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Germany faces a severe skilled labor shortage as baby boomers retire and birth rates remain low—the country needs 288,000 foreign workers annually to prevent a 10% workforce decline by 2040. To address this, Germany is increasingly recruiting from India, which has 600 million people under 25 and a labor surplus.

The initiative began in 2021 when an Indian employment agency contacted the Freiburg Chamber of Skilled Crafts. Starting with 13 butchery apprentices in 2022, the program has grown to 200 Indian butchers, with 775 more apprentices arriving in 2025 across various trades.

A 2022 bilateral agreement facilitated this migration, and Germany recently increased its skilled work visa quota for Indians from 20,000 to 90,000 annually. Indian workers in Germany grew from 23,320 in 2015 to 136,670 in 2024.

Iran has threatened to hit energy sites in the Middle East after United States President Donald Trump threatened to attack its power plants if Tehran does not open the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Critical ⁠infrastructure ⁠and energy facilities in the region could ⁠be “irreversibly destroyed” should Iranian power plants be ⁠targeted, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in comments posted on ‌X on Sunday.

“Immediately after power plants and infrastructure in our country are targeted, vital infrastructure as well as energy and oil infrastructure across the entire region will be considered legitimate targets and will be irreversibly destroyed,” Ghalibaf posted.

Qalibaf ⁠said regional infrastructure would ⁠become “legitimate targets” should ⁠Iran’s facilities be hit, and that its retaliation would increase ‌the price of oil “for a ‌long time”.

His comments came after Trump on Saturday said the US will “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if it doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said later on Sunday that the waterway was “open to all except those who violate our soil”.

“The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history-making nation. Threats and terror only strengthen our unity,” he said in a post on X.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also insisted that the waterway was “not closed”, indicating in comments on X that the US and Israel were responsible for the recent disruption.

“Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated – not Iran,” he said. “No insurer – and no Iranian – will be swayed by more threats.”

Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it would ⁠completely ⁠shut the Strait of Hormuz if ⁠Trump executes threats to target Iranian energy facilities.

In a statement, the IRGC said ⁠companies with ⁠US shares will be “completely destroyed” if Iranian energy facilities were targeted by ‌Washington and energy facilities in countries that host US ‌bases ‌will be “lawful” targets.

Iran, which has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked the country on February 28, says the key waterway is already open – except to the US and its allies.

The strait remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to “Iran’s enemies”, Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organization was quoted as saying in Iranian media reports published on Sunday.

The closure of the strait, a narrow choke point that carries around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, has caused the worst oil crisis since the 1970s.

Iranian strikes on military bases used by the US in the Middle East caused about $800m (£600m) in damage in the first two weeks of the war, a new analysis shows.

Much of the damage was caused in initial retaliatory strikes by Iran in the week after the US and Israel launched the war, according to a report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and an analysis by the BBC.

The full extent of the damage caused by Iranian strikes on US assets in the region is not clear.

But the $800m in estimated damage to US military infrastructure - a figure that's higher than has been previously reported - offers a picture of the steep costs to the US as the conflict drags on.

"The damage to US bases in the region has been underreported," said Mark Cancian, a CSIS senior adviser and co-author of the think tank study. "Although that appears to be extensive, the full amount won't be known until more information is available."

In response to a request for comment, the US Department of Defense referred the BBC to US Central Command, which is leading the war. Officials there declined to comment.

Iran's retaliatory strikes targeted US air-defence and satellite-communication systems, among other assets, in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and other countries across the Middle East.

A significant portion of damage was caused by a strike on a US radar for a Thaad missile defence system at an air base in Jordan.

The AN/TPY-2 radar system costs approximately $485m according to a CSIS review of defence department budget documents. The air-defence systems are used for the long-range interception of ballistic missiles.

Strikes by Iran caused an additional $310m in estimated damage to buildings, facilities and other infrastructure on US bases and military bases used by American forces in the region.

Iran also has struck at least three air bases more than once, according to an analysis of satellite imagery by BBC Verify. The repeat strikes underscore Iran's efforts to target specific US assets. Russia has reportedly shared intelligence with Tehran on American military forces in the region.

Satellite imagery shows the three air bases - Ali Al-Salim base in Kuwait, Al-Udeid in Qatar and Prince Sultan in Saudi Arabia - with fresh damage appearing during different phases of the conflict.

