Putin Lifts Ban On Nuclear Weapons Tests

By signing a law, Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrew his country from the treaty banning nuclear weapons testing. The reasoning is that Russia should have the same opportunities as the USA, the second largest nuclear power. Unlike Russia, the US has never ratified the treaty, but has maintained a test ban since the 1990s. Russia wants to continue providing data from its own 32 stations. Moscow said Russia would only test nuclear weapons again if the United States did the same.

Austrians evacuated from the Gaza Strip

31 Austrians were evacuated from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Evacuees arrived safely in Cairo and spent the night in accommodation arranged at short notice. Evacuees also include children and two doctors who worked in the medical field in the Gaza Strip. The latter have already had contact with their institutions. Efforts are currently underway to organize the continuation of travel for almost three dozen people, assured a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Metaller KV negotiations canceled

The fourth round of negotiations on the collective agreement for the metallurgical technology industry (200,000 employees) proved particularly difficult on Thursday. While employers offer a 2.5 percent increase and a one-off payment of 1,050 euros, the union continues to demand an additional 11.6 percent of wages and salaries. Unions rejected a new offer from employers: a 2.5% pay rise plus a slightly increased one-off payment. There was talk of 50 euros behind closed doors. Now there is a threat of a strike on Monday.

Austria remembers victims of Vienna terrorist attack

Thursday marked the third anniversary of the terrorist attack in Vienna, which left four dead and more than 20 injured, some seriously. As in previous years, official Austria once again honored the victims by laying a wreath. On November 2, 2020, a 20-year-old Islamist opened fire near Desider-Friedmann-Platz and caused a bloodbath in Seitenstettengasse and the Bermuda Triangle nightlife area. After nine minutes, the killer was stopped with a fatal shot by an officer from the WEGA special unit.