Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has filed a legal complaint against the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), following its formal classification as a “right-wing extremist” organization last week.

The decision, announced by the BfV on Friday, followed a three-year investigation into the party’s ideology and public statements. The agency concluded that the AfD promotes views that violate Germany’s constitutional principles, particularly targeting individuals with migrant backgrounds and promoting an “ethnic-ancestry-based understanding” of German identity.

According to the BfV, the party’s platform excludes certain groups from equal participation in society and aims to subject them to “unconstitutional unequal treatment,” effectively assigning them a “legally devalued status.”

In response, the AfD launched legal action, submitting a complaint to the administrative court in Cologne. Daniel Tapp, spokesperson for co-leader Alice Weidel, confirmed that the necessary documents had been sent and called the BfV’s classification a “serious blow to German democracy.” The party maintains that the decision infringes on its constitutional rights and vows to pursue all legal avenues in its defense.

The AfD’s co-leaders, Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, insist the move is politically motivated. “We will exhaust all legal means to defend the free democratic basic order,” they said in a joint statement.

The ruling has reignited debate across Germany’s political spectrum over how to address the rise of the AfD, which holds 152 seats in the Bundestag and is currently the second-largest party in parliament. Some opponents have previously called for a full ban, though prominent leaders, including outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have urged caution, warning against rushed decisions.

The BfV had already classified several parts of the AfD as extremist, including its youth wing and some regional factions. The extension of that label to the entire party now allows for enhanced surveillance, including the monitoring of communications and use of informants.

Jens Spahn, deputy leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the BfV’s findings must be taken “very seriously.” He added that the CDU, alongside the Social Democrats (SPD), would coordinate closely on how to approach the AfD in future parliamentary proceedings.

The classification marks a significant escalation in Germany’s institutional efforts to counter far-right extremism amid growing concerns about anti-democratic rhetoric and social polarization.

More than 10,000 train passengers across Spain faced hours-long delays and severe travel disruption on Sunday, as the theft of railway cables in Toledo province and a technical fault on a high-speed train brought services to a near standstill during the busy bank holiday weekend.

The disruption affected over 30 trains, particularly those on the high-speed routes between Madrid and Seville, as well as Madrid and Toledo. Many passengers were returning home after the long weekend when the chaos unfolded.

The problems began around 5:45 p.m. when cable thefts were reported near the municipalities of Mora, Orgaz, and Urda. The Ministry of Transport later confirmed that the damage was concentrated in the area between Los Yébenes and Manzaneque, severely impacting the signalling systems. The incidents, described by officials as acts of “sabotage,” caused major delays across long-distance, AVE, and AVANT trains.

Transport Minister Óscar Puente called the incident “a serious act of sabotage” and appealed for public assistance in identifying those responsible. The Guardia Civil has launched an investigation, confirming that four separate incidents occurred within a 10-kilometre radius.

Further compounding the disruption was a technical fault with an Iryo-operated high-speed train, which snagged overhead lines and intensified the delays. Álvaro Fernández de Heredia, president of Spain’s state-owned rail operator Renfe, said the train malfunction was responsible for the majority of the hold-ups.

Though services gradually resumed from 9:48 a.m. on Monday, passengers were still experiencing timetable changes and delays of up to an hour. Renfe stated it aimed to fully restore services throughout the day.

Many affected travellers expressed frustration, with some reporting being stranded for hours without clear communication, food, or water. Critics also questioned why alternative arrangements had not been made once the issues were identified.

Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso linked the delays to broader infrastructure issues, referring to them as part of a “daily calamity” following a major power outage last week.

Despite the widespread impact, Fernández de Heredia defended Renfe’s handling of the situation on social media, insisting that the cable theft alone only caused minor delays and placing greater blame on the technical malfunction.

The Ministry of Transport has pledged to work closely with authorities to strengthen rail security and prevent future incidents of sabotage.

Pakistan’s military announced the successful test launch of a ballistic missile on Saturday, a move that comes amid growing tensions with India following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month.

The missile, part of the Abdali Weapon System, is a surface-to-surface projectile with a range of 450 kilometers. According to the military’s statement, the launch aimed to “ensure operational readiness of troops and validate key technical parameters,” including the weapon’s advanced navigation capabilities and improved manoeuvrability.

The test was witnessed by senior military officials, and both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the scientists and engineers behind the successful trial, hailing it as a demonstration of the country’s strategic preparedness.

The launch follows heightened cross-border tensions after an attack on April 22 in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead, mostly Hindu pilgrims. India has blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the assault, an allegation Islamabad has categorically denied.

In the days leading up to the missile test, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that the government had received “credible intelligence” suggesting India was planning a military strike. Tarar warned that Pakistan would respond “very strongly” if it came under attack from its nuclear-armed neighbor.

As diplomatic channels remain strained, Pakistan has turned to its Gulf allies in a bid to de-escalate the situation. On Friday, officials in Islamabad reportedly reached out to regional partners seeking support to reduce hostilities with New Delhi.

The missile launch, while presented as a routine military drill, is being interpreted by regional observers as a clear message of deterrence during a period of mounting geopolitical uncertainty.

The Kashmir region remains a longstanding flashpoint in South Asia. Divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, both countries claim the territory in its entirety. The area has been the source of three wars and numerous skirmishes, with recent years marked by increased militarization and political unrest.

Neither India nor Pakistan has issued a formal statement addressing the latest missile test, though analysts warn that any miscalculation in the current climate could risk further escalation between the two nuclear powers.