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Ukraine war: Grenade birthday gift kills army chief Zaluzhny’s aide

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A tragic incident recently occurred in Ukraine, resulting in the death of Major Hennadiy Chastyakov, a close aide to the head of Ukraine’s armed forces, Valery Zaluzhny. The incident took place during Chastyakov’s birthday celebration, where a grenade from a colleague exploded, causing his death and seriously injuring his 13-year-old son. Initial reports suggested that Chastyakov had triggered the grenade while trying to take it away from his son, but subsequent investigations revealed that it was an accident.

The Ukrainian Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, urged the public to await the official investigation, calling the incident a “tragic accident” resulting from the mishandling of ammunition. However, it was later discovered that there were five more grenades in Chastyakov’s flat, allegedly presented as gifts from a fellow army officer. Two similar grenades were found in the possession of the said colonel.

Photographs from the scene depicted several grenades alongside gift bags, suggesting that Chastyakov had brought them home in a bag with a bottle of whiskey. Reports indicated that the colleague had given him the bottle, jokingly mentioning the gift of combat grenades alongside the whiskey.

Valery Zaluzhny expressed deep sorrow over Chastyakov’s loss, describing him as a dependable support since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. This tragedy adds to the challenges faced by the Ukrainian military, following a recent missile strike that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers during an awards ceremony in Zaporizhzhia. The decision to hold the ceremony in a volatile area drew considerable criticism.

Pro-presidential MP Maryana Bezulha criticized the negligence that led to Chastyakov’s death, emphasizing that grenades are meant for military use, not as presents. Some Ukrainian commentators questioned the official cause of the explosion, raising speculations about a potential targeted attack on Gen Zaluzhny during Chastyakov’s birthday celebration.

Regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia, the commander in chief expressed concerns about the current technological stalemate, drawing parallels to World War I. While he acknowledged the fatigue among the people, President Volodymr Zelensky and the Kremlin denied any notion of a deadlock in the war. Zelensky emphasized the need for unity and announced the postponement of the upcoming presidential elections due to the ongoing war and martial law.

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Europe to develop commercial space capsule

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The European Space Agency (ESA) is introducing a new competition to develop a robotic capsule for transporting cargo to and from the International Space Station, with the maiden voyage planned for 2028. This marks a significant departure from ESA’s conventional project management approach. The winning company will receive some financial support and technical assistance from ESA but must operate the capsule commercially. It will be responsible for partially funding the development and providing the re-supply service to ESA, which will act as the primary customer.

If successful, the company may be tasked with upgrading the capsule to transport ESA astronauts, and potentially, it could be adapted for missions to other destinations such as the Moon. A dedicated team within ESA has been allocated an initial budget of €75m to initiate the competition.

The concept was well received by ESA member states at a summit in Seville, Spain. This procurement model emulates the successful strategy employed by NASA, which transitioned to outsourcing space vehicle services to private companies, leading to the emergence of SpaceX. ESA hopes to replicate NASA’s access to faster, more innovative, and cost-effective space technologies.

Anna Christmann, a leading aerospace policy figure in the German government, emphasized the shift in ESA’s approach, stating that while public funding initiates such competitions, it attracts private investment. ESA member states have also committed to adopting this approach for long-term rocket procurement, as current European launchers are facing significant challenges.

The Seville summit also highlighted the role of satellites in aiding European nations’ net-zero goals, including using space data to optimize air travel routes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, ESA introduced the Zero Debris Charter to promote responsible practices in space operations. The UK is championing a new regulatory framework to incentivize responsible behavior and create a market for orbital debris removal services.

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Hamburg Airport hostage drama ends after 18 hours

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A hostage incident at Hamburg Airport, involving a young child, concluded after 18 hours, as stated by local authorities. On Saturday night, a 35-year-old man breached security and drove onto the airport tarmac with his four-year-old daughter. Parking beneath a plane, he surrendered to the authorities without resistance and was subsequently apprehended. The child was reported to be unharmed, according to the police.

The disruption led to delays in several inbound and outbound flights, although operations have now resumed. At approximately 20:00 local time, the perpetrator fired his weapon into the air and hurled burning bottles from the vehicle, causing a commotion. While it remained unclear if he had explosives, he halted the car close to a fully occupied commercial flight, prompting the safe evacuation of all passengers on board.

Reportedly, the individual’s motive stemmed from disagreement with authorities over custody arrangements, expressing a desire to travel to Turkey with the child. Police spokeswoman Sandra Levgruen shared that he felt his life was in disarray, as per German broadcaster ZDF. Authorities attributed his actions to an “extraordinary psychological state” due to the custody conflicts with his ex-wife. The man had previously faced allegations of kidnapping the child when he took her to Turkey without permission, resulting in an investigation last year. The mother later returned the child to Germany.

