Day: September 1, 2024

The strike at the Lufthansa Group ‘ s holiday subsidiary Discover Airlines was due to end on Sunday evening after six days , according to the German pilots union Cockpit . The union is satisfied with the results , a spokesman said after last week ‘ s joint decision with the UFO flight attendants union to stage a four – day walkout by pilots and cabin crew operating out of Frankfurt and Munich . ” What we see is that many flights have been returned to the parent company Lufthansa . This is causing operational problems , and that is what we want to achieve ,” the spokesman told dpa . The strike , which began on Tuesday , was originally due to end on Friday . On Thursday , the union prolonged the action into the weekend as a demonstration of resolve in the current wage dispute . According to Lufthansa , the strike had only a minor impact on operations on Sunday , the sixth day of the walkout . ” Overall , the cancellations are at the low level of the past five strike days ,” a spokeswoman f
or the airline group said . Five of 20 short – haul flights from Frankfurt had to be cancelled and another flight was to be taken over by a partner airline . Twenty long – haul flights from Frankfurt and Munich could take place without any changes , Lufthansa said . The conflict stems from talks with Germany ‘ s large services union Verdi , which has secured the first collective agreements for pilots and flight attendants of the relatively new airline Discover . Cockpit and UFO work closely together to bypass existing pay agreements struck between Lufthansa and Verdi , which they see as a competitor union . The unions argue that Verdi lacks sufficient membership within the airline ‘ s operations and was established as a bargaining partner by Lufthansa management . Founded in 2021 , Discover Airlines currently has 27 aircraft that fly to holiday destinations in Europe and overseas . It has a staff complement of almost 2 , 000 , including 500 pilots and 1 , 400 cabin crew , with the remainder in adminis
tration . The exact number of unionized employees is unknown . dpa xxde lfo bf nca era

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Businesses in the UK and Ukraine are expected to be boosted as a digital trade deal between the two countries comes into force . The UK – Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement ( DTA ) is one of the world ‘ s first digital – only agreements , with physical trading systems currently unavailable due to the war . Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the deal aims to modernize trading relationships and encourage ” greater digitalization of the economy .” Reynolds said : ” We ‘ re modernizing our trade relationship with Ukraine with one of the world ‘ s first digital only trade agreements . ” Greater digitalization of the economy is an important step in supporting Ukraine ‘ s economy and their fight for independence . This government will continue to lead the way in our unwavering support for Ukraine and its people .” Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of information technology services globally , with areas such as outsourcing , cybersecurity , artificial intelligence ( AI ) and mobile applications
in rapid development before the war . The deal is part of the UK ‘ s plan to aid Ukraine ‘ s post – conflict transition to a digital economy , with over half of our services exports to Ukraine already digitally delivered . Ukraine ‘ s first deputy prime minister and minister of economy Yulia Svyrydenko said : ” The support of Ukraine from the United Kingdom is unprecedented . We have felt it from the very first days of the full – scale war . The digital trade agreement between our countries is another manifestation of solidarity and support . ” Implementing this agreement will deepen Ukraine ‘ s participation in global supply chains , foster the development of small and medium – sized businesses , maintain free access for Ukrainian IT companies to the UK digital markets , and provide crucial support to our economy during the war and in the post – war reconstruction period .” dpa pa dge

Source: The Namibia News Agency

British pop star Adele wrapped up her series of 10 concerts in Munich after four weeks , with over 70 , 000 fans cheering her on during her final performance on Saturday evening . The 36 – year – old singer put on an incredible show at a custom – built outdoor arena in Munich , with great music , entertainment and strong emotions . ” Thank you , Munich . This is absolutely magical , I have goosebumps ,” Adele said . Adele , known for hits like ” Rolling in the Deep ” and ” Hello ,” performed two shows per week at the Adele Arena on the city ‘ s trade fair grounds . The temporary venue , which was customized to her specifications and featured a 93 – metre – long catwalk , can hold up to 74 , 000 people . It also featured a colossal screen , reportedly the world ‘ s largest at over 4 , 159 square meters , showcasing the singer and videos of her songs . Fans from all over the world travelled to Munich to experience her performances . Organizers reported selling 730 , 000 tickets for all 10 concerts , despite th
eir high prices . Adele shared with the audience that she would be flying back home in a few hours as she plans to ” take her child to school ” on Monday . Following the Munich concerts , Adele said that she will be performing in Las Vegas at the end of October before taking a long break . Adele – who is notoriously reluctant to go on tour – last performed in mainland Europe in 2016 . dpa cor bsj xxde dge mls

