Lufthansa cabin crew begin strike

Cabin crew at German flag carrier Lufthansa walked off of their jobs on Friday, with a strike that began at midnight (2200 Thursday GMT) and that will affect hundreds of flights. Some 20,000 flight attendants have been called to strike until 10 p.m. on Friday. The UFO trade union called a one-day strike for its

Judge Orders Pentagon to Reinstate Reporters’ Access

The Pentagon is defying a court order that required it to restore access to credentialed reporters, a US judge ruled on Thursday. US District Judge Paul Friedman said the Pentagon must comply with his order and restore reporters' access to the US Defense Department. Why are Pentagon reporters denied access? In October 2025, the Pentagon under

Putin Orders Ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine for the Orthodox Easter holiday, the Kremlin said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had called for an Easter ceasefire earlier this week. Putin had declared a similar ceasefire last Easter, but each sides accused the other of violations. Following Putin's announcement, Zelenskyy

Melania Trump Denies Connection to Jeffrey Epstein

US first lady Melania Trump on Thursday denied having ever maintained a friendship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," she read from a prepared statement in an address from the White House. "The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I

Ukraine and Syria Deepen Diplomatic and Security Ties

During his tour of the Middle East early this month, Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Syria, a country that until recently was a close ally of Russia. The Ukrainian president's visit to the Syrian capital Damascus and his talks with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa mark the resumption and strengthening of Ukraine's diplomatic efforts in the region.

OECD: Global Aid Plummets in 2025 After Major US Cuts

International development aid fell by 23% in real terms in 2025 to the lowest levels since 2015, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said on Thursday.  Preliminary data pointed to the largest dip in donations from members and associates of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) since records began.  For the first time on record

Hungary voters back EU membership but question Ukraine aid

As Hungary's April 12 general election nears, opinion polls continue to point to a slight lead for Peter Magyar, the challenger to longstanding incumbent Viktor Orban, albeit with many voters still undecided and results varying by polling institute.  A poll published by IDEA in Hungary on Thursday found that 30% supported Orban's Fidesz party, 39%

Fact-check: No proven Ukrainian role in pipeline bombing claims

During Easter, Serbian officials discovered two backpacks containing bombs and detonators near a key gas pipeline that transports Russian gas through the Balkans to Hungary.   "Our ⁠units ⁠found an explosive of devastating power," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a post on Instagram.  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto immediately hinted that

Coachella: Evolution, Criticism and 2026 Sellout

It all started in 1993 when the rock band Pearl Jam were looking for an alternative venue that was not controlled by Ticketmaster, which it was boycotting at the time.  The Empire Polo Club, a desert oasis in the Coachella Valley in California, hosted some 25,000 people for their gig, giving the promoters the inspiration for an outdoor festival at the same site.  

Germany Considers Ending Jail for Fare Evasion

Does everyone who boards a public bus or train in Germany even know that riding without a ticket is a criminal offense that usually results in a €60 ($70) fine? Or that people who don't pay the fine might end up in jail? The somewhat unwieldy German word for this harsh penalty is "Ersatzfreiheitsstrafe" —
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