{"id":544488,"date":"2026-03-25T14:24:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T14:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/544488\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T14:24:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T14:24:07","slug":"race-against-time-for-stranded-humpback-whale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/544488\/","title":{"rendered":"Race against time for stranded humpback whale"},"content":{"rendered":"

Skip next section German government presents 2026 climate action plan<\/a><\/p>\n

03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026German government presents 2026 climate action plan<\/p>\n

\"GermanSchneider said climate change had the ‘highest priority’ within the government, calling the additional planned expenditure ‘a real statement in times of sparse coffers’Image: dts Nachrichtenagentur\/IMAGO<\/p>\n

Environment Minister Carsten Schneider presented the coalition’s climate action plan for the next four years in Berlin on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It foresees dozens of steps and additional expenditure of around \u20ac8 billion (roughly $9.25 billion), notably including the construction of roughly 2,000 new wind turbines.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The plan is supposed to help the government meet its 2030 climate goal of a 65% reduction in CO2 emmissions compared to 1990 levels<\/a>. This is part of a gradual reduction program that aims for the country to become carbon neutral by 2045.\u00a0<\/p>\n

German emissions have drastically reduced in recent years; 2024 figures were roughly 48% lower than in 1990, with a similar rate of reduction evident early in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Green groups criticize climate plan<\/p>\n

However, the latest proposal is drawing criticism from all quarters.<\/p>\n

Environmental groups have called the plans inadequate, too optimistic in its predicted gains,\u00a0and based on outdated information.<\/p>\n

The DUH group, or Environmental Action Germany to use its English language name, said it was planning a legal challenge to the government’s plans, calling them “illegal” and an\u00a0act of\u00a0“climate policy arson.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Greenpeace had also staged a protest at the Chancellery in Berlin earlier in the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, industry lobby groups say the climate plans are too bureaucratic and will prove too expensive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B6Z2<\/p>\n

Skip next section Germany’s Merz: ‘Best way to combat high prices is to end war’<\/a><\/p>\n

03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026Germany’s Merz: ‘Best way to combat high prices is to end war’<\/p>\n

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a> said on Wednesday that the government “cannot cover all additional costs from the federal budget” and that “the best way to combat high prices is to end the war in Iran<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Addressing the German parliament, the Bundestag, Merz (CDU<\/a>) said that demands from some Social Democratic Party (SPD<\/a>) ministers for further government relief measures would “lead immediately to significant revenue drops for the federal budget.”<\/p>\n

On the Middle East conflict itself, Merz said Germany<\/a>, together with the European Union,\u00a0was “trying to do everything” to persuade the United States and Israel to end the war against Iran<\/a>, and that Berlin was prepared to join “international stabilization efforts after hostilities end.”<\/p>\n

But he \u200badded that \u200cany operation would require a \u200bmandate \u2060from the United \u2060Nations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B6aR<\/p>\n

Skip next section Bielefeld: Unrefrigerated chicken confiscated from van <\/a><\/p>\n

03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026Bielefeld: Unrefrigerated chicken confiscated from van <\/p>\n

Authorities in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)<\/a> on Tuesday confiscated around a ton of unrefrigerated chicken that was being transported from Belgium<\/a> to Berlin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After stopping a van on the A2 autobahn near the city of Bielefeld<\/a> due to overloading, authorities discovered the deep-cooled chicken being transported in an ambient temperature\u00a0of 15\u00b0C (59\u00b0F) \u2014\u00a0rather than the legally required -18\u00b0C (-0.4\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

The 42-year-old driver told police that he had already dispatched two pallets of chicken in a vehicle with an appropriate cooling system \u00a0but then simply packed the rest in his van.<\/p>\n

He is being investigated on suspicion of breaching German food safety laws.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B6De<\/p>\n

Skip next section Germany inland shipping hits record low<\/a><\/p>\n

03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026Germany inland shipping hits record low<\/p>\n

Germany’s inland shipping sector has transported fewer goods in 2025, reaching its lowest level since reunification in 1990.<\/p>\n

The Federal Statistical Office said total freight volume fell 1.3% year-on-year to 171.6 million metric tons.<\/p>\n

The decline was mainly driven by weaker exports, with outbound shipments dropping 4.8% to 41.1 million\u00a0tons.<\/p>\n

Domestic transport remained largely stable at 42.8 million tons, while transit traffic fell 5.4% to 10.7 million tons.<\/p>\n

Imports rose slightly by 0.6% to 77.0 million tons.<\/p>\n

Bulk goods such as ores, coal, and petroleum products accounted for the largest share of cargo.<\/p>\n

Rotterdam<\/a> remained Germany’s most important foreign port by a wide margin, ahead of Antwerp and Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

More than half of all shipments were carried by Dutch-flagged vessels, while German ships accounted for just under one-third.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B6FI<\/p>\n

Skip next section Berlin court jails Hamas cell members<\/a><\/p>\n

03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026Berlin court jails Hamas cell members<\/p>\n

A Berlin court has sentenced four members of a Hamas<\/a>-linked underground cell to several years in prison.<\/p>\n

The court handed down terms ranging from four and a half to six years for membership in a foreign terrorist organization and related offenses.<\/p>\n

Judges said the men, aged 36 to 58, acted as operatives responsible for weapons depots across several European countries.<\/p>\n

According to the court, the stockpiles were intended for use in potential attacks on Israeli, Jewish or other facilities in Europe over an extended period.<\/p>\n

Possible targets were the Israeli Embassy in Berlin, the US Ramstein Air Base and the area around Berlin’s disused Tempelhof airport.<\/p>\n

