Dutch intelligence warns of China's attempts to obtain military technology

The Dutch Military Intelligence Service has suggested that China has partially tried to obtain knowledge and assets from the Dutch aerospace and space industry, and it is believed that China intends to carry out 100 launches a year, noting that the number of these operations in 2020 was limited to about 40.

On Wednesday, the Dutch Military Intelligence Service suggested that China had partially tried, outside the scope of export restrictions, to obtain knowledge and assets from the Dutch aerospace and aerospace industries.

The Dutch military intelligence service warned that “the Netherlands remains an attractive target for Chinese espionage” and “particularly in the semiconductor industry, quantum technologies, and the aerospace and maritime industries.”

In 2022, the device “monitored and warned of several Chinese attempts to obtain (military) technology,” according to what its president, Jan Swellans, announced in an annual report.

In addition, Swellans warned that "Dutch companies and institutes of education and science are being targeted on a large scale."

He explained that “China is developing at a rapid pace advanced weapons with the most advanced technologies,” referring to “various types of anti-satellite weapons of a highly destructive nature.”

The agency stressed that China is working intensively to launch satellites, as it is believed that it intends to carry out 100 launches a year, noting that the number of these operations in 2020 was limited to about 40.

The agency stated that what is being launched are mainly “intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications satellites.”

In addition, the Chinese want, according to the Dutch device, to be pioneers in terms of quantum communication networks in space, which allow for faster and safer communication in the whole world. According to the device, “intercepting this type of communication is more difficult,” which gives “a major military advantage.” .”

And the device was able to detect a number of companies that China uses as a front to circumvent export restrictions. On Monday, the Dutch intelligence service warned that China is “the biggest threat to the economic security of the Netherlands.”

The Netherlands is the European leader in the manufacture of chips, the indispensable electronic components for the operation of smartphones, cars and military equipment. After pressure from the United States, The Hague announced in March to curb the export of technologies for the electronic chip industry for security reasons.

At that time, China strongly criticized the decision, knowing that in the framework of the production of electronic chips, it needed machines produced in particular by the Dutch “ASML” company, the largest producer of semiconductors in Europe.

Kiev shoots down Russian drones in Odessa and anger over Putin's visit to the seam areas

The Military Administration of Odessa announced that Russian drones had bombed the area on Tuesday night, without causing any casualties. The Ukrainian president inspected his forces on the front lines, the day after his Russian counterpart visited two Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia.

The Military Administration of Odessa announced in a statement on Wednesday that Russian "Shahed-136" drones bombed the area on Tuesday night, without causing any casualties.

"Thanks to the successful work of our defense forces, most of the enemy's drones were destroyed, but unfortunately one public building was bombed," the military administration of Odessa said in its statement, stressing that no casualties have been reported so far. Measures were taken to contain the fires caused by these attacks and the state's emergency services were deployed, according to the same source.

"The soldiers of the Odessa anti-aircraft missile brigade destroyed 10 out of 12 suicide drones of the type + Shahed 136/131 +," said the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleshuk.

Shahed-136 aircraft are manufactured in Iran and can carry an explosive device weighing between 35 and 50 kilograms. And Russian forces constantly use these drones against Ukraine.

"Over the past day, the enemy fired four missiles and launched sixty air strikes," the Ukrainian military said in its statement, which resulted in the injury of a number of civilians.

Odessa was a favorite holiday destination for many Ukrainians and Russians before the war on Ukraine in 2022. Since the beginning of the war, Odessa has been repeatedly bombed by Russian forces.

In January, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included Odessa on the list of World Heritage in Danger.

Anger in Ukraine
In the context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inspected his forces in the town of Avdiivka on the contact lines in the east of the country, the day after his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin visited two Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia, in a move that angered Kiev, which is believed to be preparing to launch a counterattack.

The Ukrainian president addressed his soldiers in Avdiivka in the east of the country, while the Kremlin broadcast scenes of Putin as he secretly inspected two regions occupied by Russia in southern and eastern Ukraine.

And advisor to the Ukrainian presidency, Mykhailo Podolyak, considered Putin's visit "a special tour for the godfather of mass killings... to enjoy for the last time the crimes of his followers."

Putin's visit to Kherson and Luhansk was announced a day after it took place, coinciding with the presence of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu in Moscow to stress what he described as Beijing's "determination" to strengthen relations with Russia.

Germany The Railways Union announces a "warning strike" on Friday

The German Railways Union called for a warning general strike Friday to demand higher wages amid soaring prices and the cost of living.

On Wednesday, the German Railways Union announced the start of a new nationwide warning strike on Friday, due to a dispute over wages.

The union said in a statement that the strike will continue from 3 am local time (01:00 GMT) to 11 am (09:00 GMT).

"By calling a limited warning strike in the early hours of Friday morning, we are sending a clear message that our action is not directed against passengers, but against businesses," said Cosima Engenshai, a member of the Federation's board of directors.

The strike is expected to cause delays and cancellations of regional and long-distance passenger train services across the country throughout Friday.

The German federation, which has more than 200,000 members, is in wage negotiations with the national railway company Deutsche Bahn and about 50 other railway companies.

The union is calling for an increase in workers' wages by 12%, so that they are not less than 650 euros ($712) per month, amid rising inflation and the cost of living crisis.