German trade union leads Lufthansa ground staff walk-out at seven airports
The German Ver.di union announced Tuesday the one-day strike at Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart airports. That forced the airline to cancel or delay hundreds of flights.
The union is demanding a wage rise of 12.5 percent or at least 500 euros ($539) per month for some 25,000 employees, including those involved in registration, aircraft maintenance and cargo transportation.
The first strike by Lufthansa staff took place on February 7. All the airline’s departures from Berlin and Hamburg were canceled, as were most domestic flights from Duesseldorf. According to Lufthansa’s estimates, more than 100,000 people had to change their travel plans.
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The German Ver.di union announced Tuesday the one-day strike at Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart airports. That forced the airline to cancel or delay hundreds of flights.
The union is demanding a wage rise of 12.5 percent or at least 500 euros ($539) per month for some 25,000 employees, including those involved in registration, aircraft maintenance and cargo transportation.
The first strike by Lufthansa staff took place on February 7. All the airline’s departures from Berlin and Hamburg were canceled, as were most domestic flights from Duesseldorf. According to Lufthansa’s estimates, more than 100,000 people had to change their travel plans.
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❗️The IAEA believes that reducing dependence on the Russian nuclear industry will cost the EU billions.
Sanctions against Rosatom will bring the nuclear sector in many countries to a dead end, the head of the IAEA said.
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Sanctions against Rosatom will bring the nuclear sector in many countries to a dead end, the head of the IAEA said.
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🔺The Russian Ministry of Defense on the use of toxic substances by the Ukrainian military
🔺Key points of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov’s briefing on violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention by the US and Ukraine
🔺What is known about the Avdeyevka Coke and Chemical plant?
🔺How did the Ukraine crisis and Donbass war begin? Alexander Matyushin, former Donbass commander and war correspondent, breaks it down
🔺Neocon-in-chief Lindsey Graham drools over Ukraine’s resource riches
🔺US and UK mercenaries cope and seethe over Ukraine's total loss of Avdeyevka, Sputnik found
🔺Why did the Donbass rise up? Alexander Matyushin, former Donbass commander and war correspondent, shed light on the events that led to the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014
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🔺Key points of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov’s briefing on violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention by the US and Ukraine
🔺What is known about the Avdeyevka Coke and Chemical plant?
🔺How did the Ukraine crisis and Donbass war begin? Alexander Matyushin, former Donbass commander and war correspondent, breaks it down
🔺Neocon-in-chief Lindsey Graham drools over Ukraine’s resource riches
🔺US and UK mercenaries cope and seethe over Ukraine's total loss of Avdeyevka, Sputnik found
🔺Why did the Donbass rise up? Alexander Matyushin, former Donbass commander and war correspondent, shed light on the events that led to the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014
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Rostec tests a prototype of a vertical take-off drone
Specialists from the Sukhoi Design Bureau (part of the United Aircraft Construction, Rostec) have run successful tests for a prototype of a new heavy UAV with vertical take-off and landing capability. The UAV in development will have a maximum range of 500 km and will be capable of carrying up to 300 kg loads.
This advanced machine does not require any docking stations and airfield infrastructure for take-off and landing. It will tackle many transport and logistics tasks invloving dropping off various items to hard-to-reach settlements that lack sufficient transport network or airfields.
At the testing stage, Rostec engineers looked at the UAV’s take-off control and maneuvering, hovering, and landing. All the tests took place at an integrated flight stand fully made from Russian components.
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Specialists from the Sukhoi Design Bureau (part of the United Aircraft Construction, Rostec) have run successful tests for a prototype of a new heavy UAV with vertical take-off and landing capability. The UAV in development will have a maximum range of 500 km and will be capable of carrying up to 300 kg loads.
This advanced machine does not require any docking stations and airfield infrastructure for take-off and landing. It will tackle many transport and logistics tasks invloving dropping off various items to hard-to-reach settlements that lack sufficient transport network or airfields.
At the testing stage, Rostec engineers looked at the UAV’s take-off control and maneuvering, hovering, and landing. All the tests took place at an integrated flight stand fully made from Russian components.
