A 24-hour walkout by public-sector employees and ground and security staff at 13 German airports caused massive disruptions on Monday. The strike led to the cancellation of most flights, affecting thousands of passengers. Workers at the Frankfurt and Munich hubs, along with all of Germany's other main destinations, participated in the strike. This industrial action, organized by the ver.di service workers union, severely impacted airports in Hamburg, Bremen, Hannover, Berlin, Duesseldorf, Dortmund, Cologne/Bonn, Leipzig/Halle, Stuttgart, and Munich.
At Frankfurt Airport alone, 1,054 out of the day's 1,116 scheduled takeoffs and landings were canceled. The strike highlighted ongoing tensions between employees and airport management over working conditions and pay. As negotiations continue, passengers are left in uncertainty regarding future travel plans.
In another part of the world, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to Greenlanders, promising to "keep you safe" and "make you rich." This statement comes amidst Trump's continued interest in acquiring Greenland, a move that has been met with bemusement by many in Nuuk. Some Greenlanders hope this attention could leverage better deals with Denmark or expedite their path to independence.
"Welcome [them] to be a part of the greatest nation anywhere in the world, the United States of America," Trump declared in his pitch to Greenland.
Greenland's general election has attracted global attention like never before. The territory's political landscape is undergoing scrutiny due to its potential shift in alliances. Múte B. Egede, an Inuit Ataqatigiit member of the Danish parliament, emphasized the need for Greenland to align itself with countries that show respect and serve as reliable allies instead of Denmark.
"We deserve to be treated with respect, and I don’t think the American president has done that lately since he took office," said Múte B. Egede.
The election may not seem exceptional in terms of issues such as schools, healthcare, and independence, according to Greenlandic politician Aaja Chemnitz Larsen. However, its implications are significant on the international stage. Naleraq, Greenland's largest opposition party, is gaining momentum with its push for independence and openness to collaborating with the US.
In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently visited Saudi Arabia for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit follows last month's US-Russia talks and precedes critical discussions with the US set for Tuesday. Ukraine's leadership deems these talks as pivotal in their quest for peace.
"They are not thinking about how to end the war, but how to destroy and capture more while the world allows them to continue," Zelenskyy remarked, reflecting on the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine.
"Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively," Zelenskyy added.
Meanwhile, in Romania, political tensions rise as the central election authority barred far-right pro-Russia frontrunner Călin Georgescu from participating in May's presidential election re-run. The Constitutional Court is set to rule on Georgescu's challenge to this decision by Wednesday. This development could have significant implications for Romania's political future and its stance towards Russia.