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German Foreign Minister’s Sydney Trip Derailed by Plane Defect

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had to cancel her planned trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji due to issues with her government plane. The 23-year-old Airbus A340-300 experienced repeated wing flap problems, forcing it to make emergency landings in Abu Dhabi twice within two days.

Baerbock expressed her frustration on social media, highlighting the unreliability of Germany’s government planes despite the country’s reputation for efficiency.

This is not the first time such problems have arisen; in 2018, the same Airbus plane caused then Chancellor Angela Merkel to miss a G20 summit due to technical faults.

Germany’s Luftwaffe Air Force announced the early retirement of the problematic plane, replacing it and another A340-300 with recently acquired A350 planes for top government officials.

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German Government Official Allegedly Engaged in Espionage for Russia

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A German government official has been apprehended in Germany on allegations of sharing classified information with Russia. The individual, identified only as Thomas H in accordance with German privacy regulations, was employed by a department focused on military equipment and information technology. It is claimed that he took independent initiative to visit both the Russian embassy in Berlin and the consulate in Bonn, offering his services.

After being presented before a judge on Wednesday, he was taken into custody pending a trial. Justice Minister Marco Buschmann took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the arrest, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

The accused is believed to have handed over information gathered through his professional responsibilities with the intention of it reaching a Russian intelligence agency, as stated by the federal prosecutor’s office. The arrest took place in Koblenz, western Germany, accompanied by searches of his home and workplace.

This incident follows a warning issued in June by the domestic security agency, the BfV, about the potential threat of an “aggressive Russian espionage operation” amidst Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This isn’t the first occurrence of its kind since the Russian invasion began in February the previous year.

In a separate case from January, another German citizen named Arthur E was arrested under suspicion of treason for his alleged role in a plot to supply intelligence to Russia. He was thought to be associated with an employee of the German foreign intelligence service (BND) who had been apprehended in December on charges of spying for Russia.

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Berlin’s Authorities Confirm Wild Animal Likely a Boar

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German authorities have ended their search for a suspected lioness in Berlin’s suburbs after finding no evidence of a big cat on the loose.

The search was initiated when a video emerged, suggesting a wild animal, possibly a lion, roaming in a wooded area. However, investigations led experts to believe that the creature was likely a wild boar, as no paw-prints or DNA material were found.

The mayor presented photographs showing the animal lacked lion characteristics, and a tail-like shape in the video was likely a vegetation shadow. Although the situation posed no immediate danger, police remained vigilant.

The search involved numerous officers, wildlife experts, and advanced equipment, but the search was eventually called off.

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Berlin Police on the Hunt for Suspected Roaming Lion

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German authorities are conducting a search for a suspected wild lioness that has been reportedly sighted in the south-western outskirts of Berlin. The animal was first spotted chasing a boar, leading to alerts from several witnesses, including a police officer. A video on Twitter, believed to be authentic by the police, showed the lioness in a forest in Kleinmachnow. Residents have been advised to remain indoors until the animal is located.

The origin of the lioness remains unknown, as local zoos, animal sanctuaries, and circuses have confirmed that no lions have escaped from their facilities. Police have extended the warning area to the south of Berlin, covering Kleinmachnow, Teltow, and Stahnsdorf. Helicopters, veterinarians, and hunters with tranquilizer guns are involved in the search, with authorities aiming to capture the animal humanely. The lioness is suspected to be resting in a wooded area at present.

While some are skeptical about the presence of a lioness, the search continues as a precautionary measure. Residents have been urged to keep their pets indoors and avoid the forest, seeking immediate shelter if they spot the elusive animal. In case of an encounter, authorities advise individuals to remain calm, stand still, and move towards a safe area such as a car or building.

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Europe heatwave: Red alerts issued in 15 Italian cities

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Italy is currently experiencing extreme heat, leading to red alerts being issued for 15 cities, including Rome, Florence, and Bologna. This heatwave is part of a larger trend of increasing temperatures and longer heatwaves globally due to global warming.

The European Space Agency (ESA) predicts that Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Poland may face extreme conditions, with potential record temperatures. Greece has already been experiencing temperatures of 40°C or higher, leading to the closure of tourist attractions like the Acropolis. There are concerns about the increased risk of wildfires in Greece and other areas with high winds.

