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Germany’s Merz Wins Crucial Vote on Pensions Reform Despite Internal Revolt

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz secured an absolute majority in parliament on Friday for his controversial pensions bill, overcoming resistance from younger members of his own conservative bloc. The draft, which guarantees current pension levels until 2031, passed with 319 votes, indicating it likely succeeded without the support of opposition parties.

The vote came after days of turbulence within Merz’s Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) alliance. A youth faction inside the party had threatened to vote against the bill, arguing that it preserves an unsustainable system and places an unfair financial burden on future generations.

The dispute underscored growing questions about Merz’s control over his party and the stability of the coalition government, which includes conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats. Analysts say the internal tensions and reliance on a slim parliamentary majority point to challenges ahead for implementing reforms aimed at reviving Germany’s struggling economy and strengthening its neglected military sector.

Across Europe, pensions and generational fairness are emerging as hot political issues as aging populations strain budgets. Although Merz ultimately avoided the embarrassment of needing opposition support—despite a surprising offer from the Left Party to abstain—the infighting has deepened doubts about his ability to steer major legislation in the future.

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Macron Stresses Need for U.S.–Europe Unity on Ukraine

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French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that unity between Europe and the United States remains crucial in supporting Ukraine. Speaking during a visit to China, Macron dismissed suggestions that he had questioned Washington’s commitment to Kyiv, insisting there was “no mistrust” and underscoring that transatlantic cooperation is vital on the issue.

Macron welcomed the peace efforts led by the U.S. but highlighted that Europe must play a leading role alongside Washington. He noted that the United States “needs Europeans to lead these peace efforts,” reinforcing his stance that a collaborative approach is required to secure a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

The comments followed a report published by Germany’s Spiegel, alleging that Macron and German Chancellor Scholz were skeptical of U.S. diplomatic efforts. Macron strongly denied the claims, stating that an enduring peace would only be possible through joint efforts by Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan. “There is no scenario,” he said, “where peace in Ukraine is achieved without shared responsibility.”

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Ukraine Condemns Diver Sofiia Lyskun for Switching Allegiance to Russia

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The Ukrainian Diving Federation has condemned diver Sofiia Lyskun after the 23-year-old European champion switched her sporting nationality to Russia. The federation said Lyskun changed her citizenship without informing Ukrainian officials, calling the move “categorically unacceptable” and harmful to the reputation of the national team.

Lyskun, who competed for Ukraine at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, told Russian media that she felt she was no longer progressing under Ukraine’s coaching system. In response, the federation held an emergency meeting and unanimously voted to expel her and request that she be stripped of all titles and awards earned under Ukraine.

Ukraine now plans to appeal to international sports bodies to impose a sporting quarantine on Lyskun, in line with existing regulations. Her switch comes as Russian and Belarusian athletes are gradually being allowed back into global competitions, competing only as neutral athletes since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

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Faroe Islands Ends Decades-Old Abortion Ban with Historic Vote

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The Faroe Islands has voted to legalise abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, ending one of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws. The new legislation, passed in a tight 17–16 vote after intense debate, replaces rules dating back to 1956 that allowed abortions only in exceptional circumstances such as rape, incest, serious fetal abnormalities or risks to the woman’s health.

Supporters of the reform, including MP Ingilín Didriksen Strømm, described the decision as historic, saying it finally ensures women’s autonomy and access to safe healthcare. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International also welcomed the change, noting that many Faroese women previously had to travel to Denmark—where abortion is legal up to 18 weeks—for the procedure due to strict local laws and social stigma.

While pro-choice advocates celebrated what they call a major step forward, conservative opponents argued that fetal rights must be protected and suggested efforts may be made to reverse the law in the future. The reform marks a significant cultural shift for the small, traditionally conservative archipelago of 56,000 people, where past attempts to liberalise abortion policy have repeatedly failed.

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Eurovision Faces Major Rift as Israel Cleared to Compete, Prompting Multiple Withdrawals

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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided not to hold a vote on Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, confirming the country’s entry and triggering an immediate backlash. Broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia announced their withdrawal from the contest, citing the mounting death toll in Gaza and accusing Israel of violating Eurovision’s neutrality rules. Israel dismissed these objections as part of a global campaign against it.

The EBU instead approved new rules intended to curb government influence and prevent undue promotion of performers, after concerns that Israel boosted its 2025 entrant. While Israeli officials celebrated the decision as a stand against cultural boycotts, critics—including Ireland’s RTE and Spain’s RTVE—said the move exposed Eurovision as deeply shaped by geopolitical interests. Additional countries like Iceland are now weighing their participation, underscoring the widening divide.

Amid the fallout, Germany welcomed Israel’s inclusion, saying it aligned with Eurovision’s founding values of unity after World War II. Contest director Martin Green acknowledged the turbulence but said the event remains committed to neutrality and international cooperation. With the contest set for Vienna in May, Eurovision faces one of the most significant crises in its history.

