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Austria Approves Fuel Price Relief Measures

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Austria’s lower house of parliament has approved draft legislation aimed at easing rising petrol costs, triggered by heightened tensions in the Gulf. Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran, coupled with Iran’s threat to block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, have pushed global oil prices higher, prompting the government to act.

The ruling three-party coalition plans to return extra revenue from higher fuel prices to consumers through tax cuts on petrol and diesel, alongside capping profit margins for refiners and petrol retailers. The government estimates these measures could initially lower fuel costs by around 10 euro cents per litre starting next month.

The opposition Greens supported the bill, giving the government the necessary two-thirds majority, but cautioned that the measures may be ineffective if retailers simply raise prices further. Greens leader Leonore Gewessler stressed that the government must improve the plans to genuinely bring fuel prices down.

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Ex-RAF Militant Charged Over 1990s Attacks in Germany

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German prosecutors have charged former Red Army Faction (RAF) member Daniela Klette with attempted murder and multiple violent attacks carried out in the early 1990s. The 66-year-old suspect, arrested in Berlin in February 2024 after more than three decades on the run, is accused of bomb attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and aggravated robbery, with charges filed in a Frankfurt court.

Klette was allegedly part of the RAF’s third generation, a far-left militant group responsible for dozens of killings between 1970 and 1991. Prosecutors say she was involved in a 1990 car bomb plot targeting a Deutsche Bank building, a 1991 shooting attack on the U.S. embassy in Bonn, and a 1993 prison bombing in Weiterstadt that caused major damage.

The Frankfurt court will now decide whether to proceed with a full trial, a process expected to take months. Klette is already facing a separate trial in Celle for armed robberies carried out between 1999 and 2016, where prosecutors accuse her and accomplices of stealing millions of euros and attempting violent cash van heists.

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Whale Freed After Major Baltic Rescue

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A humpback whale stranded on a sandbank near Lübeck on Germany’s Baltic coast has successfully freed itself after days of rescue efforts. The 12–15m-long whale was first spotted near Timmendorfer Strand earlier this week, prompting a large-scale operation by marine biologists, coast guards, and rescue teams to guide it back to deeper water.

Rescuers used diggers to create a channel and worked under floodlights to help the whale move toward open sea. By Friday morning, the whale had swum about 300 meters offshore into deeper waters, raising hopes that it will continue toward safer waters. Marine biologist Robert Marc Lehmann said the whale regained strength overnight and managed to free itself from the sandbank.

Experts remain cautious as the whale still has netting lodged in its mouth and could not be fitted with a tracking device due to its weak condition. Authorities are escorting the whale with boats and hope it will swim north toward Denmark and eventually reach the North Sea and Atlantic, its natural habitat.

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Portugal’s Catholic Church to Compensate Abuse Victims with $1.85 Million

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Portugal’s Catholic Church has announced it will pay a total of 1.6 million euros ($1.85 million) in compensation to 57 victims of sexual abuse by clergy, acknowledging decades of harm caused to children and vulnerable individuals. The decision follows findings by a Church-funded commission in 2023 that revealed at least 4,815 people were abused by members of the clergy in Portugal over the past 70 years.

The Portuguese Bishops’ Conference stated that financial compensation cannot undo the damage caused but serves as a step toward accountability and apology for the suffering endured by victims. The Church emphasized its commitment to addressing past abuses and supporting those affected.

A total of 95 people applied for compensation, with 67 deemed eligible and 57 claims already approved, ranging from 9,000 to 45,000 euros per person. Nine additional claims remain under review as authorities finalize compensation amounts and continue the process.

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Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman Explore Merger Amid Industry Slump

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Global spirits giant Pernod Ricard and American whiskey producer Brown-Forman, best known for Jack Daniel’s, have confirmed they are in discussions over a potential merger. The move would combine the world’s second-largest spirits company with a leading U.S. whiskey maker, as both firms navigate a prolonged slowdown in alcohol sales. While Brown-Forman’s shares rose sharply following the news, Pernod Ricard’s stock declined, reflecting mixed investor sentiment about the deal.

The spirits industry has been facing declining demand due to changing consumer habits, rising health consciousness, and pricing pressures from tariffs. Both companies have already initiated restructuring efforts, including cost-cutting measures and job reductions. Analysts note that a merger could deliver operational efficiencies and cost savings, especially given overlapping markets in the U.S. and Europe, though it may not fully address long-term growth challenges.

The proposed deal is expected to include a significant stock component, allowing founding families to retain influence in the combined entity. While Brown-Forman’s controlling shareholders have historically resisted such moves, current market conditions may make them more open to consolidation. The companies stated they will not provide further updates until negotiations are finalized or discontinued.