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☣️ Ukraine planning to use poisonous chemicals to hinder Russia's advance
"[The Ukrainians] placed tanks with hydrocyanic acid and ammonia along dangerous directions where the Russian military could move," Igor Nikulin, military expert, former member of the UN Commission on Chemical and Biological Weapons, told Sputnik. "If [these tanks] are blown up while Russian units are moving nearby, then, of course, hundreds, if not thousands, of people will be affected. This is an attempt to openly use chemical weapons."
The Ukrainian military are using prohibited chemical substances in the zone of the special military operation and plan to create a "special chemical belt" to hinder the advance of the Russian army, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, said on Monday.
According to Kirillov, the Kiev regime has requested antidotes, gas masks and other personal protective equipment from its Western allies.
The West is well aware that Ukraine uses poisonous chemicals against Russian troops, according to Nikulin. What's more, Ukraine receives some of these substances directly from the West, he said. On December 28, 2023, American-made gas grenades loaded with a substance called "CS" capable of causing skin burns and respiratory paralysis were dropped in the area of Krasny Liman.
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"[The Ukrainians] placed tanks with hydrocyanic acid and ammonia along dangerous directions where the Russian military could move," Igor Nikulin, military expert, former member of the UN Commission on Chemical and Biological Weapons, told Sputnik. "If [these tanks] are blown up while Russian units are moving nearby, then, of course, hundreds, if not thousands, of people will be affected. This is an attempt to openly use chemical weapons."
The Ukrainian military are using prohibited chemical substances in the zone of the special military operation and plan to create a "special chemical belt" to hinder the advance of the Russian army, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, said on Monday.
According to Kirillov, the Kiev regime has requested antidotes, gas masks and other personal protective equipment from its Western allies.
The West is well aware that Ukraine uses poisonous chemicals against Russian troops, according to Nikulin. What's more, Ukraine receives some of these substances directly from the West, he said. On December 28, 2023, American-made gas grenades loaded with a substance called "CS" capable of causing skin burns and respiratory paralysis were dropped in the area of Krasny Liman.
"That is, the United States is openly violating the Chemical Weapons Convention, which it itself signed," Nikulin stressed.
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🇯🇵 “The Japanese government supports the continuation of the war”
A protest event was held in Tokyo to coincide with the Japanese-Ukrainian reconstruction conference
A Sputnik correspondent attended a protest that took place near the building of the Federation of Economic Organizations of Japan (Keidanren), where consultations are taking place within the framework of the Japanese-Ukrainian reconstruction conference, in which Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is participating.
The organizers were opponents of financial assistance to Ukraine from Japan.
The protesters raised anti-war slogans and called the conference on the restoration of Ukraine a “war sponsorship conference,” demanding a resolution to the conflict, believing that such events only lead to its greater escalation.
At the end of the procession, the participants were met by a police cordon. It came to a bit of a stampede. As a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene, the police could not disperse the protesters for about an hour.
The Sputnik correspondent also managed to talk with the organizer of the march, lawyer Takayama Shunkichi, who shared his opinion on why Japan should not restore Ukraine.
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A protest event was held in Tokyo to coincide with the Japanese-Ukrainian reconstruction conference
A Sputnik correspondent attended a protest that took place near the building of the Federation of Economic Organizations of Japan (Keidanren), where consultations are taking place within the framework of the Japanese-Ukrainian reconstruction conference, in which Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is participating.
The organizers were opponents of financial assistance to Ukraine from Japan.
The protesters raised anti-war slogans and called the conference on the restoration of Ukraine a “war sponsorship conference,” demanding a resolution to the conflict, believing that such events only lead to its greater escalation.
At the end of the procession, the participants were met by a police cordon. It came to a bit of a stampede. As a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene, the police could not disperse the protesters for about an hour.
The Sputnik correspondent also managed to talk with the organizer of the march, lawyer Takayama Shunkichi, who shared his opinion on why Japan should not restore Ukraine.
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The Ukrainian troops' defeat in Avdeyevka "is a pivotal moment" for the Ukrainian conflict, CNN stated.
Altogether with the suspension of US aid, failed counteroffensive, "reshuffle of Ukraine’s top brass", enormous losses of manpower and equipment the current "Russian advances" might mean that the worst times have come for the Ukrainian authorities, CNN concluded.
