UN condemns terror attack, offers condolences to victims’ families
On Monday (8 September), two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Police described the incident as a “terrori...
The German and Dutch intelligence services have warned that Russia is increasing the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, which is 'serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention prohibiting the use of this chemical choking agent under any circumstances.'
Russia is using 'a wide range of chemical weapons with increasing frequency and is not hesitating to employ chloropicrin, a more potent chemical agent, that can be fatal when used in high concentrations," the services stressed in a joint statement published on Friday.
Senior Dutch defence and intelligence officials have issued stark warnings about the growing threat posed by Russia’s use of chemical weapons in its war against Ukraine.
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans condemned what he described as Russia’s 'systematic and large-scale' use of chemical agents. “This is a slippery slope. It is completely unacceptable and again demonstrates the brutality of the aggressor Ukraine has to face,” he said. “We are drawing public attention to this now because the employment of chemical weapons by Russia must not be normalised. Lowering the threshold for the use of this type of weapon poses a danger not only to Ukraine but also to the rest of Europe and the world.”
Brekelmans called for increased sanctions, further diplomatic isolation of Russia, and continued military support for Ukraine.
Vice Admiral Peter Reesink, director of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), stated that the trend is deeply worrying. “This shows that Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons, and at the same time we have noticed a growing readiness to employ such weapons. The threat emanating from the Russian chemical weapons programme is consequently increasing,” Reesink said.
According to the statement, the use of both tear gas and chloropicrin has become standard practice and commonplace among Russian troops.
Moscow denies using chemical weapons, blaming Kyiv instead. However, Dutch defence official referring on Ukrainian defence ministry, noted that Russia had carried out more than 9,000 chemical weapons attacks on Ukrainian troops since the start of the large-scale invasion in 2022.
"Russia is not only investing heavily in its chemical weapons capabilities but is also expanding its research efforts and actively recruiting new scientists to support the programme," - the statement reads.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Violent clashes broke out on Monday in Nepal between police and protesters demonstrating against a social media ban and alleged corruption.
On Monday (8 September), two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Police described the incident as a “terrorist attack,” reporting that six people were killed and several others injured.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed the creation of a unicameral parliament in the country. Speaking to the nation on Monday at the parliament in Astana, he said the reform would have a “serious positive impact” on the country’s socio-economic development.
U.S. defence secretary Pete Hegseth and joint chiefs of staff chairman Dan Caine made a surprise visit to Puerto Rico on Monday, marking the first trip by senior Pentagon officials since Washington increased its military presence in the Caribbean, heightening tensions with Venezuela.
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