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24 Aid Workers on Trial in Greece for Alleged Migrant Smuggling

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Two dozen aid workers went on trial in Greece on Thursday, accused of migrant smuggling and money laundering, in a case that human rights groups have condemned as an attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid. The defendants, linked to the Emergency Response Center International (ERCI), operated on Lesbos between 2016 and 2018, rescuing refugees crossing the Aegean Sea. Among those on trial are Syrian refugee Sarah Mardini, whose 2015 rescue efforts inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers, and German volunteer Sean Binder.

The trial comes amid tightened migration rules in Greece and across the EU, as right-wing parties gain influence. Greece has reinforced border controls since 2019 and temporarily suspended processing asylum applications for some arrivals. Under a 2021 law, aiding migrants may now be treated as facilitating illegal entry or participating in a criminal enterprise, putting volunteers like those at ERCI at legal risk.

Human rights organizations have criticized the trial, calling it baseless and lacking evidence. Human Rights Watch stated that saving lives at sea has been mischaracterized as smuggling, and that the group’s legitimate fundraising has been unfairly labeled as money laundering. Defense lawyers argue that the verdict will determine whether humanitarian aid is judicially protected or left vulnerable to arbitrary prosecution.

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Vatican Commission Rules Out Women Serving as Catholic Deacons

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A high-level Vatican commission has voted against allowing women to serve as Catholic deacons, upholding the Church’s tradition of all-male clergy. The decision came in a 7-1 vote and was reported to Pope Leo, with the findings released publicly on Thursday. While the commission ruled out the possibility at this time, it recommended continued study of the issue.

The report stated that historical research and theological investigations “exclude the possibility” of ordaining women as deacons for now. However, it noted that its assessment does not allow a definitive judgment to be made, leaving room for future consideration. Pope Francis had previously set up two commissions to explore the role of women deacons, although the discussions were held in secrecy until now.

While women cannot serve as priests under Church law—a ban formalized by Pope John Paul II in 1994—the question of female deacons has remained open. Supporters cite early Church history, including references to Phoebe in St. Paul’s letters, as evidence that women once held the role. Advocates continue to push for broader inclusion within Church ministries.

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Italian Police Request Governance Records from 13 Fashion Brands

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Italian police visited the headquarters of 13 major fashion brands, including Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Prada, and Gucci, requesting documents on governance and supply-chain controls. The action is part of an investigation into alleged worker abuse at subcontractors, although none of the companies are under formal investigation or subject to court-appointed administration, judicial documents show.

The brands were linked to the probe after garments and subcontracting records connected to them were found in Chinese-owned workshops previously investigated in Milan. Authorities aim to assess the companies’ involvement in labour exploitation and whether their compliance systems adequately prevent such abuses. Companies will have the opportunity to address any issues internally before prosecutors consider further measures.

The move comes amid broader efforts by the Italian government to safeguard the reputation of “Made in Italy” fashion. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso recently proposed a bill for legal certification of fashion supply chains, allowing brands to pre-emptively prove compliance and protect Italy’s luxury sector, which accounts for more than half of global luxury goods production.

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Turkey Urges Russia and Ukraine to Keep Energy Facilities Out of Conflict

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Turkey has asked Russia, Ukraine, and other actors involved in the war to avoid targeting energy infrastructure, stressing the need for uninterrupted energy supply amid rising attacks near the Turkish coast. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Ankara is alarmed by recent drone strikes on Russia-linked vessels in the Black Sea, urging all sides to protect critical infrastructure, including international routes like the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

The warning comes after Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone attack on two empty tankers heading to a Russian port, while denying involvement in another incident involving a Russian-flagged vessel carrying sunflower oil. These attacks have pushed up insurance costs for Black Sea shipping and forced at least one Turkish company to suspend Russia-related operations for safety reasons. The CPC pipeline, which handles more than 1% of global oil supplies, temporarily shut down after damage caused by a Ukrainian drone, prompting Kazakhstan to divert shipments through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.

Bayraktar also revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy requested Turkey’s support in securing gas supplies during his recent visit to Ankara. Turkey’s state-run BOTAS and Ukraine’s Naftogaz are now exploring cooperation opportunities. Noting Ukraine’s large underground storage capacity, Bayraktar indicated that the country could stockpile cheaper energy in summer for use during winter.

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Lithuania Shuts Vilnius Airport Again Over Balloon Sightings

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Vilnius Airport in Lithuania halted flight operations for the second time on Wednesday after suspected balloons were detected in its airspace, airport authorities said. The country has witnessed repeated disruptions in recent months due to similar sightings. Officials claim the balloons are used by smugglers transporting cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus.

Lithuanian authorities have also accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of allowing the activity to continue, calling it a “hybrid attack.” Belarus, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly denied such claims, instead accusing Western nations of waging a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia.

Vilnius Airport, located roughly 30 kilometres from the Belarus border, has been forced to suspend operations more than ten times since early October because of balloon-related incidents. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the disruptions affect both security and passenger travel.

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