North Korea to hold smaller military parade; Türkiye says no to dollars

North Korea prepares smaller-scale National Day parade

The Pukkuksong-2 medium-range missile during a military parade in the North Korean capital Pyongyang in April 2017. Photo: Reuters

Based on satellite images from Planet Labs, experts from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS, USA) determined that there were no signs of the appearance of intercontinental ballistic missile systems (ICBMs) with a range to reach the US in the parade on September 9.

Reuters quoted Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia disarmament research program at MIIS, as saying that this event was smaller in scale than the most recent parade in February.

The MIIS experts cited satellite images taken on August 22 at the Mirim Parade Training Ground in Pyongyang, showing only tanks, artillery, armored personnel carriers, and some anti-aircraft missiles and rocket launchers. They said that short-range missiles based on the Russian Iskander missile design could appear in the parade, but there were no signs of ICBMs.

Syria determined to liberate Idlib province despite US threats

The Syrian army is actively preparing to liberate Idlib despite the risk of US-UK-France airstrikes over the alleged use of chemical weapons.

Sputniknews reported that in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV channel on September 2, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said that the US threat to launch attacks on Syria will not change the government's plan to liberate Idlib province from terrorists.

"Everything that is being turned around by the US will not affect the determination of the people and the government army to move forward to liberate Idlib and destroy terrorism in Syria," Mr. Marylem emphasized.

He pointed out that US statements accusing President Bashar al-Assad's government of preparing a chemical attack were just a pretext for Washington to carry out attacks in Syria.

Accusing the US of "acting like a wolf", Türkiye says no to the USD

US Dollar. Source: moneycontrol.com

AFP reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on September 2 announced that Ankara would pursue non-dollar trade deals with Russia and other countries, accusing the US of behaving like "wild wolves". Speaking at a Turkish-Kyrgyz business forum in Bishkek, Mr. Erdogan stressed: "The US behaves like wild wolves. Don't trust them."

Mr. Erdogan also said that Türkiye is negotiating with Russia on trade transactions without using the US dollar.

US threatens to kick Canada out of NAFTA after deal with Mexico

Illustration: Financial Post

On September 1, US President Donald Trump threatened to remove Canada from the new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), after negotiations to revise the agreement ended on August 31 without reaching any agreement.

On Twitter, Mr. Trump wrote: "Keeping Canada in a new NAFTA deal is not a political imperative. If we don't get a fair deal for the United States after decades of being bullied, Canada will be left out."

On August 27, the United States and Mexico reached a breakthrough agreement on NAFTA and renamed it the US-Mexico Trade Agreement, leaving Canada isolated.

Jordan calls for support for Palestinian refugees

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (Photo: Jordan Times)

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on September 2 called on the international community to share the burden and support Palestinian refugees. The Jordanian foreign minister highlighted the importance of international support, stressing that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees plays an essential role in both humanitarian and political matters.

The Jordanian Foreign Minister's call comes as the US recently decided to cut support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which sponsors 5 million Palestinian refugees. The US decision is expected to affect Jordan, which is hosting the largest number of Palestinian refugees.

British Prime Minister affirms there will be no compromise on Brexit plan

British Prime Minister Theresa May. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

British Prime Minister Theresa May said she would not compromise with Brussels on her Brexit plan, amid media reports that her party rivals are set to publish their own proposals calling for a sharper break with the EU.

The British prime minister also confirmed she would not hold a second referendum on Britain's EU membership, reaffirming her long-standing stance against campaigning for another public vote on the terms of the divorce from the EU.

At least 20 people were killed and injured in a suicide bombing in Somalia

The scene of the bombing in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia on September 2. Source: Reuters/TTXVN

At least six people were killed and 14 others injured in a suicide car bomb attack on September 2 targeting the Hawlwadag district government headquarters in Somalia's capital Mogadishu.

Somali police said one child was among the dead, as well as civilians and soldiers. Meanwhile, Reuters news agency quoted rescue sources as saying that 14 people were injured, six of whom were students from a school opposite the building that was attacked.

Local officials said the death toll could rise further, as the explosion occurred in an area with several buildings close together, including a mosque.

Israel successfully develops drone for sea rescue

Drone carrying lifebuoy

The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on September 2 that the drone was manufactured by the private company Blueskimmer.

The drone carries three life rafts that can quickly inflate underwater and is designed to extend its capabilities for sea rescues. Once rescuers spot a distressed person 200 meters from shore, the drone can drop a life raft to the victim within 15 seconds. The drone is also equipped with a public address system, allowing rescuers to quickly guide people in the water to safety.

The drone, made of carbon fiber, operates within a radius of over 2 km from the rescue team's area, helping to shorten response time to rescue drowning people.