Following the incident, Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher extended his support to the mother, child, and their family. Meanwhile, the airport pledged to swiftly restore regular operations, having originally planned 286 flights with around 34,500 passengers for the day.

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Ukraine war: Military chiefs in Kyiv under pressure over deadly Russian strike

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Ukraine’s military leadership is facing severe backlash after a recent Russian missile strike reportedly resulted in significant Ukrainian casualties. According to Ukrainian media and Russian military bloggers, over 20 Ukrainian soldiers were killed during an award ceremony near the southern frontlines on Friday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the incident was avoidable and announced the initiation of criminal proceedings.

Several Ukrainian soldiers and military experts have criticized the decision to hold the ceremony in an area vulnerable to strikes, highlighting that Russian drones routinely monitor Ukrainian troop activities to facilitate air and artillery attacks. Disturbing drone footage shared on a Russian Telegram channel purportedly captured the moment of the deadly strike, displaying bodies of Ukrainian soldiers on the ground.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the deaths and ordered a full investigation into the tragedy. The use of an Iskander-M, a Russian short-range ballistic missile, was reported by Ukraine’s Strategic Command (StratCom), resulting in civilian casualties as well. While the specific location of the attack has not been publicly disclosed by Kyiv, Ukrainian media suggests it was a village near the frontline, potentially Dymytrovo, known as Zarichne after Ukraine’s renaming in 2016.

The incident occurred during a ceremony marking Artillery Day, dedicated to honoring military personnel serving in artillery and missile units. Various social media posts, including those by Ukrainian soldier Ruslan Kahanets and volunteer Serhiy Sternenko, criticized the decision to organize the event, calling for accountability and systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The sentiment among some Russian military bloggers implies that such incidents are occurring more frequently, urging Ukrainian military leaders to reassess their strategies. This recent strike has sparked anger among Ukrainian citizens, who demand punishment for those responsible for organizing the ill-fated ceremony. As investigations continue, the focus remains on establishing the truth and implementing measures to prevent such occurrences from happening again.

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Minister’s awkward EU summit kiss causes controversy

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Croatia’s foreign minister, Gordan Grlić-Radman, caused a stir when he greeted his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, with a kiss during an EU ministers meeting in Berlin on Thursday.

The act drew criticism from some Croatian media outlets, with women’s rights activist Rada Boric deeming it “highly inappropriate.” Grlić-Radman defended the gesture, stating that it was a “warm, human approach to a colleague” and acknowledging that it might have been perceived as awkward.

He apologized “to whoever took it that way.” As of now, Annalena Baerbock has not made any comments regarding the incident.

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Maersk cuts 10,000 jobs as shipping demand falls

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One of the world’s largest shipping companies, AP Moller-Maersk, has announced plans to cut an additional 3,500 jobs, following a previous reduction of 6,500 positions earlier in the year. The decision comes as a response to diminished demand and reduced freight rates. Maersk experienced a significant decline in profits, plummeting by 92% during the latest quarter.

The company highlighted the deteriorating prices for sea freight as the primary factor necessitating further job cuts. While the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in demand and shipping costs, the situation has since shifted. The resurgence of inflation and the impact of increased interest rates have dampened consumer spending, leading to decreased demand for shipping services.

Maersk’s chief executive, Vincent Clerc, acknowledged the challenging circumstances, emphasizing the need for cost-saving measures in light of the current industry landscape. Despite the drastic staff reductions, the company aims to save approximately £600m next year.

The recent announcement will bring Maersk’s global workforce below 100,000, with 2,500 of the job cuts expected to take place in the coming months, and the remainder in 2024. The company has refrained from disclosing the specific locations or job roles that will be affected.

The market response to Maersk’s latest developments was negative, with shares in the group declining by 11.1% following the announcement. The company remains cautious about its revenue and profit expectations, anticipating that both figures will likely fall at the lower end of its estimations. Additionally, Maersk warned that global economic slowdown, financial risks, and geopolitical tensions, such as strained relations between China and the US, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, could impede any anticipated improvements in the final quarter of this year and affect volumes in 2024.

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Storm Ciarán: Floods ravage Tuscany leaving five dead

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Severe flooding and strong winds have ravaged large parts of Tuscany, resulting in the loss of five lives and leaving several others missing. The River Bisenzio overflowed, sweeping away cars and forcing people to seek refuge on rooftops. The impact of the storm, named Ciarán, extended beyond Italy, causing more than 12 fatalities across Western Europe. France experienced winds reaching 207 km/h (129 mph), while Belgium reported two casualties due to falling trees, including a five-year-old child.

The havoc extended to other countries, with disruptions in transportation and power outages. Jersey’s residents were evacuated from their homes, and the storm caused chaos in various regions of Europe, including southern England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal.