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Fewer participants than expected joined the start of the techno parade dubbed the Zug der Liebe ( Love Train ) through central Berlin on Saturday . Police said in the afternoon that around 7 , 500 people attended , although 20 , 000 had registered . Numerous music trucks travelled with loud bass and electronic music from Mauerpark , or Wall Park , that is located on a former part of the Berlin Wall and its Death Strip , to the main Oranienstrasse street through the district of Kreuzberg . The organizers wanted to send ” a strong message for tolerance , diversity , and solidarity ” this year , they announced online . On the trucks and banners , slogans such as ” Refugees still welcome ,” ” Techno creates education ” and ” Love wins ” were displayed . According to the police , the Love Train proceeded without any noteworthy disturbances . dpa fbg bg xxde wjh cro

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Scientists have collected samples from the seabed at one of the UK ‘ s oldest active offshore wind farms . The project , led by the University of Essex , will explore the environmental impact of the turbines on the seabed amid plans to build thousands more to reach net zero by 2050 . The samples , taken from as close as 50 metre to the turbines and as far as one mile ( 1 . 6 kilometres ) away , are now being analyzed , with findings to follow . Researchers chartered a private survey vessel to carry out their expedition to the site off the coast of Cumbria . The active wind farm , which has been operational for more than 15 years and is one of the oldest offshore sites in the UK , is run by Danish energy firm Orsted . Natalie Hicks , of the University of Essex ‘ s school of life sciences , said the research was ” hugely important .” ” There are not enough specialist scientific vessels to gather the evidence in time , so collaborating with industry is key to gathering data ,” she said . ” We know our demand fo
r net zero energy targets means we have seen an increase in offshore wind farms , so understanding any environmental effects of these wind farms is urgent . ” We hope this research will feed directly into policy decision – making around offshore wind consenting . ” We know we are going to see an increase in offshore wind , so timely and evidence – based decisions are going to need to be made by policymakers . ” This science will hopefully underpin their decision – making , and impact on government policy .” The team took samples from the sea floor and hope to discover how the turbines may affect biodiversity , carbon storage and seabed composition . Research is being carried out with Orsted , the University of St Andrews and the government ‘ s marine experts , the Centre of Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science ( CEFAS ). A CEFAS spokesman said it was ” critical to scientifically understand offshore structures and their effects and impacts on the environment “. ” Too often we make assumptions about wh
at is occurring in our marine environment when considering human activities , we need the type of research activity highlighted here to determine whether our assumptions are correct and to provide more confidence in our understanding ,” the spokesman said . ” Such improved confidence is a vital element of the integrated scientific understanding needed for informed decision – making towards ensuring the long – term future of our marine environment .” Marine scientists will also compare the effects of decommissioned oil platforms to get a snapshot of how fossil fuel and renewable energy assets vary in their impacts . David Paterson , of the University of St Andrews , said : ” It ‘ s important we take learnings from the oil and gas industry on the environmental effects of oil and gas operations and decommissioning and effectively apply these to the offshore wind industry as projects mature towards later life phases .” A spokesman for Orsted said : ” Developing renewable energy in harmony with nature is both poss
ible and necessary to address the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss . ” Through collaboration with academic bodies and other stakeholders , our aim is to help develop wider scientific understanding of the potential ecological benefits and impacts of developing critical green energy projects . ” By taking a science – led approach , we can ensure that renewable energy , such as offshore wind , continues to be deployed sensitively and sustainably .” dpa pa dge

Source: The Namibia News Agency