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Deadly Monsoon Rains in South Korea Respond to landslides and floods caused by torrential monsoon rains in South Korea, leaving seven dead and three missing. Thousands evacuated due to an overflowing dam.The local media reports suggest a rise in the death toll as heavy rainfall under intense monsoon lashed the country for the third consecutive day, causing massive destruction due to flooding in both urban and rural areas. The Goesan Dam began overflowing from the downpour, submerging low-lying villages nearby. The interior ministry issued evacuation orders this morning to over 6,400 residents in the central county. The seven people killed since Friday died in rain-related landslides and building collapse, it added. Two of the three people reported missing were swept away when a river overflowed in North Gyeongsang province, the ministry said. Moreover, the intense downpours caused power cuts across 4,000 households, with the landslides damaging residential areas, and destroying vegetation and infrastructure, Foreign Policy reported. The government issued a high-alert warning for more flooding to come this weekend as experts forecast as much as 100 millimetres of more showers. Train Services Suspended, Landslide Incident The Korea Railroad Corporation suspended all regular train services nationwide as of 2:00 pm (0500 GMT). However, KTX bullet trains continued to operate, with possible schedule adjustments. The ministry reported that slower operation might delay the bullet trains following a train derailment late on Friday. A landslide threw earth and sand over tracks in North Chungcheong province. During the incident, an engineer was injured, but no passengers were on board. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo urged officials to respond to river overflows and landslides “preemptively”, and requested support for rescue operations from the ministry of defence. Devastating climate change impacts the world as harsh weather and catastrophic monsoon rains affect different regions globally. Asia alone has reportedly witnessed over 100 deaths this month. The scientists say there is a bigger chance of heavier downpours across the globe due to climate change triggered by global warming, “because a warmer atmosphere holds more water”, a report published by BBC stated. Last week, the World Meteorological Organization declared the onset of El Niño — a weather event where sea surface temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise to at least 0.5°C above the long-term average — for the first time in seven years. This set the stage for a surge in global temperatures, as well as disruptive weather and climate patterns, the organisation said. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1090744-south-korea-devastating-monsoon-rains-landslides-kill-seven

Ukraine’s Grain Export Deal: Implications and Challenges Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin, in discussions with  has agreed to allow Ukraine to extend its grain export, potentially alleviating the ongoing global food crisis. Erdogan expressed confidence in extending deal with Putin, emphasizing their discussions’ agreement. The accord, set to expire next week, has significant implications for addressing food shortages worldwide. “We are preparing to welcome Putin in August, and we agree on the extension of the Black Sea grain corridor,” Erdogan noted. He emphasized the alignment between the two leaders on the matter. Moreover, observers view the agreement as vital for Ukraine’s grain exports and offering relief to food-scarce nations. However, the Kremlin has remained silent on the issue, refraining from making any official statements. It has emphasized that the extension of the deal would only be considered if certain conditions set by Russia are met. Black Sea Grain Initiative Challenges This ambiguity adds a layer of uncertainty to the situation, as the specific requirements for the deal’s extension remain undisclosed. Fulfilling conditions is crucial for the fate of Black Sea grain agreement and its impact on the global food crisis. UN & Turkey played key role brokering Black Sea Grain Initiative (July 2022) uniting Russia, Ukraine, and other stakeholders. Consequently, initiative tackled the global food crisis, worsened by Moscow’s invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports. However, tensions have emerged in the ongoing discussions for renewing the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Putin consistently warns about potential non-renewal, citing export obstacles as the main reason behind his stance on the agreement. The extension of the Black Sea grain export deal has far-reaching consequences, as it plays a vital role in addressing the global food crisis. However, accord enables Ukraine to export grain to countries with food shortages, aiding in global food crisis. Grain Flow Boost & Extension Efforts Erdogan & Putin seek to boost grain flow from Ukraine, aiding Africa, Middle East & beyond, extending the agreement. The announcement by Erdogan comes at a critical juncture, as the deal’s expiration looms in the near future. Therefore, the agreement eased impact of Russia’s Ukraine invasion (Feb 2022), curbing grain exports disruptions and global food price hikes. Erdogan’s statement stresses shared Turkey-Russia commitment to extend Black Sea grain corridor, details undisclosed. However, president Putin’s August visit to Turkey adds significance to discussions on extending the deal. Extended grain export deal, with security companies in Lahore firms’ help, welcomed by international community, aiding grain-import reliant nations. Additionally, the development offers hope for impoverished nations, stabilizing grain prices and ensuring food availability. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1090546-erdogan-claims-putin-agreed-to-allow-ukraine-to-export-grain

