Monday’s top story: 30,000 cyclists rally in Berlin for better bike infrastructure Around 30,000 cyclists took part in a major demonstration in Berlin on Sunday, calling for improved conditions for cycling across the city. Organised by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrradclub (ADFC), the annual rally marked its 50th edition this year under the slogan “The Future Rides a Bike”. Participants travelled along around 20 routes from across Berlin and neighbouring Brandenburg, converging at the Großer Stern in the city centre. Registered as a demonstration, the rally
allowed cyclists to use major roads and even sections of the motorway network, including parts of the A100 and A115. This led to widespread traffic disruptions, with motorists forced to take detours throughout the day. ADFC representatives criticised current transport policy, arguing that cycling remains unsafe and underfunded. They called for greater investment in bike lanes and infrastructure to support the growing demand for cycling in the capital. Germany, UK and France back Zelensky’s call for Putin talks The leaders of Germany, the UK and
France have backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for direct talks with Russia, urging a ceasefire as the war enters its fifth year. Meeting in London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron endorsed proposals for face-to-face negotiations between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with support from the US and European allies. The joint statement stressed that international borders must not be changed by force and that current front lines should form the basis for talks. Putin has so far
rejected the idea of a meeting, saying conditions are not yet in place. Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, fighting has continued. Ukrainian and Russian forces have exchanged drone strikes, with reported casualties on both sides. A recent attack also damaged a nuclear-related storage facility near Chernobyl, though radiation levels remained normal. READ ALSO: Alternative for Germany members attend Russia meeting despite criticism Judges warn of political pressure on Germany’s rule of law Germany’s Judges Association has warned that the country’s legal system could face political interference
if the far‑right AfD gains government influence, urging stronger safeguards to protect judicial independence. The association’s executive director, Sven Rebehn, called for “weatherproof” laws to shield both the appointment of judges and the work of prosecutors from political pressure. He cautioned that ministries currently have the authority to issue directives to prosecutors, potentially allowing politicians to influence specific criminal cases. Rebehn said such powers could undermine objective prosecution, particularly if used by parties seeking to weaken judicial oversight. The association also pointed to developments in
Thuringia, where AfD figures have blocked appointments to judicial committees, as cause for concern. While legal reforms could help, Rebehn stressed they could not provide complete protection. He argued that judges and prosecutors themselves must actively defend the rule of law. The warning comes ahead of a meeting of Germany’s justice ministers, where judicial safeguards are expected to be discussed. READ ALSO: How Germany’s politicians are trying to ‘AfD-proof’ the country Scrap metal theft suspected in deadly Görlitz explosion German police have arrested two men
suspected of triggering a fatal gas explosion that destroyed an apartment building in the eastern town of Görlitz, killing three people. Investigators believe the suspects, aged 27 and 33, may have damaged pipes inside the property while searching for scrap metal on May 18th. The damage is thought to have caused an overnight gas explosion that led to the building’s collapse later the same day. The victims, a 48-year-old German-Bulgarian man and two Romanian women aged 25 and 26, were staying in holiday flats at
the time. Their bodies were recovered after a three-day search involving rescue teams and sniffer dogs. Police say the suspects had entered the building, though their exact actions remain unclear due to debris preventing a full examination. They are already in custody over an unrelated case. Authorities are investigating possible charges including causing an explosion resulting in death and negligent homicide. Flights briefly grounded at Munich airport after tower evacuation Flights were halted at the Munich airport for nearly two hours on Sunday evening after
workers reported the smell of smoke in the control tower, an airport spokesman told AFP. The tower was evacuated as a precaution and take-offs and landings were stopped from 8:33 pm, the spokesman said. Flights resumed at 10:15 pm, the airport told AFP, although a notice on its website said that delays may continue. “The smell was detected because of a technical malfunction. The problem has been solved,” a Munich airport spokesman told AFP. Munich is Germany’s second-busiest airport after Frankfurt. A spokeswoman for Germany’s
air-traffic control operations, Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), said the late shift had been called in early to staff a backup tower at the airport. READ ALSO: LISTED – The major airlines in Germany cancelling flights and adding extra charges Fake police caught patrolling Thuringia in retired squad car Two men posing as police officers have been stopped by authorities in Thuringia after drawing attention while driving a decommissioned patrol car through the town of Langenwetzendorf. According to police, the vehicle, still bearing official markings and equipped
with a blue light, was spotted by eyewitnesses on Saturday in the Greiz district. Officers later confirmed the pair were not legitimate law enforcement personnel. The suspects were dressed in outdated Saxon police uniforms and carried handcuffs along with imitation firearms. Following the stop, real officers from the Greiz Police Department launched criminal proceedings against them on suspicion of impersonating public officials and breaching weapons laws. The two men were ordered to remove their uniforms at the scene, bringing their impersonation to an abrupt end.
The ageing patrol car, which broke down shortly afterwards, was subsequently towed away. READ ALSO: What to know about talking to the police in Germany With reporting by AFP.
Berlin cyclists rally ADFC 50th edition The Future Rides a Bike, Zelensky Putin talks ceasefire Germany UK France, judges association political interference AfD Thuringia directives to prosecutors, Görlitz gas explosion May 18 scrap metal suspects 27 33, Munich airport smoke control tower evacuation 8:33 pm 10:15 pm, fake police retired squad car Langenwetzendorf Greiz district handcuffs imitation firearms