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Man Arrested in Connection with Suspected Vandalism of French Railways

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An “ultra-left militant” was arrested in north-west France on Sunday after exhibiting suspicious behavior near a railway site, according to police sources cited by French media. When officers searched the man’s vehicle, they discovered keys to technical facilities, pliers, a set of universal keys, and literature associated with the ultra-left. The 28-year-old suspect is currently being interrogated by police in Rouen.

There are no indications that the man is connected to the suspected coordinated arson attacks on railway lines that occurred on Friday, just before the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympic Games. These acts of sabotage disrupted high-speed TGV services to and from Paris and significantly affected travel across France.

On Monday morning, France’s Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin, stated that authorities had identified “a number of profiles of individuals” who could be behind these deliberate and targeted acts of sabotage. He noted that the methods used were characteristic of the ultra-left and suggested there may be a political motive behind the actions. “The question is whether they were manipulated or acting on their own,” Mr. Darmanin said, emphasizing that investigators were making good progress in identifying those responsible.

While he did not confirm any ties between the saboteurs and France’s national rail operator, SNCF, Mr. Darmanin pointed out that the locations of the arson attacks were “extremely specific.” He remarked that the attacks were well-planned, targeting three major lines.

Mr. Darmanin also reported that approximately 50 individuals had been arrested in connection with the Olympics, alongside others—estimated to be around 150—who intended to carry out acts of sabotage or radical protests during the early events of the Games. In addition to the train line damage, French media reported that fiber optic cables had been cut in six locations across France from Sunday into Monday, causing some isolated outages.

At this time, it remains unclear whether there is any connection between the vandalism of the telecoms infrastructure and the recent sabotage of the rail network, which impacted around 250,000 passengers on Friday and many more over the weekend. No group has claimed responsibility for either incident, although a security source suggested that the arson attacks resembled tactics used by the extreme left.

Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete announced on Monday that train services had returned to normal after teams worked tirelessly over the weekend to repair the damage. He mentioned that significant resources, including drones and police helicopters, were deployed to enhance the security of France’s extensive railway network. Mr. Vergriete estimated that the acts of sabotage could cost several million euros.

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German train drivers stage longest strike on record

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Train drivers across Germany have initiated a strike, set to endure six days, making it the longest stoppage in their history. The GDL rail drivers’ union called for the walkout, impacting both passenger and goods-train services starting at 02:00 on Wednesday. This move exacerbates an ongoing dispute with the state-owned Deutsche Bahn, leading to the fourth round of strikes since November.

The union’s demands include higher wages to counter inflation and a reduction in the working week from 38 to 35 hours without a salary decrease. Deutsche Bahn has implemented an emergency timetable until the strike concludes at 18:00 on Monday, affecting passenger trains for an unprecedented 136 hours, including a weekend for the first time. The strike has caused significant disruptions, with 80% of long-distance trains canceled and substantial delays in regional and suburban S-Bahn rail services.

The extended industrial action has prompted complaints from the rail company and ministers, asserting its adverse effects on both the German economy and the public. Tanja Gönner, head of the Federation of German Industries, estimated that the six-day strike could cost the economy up to €1bn. Transport Minister Volker Wissing urged the union to seek a compromise through mediation, acknowledging the current deadlock in negotiations.

Amid the strike, a YouGov survey revealed that only 34% of over 4,000 German adults understood the reasons behind the strike, while 59% expressed a lack of understanding. Talks between the GDL union and Deutsche Bahn have been ongoing since November, with the company rejecting the union’s proposal for a three-hour reduction in the working week. Instead, Deutsche Bahn suggested an optional model involving one hour less work with no pay cut or a 2.7% pay raise, an offer rejected by the GDL.

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One dead after ships collide in North Sea – officials

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According to German authorities, a collision between two cargo ships off the North Sea coast of Germany has resulted in one fatality, with four others reported missing. The incident, involving the British-flagged Verity and the Bahamian Polesie, occurred at approximately 5:00 local time (3:00 GMT) on Tuesday morning.

The Verity, traveling from Bremen, Germany to Immingham, UK, is believed to have sunk, while the Polesie remains afloat. The collision occurred near Heligoland, part of the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Rescue efforts involving the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service, a German navy helicopter, water police boat, and a nearby cruise ship are underway.

The cause of the collision remains unknown, and German Transport Minister Volker Wissing has expressed gratitude to the rescue teams for their efforts in locating the missing crew members.

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