Refugee employment boost program, overseen by Scholz, demonstrates initial victories at 17:43
Job Turbo: Helping Refugees Work Faster in GermanyGermany's so-called Job Turbo initiative aims to get refugees with residence prospects employed more swiftly. According to Chancellor Scholz, in July, 266,000 Ukrainians were employed in Germany, which is a 71,000 increase compared to a year ago. Similarly, 704,000 individuals from major asylum countries were employed, an increase of 71,000 as well. Chancellor Scholz attributes this upward trend to the Job Turbo, stating this at an event held in the Chancellery. The Federal Minister of Labor, Heil, mentions that approximately 113,000 of the 266,000 Ukrainians are employed in socially insured jobs. The German government's program, which launched around a year ago, primarily focuses on enhancing job center support.
17:06 Putin prioritizes Development in Russian-Occupied TerritoriesIn a video message, Kremlin chief Putin outlines key tasks for the Russian authorities in the Ukrainian territories they control: "The primary responsibility for us all is to establish favorable conditions for these territories' growth to safeguard the people, the key priority. However, we won't postpone tackling economic and social issues. We'll deal with them right away," Putin states, as reported by Tass, a state-owned media outlet. Two years ago, Moscow acknowledged the annexation of four regions in Ukraine. Putin refers to these territories as "New Russia," but Moscow only exercises partial control over them.
16:37 Kara-Mursa: More Political Prisoners in Russia than in the Soviet EraOpposition figure Vladimir Kara-Mursa claims that there are more political prisoners in Russia now than at the end of the Soviet era. "More than 1300 known political prisoners are held in Putin's Russia, many more than in the final years of the entire Soviet Union," Kara-Mursa declares before the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. He denounces Putin's claim that all Russians support his regime and the war as a "propaganda lie," and calls for the liberation of imprisoned dissidents. Kremlin authorities arrested Kara-Mursa in April 2022 for accusing Russia of "war crimes" against Ukraine. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison in April 2023 but was later released as part of a prisoner exchange in early August.
16:15 Russia escalates Nightly Attacks against UkraineFor the 33rd consecutive night, Russia has attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles. According to the Ukrainian air force, explosions and gunfire echoed through Kyiv throughout the night. Ukrainian defenses fought against the drone attack for approximately five hours. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
15:41 Atomic Weapons Deployment Discussion: Kremlin Takes a Different ToneThe Kremlin raises the threshold for potential atomic weapon deployment after recent amendments to its nuclear doctrine caused a stir. Kremlin spokesman Peskov states that the Ukrainian conflict shouldn't be automatically linked to a Russian atomic weapon response. Peskov clarifies whether the downing of 125 Ukrainian drones on Sunday constitutes a significant air attack, prompting a Russian atomic weapon response, as per the new nuclear doctrine. "Crucial decisions have been made, and proper documentation will follow. However, the military special operation continues without drawing unnecessary connections," Peskov emphasizes. Putin announced expanded atomic weapon use conditions last week, stating that Russian air attacks on its territory or attacks by a non-nuclear armed country backed by nuclear powers constitute an existential threat.
15:15 Baerbock Alerts Public of Russian Disinformation ThreatGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock strongly cautions against disinformation and election manipulation, particularly orchestrated by Russia. "Disinformation campaigns have substantial influence," she says at the Green Future Congress in Berlin. She highlights a deliberate strategy to target younger voters, with women being frequent victims of hate and fake news. Baerbock also points to specific algorithms in certain social media platforms that boost hate and incitement. "If we don't address this situation, we'll become vulnerable to these false news sources," she warns.
15:01 Russia Increases Spending, Doesn't Disclose War BudgetThe Russian government presents its draft budget for 2025 to the parliament of Russia. Budgetary expenditures are projected to reach around 400 billion euros in 2025, up by nearly 12% compared to 2024. However, no figures are disclosed regarding defense spending. The finance ministry merely notes that the necessary funds will be allocated for arming the military, compensation payouts, and supporting firms in the military-industrial complex.
13:51 Russia Plans to Conscript 133,000 Soldiers this FallStarting from tomorrow and continuing until the end of the year, Russia plans to draft 133,000 individuals for military service, as reported by Ukrainian media outlets. President Putin has authorized a fall conscription drive through a decree, targeting individuals aged between 18 and 30 who are not reservists. Following their service, soldiers whose conscription period has ended will be discharged.