In Tuscany, the situation was particularly dire, with Livorno, Prato, and Montemurlo being among the hardest-hit areas. Montemurlo witnessed a deluge of 200mm (7.8in) of rain in less than a day, leading to the River Bisenzio breaching its banks in multiple locations. The flooding claimed the life of an 85-year-old man who was unable to escape his submerged home. The governor of Tuscany described the rainfall as unprecedented in a century and urged people to seek safety on higher floors.

Videos captured the terrifying sight of vehicles being swept away by the floodwaters. Campi Bisenzio residents were forced to take refuge on their rooftops, while around 100 individuals sought shelter in a local shopping center. Meanwhile, the mayor of Prato lamented the devastating impact, with extensive flooding leaving vast areas underwater and the town’s Santo Stefano hospital partially inundated.

Additionally, the storm caused significant damage in Milan, leading to a second instance of flooding in a single week after the River Seveso overflowed. Veneto, in the northeast, faced similar challenges, with one person reported missing and 160mm of rainfall in just 24 hours. Further east, red weather alerts were issued in Slovenia and Croatia, warning of strong cyclones, high winds, hail, and thunderstorms.

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German vice-chancellor Habeck hits out against rising antisemitism

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German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has pledged a strong political response to the rise of antisemitism in the country. He addressed various sources of antisemitism, including Islamists, the far right, and segments of the political left, in a widely viewed video that garnered significant attention in Germany.

Antisemitic incidents in Germany have surged in the aftermath of the 7th of October attacks in Israel, during which Hamas militants killed 1,400 Israelis and took more than 230 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military campaign aimed at destroying Hamas, resulting in significant casualties.

Habeck’s video emphasized the need to protect Jewish communities and condemned actions such as burning the Israeli flag or supporting Hamas, which are considered crimes under German law. He called for legal consequences, including possible deportation, for those involved in such activities.

While some praised Habeck’s address as a comprehensive assessment of the situation, others criticized him for suggesting that Muslim migrants and refugees were responsible for bringing antisemitism into Europe.

Germany’s Interior Minister announced a ban on all activities linked to Hamas and a pro-Palestinian network called Samidoun, citing their anti-Israel and anti-Jewish propaganda. The move was intended to facilitate interventions in gatherings of their supporters.

Antisemitic incidents have increased by 240% in Germany since the Hamas attacks, with reports of vandalism and attacks on Jewish-owned properties. Similar incidents have also been reported in neighboring Austria.

In France, a Moldovan couple was detained for spray-painting Stars of David on walls in Paris. They claimed to have acted on behalf of a third party and are now facing expulsion. Prosecutors are investigating whether the tags were intended as an insult to the Jewish community.

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Swiss village of Aarwangen in ding-dong over challenge to cowbells

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The soothing sound of cowbells has long been synonymous with the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland, evoking images of serene pastures and majestic snow-capped peaks. However, the incessant clanging of these bells, hanging around the necks of 20 or 30 cows, has become a source of contention in various Swiss communities. Aarwangen, a quaint village nestled along the river Aare with the Bernese Alps providing a breathtaking backdrop, finds itself at the heart of this debate.

With an increasing number of modern residences sprouting up in the village’s vicinity, the traditional farmhouses and their accompanying dairy cows have become a source of disturbance for some new residents. Several families even lodged formal complaints with the village council, demanding the removal of the noisy cowbells during the night. This sparked an intense backlash from longstanding villagers and farmers, who perceived the move as an assault on their cherished heritage.

In a typical display of Swiss solidarity, a petition swiftly materialized, rallying support for the preservation of the cowbells as an integral part of the country’s cultural identity. However, this dispute reflects a broader tension between preserving tradition and adapting to contemporary lifestyles, a predicament exacerbated by the influx of immigrants and differing cultural perspectives. The upcoming public meeting in Aarwangen will determine the fate of the longstanding tradition, while the withdrawal of one complaint and the departure of the other underline the emotional intensity of the cowbell debate.

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Germany Seeks Forgiveness for Colonial Atrocities in Tanzania

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed deep regret and shame for the atrocities committed by his country during the Maji Maji rebellion in Tanzania in the early 1900s. The rebellion was incited by Germany’s oppressive policies, resulting in the death of nearly 300,000 people.

Steinmeier pledged to facilitate the identification and repatriation of the remains of the uprising’s leaders, including Chief Songea Mbano, and promised cooperation with Tanzania to return cultural artifacts. The president’s apology, while welcomed, was deemed insufficient by some Tanzanian historians who emphasized the need for accountability and justice.

This gesture follows Germany’s acknowledgment of genocide in Namibia and financial reparations, while in a similar vein, King Charles of the United Kingdom acknowledged past violence in Kenya during the struggle for independence but stopped short of issuing a formal apology.

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