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Europe Retailers Warn of Price Surge Amid Middle East conflict

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European retailers are warning of rising prices and weakening consumer demand as the ongoing Middle East conflict drives up energy and transportation costs. Companies across the sector say prolonged disruption could fuel inflation, with oil prices already climbing above $100 per barrel and increasing pressure on global supply chains.

Major retailers including H&M and Next have signalled potential price increases in the coming months. While short-term hikes may remain modest, executives caution that prolonged conflict could push prices significantly higher, particularly as manufacturing and freight costs rise. Firms are relying on flexible supply chains to manage uncertainty but acknowledge growing risks.

At the same time, consumer confidence across Europe is weakening, with falling retail sales and declining sentiment in countries such as the UK, Germany, and Italy. Retailers like Co-op warn that households are becoming more cautious amid rising living costs, and further escalation of the conflict could intensify inflationary pressures, dampening spending and slowing economic growth.

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Finland Supreme Court Fines MP Over Remarks on Homosexuality

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Finland’s Supreme Court has fined Member of Parliament Paivi Rasanen for describing homosexuality as a “developmental disorder,” in a landmark ruling that has intensified debate over free speech and minority rights. The court found her guilty of incitement against a group based on statements made in a 2019 social media post and later on her website.

The court ruled that Rasanen’s claims contradicted established medical understanding and that she should have recognised the potential harm of her statements. She was ordered to pay a fine of 1,800 euros. The decision was closely contested, with a 3–2 vote, overturning earlier rulings by lower courts that had acquitted her.

Rasanen, who has served in parliament since 1995, said she was shocked by the verdict and is considering appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. The case has drawn international attention, with support from conservative groups and criticism from others, while also prompting renewed calls within Finland for changes to laws governing freedom of speech and incitement.

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Iran war Dampens Tourism in Cyprus and Greece

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The ongoing Iran conflict has begun to impact tourism in Cyprus and Greece, with rising cancellations and a slowdown in new bookings ahead of the crucial summer season. The situation escalated after military strikes in late February and subsequent counterattacks, including a drone strike near a British base in Cyprus, triggering concerns among travellers and leading to a sharp drop in visitor interest.

In Cyprus, cancellations for short-term rentals surged dramatically, at one point reaching nearly 100% in the days following the escalation, before easing to around 45% by late March. The country’s hospitality sector has reported significant declines in bookings for March and April, prompting the central bank to cut its 2026 economic growth forecast. Airlines and travel operators have also noted reduced demand, with tourists shifting preferences to destinations like Spain.

Greece has also seen a slowdown, particularly in pre-bookings, although the impact has been less severe. Major carriers report declining demand from key markets such as Israel and Gulf countries, while tourism officials remain cautiously optimistic. Industry stakeholders warn that if the uncertainty continues into peak summer months, it could pose a serious risk to economies heavily reliant on seasonal tourism.

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Canada Pushes G7 to Back New Defence Bank Initiative

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Canada is urging G7 nations to support the creation of a new multilateral defence bank aimed at financing small and medium-sized defence companies. Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the proposal will be presented during the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in France, as countries face rising security challenges linked to ongoing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty.

The proposed Defence and Security Resilience Bank is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s broader strategy to strengthen cooperation among allies, including NATO partners. Canada has been hosting discussions in Montreal to develop the bank’s framework, with the city also positioning itself as a potential headquarters. The initiative aims to pool capital and improve access to funding for defence firms struggling to meet increasing demand.

However, the proposal faces mixed support, with some countries like Germany declining participation and others exploring alternative financing plans. Anand emphasized that lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War highlight the need for faster procurement and better coordination in defence supply chains. She added that discussions will continue in the coming months, with more countries encouraged to join the initiative.

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Netherlands Seizes 261 Suspected Wild Parrot Eggs at Schiphol Airport

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Dutch authorities have seized 261 suspected wild parrot eggs at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport after customs officers discovered them in the hand luggage of a couple travelling from Central America to Asia. The eggs were carefully packed in paper and bundled inside clothing, raising immediate suspicion during inspection.

Officials became alerted when they heard chirping sounds coming from one of the bundles and found a chick in the process of hatching. The species of the bird could not be identified due to its early stage of development. The travellers were detained by the Royal Military Police, though their identities have not been disclosed.

All parrot species are protected under the CITES treaty, which strictly regulates trade in endangered wildlife. As the travellers lacked proper documentation, the eggs were confiscated and transferred to a specialised facility, where they will be incubated and the chicks cared for.

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