Lufthansa marks centenary amid testing times

Germany's national air carrier, Lufthansa, is officially 100 years old just ahead of the centenary of its first flight.

Meanwhile, annual Easter peace marches get underway against the backdrop of a new war.

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Below is a roundup of headlines from and about Germany on Thursday, April 2:
Russia: Düsseldorf carnival satirist sentenced to 8.5 years in jail
A Moscow court has sentenced a German sculptor to eight years and six months in prison for a series of satirical carnival floats poking fun at Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ongoing invasion of Ukraine .

Jacques Tilly , who designs floats for the famous Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade in the western German city of Düsseldorf , was found guilty in absentia of "offending religious feelings and spreading false information about the Russian armed forces."
Judge Konstantin Ochirov also fined him the equivalent of approximately $2,300 (around €1,991) and issued a four-year work ban.

Tilly's court-appointed defense lawyer had requested an acquittal, citing a lack of evidence.

She said she had tried in vain to contact her client through the German embassy, emphasizing that he has not been able to have his say in court.

Tilly, who has repeatedly stated that he was not informed by the Russian judiciary of the proceedings, responded to the verdict in typically humorous fashion.

"It's now clear for all to see that the Russian regime is scared of cardboard figures," he told the dpa news agency.

"They're making fools of themselves with this sentence and don't see how pathetic it is, how scared they are of satirical criticism."
The German embassy in Moscow, which monitoring the trial, said the verdict shows how the "criminalization and persecution of freedom of expression by the Russian government continues unabated" and dismissed the whole affair as "absurd play-acting."
Germany joins UK-led talks on Hormuz shipping
Germany is taking part in UK-led talks on securing the Strait of Hormuz after the US signaled others should handle the issue.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she would chair a virtual meeting on Thursday with about 35 countries.

Germany is joining partners including France, Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates to explore ways to restore freedom of navigation through the vital waterway.

The United States is not expected to attend.

The talks come after Donald Trump said the strait could reopen "naturally" and that countries relying on it should take responsibility for keeping it open.

Germany has a strong interest in the route as a key global energy corridor, with disruptions posing risks to supply stability and prices.

Why reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force is so dangerous
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Germany: Chancellor Merz has never been more unpopular
The CDU/CSU and SPD made many promises to voters.

But according to polls, citizens are deeply disappointed and have little hope left that things will improve.

Read more in Sabine Kinkartz's report .

Syria rejects forced returns of refugees
Syria has rejected forced deportations of refugees amid a debate over an 80% return target from Germany.

Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on X that the government opposed any attempts at compulsory returns.

He said Syrians living abroad are "strategic resources," not a burden.

The government has been working with international partners to rebuild infrastructure and create conditions for a voluntary and dignified return.

He added that all political decisions are guided by Syria's national interest.

The debate has followed a meeting in Berlin between interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz .

During a joint press conference, Merz cited a target of 80% of more than 900,000 Syrians in Germany returning within three years.

The figure sparked confusion .

Merz later said the number had been mentioned by the Syrian president and that Germany was aware of the scale of the task.

Germany has taken in more Syrian refugees than any other country in the European Union during the 14-year Syrian civil war.

Merz says 80% of Syrians in Germany will return
Consumers see little relief from fuel price rule
Consumer groups have said the new rule on fuel price increases is not yet delivering meaningful savings.

Ramona Pop, head of the federation of consumer organizations, told Germany's DPA news agency that early signs showed little impact.

The German government on Wednesday said petrol stations could only raise their prices once a day in a bid to ease pressure on consumers.

She said it did not currently appear that the rule was making fuel any cheaper, adding that prices were jumping at noon and then easing later in the day and into the following morning.

The measure was introduced by Germany's coalition government in response to sharply rising diesel and gasoline prices following the Iran war.

It took effect on Wednesday, with many stations initially responding with significant price increases at midday.

How Germans feel about daily fuel price freeze
Stranded humpback whale Timmy remains off Wismar coast
A humpback whale stranded in the Baltic Sea off the port city of Wismar has remained in the same position overnight.

Authorities said the animal, dubbed "Timmy" by the German media, stayed in Kirchsee Bay, with a water police spokesperson confirming in the morning that it had not moved.

Officials have said it remains unclear whether the whale is still alive .

A night patrol boat did not get close enough to confirm breathing, though live images early in the morning showed small water spouts appearing regularly.

The whale has repeatedly become stranded along the Baltic coast in recent weeks, marking the fourth such incident.

Hopes that it might free itself and return to deeper waters have not materialized.

Rescue efforts were halted on Wednesday.

Burkard Baschek, scientific director of the German Oceanographic Museum, has said he expects the animal to die at its current location.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Environment Minister Till Backhaus has also said the whale should be left undisturbed, adding that everything possible had been done to give it a chance and calling the situation a unique tragedy.