The US has also lost 13 military service members since President Donald Trump joined Israel in launching the attacks on Iran on 28 February.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) estimates the overall death toll has reached nearly 3,200, including 1,400 civilians.

Trump has said the US is on track to achieve his goals of destroying Iran's nuclear program, degrading its conventional military power, and ending the regime's support for proxy groups in the region.

"We're doing extremely well in Iran," Trump said at a White House event on Friday.

But the war has rattled the global economy with the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and uncertainty over the duration of the conflict and whether Trump will deploy ground troops.
Analysis of satellite imagery has been hampered by restrictions imposed by major US-based providers on the release of the imagery.

But it is possible to discern certain patterns in Iran's retaliatory action against US military interests in the region.

Radar and satellite systems have been a focus from the start, when Iranian strikes hit a US naval base in Bahrain. They function as the eyes and ears of modern military operations.

Satellite imagery most notably showed the destruction of two radomes - protective enclosures for such sensitive equipment. It is highly probable the systems themselves were damaged, although it is not possible to gauge the extent.

Radar sites were hit at Camp Arifjan, a US military facility in Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan Air Base, where US aircraft are located. Imagery of the latter shows smoke rising from a radar component for a Thaad air-defence system.

More extensive damage to Thaad systems is evident at US bases in the UAE and Jordan. It's unclear what the cost of that damage was. The degradation of these systems reportedly led the US to redeploy Thaad components from South Korea to the Middle East.

The damage from Iran's retaliatory strikes account for a fraction of the overall costs to the US for the war.

Defense department officials reportedly briefed members of Congress that the first six days of the war had cost $11.3bn. The first 12 days cost 16.5bn, according to CSIS.

The Pentagon is asking for another $200bn in funding for the war. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that the figure "could move."

Israeli PM Netanyahu Sparks Outrage After Comparing Jesus Christ With Warlord Genghis Khan Amid Iranian War

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire after drawing a controversial comparison between Jesus Christ and Genghis Khan, the founder and first khan of the Mongol Empire.

Netanyahu has made the comparison during a press conference while defending ongoing military actions against Iran.

The remarks, delivered in both Hebrew and English, were made as Netanyahu sought to justify continued military coordination with the United States and warn of the global risks posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

While emphasising the need for strength in confronting perceived threats, the Israeli leader referenced a historical argument suggesting that moral virtue alone is insufficient in the face of aggression.

Paraphrasing American historian Will Durant, Netanyahu said, “History proves that, unfortunately and unhappily, Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan. Because if you are strong enough, ruthless enough, powerful enough, evil will overcome good. Aggression will overcome moderation.”

The comparison quickly drew criticism from religious groups and political commentators, many of whom viewed the juxtaposition of Jesus Christ — revered by billions as a symbol of peace — with Genghis Khan, known for his conquests and brutality, as offensive and inappropriate.

Netanyahu later indicated that no offense was intended, suggesting the remark was meant to underscore the dangers of weakness in a hostile world.

The controversy emerged amid heightened tensions over the military conflict involving Iran, which has also divided opinion in the United States. Supporters of the intervention argue it is necessary for national security, while critics warn against deeper involvement in another Middle East conflict without clear objectives or an exit strategy.

During his prepared remarks, Netanyahu praised U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in supporting the campaign.

“President Trump always makes his decisions on what he thinks is good for America, and may I add, I think what is also good for future generations,” Netanyahu said.

“The world owes a debt of deep indebtedness, deep indebtedness, to President Trump for leading this effort to safeguard our future.”

Responding to questions from reporters, Netanyahu doubled down on the need for decisive action, arguing that moral clarity without strength is ineffective in modern geopolitics.

“You know, if people want to be naive, then they don’t see the kind of world we’re living in. In this world, it’s not enough to be moral. It’s not enough to be just. It’s not enough to be right,” he said.

He added that democracies, particularly those led by the United States, must act before threats escalate beyond control.

“So you have no choice. If you look at the world as it is today, you have to be blind not to see that the democracies led by the United States have to reassert their will to defend themselves,” Netanyahu said.

“And to oppose their enemies in time, while there’s still time, before the jarring gong of danger wakes them up and wakes them up too late. This is where we are now.”

