps keep the economy stable.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Saturday

A Berlin court has convicted a Russian national of murdering an ethnic Chechen of Georgian nationality, giving the man a life sentence. The judge said prosecutors had demonstrated his ties to Russian intelligence.

German MP Karl Lauterbach: 'You must compare the damage which would have occurred to what we prevented'

Car hits German carnival parade - DW's Kate Brady reports

This summer, catastrophic floods hit the Ahr valley in western Germany. Half a year later, with winter drawing in, DW reporter Peter Hille traveled there to meet people who are slowly beginning to resume their lives.

A Berlin-based human rights group says top clothing retailers may be sourcing Xinjiang cotton that has allegedly been picked using forced labor. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights has filed a criminal complaint in a federal court in Germany.

The Greek and Tunisian coast guards have also reported successful rescue missions. Nonetheless, dozens of people have died in shipwrecks in the Mediterranean over the past several days.

German IS returnee Jennifer W. is one of the first people worldwide to receive a prison sentence for war crimes against Yazidis in Iraq.

Germany's new government will face several domestic and international challenges in the new year. Still, a sense of optimism prevails.