Lufthansa faces strike threat as pilots back industrial action in pension dispute

Lufthansa faces strike threat as pilots back industrial action in pension dispute



Lufthansa planes stand parked as Frankfurt airport is closed to passengers with planned departures due to a strike organised by Verdi union, in Frankfurt, Germany, March 7, 2024. — Reuters pic

Tuesday, 30 Sep 2025 7:48 PM MYT


FRANKFURT, Sept 30 — Lufthansa could face a strike at its main airline after pilots’ union VC today said its members voted in favour of a walkout in a dispute over pensions.

The vote is the union’s last attempt to escalate pressure on Lufthansa to agree to a better deal for pilots and comes only a day after the airline group held its capital markets day, presenting its plan to become more efficient.

The airline has pushed back on deeper pension changes and threatened to move more jobs to its cheaper subsidiaries, Discover and City Airlines.

VC, or Vereinigung Cockpit, said in a statement that a vast majority of members voted for a strike, but gave no timeline for the proposed industrial action.


Still, it opens the door to more costly and disruptive labour action for Lufthansa, which has already faced several labour challenges over recent years as it struggles to cut costs and pursue growth.


Yesterday, it unveiled plans to cut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 and set higher profitability targets. — Reuters

The picture of Amanda Malaysia needs to see

FMT:

The picture of Amanda Malaysia needs to see


2 hours ago
Frankie D'Cruz


Once frail and breathless, Amanda Mei Chu now walks, her recovery a testament to resilience and care

From frailty to resilience, Amanda takes confident steps during her recovery at Sungai Buloh Hospital. (Dominic Damian pic)

PETALING JAYA: This is Amanda Mei Chu, 29, walking where once she was wheeled.

Just 32 days ago, she was taken to Sungai Buloh Hospital frail, breathless and weighing only 22kg.

Today, she carries a small backpack and a quiet determination that speaks louder than words.


Born with HIV and abandoned as a baby, Amanda has lived a life marked by setbacks. Her adoptive father, Dominic Damian, raised her with unwavering love.

But in 2017, Kuala Lumpur Hospital cut off the treatment she had relied on since childhood, labelling her a “foreigner.”


Her health declined dangerously, and without medication Damian often feared each night might be her last.

Dominic Damian wheels his fragile daughter into hospital for life-saving treatment last month.


Everything changed when her story surfaced last month in FMT. Malaysians responded with compassion. The Malaysian AIDS Council and Malaysian AIDS Foundation stepped forward.

The health ministry opened hospital doors, and Sungai Buloh began immediate treatment.

Her RM17,000 bill was later waived, an act of goodwill Damian said lifted a crushing burden.


The progress has been striking. Amanda now weighs 26kg and needs to hit 40kg. She no longer needs help with feeding or bathing.

Instead, she joins Damian on daily walks, clocking 4,000 to 8,000 steps. Sometimes he straps a backpack on her for added challenge, promising ice cream or chocolate at the finish.

“I hope she gets addicted to exercise,” he said with a laugh, grateful most of all that she has regained her independence.

Amanda’s recovery is more than a personal triumph. It has become a symbol of resilience — proof that hope and care can triumph over neglect.


It is also a national conscience, reminding Malaysians of the injustice she endured and how public compassion turned her story around.

Her progress stands as a collective victory, the result of ordinary citizens, NGOs and doctors who refused to look away.


And it is a future reminder: while doctored documents have allowed some to get Malaysian citizenship with ease, children like Amanda — born here but paperless — still fall through the cracks.

On Monday, Amanda left the hospital. At her Jalan Ipoh home, she continues her recovery, her steps filling the same rooms that once echoed with silence and fear.

Her citizenship remains unresolved, but the Malaysian AIDS Council is working with the home ministry to secure the papers she needs.

Only then can she be guaranteed a lifetime of treatment.

For now, Amanda’s strides tell their own story. From weakness to strength, she is walking into hope — one determined step at a time.

Factory worker lures boy with ‘free bicycle’ in molest case

FMT:

Factory worker lures boy with ‘free bicycle’ in molest case

Kuala Muda police chief Hanyan Ramlan says the 12-year-old victim was tricked with the offer and taken to a forest area

Kuala Muda police chief Hanyan Ramlan said the suspect has no prior record and will be investigated for the physical sexual assault of a child. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Police arrested a factory worker last night for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old boy in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Kuala Muda police chief Hanyan Ramlan said the incident reportedly took place at around 9pm on Monday when the victim and three friends were in the area of Bukit Bintang Ramlee, Berita Harian reported.

He said the boy was approached by a man on a motorcycle who claimed he wanted to give him a free bicycle.


“The victim followed the suspect to a house in Taman Sri Astana before returning to Bukit Bintang Ramlee with a bicycle.

“Later, the suspect told the boy he wanted to give him another bicycle, prompting him to follow the man again.


“This time, however, the boy, who is the third of four siblings, was taken to a forested area in Kampung Serukam, where the suspect allegedly forced the victim to touch his private parts,” he was quoted as saying in a statement today.

Hanyan said investigations would be carried out under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

“Checks found that the suspect had no prior record. A remand application will be made today,” he said.

At least 22 dead after major earthquake hits Philippines

At least 22 dead after major earthquake hits Philippines



The police and rescuers inspect the damage at an indoor arena in San Remigio town, Cebu province, central Philippines, on October 1, 2025, after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake jolted the central Philippines, collapsing buildings and killing at least 26 people. — AFP pic

Wednesday, 01 Oct 2025 9:01 AM MYT


MANILA, Oct 1 —At least 22 people have been killed following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the Philippines, a government official said, marking one of the country’s most devastating disasters this year.

The earthquake that struck off the coast of Cebu City in the Philippines’ central Visayas region just before 10pm (10pm Malaysian time) yesterday led to power outages and damaged buildings in the region.

Alfie Reynes, vice mayor of the town of San Remigio, confirmed the death toll of 22 in an interview with DZMM radio.

Another government official told Reuters by phone that at least 21 people have been reported dead in Cebu province, adding that verification is underway on the reported fatalities.


The New York Times earlier reported that at least 37 people have been injured due to the quake, along with the collapse of a few buildings and infrastructure including bridges. Earthquake monitoring agencies had pegged the depth of the quake at around 10 km (6.2 miles) and recorded multiple aftershocks, the strongest having a magnitude of 6. Another monitoring agency said there was no tsunami threat following the quake.


Cebu City has a population of nearly 1 million, according to the USGS.

Philippine seismology agency Phivolcs warned of aftershocks and damage from the offshore tremor. It also warned that “strong currents and rapid changes of seawater level are expected.” “The concerned public is advised to be on alert for unusual waves,” it said in an advisory. The warning was canceled three hours later. The Philippines lies in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common. The country had two major earthquakes in January with no casualties reported. In 2023, a 6.7 magnitude offshore earthquake killed eight people. — Reuters