Tuesday's top story: German minister aborts Beirut visit amid escalating conflict
German and Norwegian ministers were forced to abandon a planned visit to Beirut on Monday as the security situation in Lebanon rapidly deteriorated.
Germany’s development minister Reem Alabali Radovan and her Norwegian counterpart Asmund Aukrust were en route to the Lebanese capital when their aircraft was diverted to Cyprus before returning to Berlin.
Officials cited “military reasons” and a worsening situation around Beirut airport as Israel intensified its offensive in the region.
The visit had been intended as a show of solidarity with the Lebanese population, with meetings planned with President Joseph Aoun, civil society groups and displaced people.
The cancellation comes amid a sharp escalation in hostilities, with Israel expanding strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut.
Aukrust noted that more than 3,000 people have been killed since March in the conflict, now the most extensive Israeli incursion into Lebanon in two decades. Â
Both ministers called for de-escalation and renewed ceasefire efforts, warning that the worsening violence underlined the urgency of diplomatic engagement.
Coalition split casts doubt on planned increase for student grants
Germany’s coalition government is locked in a growing dispute over reforms to the student support scheme Bafög, with uncertainty mounting over whether planned increases will go ahead.
While the CDU/CSU and SPD had agreed to modernise the system, including raising housing allowances and adjusting basic payments for students, divisions have emerged over funding. The SPD is pushing for higher grants, but the Union has voiced reservations, citing budget constraints.
Bafög currently supports more than 600,000 students and trainees, offering a mix of grants and loans depending on circumstances. Payments vary according to income and living arrangements, with a maximum monthly rate of €992.
READ ALSO: How international students in Germany can improve their finances
Under coalition plans, housing support was due to rise from €380 to €440 per month from the 2026/27 winter semester, with further step-by-step increases to follow. But senior CDU figures have recently questioned whether such measures are affordable.
The research ministry insists reform legislation is still on track for cabinet approval in July but has signalled that financial pressures may force compromises.
With all coalition commitments subject to funding, the fate of the proposed increase remains unclear – fueling uncertainty for students already facing rising living costs.
Czech court approves extradition of German neo-Nazi fugitive
A Czech court has approved the extradition of a German neo-Nazi activist accused of evading a prison sentence by exploiting gender laws.
Marla-Svenja Liebich, a long-standing figure in Germany’s far-right scene, was arrested in western Czech Republic in April under a European arrest warrant after disappearing last year. The activist had failed to report to serve an 18-month sentence for offences including incitement to racial hatred.
The Plzen regional court ruled on Monday that Liebich should be handed over to German authorities, with a three-day window to appeal. If no appeal is lodged, extradition is expected within ten days of the decision taking effect.
Liebich had previously changed legal gender under reforms introduced in 2024, a move widely seen as an attempt to secure placement in a women’s prison and provoke political debate.
The case has reignited controversy in Germany over potential abuses of gender self-identification laws, which the current government has said it is reviewing.
READ ALSO: German trans neo-Nazi sparks row after being sent to women's prison
Youth Science winners highlight AI limits and ingenious innovations
Germany’s top young scientists have been honoured at the 61st national final of the Jugend forscht (Young people research) competition, showcasing a diverse range of innovative ideas – from artificial intelligence to the mechanics of an hourglass.
A total of 159 finalists aged between 14 and 20 qualified for the prestigious event in Herzogenaurach, where standout projects were recognised across science, technology and engineering fields.
The highest honour, the Federal President’s Award, went to 14-year-olds Viyona Singh and Aarav Singh, whose research showed that physics-based models can outperform AI when predicting rare protein variants.
Other prize-winning projects highlighted the breadth of young talent. An 18-year-old from North Rhine-Westphalia explored how subtle changes in an hourglass can significantly alter sand flow, while another finalist designed precision vacuum tweezers for assembling electronic components.
An AI-based system to detect telephone fraud in real time also took a top innovation award.
READ ALSO: 'Germany Fund' launched to boost startups
Most new German citizens opt for dual nationality after reform
Almost all newly naturalised citizens in Germany are choosing to retain their original nationality, following a major change to citizenship law in 2024.
New figures show that between 85 and 98 percent of people granted German citizenship in surveyed cities opted for dual nationality. Only a small minority declined, mostly due to restrictions in their home countries or because they were previously stateless.
The reform, introduced by Germany’s former coalition government, made dual citizenship widely available for the first time. Previously, it was largely limited to EU nationals or exceptional cases. The changes also reduced the required residency period for naturalisation from eight years to five.
The move appears to have removed a significant barrier for many migrants, particularly those with strong personal or cultural ties to their country of origin. Practical considerations, such as easier travel and employment opportunities, have also played a role.
READ ALSO: Are Germany's current citizenship laws at risk after far right's latest bid?
With reporting by AFP and DPA.
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