Rescue expert: Whale's 'prospects in Baltic Sea not good'
Environmental groups push faster fossil fuel exit
Environmental groups have called for a faster phaseout of oil and gas in Germany.

They said in a position paper cited by the DPA news agency that the Iran war and its fallout had exposed Germany's continued reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The organizations argue that, as during the 2022 energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, such dependencies are driving inflation and economic uncertainty.

Signatories include Friends of the Earth Germany, Campact, Environmental Action Germany, Germanwatch, Greenpeace, the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union and World Wide Fund for Nature.

They are calling for a faster expansion of renewable energy, improved building efficiency through renovations, and wider adoption of climate-friendly heating such as heat pumps.

Contracts and infrastructure should not lock Germany into long-term imports of liquefied natural gas.

The groups also want an end to new registrations of combustion-engine cars and plug-in hybrids, a highway speed limit, and lower speed limits on rural roads.

They are urging a major expansion of rail and public transport, a shift of industrial processes to electricity, and the phaseout of fossil fuel subsidies.

Russian court continues case against German artist
A Moscow court has been continuing the trial in absentia against German sculptor and illustrator Jacques Tilly .

Tilly is widely known for his satirical papier-mache floats at the Düsseldorf Rose Monday parade, where he has frequently portrayed Putin in provocative political caricatures.

The case targets Jacques Tilly over alleged offenses including insulting Russian state authorities and violating religious feelings, including depictions involving Vladimir Putin .

The hearing resumes with the conclusion of evidence and closing arguments still pending.

Judge Konstantin Otschirow had repeatedly postponed proceedings due to absent lawyers, missing witnesses and changes among prosecutors, leaving uncertainty over when a verdict might be reached.

Tilly has said Russian authorities had not formally informed him about the proceedings.

Diplomats from the German Embassy in Moscow have been monitoring the trial with his knowledge.

Russian law allows penalties ranging from fines to prison terms of up to 10 years for such charges.

Similar cases have been used to prosecute critics of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drawing international criticism.

A conviction would not lead to extradition from Germany but could complicate travel to countries that cooperate with Russian arrest requests, including potential listings through Interpol.

German carnival artist charged in Russia for defaming Putin
Thousands expected at Easter peace marches
Thousands of people are expected to join traditional Easter peace marches across Germany this year.

Organizers said more than 100 towns and cities had planned rallies and bike rides under the slogan "Refuse wars — create peace."
The Peace Cooperative Network said it was cautiously optimistic that participation would exceed last year’s turnout.

More than 40,000 people joined the marches in 2025 , a sharp rise from previous years.

The movement is calling on the German government to pursue diplomatic efforts to end conflicts, strengthen international law, and support those affected by war.

Organizers are also opposing global rearmament and warning against any reintroduction of conscription in Germany.

Events are beginning Thursday and Friday, with most scheduled for Saturday and Monday.

A key march, the three-day Rhein-Ruhr route, is set to run from Duisburg to Dortmund starting Saturday.

Lufthansa marks anniversary amid fresh challenges
Lufthansa is marking its anniversary with major celebrations while facing new economic and geopolitical pressures.

Company CEO Carsten Spohr has prepared events in Frankfurt and beyond, even as rising fuel costs linked to the Iran war weigh on the airline's outlook.

The company is celebrating the origins of Deutsche Luft Hansa AG, whose first scheduled flight departed Berlin Tempelhof Airport for Zurich on April 6, 1926.

The anniversary includes the opening of a new visitor center, "Hangar One," at Lufthansa's Frankfurt headquarters, showcasing early aviation history.

The modern Lufthansa has also acknowledged its full historical legacy, including ties to the Nazi era , when the company was integrated into state structures and relied on forced labor.

Today’s airline, relaunched in 1955, grew into a global aviation group and co-founded the Star Alliance group of airlines.

As an operator, the brand now also includes carriers such as Swiss, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines.

Despite rising revenue to €39.6 billion ($45.7 billion), profitability has weakened, with lower net income and concerns from investors.

A restructuring program is underway, including plans to cut around 4,000 jobs.

The outlook remains uncertain.

The Iran conflict has driven up fuel costs and threatens demand, while potential strikes and broader economic pressures could further challenge the airline in the months ahead.

Germany's labor shortage: Lufthansa turns to retirees
Guten Tag from the DW newsroom here in Bonn.

You join us as Germany's national air carrier, Lufthansa, celebrates its centenary with official celebrations at the airline’s Frankfurt headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Easter tradition of holding peace marches gets underway on Thursday, ahead of more events over the weekend.

For these stories and more of what Germany is talking about, stay with us here.