Berlin protects Wall from vandals

BERLIN • A quarter-century after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the German capital said it would build a barrier to protect the longest-surviving stretch from a sharp rise in vandalism.

The so-called East Side Gallery, a 1.3-km long slab which artists covered with murals months after the Cold War symbol was breached on Nov 9, 1989, will soon have a permanent guard barrier.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Lufthansa cancels 290 flights after staff strike

BERLIN • German airline Lufthansa cancelled 290 flights yesterday after cabin crew union UFO announced a walkout on flights from Frankfurt and Duesseldorf from 1300 GMT (9pm, Singapore time).

The first day of a planned week of strike action was called over failed pension talks.

Lufthansa said it had cancelled 290 flights planned yesterday.

REUTERS