News – Page 9 – Zoom News

16Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Business, Europe, News

Labor Costs in Europe are Rising Fast

Labor costs in Europe are rising rapidly. In addition to a higher wage, employers also spend more money on social security contributions and taxes, reports the European statistical office Eurostat. According to the latest data, wage costs in the eurozone rose by 3.2 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year. Across the EU, costs for employers even rose by 3.7 percent. The Eurostat figures consist of two components. On the one hand, it is about salary. Wages rose on average in the eurozone by 2.7 percent. In addition, it concerns social contributions and taxes, whereby subsidies that are intended to reduce wage costs for employers are also included in that figure. This also concerns, for example, the corona support that employers have received. This part of the costs...

Swiss Airspace Closed for Several Hours Due to Computer Failure

15Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Europe, News, Switzerland, Technology

Swiss Airspace Closed for Several Hours Due to Computer Failure

Switzerland's airspace was closed for about three hours on Wednesday morning for security reasons, due to an IT breakdown at Skyguide. At Geneva airport, all departing and inbound flights were suspended until 11 a.m. Two flights to Geneva were scheduled from Brussels Airport on Wednesday morning, one of which was cancelled and another was delayed. Many flights to Geneva or Zurich were diverted to airports in neighbouring countries, including Lyon, Milan and Vienna. The spokesman for air traffic controller Skyguide, Vladi Barrosa, informed the German news agency DPA that the company does not assume a cyber attack, but that a hardware problem was the cause of the breakdown.

Parody of Justice – Trump Rages Against Committee of Inquiry

14Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

News, US

Parody of Justice – Trump Rages Against Committee of Inquiry

Witnesses in the US investigative committee into the storming of the Capitol in 2020 have heavily incriminated ex-President Trump. Several of Trump's advisers at the time made it clear that they did not agree with his unsubstantiated victory announcement on the night of the presidential election. "The Democrats are doing everything in their power to stop me -- but we can't be stopped," Donald Trump said of the Capitol Storm Committee of Inquiry. He released a 12-page statement calling the hearings a "parody of justice." Former US President Donald Trump has sharply rejected allegations by the investigative committee to storm the US Capitol. In a written statement on Monday evening (local time), the Republican accused the committee of making a mockery of the American judiciary and ...

Spanish Cabin Crew Ryanair to Lay Down Work at the End of June

13Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Business, Europe, News, Spain

Spanish Cabin Crew Ryanair to Lay Down Work at the End of June

The Spanish cabin crew of airline Ryanair will go on strike at the end of this month. Employees of the Irish low-cost fighter are laying down their jobs because the company refuses to negotiate higher wages. The Spanish trade unions are in talks with unions in Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal to organize actions throughout Europe. The strikes in Spain are scheduled for June 24, 25, 26 and 30 and July 1 and 2. Ryanair has walked away from the negotiating table after Spanish unions threatened work stoppages, according to Bloomberg. The news agency relies on a letter from personnel director Darrell Hughes of the price fighter. In it, Hughes says that the unions made "unrealistic demands" and "refused to engage in talks". In Italy, pilots and cabin crew of several budget airlines...

Next Week European Commission Advice on Ukraine Accession

9Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Europe, News, Ukraine

Next Week European Commission Advice on Ukraine Accession

The European Commission is likely to issue an opinion next Friday on Ukraine's application to join the European Union. The leaders of the EU countries can then discuss it at their summit in Brussels a week later, the committee spokesman said. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the Kyiv government's desire to become an EU member has only become more fervent. A large number of EU countries now want to grant this wish as soon as possible. They are aiming for the EU summit on 23 and 24 June to give Ukraine so-called candidate status, starting the arduous and time-consuming accession procedure. But countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and France are on the brakes. Rushing is at the expense of carefulness, they warn. At the beginning of March, the 27 member states decided to immediat...

Many Flight Cancellations Due to Strike Aviation Personnel in Italy

8Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Business, Italy, News

Many Flight Cancellations Due to Strike Aviation Personnel in Italy

A strike by, among others, pilots and cabin crew of budget airlines Volotea, EasyJet and Ryanair in Italy on Wednesday caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights. This is reported by Italian and British media. Dozens of flights from the United Kingdom would certainly be cancelled and in Milan, the number of cancellations would be at least 230. Airline personnel have separate grievances with each airline. But the common denominator is that they are fighting for more wages and better arrangements for, for example, applying for leave. Unions had previously sent out a call to employees to stop working for a few hours on Wednesday. In any case, the action would last from mid-morning to late afternoon. EasyJet had already placed a warning about this on its website. People flying ...

Russia: Surrender 6,500 Ukrainian Soldiers Since the Start of Operation

7Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

News, Russia, Ukraine

Russia: Surrender 6,500 Ukrainian Soldiers Since the Start of Operation

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu says a total of some 6,500 Ukrainian soldiers have surrendered since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. This information has not been independently verified. "In the past five days, 126 soldiers of the armed forces of Ukraine have surrendered, their total number is 6489," Shoigu said on Tuesday morning, speaking about the interim results of the war. The Russian army invaded Ukraine on February 24. Among the Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered are defenders of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. Russian authorities previously stated that more than 2400 soldiers were involved.

Ukraine Resists Russian Attacks in Severodonetsk

6Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

News, Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine Resists Russian Attacks in Severodonetsk

The Ukrainian army has enough clout to withstand Russian attacks in the eastern city of Severodonetsk, the city's mayor says. According to him, there is heavy fighting in the streets, but neither side appears to have any intention of withdrawing. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Russia is not sparing any soldiers or equipment in the siege of the city. They are using all available resources to gain control of the city, the ministry said. The governor of the Luhansk region said on Monday that the Russians were being pushed back and that the city has been divided in two. Previously, the Russians still occupied 70 percent of Severodonetsk.

Injured by Hot Air Balloon Collision with Train in US State

2Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

News, US

Injured by Hot Air Balloon Collision with Train in US State

A hot air balloon crashed in the US state of Wisconsin and was then hit by a train. According to NBC News, the three occupants of the balloon were seriously injured in the accident on Wednesday evening (local time). Images from American media show the remains of a balloon hanging in an electricity cable, a basket is no longer visible. It is not clear how the accident at Burlington could have happened. A Canadian Railways train drove at an unknown speed towards the basket containing the three occupants, witnesses report to NBC News. A Canadian Railways spokesperson could not comment on the incident. Two of the three injured were transported by helicopter. The FAA is investigating the accident.

Harry and Meghan Still Get Security at the Queen’s Jubilee

1Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

News, UK

Harry and Meghan Still Get Security at the Queen’s Jubilee

Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle and their children will still receive protection when they land in the UK today for Queen Elizabeth's jubilee. However, until now there has been a lot of uncertainty about whether or not they would be protected. Harry arrives in the UK today with his wife Meghan and their offspring. according to the Daily Mail, they would be staying at Frogmore cottage in Windsor for the festivities. It is only the second time the couple has returned after giving up their royal role in 2020. According to the British tabloid, there has been contacting between Harry's security team and that of the Queen for weeks. There would now be an arrangement that Harry and his family will still be protected by the security of the Royal Family. However, this does not appl...