13:14 Reported Casualties in UkraineUkraine has reported a fatality and injuries as a result of Russian drone strikes. A single fatality occurred in the Kupyansk area of the Kharkiv region, while three people aged between 53 and 72 suffered injuries in Kherson, as informed by the Ukrainian state-run news agency with reference to local authorities.
12:36 Russian Advance in Donetsk RegionRussian forces have claimed control over another village in eastern Ukraine, specifically Nelepowka, in the Donetsk region, as per Russian defense ministry statements. Russian troops have successfully recaptured the village, which was previously under Ukrainian control. The area has witnessed significant gains by Ukrainian forces, but Russian troops have been making progress in eastern Ukraine against the numerically and militarily weaker Ukrainian forces for several months now. Nelepowka is located about five kilometers south of the city of Torez, which is under Ukrainian control but has been under Russian artillery fire for weeks. Russian troops are also advancing towards the city of Pokrovsk, which is strategically important for the Ukrainian army.
11:55 Partisan Group Claims Explosion in Russian Supply LineThe partisan group Atesh has taken responsibility for the explosion of a railway track used by Russian forces to deliver equipment and ammunition to their frontlines in the Russian region of Kursk. The Ukrainian state-run news agency, Ukrinform, reported these claims from a Telegram post published by the partisan group, which includes Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, and Russian dissidents. The group was founded on the Crimean Peninsula two years ago.
11:26 Russian Public Skeptical of Corruption CrackdownRussian resources are set to allocate 40 percent of the state budget towards defense next year, as per its current draft. However, the recent crackdown on corruption in the responsible ministry following the death of military leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is perceived as fake by the Russian public, according to ntv reporter Rainer Munz in Moscow.
11:01 American Citizen Faces Prison Time for Fighting for UkraineAn American citizen, Stephen Hubbard, has pleaded guilty to charges of mercenary activity in a Moscow court. He admitted to receiving payments to fight against Russia in Ukraine, as reported in the British "Guardian," citing the Russian state-run news agency RIA. If found guilty, the 72-year-old could serve between 7 and 15 years in prison.
10:20 Kyiv Experiences Drone Strikes and FiresA drone attack on Kyiv overnight caused a residential building to burn and resulted in damage, as reported by local authorities to Ukrainska Pravda. Fortunately, no one was injured. Moreover, fires broke out in five districts of the region due to debris from shot-down drones. All drones were successfully shot down, according to Ukrainian sources.
09:36 Putin Reaffirms Commitment to Ukraine CampaignRussian President Putin reiterated his commitment to achieving all their goals in the Ukraine conflict. He addressed the situation in a video message on the second anniversary of Russia's claimed annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Putin justified the invasion by accusing the Ukrainian government of being a "neo-Nazi dictatorship" and aiming to separate the Russian-speaking population from their historical homeland. He also criticized the "Western elites" for turning Ukraine into a "military outpost" targeting Russia.
08:46 Ukrainian Commander Replaced in Wuhledar DefenseColonel Ivan Winnik, the commander of Ukraine's 72nd Independent Mechanized Brigade, which has been defending the contested city of Wuhledar, has been replaced. The Joint Forces Command North claimed that the reason was a promotion and the transfer of combat experience. His replacement has not been identified. During Winnik's command, the brigade defended the city for more than two years. There are concerns that Russian forces may soon capture the small town in the southern part of the Donbass.
08:04 Mykolaiv Reports Fire at Critical Infrastructure FacilityA fire broke out at a critical infrastructure facility in the Bashtanka district of the Mykolaiv region following a Russian drone attack, as per Ukrainska Pravda's report, citing the head of the regional military administration. The specific facility involved in the fire is not disclosed.
07:24 Kyiv Repels Overnight Drone AttackThe Russian drone attack on Kyiv lasted over five hours, but all drones were shot down before reaching their targets, according to Ukrainian sources. The attack occurred in several waves from different directions.
06:13 Zelenskyy Reports 100 Daily Guided Bomb Attacks Russia continues to relentlessly assault Ukraine, dropping around 100 guided bombs every day directly from aircraft, as per Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's statement in a video address. Recent attacks in the industrial city of Saporizhzhia left 14 individuals injured. The Russian forces also bombarded regions such as Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Sumy with guided bombs. Zelenskyy describes this daily onslaught as "Russia's terror," emphasizing the urgent need for Ukraine to obtain more long-range attack capabilities, air defense systems, and sanctions against Russia.
