Russian state-media said the West is “wrong” to ignore the warnings coming from Moscow.
“This attitude, far from being serious, is unacceptable given the seriousness of the danger that we are talking about,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
These weapons combine conventional explosives with radioactive material.
The radioactive material increases the destructive power of the bomb and also creates long-lasting radiological contamination.
“Once again, we are emphasising the grave danger that stems from the implementation of the plans the Ukrainians have,” Mr Peskov said.
When a dirty bomb detonates, the explosion scatters the radioactive material over a wide area.
The damage depends on the type of explosive used, the strength of the explosion, and the amount and type of radioactive material dispersed.
While it is not considered a nuclear weapon, it can cause death and injuries from the initial explosion and from the exposure to radiation.
Russia has requested a meeting with the United Nations Security Council to discuss Kyiv’s alleged plans.
Russian state-media said its fellow security council members (the U.S., Britain, China and France), and the UN’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have been briefed on the matter.
However, the West has described Moscow’s claims as “false”.
“Let me just say Russia would be making an incredibly serious mistake were it to use a tactical nuclear weapon.”
JOE BIDEN, U.S. PRESIDENT
U.S. President Joe Biden—who anticipated Russia’s invasion of Ukraine based on U.S. intelligence—said the use of tactical weapons would be a serious mistake.
“I cannot guarantee you that it is a false flag operation yet,” he said.
What is the threat?
Russia, and indeed the U.S. have a history of using unconventional weapons against its enemies, in both real and perceived terms.
In recent years, there have been several reports of soldiers using chemical weapons in Syria.
Professor John Bryson from the University of Birmingham said Russia’s President is getting desperate.
“Putin has created a major problem for the Kremlin, and this is a problem of his own making.”
“Statehood is based not just on a territory that is recognised under international law but is also founded on a set of institutions that are respected by citizens and other states,” he said.
The U.S. Defense Department said it has “sophisticated technical means” of detecting nuclear or radiological detonations of any kind.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow’s allegations are “not empty words”.
He has also doubled down on claims about these radioactive weapons being used. He said they “have been verified”.
But Professor Bryson said this rhetoric could be indicative of Russia planning to use these weapons itself.
“Putin has very few options left. He continues to try to find some positive outcome to his special military operation.”
PROFESSOR JOHN BRYSON, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
“The deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine would only cement Russia’s failure on three fronts—within Russia, international governmental and corporate relations and within Ukraine,” Professor Bryson said.
Dirty bombs are yet to be used in combat. However, a group of Islamic State militants gathered the ingredients to launch one of these weapons in the city of Mosul, Iraq in 2017.
UK monitoring showed Islamic State was suspected of using chemical weapons on at least 52 occasions since 2014 in and around the Mosul area.
Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom.
He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.
Many global issues continue to have an impact on multiple sectors of the economy—including the hospitality industry.
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, how has the hospitality industry changed ?
Numerous international challenges including inflation, worker shortages, the Russia-Ukraine war and rising tensions between the United States and China—continue to have an impact on many sectors of the economy—including the hospitality industry.
According to the 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry report, the foodservice sector is forecast to reach $997-billion in sales in 2023—driven in part by higher menu prices.
So, how has the hospitality industry changed since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic?
Priya Krishna, a food reporter with The New York Times joins us to discuss. #PriyaKrishna #thenewyorktimes #food #hospitality #economy #veronicadudo #business
American diners across the nation may be bewildered by an unfamiliar charge at the bottom of the check—a“service charge,”tacked on with little explanation.
So, why are restaurants adding service charges amid rising prices?
You’ve probably noticed it’s a lot more expensive to go out to eat.
The post-covid world is still working try and get back to pre-pandemic economic output.
And the hospitality industry is no different.
An increasing number of restaurants have added service charges of up to 22%—or more—in recent years in to keep up with rising costs.
So, are these changes in the hospitality industry a byproduct of the coronavirus pandemic?
Priya Krishna, a food reporter with The New York Times joined us to discuss. #hospitality #restaurants #PriyaKrishna #veronicadudo #inflation #pandemic #economy #thenewyorktimes
As the U.S. and Chinese defence bosses spoke in Beijing, many in the room realised one thing – the two are far from ready to talk.
A thinly veiled criticism of the United States was delivered by Chinese Defence Minister General Li Shangfu.
In his first public statement to an international audience since becoming defence minister in March, Li highlighted China’s Global Security Initiative, a set of foreign policy principles and directions in line with Beijing’s style of diplomacy, which was announced in April last year by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“It practises exceptionalism and double standards and only serves the interests and follows the rules of a small number of countries,” he told Asia’s biggest defence conference.
Among them are opposition to unilateral sanctions and economic development as a means of stemming instability and conflict.
“Its so-called rules-based international order never tells you what the rules are, and who made these rules,” Li said in a speech to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, without naming the US or its partners.
#featured #china #li shangfu #south china sea #taiwan
