New Law Allows Air Force To Down Hijacked Jets

Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, on Friday passed a new law that increases airport security regulations and gives the German Air Force the authority to shoot down passenger planes if they have been hijacked by terrorists intending to use them for an attack. The new law also tightens security by requiring stricter background checks of all airport personnel. But opposition conservatives say the legislation does not go far enough. They want to Germany's constitution to make it easier for the military to intervene in domestic crisis situations. Currently, German law prohibits the military from domestic operations. The law does not require the approval of the Bundesrat, Germany's upper legislative chamber, which is controlled by the opposition.