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Lufthansa Strike Disrupts Travel as City Airlines Secures Pay Deal

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Tens of thousands of passengers across Germany faced major travel disruptions as Lufthansa cabin crew and its regional unit CityLine staged a day-long strike, leading to widespread flight cancellations at key airports. The industrial action, organized by the UFO union, affected major hubs including Frankfurt and Munich, with Frankfurt Airport alone reporting around 580 cancelled flights and roughly 72,000 passengers impacted.

Lufthansa management criticized the strike as “completely disproportionate,” while union representatives defended the move, saying stalled wage negotiations left them with no choice but to escalate. The strike highlights growing tensions within the airline group as employees demand better pay and working conditions amid ongoing restructuring in Europe’s aviation sector.

In contrast, Lufthansa’s newer subsidiary City Airlines reached its first labour agreement with the Verdi union, securing salary increases of 20% to 35% through 2029 along with improved benefits and working conditions. The agreement comes as Lufthansa plans to shut down CityLine by the end of the year and shift short-haul operations to City Airlines, raising concerns among CityLine employees over job security and future employment.

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Germany Suspends Approval Rule for Long Overseas Stays by Military-Age Men

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Germany has suspended a controversial requirement that men of military age seek approval for extended stays abroad, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced after public concern over new military service rules. The regulation, introduced under the Military Service Modernisation Act that took effect in January, had required males aged 17 and above to obtain permission before travelling abroad for more than three months, though it had not yet been enforced.

Pistorius clarified that during peacetime, citizens aged between 17 and 45 are free to travel without notifying authorities or requesting approval. The government has temporarily halted the permission process while military service remains voluntary, stressing that the measure was originally intended as a precaution tied to national defence planning amid heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The updated law seeks to strengthen Germany’s armed forces and allows conscription to be reinstated if voluntary recruitment falls short. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to build Europe’s strongest conventional army, with all 18-year-olds now receiving questionnaires about potential military service — mandatory for men and optional for women. From July 2027, 18-year-old men will also undergo medical examinations to assess fitness for possible service.

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Rescuers Give Up on Stranded Whale off German Coast

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Rescue teams in Germany have ended efforts to save a stranded humpback whale after more than a week of attempts along the Baltic Sea coast. The whale, first trapped on a sandbank in March, was briefly freed but later swam into increasingly shallow waters near Poel Island, where it became stuck again.

Experts say the animal is now too weak to survive, with its condition worsening despite repeated interventions. Officials noted that attempts to guide it back to deeper, saltier waters had failed, and further rescue efforts would likely cause unnecessary suffering.

Authorities have now established an exclusion zone around the whale, allowing it to die undisturbed. Officials described the situation as a tragic and rare incident, highlighting the challenges of rescuing large marine animals in difficult coastal conditions.

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German Inflation Rises Amid Energy Shock from Iran Conflict

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Inflation increased to at least 2.5% across four German states in March, driven largely by rising energy prices linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. In North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, annual inflation climbed to 2.7% from 1.8% in February. Similar increases were recorded in Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony, signalling a likely nationwide rise in inflation figures expected later in the day.

Economists surveyed by Reuters predict Germany’s harmonised inflation rate will reach 2.8% in March, up from 2.0% the previous month. Analysts warn that while energy costs are currently the main driver, broader price increases may follow. Berenberg Bank chief economist Holger Schmieding said higher transport costs and potential fertiliser shortages could push food prices higher, with inflation possibly exceeding 3% if the conflict continues.

A survey by the Ifo institute showed German companies increasingly expect to raise prices due to rising production and transport expenses. The data comes ahead of eurozone inflation figures, with markets anticipating further monetary tightening by the European Central Bank. Investors now expect up to three interest rate hikes this year as policymakers respond to mounting inflation pressures.

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G7 Ministers Urge Immediate End to Civilian Attacks in Iran War

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Foreign ministers of the G7 nations have called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure amid the ongoing Iran war, following a high-level meeting in France. In a joint statement, the ministers stressed the urgent need to reduce harm to civilian populations and protect critical infrastructure affected by the conflict.

The leaders highlighted the importance of coordination and global partnerships to limit the wider impact of the war, including disruptions to energy, trade, fertilizer supplies, and global supply chains. They warned that continued instability could trigger economic shocks and affect countries far beyond the conflict region.

The G7 also emphasized the need to ensure safe and uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, while reaffirming their commitment to regional stability and international cooperation. The group includes the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union.

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German Chancellor Merz Doubts U.S.-Israel Strategy in Iran War

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed doubts about whether the military actions by United States and Israel against Iran will achieve lasting success. Speaking at a conference in Berlin, Merz said he was unconvinced that there was a clear endgame to the conflict, which began with joint strikes on February 28 and has since escalated across the region.

Iran has responded with attacks on Israeli territory, U.S. bases, and Gulf states, while also disrupting vital oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. European countries, including Germany, have largely avoided direct involvement, a stance that has reportedly frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump. Merz emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts through the G7 and regional talks but admitted limited influence over Israeli decisions.

Merz also clarified that the conflict is not a mission for NATO, noting he conveyed this position in a recent call with Trump. While Germany may consider future roles such as securing maritime routes or clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, he stressed that any such involvement would depend on international approval and would only be considered after hostilities end.

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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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Germany Unveils €8 Billion Climate Plan to Cut Emissions

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Germany has announced a sweeping climate programme aimed at meeting its 2030 targets and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, allocating €8 billion to fund the initiative. The plan comes as concerns grow over rising energy prices and supply disruptions, partly linked to global tensions such as the Iran war. It outlines 67 measures designed to accelerate the country’s transition to cleaner energy.

Europe’s largest economy is targeting a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030 and aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. However, current progress stands at around 48%, with experts warning that existing policies are insufficient. The new strategy focuses on expanding wind energy, boosting electric vehicle adoption, and supporting industries in shifting to low-carbon technologies.

Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said the measures would cut millions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions while significantly reducing natural gas and petrol consumption by the end of the decade. The plan also includes efforts to strengthen forests and soil ecosystems, positioning climate action as both an economic and environmental priority.

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Germany Moves to Criminalise Deepfake Porn After Actress Case

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Germany is considering new legislation to criminalise pornographic deepfakes following a high-profile case involving actress Collien Fernandes. She has filed a legal complaint in Spain against her former husband, Christian Ulmen, accusing him of spreading manipulated sexual images of her online—claims he denies. The case has sparked nationwide debate over “digital sexualised violence” and exposed gaps in existing laws.

The controversy has mobilised more than 250 prominent women across politics, business, and culture, demanding stronger protections and legal reforms. Proposals include stricter consent laws and recognising gender-based violence such as femicide in criminal codes. Studies in Germany show digital abuse is widespread, particularly among young people, yet only a small fraction of cases are reported to authorities.

Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has announced plans to introduce a law making the creation and distribution of deepfake pornography a criminal offence. The move aims to help victims seek justice faster and curb the spread of harmful content. Public protests in Berlin have further highlighted the urgency of tackling online abuse as AI tools make such manipulation increasingly accessible.

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