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       As NATO allies continue to reject calls to send ground troops into Ukraine, around 5,000 German soldiers are preparing to relocate to Lithuania in 2027, in a historic move that will see the first permanent deployment of German troops since the Second World War.

       German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius visited troops in Bavaria who will be affected by the move. He said Germany has "experience with foreign deployments, including through the Battle Group".

       "Nevertheless, the conditions here are different, as we are talking about several years and, in many cases, deployments accompanied by families," Pistorius added.

       Germany is to deploy two combat battalions to support Lithuania following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

       Lithuania announces €200m aid package for Ukraine

       The reinforcement of Lithuania is high on the agenda amid mounting concerns about a potential attack from Moscow, whose Kaliningrad enclave borders Lithuania, along with its ally Belarus.

       The permanent deployment of German troops will be only 100 km away from the border of Russia. NATO hopes the stationing of the troops will protect Lithuania as they predict Russia could attack the 60km stretch of land on the Polish-Lithuanian border called the 'Suwalki Gap,' if the conflict escalates.

       Watch the full report in the player above to find out more

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       Paul Pogba, the celebrated World Cup winner, has been handed a maximum four-year suspension by Italy's anti-doping tribunal. The ruling was issued after the top midfielder tested positive for testosterone, a banned substance, casting a shadow over his career.

       Even though Pogba said he would appeal to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, the likelihood of overturning the verdict is slim, given his failure to present any mitigating factors for the positive test result.

       The positive result was confirmed in September, stemming from an exam that was carried out on August 20 after Juventus’ game at Udinese. He did not play in the Serie A match but was on the bench.

       Pogba opted not to make a plea bargain with Italy’s anti-doping agency so the case was tried before the country’s anti-doping court.

       Paul Pogba: What do we know about the extortion investigation?

       A person familiar with the case shared the verdict with The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity, as the decision was not disclosed publicly in compliance with Italy's privacy regulations.

       Pogba said in a statement he believes “the verdict is incorrect.”

       “I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me,” Pogba said. “When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations."

       The decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) could take up to a year, which is the standard timeframe - unless one party pushes for a fast-track process and the other side agrees to it.

       Pogba was known for his versatility, physicality and eye for the goal. When he returned to Manchester United in 2016, the club paid Juventus a then world-record transfer fee of 105 million euros.

       Pogba rejoined Juventus in 2022 but struggled with injuries, playing in only six Serie A matches last season and two this season. He was ruled out of France’s run to the 2022 World Cup final due to a knee injury.

       Pogba helped France win the previous World Cup, scoring in the 4-2 win over Croatia in the final. He played in 178 matches for Juventus from 2012-16.

       “As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against,” Pogba said.

       Pogba's contract with Juventus, set to expire in June 2026, faces the possibility of early termination. The Turin-based club has yet to respond to the verdict.

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       Passengers experienced considerable disruption on Thursday, when buses, trams and metro trains ceased operating across much of Germany as local transport workers began a two-day-strike.

       One of Europe’s largest trade unions, Verdi, which represents 90,000 transport workers in Germany, called for the 48-hour 'warning strike' in the ongoing nationwide wage dispute in regional negotiations.

       Workers are demanding better working conditions, including shorter working weeks and extra compensation days for shift and night work.

       Public transport workers have staged several strikes in recent weeks amid tense collective bargaining talks with nearly all public transit agencies in the country.

       Facing inflation and staff shortages, unions are pushing for higher wages and better working conditions.

       Public transport workers demonstrate through Erfurt city center, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 Martin Schutt/AP

       Such short 'warning strikes' are a common tactic in German contract negotiations. But they have frustrated travellers and commuters:

       "I think it's unfair to the people who travel on local transport that they are constantly arguing and striking," said Ariaan Khalecci, who works in an architecture office in Cologne.

       But some passengers are sympathetic: "You have to see both sides, of course. And one can understand that the people who work for KVB (public transport in Cologne) want to be paid accordingly and therefore act accordingly," said Maren Stemmler, a student from Cologne.

       German bus and train drivers are striking with Fridays for Future. What do they have in common?

       With ongoing contract negotiations, more warning strikes and rallies are planned in many German cities together with Fridays for Future.

       Verdi formed an unlikely alliance with the climate activists under the slogan #WirFahrenZusammen (We’re Driving Together) in recognition of their overlapping goals; more action on the climate crisis requires greater investment in public transport.

       Public transport workers across Germany have joined the climate activists for a week of strike action culminating in a collective nationwide walkout and climate protest on Friday.