Russia conducts large-scale military drills in Baltic Sea; North Korea reveals recently tested weapon
(Baonghean.vn) - North Korea revealed the weapon it just tested; Russian Navy and Aerospace conduct large-scale military exercises in the Baltic Sea; UK is ready to spend an additional 2.6 billion USD for a no-deal Brexit... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces Hold Large-Scale Drills in the Baltic Sea
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| The annual Ocean Shield 2019 exercise in the Baltic Sea. Photo: Anadolu Agency |
On August 1, about 70 warships and support vessels and 58 aircraft of the Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces are participating in the annual Ocean Shield 2019 exercise in the Baltic Sea.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, this naval exercise will take place from August 1 to 9 in the Baltic Sea under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov. According to the announcement of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the exercise will involve 49 warships, 20 support vessels, 58 aircraft of the Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces, and 10,634 servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces. The exercise will practice the deployment of the Navy's fleet group as well as the command skills of the fleet's forces. In addition, the exercise will test the Navy's combat readiness to protect Russia's national interests.
UK ready to spend extra $2.6 billion for no-deal Brexit
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| Illustration |
The new British finance minister Sajid Javid announced on the evening of July 31st a supplementary budget worth 2.6 billion USD to prepare for a no-deal Brexit plan. According to Mr. Javid, this amount of money will be used to pay for the stockpiling of pharmaceuticals, recruiting more border guards and covering the propaganda campaign about the option of leaving the EU without reaching an agreement. With this supplementary budget, the British Finance Ministry will have to prepare a total of 6.3 billion pounds ($7.6 billion) to be ready to leave the EU without reaching an agreement.
Many observers believe that a no-deal Brexit could hit the UK economy, undermining London’s reputation as an international financial centre. However, Brexiteers insist that despite the short-term difficulties, the UK will thrive in the long term if it leaves the EU.
North Korea reveals recently tested weapon
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US officials downplay the threat posed by North Korea's recent weapons tests to Washington and its allies. (Photo: AP) |
North Korea's state news agency said on August 1 that Chairman Kim Jong Un personally supervised the tests of a "large-caliber multiple-launch guided rocket system" and was "satisfied" with the results. According to KCNA, the "large-caliber multiple-launch guided rocket system" tested on July 31 was assessed by Kim Jong Un as soon playing a "leading role" in North Korea's ground combat operations. The launch was carried out in the eastern coastal town of Wonsan.
Less than a week earlier, on July 25, North Korea test-fired two missiles, one of which flew 690 km into the Sea of Japan before plunging into the ocean. The new test on July 31 was seen as a move to increase pressure on Washington and Seoul amid stalled nuclear negotiations. Pyongyang also expressed anger at the upcoming joint military exercises between the US and South Korea. However, on July 31, the Pentagon announced that the exercises would go ahead as scheduled.
Tensions escalate, US sanctions Iran's foreign minister
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| Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif. Photo: Reuters |
According to Reuters on August 1, the US sanctions include freezing all personal assets and entities related to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif in the US. Washington will also seek to block his international travel, hinting at the possibility of coordination with some allied countries. Despite such restrictions, Mr. Zarif is still likely to appear at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Reuters commented that the US sanctions have slammed the door to diplomacy with Iran, because Mr. Zarif is considered the center of efforts to ease and resolve tensions between Iran and the US as well as other countries over the controversial nuclear/missile program.
Attack on military parade in Yemen leaves at least 32 dead
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Attack on military parade in Yemen leaves at least 32 dead. Photo: Reuters |
Houthi rebels in Yemen said on August 1 that they had carried out an attack on a military parade in the city of Aden that killed at least 32 people.
Al Masirah TV channel quoted a Houthi official as saying that the Houthi group launched a medium-range ballistic missile and a drone at the parade, which was believed to be rehearsing for military action against Houthi-controlled provinces in Yemen. According to a pro-government Yemeni military source, among the dead was a government army commander.