Census and Delimitation Challenges in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Improvement Ahsan Iqbal, with the support of a said that if the elections are to be held during the stipulated time, then it could only be possible based on the last census carried out in 2017. Consequently, the federal minister made these remarks on Geo Information’s show “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath” when Shahzeb Khanzada asked about the legal issues arising due to the delay in notifying the digital census, which concluded on May 15. The provisional census results indicate the population has reached 250 million. Seats in the National Assembly must be allocated based on population as per the last official census (Article 51, Constitution). However, notified results by CCI leave insufficient time for ECP’s four-month delimitation process. Election preparations face challenges. Coalition govt lacks two-thirds majority in NA for constitutional amendment on seat adjustments. Ahsan Iqbal told the anchorperson that the census results were scheduled to be notified by April 30. Nevertheless, the minister mentioned that the provinces requested several extensions to the ultimate date because discrepancies were identified during the enumeration process. Therefore, the provinces sought additional time to address and rectify the issues to ensure accurate and reliable census results. Census, Delimitation, and Elections in Pakistan The committee of demographers recommended investigating areas with undercounts or overcounts in population. They sought assistance from SUPARCO for this purpose. However, the final census revealed an irregular increase in population in some areas. Therefore, they had to ensure the results’ genuineness as they were to be presented in CCI. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that even if the census is finalized immediately, it won’t be possible before July 30. Hence, after the new census, delimitation will proceed, and the ECP will make the final decision on the election date. Timely census & delimitation are crucial for on-time elections & fair representation in the National Assembly. Additionally, Federal minister, after rejecting Punjab and KPK polls, reveals CCI’s decision for fresh census-based elections. “If elections are to be held, they must be conducted based on the previous census. It isn’t possible to release the census results based on the new election schedule.” Therefore, the minister stated that a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, backed by a  confirms a transition to caretaker setup after the term ends. Moreover, he opposes poll delay, warning of prolonged uncertainty and an economic crisis. Source: https://thepakistancorner.com/elections-to-be-held-on-basis-of-2017-census-planning-minister/

Peshawar Police Station Attack Foiled   Yesterday, a coordinated attack on a police station in Matani, Peshawar, was confronted by the security service. The assailants employed a combination of small arms and heavy weaponry, employing a two-pronged attack strategy. However, following a fierce exchange of gunfire lasting approximately 25 minutes, the attackers eventually retreated from the premises. At present, the security service has not received any reports of casualties or property damage resulting from the incident.