The Israeli leader concluded by stressing the need for military strength, warning that failure to act decisively could have dire consequences.

“We have to be armed. We have to be more powerful than the barbarians, or they will not be merely at the gate. They’ll crash our gates and destroy our societies,” he said.

“That’s what Israel is doing now with the United States. And I’m very proud of the fact that the Israeli people are standing strong, that the Israeli army is standing strong.”

Nethanyahu later attempted to play down the comments, stating that he was misquoted after facing backlash online.

“More fake news about my attitude towards Christians, who are protected and flourish in Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement on X. “Let me be clear: I did not denigrate Jesus Christ at my news conference this evening.”

"To the contrary, I cited the great American historian Will Durant. A fervent admirer of Jesus Christ, Durant stated that morality by itself is not enough to ensure survival,” said Netanyahu.

“A morally superior civilisation may still fall to a ruthless enemy if it does not have the power to defend itself,” he concluded. “No offense was meant.”

His comments come amid pressure on the United States and Israel to halt the ongoing war in Iran, with critics citing impacts on the globe and continually deaths through air strikes.

The Church of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, has distributed bags of rice, maize and other food items to Muslims, Tsangaya Islamic schools and some internally displaced persons (IDPs) ahead of the Ramadan fast.

The General Overseer of the church, Yohanna Buru, who led the distribution at the Kano Road Central Mosque in Kaduna said the gesture was aimed at promoting peace and strengthening interfaith harmony in the state.

Buru said the church had, for the past 20 years, supported underprivileged Muslims and Tsangaya schools across five northern states with food items to enable them observe the 30-day Ramadan fasting with ease.

He said besides rice and maize, the church also provides prayer mats and plastic kettles annually, urging beneficiaries to use the period to pray for peace, stability and an end to insecurity and economic hardship in the country.

“As prices of goods continue to rise, we mobilised about 50 volunteer pastors and imams for a seven-day sensitisation campaign to encourage traders to reduce the cost of food items during Ramadan,” he said.

He added that the church also facilitates the release of some Muslim inmates annually to enable them observe the Ramadan fast with their families.
Buru acknowledged the support of a Muslim philanthropist, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, who donates to widows and orphans during Christmas and New Year celebrations, describing the gesture as a reflection of mutual respect among faiths.


He wished Muslims a peaceful Ramadan and called for prayers for unity in the country..
In his remarks, the leader of the Association of Persons with Disabilities in Kaduna State, Mallam Hassan Lawal, commended the church for the support, urging wealthy Muslims to assist the less privileged during the fasting period.

Similarly, the state leader of the Visually Impaired Association, Mallam Tukur Zubairu, said the church had consistently supported them with food grains over the years, praying God to reward the organisers.

Speaking on behalf of Tsangaya schools, Imam Ibrahim Musa thanked the church for the intervention and called on well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture.

Also commenting, the Murshid of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Imam Ilyasu, described the initiative as commendable and urged wealthy Muslims to fulfil their obligation of giving zakat to the poor, especially during Ramadan.

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sterlingD:
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This first leg anything can happen in the second leg

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Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have killed 16 ISWAP terrorists and rescued 11 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated counter-offensives across Borno.

This is contained in a statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Sani Uba, on Wednesday.

Mr Uba said the operation followed a failed midnight attack by ISWAP fighters on the Forward Operating Base, Auno, on 5 February, which was decisively repelled by troops of Sector 1 with superior firepower.

He said the troops, in synergy with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), launched a follow-up offensive on 9 February along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area.

According to him, troops pursued the fleeing terrorists up to the Gidan Kaji axis, neutralising 16 of them, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Items recovered during the operation include over 20 bicycles, weapons and a large cache of logistics supplies believed to be critical to the terrorists’ operations.

“In a related development, troops arrested suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers conveying large quantities of drugs intended for the terrorists around the Bukarti axis.

“Meanwhile, troops foiled a kidnap attempt along the Buratai–Kamuya road after swiftly responding to suspicious movements in the area.

“Two victims, identified as Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu, were rescued and reunited with their families in Buratai,” he said.
Mr Uba further revealed that troops, responding to a distress call along the Chibok–Damboa axis, rescued nine kidnapped victims on the same day.

He said the operations underscore OPHK’s sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt logistics corridors and ensure the protection of civilians across the North East.

(NAN)

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