High-Stakes Talks in Saudi Arabia Amid Concerns for Ukraine and Rising Coffee Prices

DEGermany|

In a significant diplomatic encounter, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. This marks the first official meeting between U.S. and Russian foreign ministers since the onset of the Russian invasion, raising concerns about the exclusion of European and Ukrainian representatives, which some analysts suggest indicates a shift in U.S. support for Ukraine (DER SPIEGEL).

Meanwhile, Pope Francis is hospitalized with respiratory issues, causing him to cancel public appearances, including a major Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican has described his condition as serious, with reports of a "complex illness" impacting his breathing (DER SPIEGEL).

Additionally, Germany’s leading coffee brand, Tchibo, has announced a price hike due to dwindling coffee bean supplies, attributed to climate-related harvest declines in Brazil. The price of Arabica coffee has surged nearly 90% over the past year, reflecting broader market pressures that could see future increases (DER SPIEGEL).

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Lufthansa Flight Operated for 10 Minutes Without Pilot Due to Medical Emergency

A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville experienced a serious incident when the co-pilot fainted, leaving the aircraft without a pilot in command for approximately 10 minutes, according to a report by the German news agency dpa on May 17, 2025. The incident occurred on February 17, 2024, when the captain was in the restroom aboard the Airbus A321, which was carrying 199 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft was sustained in stable flight mode thanks to its active autopilot, while the cockpit voice recorder captured sounds indicative of a medical emergency. Efforts by the captain to enter the cockpit were unsuccessful, as he attempted the door access code multiple times. Eventually, he implemented an emergency code, prompting the door to unlock just before the co-pilot regained consciousness and opened it himself. Following the incident, the captain opted for an unplanned landing in Madrid, where the co-pilot received medical attention. A Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed awareness of the investigation by the Spanish accident investigation authority CIAIAC but did not disclose the findings from its internal safety investigation.
DEGermany

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DEGermany

Major Darknet Child Exploitation Platform "Kidflix" Shut Down in International Operation

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