Altogether with the suspension of US aid, failed counteroffensive, "reshuffle of Ukraine’s top brass", enormous losses of manpower and equipment the current "Russian advances" might mean that the worst times have come for the Ukrainian authorities, CNN concluded.
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Eurobonds to arm Ukraine will strip EU members of sovereignty
"What’s left of national sovereignty in Europe will die if the EU Commission continues getting these special bond issuances, €100 billion ($107.8 billion) at a time," Tom Luongo, financial and geopolitical analyst, told Sputnik.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has proposed issuing €100 billion ($107.8 billion) in Eurobonds to boost Europe's defense industries in order to arm Ukraine, with the support of France and European Council President Charles Michel.
Luongo suspects that the EU’s support for the war in Ukraine was mostly driven by the desire to centralize power in Brussels. The first phase of the plan was issuing SURE bonds after the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, according to him. The joint borrowing at the time totaled €98.4 billion ($106 billion).
But the expert believes that Brussels' push would have the opposite result: "The more these people push for total integration of military, regulatory, political and economic cohesion, the more they will alienate the people they are trying to subjugate," he said.
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"What’s left of national sovereignty in Europe will die if the EU Commission continues getting these special bond issuances, €100 billion ($107.8 billion) at a time," Tom Luongo, financial and geopolitical analyst, told Sputnik.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has proposed issuing €100 billion ($107.8 billion) in Eurobonds to boost Europe's defense industries in order to arm Ukraine, with the support of France and European Council President Charles Michel.
Luongo suspects that the EU’s support for the war in Ukraine was mostly driven by the desire to centralize power in Brussels. The first phase of the plan was issuing SURE bonds after the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, according to him. The joint borrowing at the time totaled €98.4 billion ($106 billion).
"Europe embarked on a very dangerous path by purposefully gutting their domestic economies through COVID lockdowns to get the first round of Eurobonds agreed to. Now they are using the phantom threat of a Russian invasion to get the second round issued," Luongo warned.
But the expert believes that Brussels' push would have the opposite result: "The more these people push for total integration of military, regulatory, political and economic cohesion, the more they will alienate the people they are trying to subjugate," he said.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin presented North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with a Russian-made car, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The agency didn't specify the brand and model, but when Kim Jong-un visited Russia in September, 2023, Putin showed him Russian brand Aurus.
The gift for Kim Jong-un was received on February 18 by his sister, Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea's (WPK) Central Committee, and Pak Jong-cheon, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, KCNA noted.
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The agency didn't specify the brand and model, but when Kim Jong-un visited Russia in September, 2023, Putin showed him Russian brand Aurus.
The gift for Kim Jong-un was received on February 18 by his sister, Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea's (WPK) Central Committee, and Pak Jong-cheon, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, KCNA noted.
Kim Yo-jong said the gift "serves as a clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the top leaders of the DPRK and Russia and as the best one".
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Russia handed over 11 children to Ukraine for reunification with their families
The transfer of children took place through the mediation of Qatar. The Commissioner for Children's Rights under the President of the Russian Federation, Maria Lvova-Belova, said that this is the largest group of children who were returned to Ukraine to be reunited with their families. Among the transferred children, two are with disabilities.
Children found themselves separated from their families for various reasons. Some of them were placed in a boarding school by their parents, while others were sent to a children's health camp, but could not be brought back due to changes in borders.
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The transfer of children took place through the mediation of Qatar. The Commissioner for Children's Rights under the President of the Russian Federation, Maria Lvova-Belova, said that this is the largest group of children who were returned to Ukraine to be reunited with their families. Among the transferred children, two are with disabilities.
Children found themselves separated from their families for various reasons. Some of them were placed in a boarding school by their parents, while others were sent to a children's health camp, but could not be brought back due to changes in borders.
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❗️ The Russian air defenses destroyed a Ukrainian drone in the Bryansk Region, governor Alexander Bogomaz wrote on his Telegram channel.
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"There were no casualties or damage. Operational and emergency services are working on the spot. We thank our defenders!," Bogomaz added.
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📹 Footage of abandoned Ukrainian military equipment in the suburbs of Avdeyevka after the uncontrolled escape of the Ukrainian forces
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Israeli war cabinet and Knesset member Benny Gantz seemingly set Ramadan as the deadline for Israel’s invasion of the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
On Monday, Al-Jazeera reported that it viewed a draft UN Security Resolution by the United States that, for the first time, called for a ceasefire and the pause of the Rafah invasion.
