IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Germany

Hundreds of flights axed as strike hits airports

Hundreds of flights were canceled at eight German airports on Tuesday, including at the nation's busiest travel hub Frankfurt, as security staff walked off the job in a deepening row over pay. Germany's powerful Verdi union said the strike would last from 2 am until 8 pm at Frankfurt airport, with walkouts in Munich, Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden and Erfurt following roughly the same schedule. More than 200,000 travelers will suffer cancellations and delays, the ADV airport association said, in a calculation that included knock-on effects at other airports. Germany's flagship carrier Lufthansa accused Verdi of ramping up tensions "to an unacceptable extent".

Brazil

New president eases gun laws with decree

President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday signed a decree making it easier for many Brazilians to own firearms, the first of many expected changes by the nascent government to overhaul gun laws in a nation that leads the world in total homicides. Bolsonaro signed the decree in a televised ceremony in the capital of Brasilia, arguing that it and other changes expected to be pushed in Congress would help people defend themselves. The former army captain, who won last year's election on promises to crack down on crime, said citizens in Latin America's biggest country have long made clear that they wanted to arm themselves.

AFP - Reuters

(China Daily 01/17/2019 page12)