Central parts of Europe, including Germany and Poland, are also affected by high temperatures. In contrast, the UK is experiencing heavy showers and cooler weather due to the southern shift of the jet stream. The current heatwave in Italy, named Cerberus, is expected to be followed by another heatwave called Charon, pushing temperatures above 40°C.

Heatwaves are also occurring in other parts of the world, including the US, China, North Africa, and Japan. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to global warming have become the new normal, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

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Storms in Europe cause huge damage and disruption

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Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, has been hit by severe storms and heavy rainfall, leading to significant damage and disruptions. Many towns and cities in the region have experienced torrential rain, causing floods and forcing the closure of numerous roads.

The rail traffic has also been affected, with the Hamburg-Berlin line and a major north-south line between Kassel and Goettingen being closed due to storm damage. Switzerland has also faced thunderstorms, resulting in numerous calls to the fire department.

Strong winds reaching speeds of up to 135 km/h have uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and street infrastructure, although no casualties have been reported. Austria has witnessed several landslides that have affected homes, and the state of Carinthia experienced large hailstones of up to 8 centimeters in diameter, causing significant damage to crops.

Videos circulating on social media show violent storms and flooded streets, including the complete submersion of the forecourt and road in front of the Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe ICE train station.

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US Citizen Arrested Following Lethal Assault at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

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A young woman, aged 21, has lost her life after being assaulted and thrown from a hill at the renowned Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Germany on Wednesday.

According to prosecutors, the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, passed away during the night after being forcibly pushed 50 meters down a gorge. Another woman, aged 22 and a friend of the deceased, suffered severe injuries when she attempted to intervene and was also pushed by the attacker. Law enforcement officials have apprehended a male US citizen in connection with the incident.

The 30-year-old suspect, whose name has not been disclosed by the police, initially fled the scene but was later captured following an extensive manhunt involving over 25 vehicles. He is currently in custody at a police station in Fuessen, located near Bavaria state. Reports suggest that the man met the victims, who are believed to be American citizens, on a trail close to the Marienbrücke bridge—a popular viewpoint for tourists visiting the castle. Under false pretenses of a challenging path to the bridge, he led them onto a hidden trail and subsequently carried out the assault.

The Bavarian police stated that the assailant choked the 22-year-old woman when she attempted to intervene and then pushed her down a steep slope. They suspect that there was also an attempted sexual offense against the 21-year-old victim. The woman who survived the attack is currently in serious condition but responsive. The suspect appeared before the Kempten District Court, where the investigating judge issued an arrest warrant, leading to his detention.

Senior public prosecutor Thomas Hormann noted that the investigation is still in its early stages. Neuschwanstein Castle, located approximately 126km (78 miles) from Munich, is a highly popular tourist destination, attracting over 1.3 million visitors annually. Constructed in the 19th century, the castle was intended to serve as the residence of the regional rulers, although it was never inhabited.

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Germany sends Indigenous people’s remains to New Zealand

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German institutions returned the skeletons of 95 Maori and Moriori individuals, including six mummified tattooed heads.

95 Indigenous New Zealanders’ bones, as well as antiques and cultural treasures, have been repatriated to New Zealand from museums and colleges in Germany.

The 95 Maori and Moriori persons’ ancestral bones, including six toi moko – Maori mummified tattooed skulls – were welcomed to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, in a special ceremony on Wednesday.

New Zealand Ambassador to Germany Craig Hawke said the bones were being repatriated after “more than a century away from their homeland” and in a fashion that highlighted the “mature and close relationship” between Berlin and Wellington.

“Our relationship extends beyond traditional diplomatic relations to include cultural, scientific, and knowledge exchange.” “These repatriations are a powerful illustration of our collaborative partnership,” Hawke added.

Te Herekiekie Haerehuka Herewini, the Te Papa museum’s head of repatriation, stated that the German institutions involved demonstrated “significant respect and understanding” as well as a “strong sense of doing the right thing.”

“As we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations between Aotearoa New Zealand and Germany, these repatriations demonstrate the mature and close relationship that we share,” he said.