More than 1.4 million of the 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza have sheltered in the southern city of Rafah.
The resolution does not call for an immediate ceasefire, so it may not be accepted by other Security Council members. The US has already vetoed ceasefire resolutions twice. It is expected to veto a third resolution put forth by Algeria soon.
It is not known when or if the US resolution will be brought to a vote.
Read more in the full article
“The world must know — and Hamas leaders must know — that if by Ramadan the hostages are not home, then the fighting will continue, including in Rafah,” Gantz said at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations over the weekend. Ramadan begins on March 10.
On Monday, Al-Jazeera reported that it viewed a draft UN Security Resolution by the United States that, for the first time, called for a ceasefire and the pause of the Rafah invasion.
More than 1.4 million of the 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza have sheltered in the southern city of Rafah.
The resolution does not call for an immediate ceasefire, so it may not be accepted by other Security Council members. The US has already vetoed ceasefire resolutions twice. It is expected to veto a third resolution put forth by Algeria soon.
It is not known when or if the US resolution will be brought to a vote.
Read more in the full article
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Report on leak of NATO sub secrets near Nord Stream meant ‘to confuse public opinion’
Germany’s Federal Prosecutor General is reportedly investigating whether employees of the Stralsund Mining Authority deliberately disclosed state secrets relating to the operating areas of NATO submarines near the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline network.
“To be honest, it is a rather strange case,” German journalist and political analyst Dr. Gregor Spitzen, told Sputnik. “Why is the disclosure of these documents only now being widely reported? I suppose it is an element of the targeted media strategy to confuse public opinion and distract it from the real perpetrator who bears responsibility for this act of terror,” he suggested.
US-born German journalist, author and political analyst Victor Grossman says that notwithstanding the legal trouble now threatening Stralsund Mining Authority employees, he can’t help but be “somewhat amused” by the mental gymnastics Western officials and media put themselves through to try to throw their respective publics off the scent of US responsibility for the Nord Stream attack.
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Germany’s Federal Prosecutor General is reportedly investigating whether employees of the Stralsund Mining Authority deliberately disclosed state secrets relating to the operating areas of NATO submarines near the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline network.
“To be honest, it is a rather strange case,” German journalist and political analyst Dr. Gregor Spitzen, told Sputnik. “Why is the disclosure of these documents only now being widely reported? I suppose it is an element of the targeted media strategy to confuse public opinion and distract it from the real perpetrator who bears responsibility for this act of terror,” he suggested.
US-born German journalist, author and political analyst Victor Grossman says that notwithstanding the legal trouble now threatening Stralsund Mining Authority employees, he can’t help but be “somewhat amused” by the mental gymnastics Western officials and media put themselves through to try to throw their respective publics off the scent of US responsibility for the Nord Stream attack.
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At night, a Grad MLRS unit of the Southern Group of Russian army successfully hit an Ukrainian forces' stronghold with 122-mm rockets.
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EU mission in Red Sea will be led by Italy, France, Greece
The EU naval mission to secure navigation in the Red Sea from Yemen's Houthi movement will be led by Italy, France and Greece, Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto said.
Earlier on Monday, Italian FM Antonio Tajani said that the European Union approved the launch of the Aspides military operation, with Italy set to take over the command of the forces.
The Houthi movement, which controls large parts of northern and western Yemen, vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. This led US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to announce the creation of a multinational operation in the Red Sea.
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The EU naval mission to secure navigation in the Red Sea from Yemen's Houthi movement will be led by Italy, France and Greece, Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto said.
Earlier on Monday, Italian FM Antonio Tajani said that the European Union approved the launch of the Aspides military operation, with Italy set to take over the command of the forces.
"Today it was decided that we are launching an EU maritime mission … This will be a mission led by Greece, Italy and France, called Aspides; its budget for the first year is limited to 8 million euros [$8.6 million]," Szijjarto told Hungarian reporters.
The Houthi movement, which controls large parts of northern and western Yemen, vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. This led US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to announce the creation of a multinational operation in the Red Sea.
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