US confirms postponement of military exercises with South Korea; Ferry disaster in Indonesia

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) has released satellite images of the renovation of a Russian weapons depot in Kaliningrad, an enclave between Poland and the Baltic Sea. The upgrade of the weapons depot near the NATO border comes amid tensions between Russia and the West that show no signs of easing.

According toCNNFAS began monitoring the area in 2016, when large-scale construction activity began. FAS said one of the three weapons storage bunkers in Kaliningrad had been dug up and expanded, then covered over in recent months. FAS believes the facility is about to be put back into operation.

Hans M. Kristensen, director of the nuclear information project at FAS, said it was not yet possible to confirm whether the facility contained nuclear weapons, but its features could be used for that purpose.

President Donald Trump: America will not become a 'migrant camp'

Speaking at the White House on June 18, US President Donald Trump reiterated his tough stance on immigration policy, stating that "America will not become a migrant camp, and will not be a refugee reception point." According to him, with what is happening in Europe and some other places, Washington cannot allow this to happen in the US.

The US President has previously attacked the immigration issues facing European countries, saying that the continent is making a “big mistake” by opening its doors to migrants. The White House chief has repeatedly cited concerns about crime among immigrant communities to promote his anti-immigration policies.

Mr. Kim holds talks with Mr. Xi in China

The car believed to be carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Beijing on June 19, 2018. Photo: Reuters

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 19 during his third visit to Beijing in the past three months.

Yonhap news agency (South Korea) quoted a private source as saying that the meeting between the two leaders began about 10 minutes after Mr. Kim arrived at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing under tight security.

Kim's latest trip was reported by both Beijing and Pyongyang's state media, a move that was considered a surprise, as the information on the two previous visits was only announced after the North Korean leader had finished his trip.

Relatives anxiously wait for news about those missing in the ferry sinking. Photo: Reuters

According toCNA, the ferry sinking on the evening of June 18 on Lake Toba occurred due to severe weather conditions, heavy rain, and big waves. The search for the missing people had to be suspended on the evening of June 18 due to bad weather and resumed on the morning of June 19.

As of now, 18 people have been successfully rescued, 1 person has been confirmed dead and 128 others are still missing.

Rescuers had previously said at least 80 people were believed to be on board the ferry at the time of the incident. However, unconfirmed reports have suggested there were as many as 130 people on board.

Pentagon confirms postponement of August military exercises with South Korea

On June 19, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense announced that the two sides would stop "all planning activities for the joint exercise called Ulchi Freedom Guardian in August."

The Pentagon also confirmed this information, saying that the secretaries of defense and state, along with advisers to President Trump, will meet this week to discuss the issue.

The August joint exercise, called Ulchi Freedom Guardian, mainly involved computer simulations to improve command operations, especially joint planning and decision-making.

Arab coalition enters Hodeidah airport compound in Yemen

Yemeni government forces enter the al-Durayhimi district of Hodeida city during a campaign to liberate the city from Houthi rebels on June 13. Source: AFP/TTXVN

Yemeni military sources said on June 19, with the support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, coalition forces launched a large-scale military campaign to dislodge Houthi rebels from Hodeidah airport in the west of the country.

UAE helicopters provided intensive support to help Yemeni infantry advance deep into the vast area of ​​the airport. Meanwhile, Houthi rebels fought back fiercely with tanks, artillery and gunfire with the Yemeni army.

Canada considers supporting auto industry amid US tariff threat

Illustration photo: financialpost.com

A senior Canadian official recently said the government is considering all options, including financial support for the auto industry, to help businesses cope with possible US tariffs.

The program could run into billions of dollars, depending on the level of government support for an industry that currently creates about 500,000 jobs directly and indirectly, contributing about CAD 80 billion ($60.5 billion) to the Canadian economy each year.

Last month, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on imported foreign cars on national security grounds, which would have severe economic damage not only to Canada, but also to the highly interconnected North American auto industry.

Russian billionaire spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on children to watch World Cup

Billionaire Roman Abramovich at an event in early 2018. Photo: AFP.

For 30 Israeli children with serious illnesses, the dream of experiencing the 2018 World Cup has come true thanks to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and a group of donors from the Fulfilling Dreams charity, according toCNN.

Abramovich himself has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help disadvantaged children watch the biggest football tournament on the planet. The donation is enough to buy plane tickets from Israel to Russia, as well as accommodation for a week for the children. The group of children will watch three World Cup matches during this time.

This is the third tournament in a row that Abramovich has donated to Fulfilling Dreams, having previously helped groups of children travel to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and Euro 2016 in France.