After a four-year political battle, France’s Quai Branly Museum in Paris returned 20 toi moko – mummified tattooed skulls – that had been taken to Europe in the 18th century in 2012.

According to The New Zealand Herald, the Grassi Museum in Leipzig, the Reiss Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim, the Linden Museum, the Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History, the Georg August University in Gottingen, the Roemer und Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim, and the Museum Wiesbaden returned the remains and other artefacts on Wednesday.

Germany returned 20 antique bronze statues to Nigeria in December as part of attempts to confront the country’s “dark colonial past,” according to the country’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock.

The statues, known as Benin bronzes, were among thousands plundered by British forces from the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin — now part of southern Nigeria — during colonial control. Some of the valuables wound up in the hands of other governments, notably Germany.

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German row over jail term for woman who attacked neo-Nazis

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The sentencing of a far-left extremist involved in violent attacks against neo-Nazis has sparked controversy in German politics, drawing criticism from both the left and the right. Lina E, the convicted individual, received a prison term of five years and three months but was released pending an appeal after having been in custody since 2020. Three other men convicted with her were also handed jail sentences.

Left-wing protesters took to the streets in several cities to demonstrate against the verdicts, although a large rally in Leipzig was prohibited. The decision to release Lina E after two and a half years in custody, while keeping her second name private, angered some Germans who believe it sends a message that violence against the extreme right is acceptable.

The judge, Hans Schlüter-Staats, acknowledged that opposing right-wing extremists is a commendable motive but stressed that the use of force should be reserved for the state. He deemed Lina E’s actions to be serious criminal acts and criticized her defense lawyers’ argument that the case was politically motivated. Lina E was considered the leader of a far-left group known as the “hammer gang,” which carried out violent attacks against the extreme right using weapons such as hammers, iron bars, and baseball bats.

The group gained notoriety for their brutality, and Lina E’s partner, Johann G, is also suspected of involvement in the attacks. In one incident, they targeted a well-known neo-Nazi pub in Eisenach, assaulting its owner. In another attack, a group of people returning from a commemoration event in Dresden were beaten up, resulting in severe injuries.

Lina E was apprehended in November 2020, and her surname has not been disclosed publicly. Three male members of her gang were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 27 to 39 months. Sabine Volk, a far-right researcher, acknowledged the horrendous crimes committed by the group but highlighted a perceived power imbalance against the far left in eastern Germany, leading some to believe they must take action themselves.

The release of Lina E drew criticism from the police union and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, who considered it lenient and a failure of the rule of law. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned of an increasing willingness among the far left to resort to violence, although she maintained that right-wing extremism posed the most significant threat to German democracy.

An anti-fascist march scheduled for Leipzig, where Lina E was a student, was banned due to concerns of potential violence. The AfD has seen a rise in opinion polls as dissatisfaction with the coalition government grows, and they have benefited from a backlash against climate activist protests that disrupted traffic in major cities. Former German spy chief Hans-Georg Maassen, known for his right-wing conservative views, ridiculed Lina E’s sentence, arguing that it would embolden far-left activists to carry out further violent attacks.

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Germany falls into recession as inflation hits economy

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Germany has entered into a recession in the first quarter of the year due to persistent inflation, according to updated growth data. The country’s economy contracted by 0.3% between January and March, following a 0.5% contraction in the previous three months.

The halt in Russian gas supplies after the invasion of Ukraine also had a significant impact on Germany. High inflation, with an April rate of 7.2%, has led to reduced household spending on various goods and weaker industrial orders. The revised figures indicated declines in household and government spending, as well as a drop in car sales after the reduction of government grants for electric and hybrid vehicles. Private sector investment and exports showed some improvement but were insufficient to prevent Germany from entering a recession.

Although the recession was less severe than expected, analysts predict weak economic performance to continue in the second quarter of 2023. The Bundesbank anticipates modest growth in the April to June quarter, driven by an industry rebound offsetting stagnant consumer spending.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Germany to be the weakest among advanced economies, with a predicted contraction of 0.1% this year, while upgrading its forecast for the UK to a growth of 0.4%.

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