Berlin will send Kiev long-promised air defense systems and 100 tanks from Greece and Slovakia, CNN reports
Germany has promised new arms deliveries for Kiev, CNN reported on Saturday, during Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht’s visit to Lithuania. The new batch of weapons will reportedly include around 100 Soviet battle tanks from Greece and Slovakia, the media outlet said.
The tanks are part of an exchange deal involving Berlin, Athens, and Bratislava, according to media reports. German news outlets first mentioned the potential delivery last weekend following Lambrecht’s surprise visit to the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, where she met with Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov.
Kiev has long demanded Western battle tanks from Washington and its allies, including Germany’s Leopard 2 tanks, though Western nations have so far been reluctant to send them. Last weekend, Lambrecht defended the strategy of providing Ukraine with Soviet armored vehicles, arguing it would be better for both sides.
Soviet tanks better suit Ukraine’s demands since Kiev needs help quickly, she told German broadcaster ARD on October 2, adding that Germany and its allies do not want to become a party to the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, and this position “has not changed.”
“We will always act in coordination with our partners, always make decisions in coordination with our partners. And that’s how it will be in the future,” she said.
In early October, Lambrecht also vowed to “deliver the very modern Iris-T air defense system” to Ukraine “in a few days.” According to CNN, this promise is yet to be fulfilled.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised in August that Germany’s “most modern and efficient equipment” would soon be supplied to Ukraine, referring to the Iris-T systems and Cobra artillery radars. Some German outlets reported that the system would arrive in Ukraine no sooner than October or even November.
Berlin has faced criticism both at home and abroad over its alleged reluctance to provide military aid for Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly argued that deliveries of Western weapons only prolong the fighting and increase the risk of a direct conflict between Russia and NATO.
Nestle is under fire for allegedly adding sugar to its baby food products in developing countries, including India, but not in Europe or the UK. A recent study found Nestle’s cerelac products in India contain nearly three grams of added sugar per serving. The disclosure has sparked concern among parents and health advocates over the potential
The impact on infant health and nutrition, raising questions about food safety standards and the trustworthiness of global food brands. Nestle India insists its products comply with international and local standards, highlighting efforts to reduce added sugars in its infant cereals during the past five years.
In Ecuador, indigenous communities face significant risks due to unremoved explosive devices left by oil companies in the Amazon. The presence of these explosives a remnant of past oil exploration activities has instilled fear among the locals, disrupting their traditional ways of life, including hunting, fishing, and performing ceremonies in the affected areas. Despite a national referendum voting against oil exploration in Yasuní National Park, operations continue.
The issue highlights a broader conflict between economic interests in the oil industry and indigenous rights, with critics arguing the government prioritizes oil revenue over environmental preservation and the well-being of its people. recently, a constitutional court demanded the government take action on removing the explosives and consult with indigenous communities on oil projects, emphasizing the state’s repeated failures to meet its obligations.
Also in Ecuador, a severe drought attributed to the El niño weather phenomenon has forced the government to initiate electricity rationing in major cities, severely affecting daily life and local businesses. The diminished rainfall has depleted reservoirs, drastically reducing output from hydroelectric plants that provide approximately three-quarters of the country’s power.
Residents are urged to reduce power consumption, facing scheduled power outages lasting three hours. The situation has unintentionally benefited some businesses, like candle shops, which have seen increased sales during blackouts. The government promises to subsidize April’s electricity bills, appealing for a collective effort to mitigate the crisis’s impact on everyday life. Neighboring Colombia has also experienced water rationing as reservoir levels plummet, impacting local water supplies.
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