The men denied being Hamas members. The main accused did admit to visiting an arms cache in Bulgaria, but claimed his visit concerned “private arms dealing.”<\/p>\n

Read more about the sentencing here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B4QE<\/p>\n

Skip next section German housing prices rise again in 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026German housing prices rise again in 2025<\/p>\n

House\u00a0prices in Germany have increased again, marking a continued recovery after recent declines<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to the Federal Statistical Office, residential property prices in the fourth quarter of 2025 were up 3.0% compared with a year earlier, the fifth consecutive quarterly rise year-on-year.<\/p>\n

Prices edged up 0.1% from the previous quarter, while the annual average for 2025 rose 3.2%, the first yearly increase since 2022 after declines in 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n

Growth was strongest in rural areas, where apartment prices rose 5.4%, compared with 4.8% in large cities and 2.1% in Germany\u2019s seven biggest urban centers \u2014 Berlin, Cologne, D\u00fcsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart.<\/p>\n

On a quarterly basis, prices fell 1.6% in major cities but climbed 2.6% in rural regions, showing a shift in demand.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B4F1<\/p>\n

Skip next section Massive police convoy escorts nuclear waste transport<\/a><\/p>\n

03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026Massive police convoy escorts nuclear waste transport<\/p>\n

\"PoliceThe operation is the start of a series of transports, with 151 more Castor containers to be movedImage: Christoph Reichwein\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/p>\n

German police have mounted a large-scale operation to escort the first nuclear waste transport from\u00a0an ex-research reactor site in the western city of J\u00fclich in\u00a0North Rhine-Westphalia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Around 100 vehicles, including dozens of police units, formed a convoy protecting the heavy-load transporter carrying the radioactive cargo on its way to\u00a0an interim storage facility in the town of Ahaus.<\/p>\n

Authorities deployed extensive security measures, with officers guarding access points and even mobile toilets included in the convoy.<\/p>\n

Highway exits were repeatedly closed, leaving drivers with limited options and in some cases forcing them to turn around.<\/p>\n

The operation marks the start of a series of transports, with 151 more Castor containers set to be moved to the Ahaus interim storage site.<\/p>\n

Police deployed about 2,400 officers, while unions warned of potential strain on personnel amid growing security demands.<\/p>\n

The first container reached Ahaus after about four hours, as small groups of protesters demonstrated along the route and at the destination.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B3iA<\/p>\n

Skip next section Greenpeace climate protest in Berlin<\/a>03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026Greenpeace climate protest in Berlin\"FourThe activists mounted a 100-square-meter banner, visible from afarImage: Michael Kappeler\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/p>\n

Early Wednesday morning, four activists from the environmental group Greenpeace were suspended from a massive construction crane right next to the Chancellery in Berlin \u2014 a crane that has been there for some time due to renovations at the building, which was swaying dangerously in the fierce wind on this gloomy morning.<\/p>\n

The activists mounted a 100-square-meter (around 1000 square feet)\u00a0banner, visible from afar above the government district, reading: “Freedom instead of fossil fuel politics.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

They want to draw attention to what they see as the shortcomings in the new climate protection program of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s<\/a> government, which is set to be approved by the Cabinet at midday this Wednesday.<\/p>\n

By 2030, the government promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% compared to 1990 levels; 48% of that target has already been achieved. But Greenpeace is certain: the 65% target is virtually impossible to meet.<\/p>\n

Greenpeace energy expert Mira J\u00e4ger wrote in a press statement released simultaneously with the crane protest:\u00a0 “There is a looming massive gap in the CO2 targets. So far, no measures are known that could even begin to close this gap. The rising prices for fuel and gas show everyone: The climate protection program must provide a clear roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. We cannot afford to ‘carry on as usual,’\u00a0neither ecologically nor economically.”<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B3qj<\/p>\n

Skip next section Stranded humpback whale waits for rescue in Germany<\/a><\/p>\n

03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026Stranded humpback whale waits for rescue in Germany<\/p>\n

\"The The 10-meter-long humpback whale is probably a young maleImage: Jens B\u00fcttner\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/p>\n

A stranded humpback whale has been fighting for survival off Niendorf beach in northern Germany, with rescuers forced to wait for better equipment.<\/p>\n

A rescue attempt with a suction dredger failed because it was not powerful enough to remove the compact sand.\u00a0Larger machinery is expected to arrive, likely on Thursday, to continue efforts.<\/p>\n

Carsten Mannheimer\u00a0from the marine conservation organization Sea Shepherd said the situation was\u00a0difficult. “I would like to do more,” he said, adding that there was\u00a0little to do for now.<\/p>\n

The group said the animal\u00a0probably got stuck while migrating, and that it might be the same whale repeatedly sighted in the area this month.<\/p>\n

The young whale has been stuck on a sandbank since Monday, with its back visible above water and its low sounds audible from hundreds of meters away.<\/p>\n

Mannheimer said such incidents are hard to prevent, though improved equipment could help, adding he still hopes the whale will make it back to deeper water.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5B3oJ<\/p>\n

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage<\/a>03\/25\/2026March 25, 2026Welcome to our coverage<\/p>\n

Guten Tag from the DW newsroom here in Bonn.<\/p>\n

You join us as we follow the plight of a humpback whale stranded off the coast of the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein.<\/p>\n

Special machinery is on its way, but it’s a race against time to save the animal that became stuck in shallow water on Monday.<\/p>\n

Stay with us for the latest on this and other news from Germany.<\/p>\n

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