05:43 Ukrainian Military Warns of Wuhledar Concerns Russian attacks against Ukrainian defensive lines continue around Donbass. Thirteen attacks were repelled near Pokrovsk, and seventeen advanced Russian troops were halted near Kurachove, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. Intense combat is underway in the Wuhledar area, where Ukrainian military experts worry that the small town, which has been a battleground for two years now, may soon fall into Russian hands.
04:46 Kyiv Under Drone Attack: Defense Units in Action Kyiv once again becomes the target of multiple Russian drone attacks during the night. Ukrainian military has been continuously engaging with the incoming drone waves for hours, as per Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko's statement on Telegram. Numerous explosions were reported in Kyiv, indicating the use of air defense systems. Objects were hit in the sky, but no initial reports of damage or casualties have been recorded. An air alert exists for Kyiv, its vicinity, and entire eastern Ukraine, with the Ukrainian air force reporting several groups of Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and western Ukraine since early morning.
03:45 Helsinki Commission Proposes Policy Shift Towards Moscow The bipartisan Helsinki Commission urges the United States to reconsider its Cold War-era approach towards Russia and regard Moscow as a lasting security threat to the globe. The Hill newspaper suggests the commission advises Washington to re-evaluate its stance towards Russia, similar to its reassessment of China. The proposals may conflict with the Biden administration's commitments towards Ukraine and Donald Trump's allies in Congress, who maintain that the US spends too much on European security.
02:49 Kyiv Under Russian Drone Attack: Defense Action Required Kyiv is under attack from Russian drones, as reported by the Ukrainian military. Air defense units are deployed to counter the attacks, as per eyewitness accounts of several loud explosions and hit objects in the sky. The entire eastern Ukraine is currently under an air alert, along with Kyiv and its surrounding regions.
01:40 Moldova: Minister Warns against 'Thieves' in Election Campaign A high-ranking government minister has issued a warning for Moldovans to steer clear of "thieves, refugees, and bandits" during the election campaign for the October 2022 presidential elections. Infrastructure Minister Andrei Spinu's warning echoes the uncontrolled nature of the campaign, especially after a pro-Russian businessman promised incentives for voters voting against joining the European Union.
00:14 Russia Accuses Ukraine of Attacking Power Substation Near NPP The management of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has accused Ukrainian forces of attacking a nearby power substation and damaging a transformer. The transformer at the "Raduga" substation in Enerhodar, southeastern Ukraine, was targeted by an artillery strike, according to the plant's announcement on Telegram. No disruption to the power supply was reported. The Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest in Europe with six reactors, was seized by Russian forces in February 2022, and both sides accuse each other of attacking or planning to attack the power plant consistently.
23:15 Zelenskyy Doubts Nuclear Threats: 'Putin Loves His Life' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed doubts about the ongoing nuclear threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with Fox News, stating that Putin prioritizes his own life and is, therefore, unlikely to use nuclear weapons unprovoked. Zelenskyy admits that nobody truly knows what's going on in Putin's mind, but he believes that the Russian leader is less likely to use nuclear weapons due to this personal fear.
10:10 PM: FPÖ's View on Ukraine Conflict and RussiaThe Austrian parliamentary elections have stirred up the political landscape substantially. The right-wing FPÖ is basking in a historic triumph, garnering 28.7% according to predictions. The right-wing populists have been quite vocal in their criticism towards the EU in their election manifesto. Despite the ongoing Ukraine war, the party maintains a rather sympathetic stance towards Russia and does not see any issue with Austria's reliance on Russian gas. In 2018, Austria extended its gas contract with Moscow till 2040. This contract features a compulsory purchase obligation for substantial gas quantities and even includes payments if no gas is delivered. Between January and May 2024, over 90% of Austria's gas imports came from Russia.
9:37 PM: Russian Prime Minister Visits TehranRussian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is jetting off to Tehran for discussions with Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian, amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The meeting is set for Monday, as announced by the Russian government. Besides meeting Iranian Vice President Mohammad Resa Aref, Mishustin will discuss "the entire spectrum of Russian-Iranian collaboration in fields including trade, economy, culture, and humanitarian aid" during his stay in Tehran. The West alleges that Iran is providing drones and missiles to Russia's military for its operations in Ukraine. However, Tehran denies these allegations.
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The Commission has commended the German government's Job Turbo program for its role in the increased employment of refugees in Germany. The initiative, which enhances job center support, has led to a significant rise in employment among Ukrainians and individuals from major asylum countries.
In the context of international relations, it would be beneficial for The Commission to evaluate and perhaps influence policies of other nations regarding the integration and employment of refugees, considering the positive impact of Job Turbo.