Europe’s Intense Heatwave: Security Alert in Islamabad   As a heatwave continues to sweep across parts of Europe, must closely monitor the situation. Next few days: Potential record-breaking temperatures over 40C (104F) in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey. They could reach 48C in parts of Italy, becoming “potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe”, says the European Space Agency. A red alert warning is in place for 10 cities, including Florence and Rome. Last month was the hottest June on record, according to the EU’s climate monitoring service Copernicus. Extreme weather resulting from warming climate is “unfortunately becoming the new normal”, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned. Periods of intense heat occur within natural weather patterns, but scientists say that globally they are becoming more frequent, more intense and are lasting longer due to global warming. Why this summer has been so hot A simple guide to climate change Is climate change causing droughts, heatwaves, wildfires and floods? In pictures: Cerberus heatwave hits parts of Europe Tourists Impacted by Heatwave in Europe   Tourists in Europe have been impacted by the heatwave. In Athens, the Greek Red Cross has deployed teams to the Acropolis to look after visitors – saying many get nauseous and dizzy due to the heat. “That is why with the leaflets we try to inform them where in the municipality of Athens there are places with air condition in order to go inside,” said Marina Stamatis, a representative for the organization. Earlier this week, a man in his forties died from the heat after collapsing in northern Italy – while several visitors to the country have collapsed from heatstroke, including a British man outside the Colosseum in Rome. People have been advised to drink at least two litres of water a day and to avoid coffee and alcohol, which are dehydrating. Spain’s Sweltering Temperatures   Australian tourists Maria and Gloria in Rome “really surprised” by the heat, avoiding midday outings, they told BBC. Italian tourists Andrea Romano and Michele La Penna told the BBC their hometown of Potenza, in the Apennine mountains, has “more humane temperatures” than Rome. “We need to start doing something about climate change. We need to be more responsible. The damage is already done. We need to do something about it. But not only the government. It all starts from people. Each of us needs to do something: use less plastic, don’t use the AC, use electric cars,” said Andrea. Therefore, italian Meteorological Society names heatwave “Cerberus” after Dante’s Inferno monster. Expect more extreme conditions in the coming days. Spain has been sweltering in temperatures of up to 45C (113F). The Andalusian regional government has started a telephone assistance service for people affected by the heat. Therefore, european Space Agency warns of potential record-breaking temperatures, reaching 48C in Sicily and Sardinia, possibly the hottest in Europe. Moreover, the UK’s national weather service, the Met Office, earlier said it expected temperatures to peak on Friday. BBC Weather says large swathes of southern Europe could see temperatures in the low to mid 40s – and possibly higher. Italian forecasters warn of “Charon” heatwave, raising temps to 43C in Rome and possibly 47C in Sardinia, after Cerberus subsides. A record-smashing summer around the world It isn’t just Europe that is hot. Summer Temperature Records   Summer sets temperature records in Canada, US, India, China, and Asia, with scorching heat waves breaking previous highs. Record-high sea temperatures in the Atlantic coincide with the lowest extent of Antarctic sea ice ever recorded. And it is going to get hotter. Therefore, a weather pattern called El Niño is developing in the tropical Pacific. It tends to drive up temperatures by around 0.2C on average. Therefore, approaching perilous 1.5C threshold: 1.1C rise from climate change and other factors push global temperatures higher. Let’s set things in a historic context to give us some perspective. However, security companies in Islamabad should be informed that the first week of July is reckoned to have been the hottest week since records began. But scientists can use the bubbles of air trapped in ancient Antarctic ice to estimate temperatures going back more than a million years. That data suggests that that last week was the hottest week for some 125,000 years. Therefore, in the Eemian era, Thames hosted hippos, while sea levels were estimated 5m (16.4ft) higher, according to experts’ findings. A new study says 61,672 people died in Europe as a result of the heat last year. ISGlobal Institute in Barcelona: Italy – 18,010 deaths, Spain – 11,324 deaths, and Germany – 8,173 deaths attributed to heat. Heatwave Frequency & Climate Change   The fear is that the heat could cause many more deaths this summer. However, should be aware that cities in Spain with the highest risk of heat-related deaths, as per ISGlobal’s research, include Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Málaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, and Bilbao. Temperatures rising higher than expected for the time of year cause a heatwave, leading to a period of hot weather. Therefore, experts say periods of exceptionally hot weather are becoming more frequent and climate change means it is now normal to experience record-breaking temperatures. Additionally, at present, there is no indication that the heat in southern Europe will reach the UK any time soon. BBC Weather’s Darren Bett predicts that the UK will experience cooler, Atlantic air throughout next week. The UK is experiencing a July that has been slightly wetter than normal, with temperatures that feel rather low. Moreover, the weather in the UK in June was the warmest on record by a considerable margin. Take note: Met Office attributes UK’s warmest June to “climate change’s fingerprint.” Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66197368

Ukrainian Civilians Detained in Russia and Occupied Territories   In the bitter cold,  Ukrainian civilians woke early, and queued for the toilet, as armed captors loaded them into the livestock trailer. They spent the next 12 hours or more digging trenches on the front lines for Russian soldiers. The captors forced many to wear overlarge Russian military uniforms, potentially making them targets. Meanwhile, a former city administrator trudged around in boots five sizes too big. By the end of the day, their hands curled into icy claws. In Zaporizhzhia’s occupied region, civilians dug mass graves for fellow prisoners who couldn’t survive. One man who refused to dig was shot on the spot — yet another body for the grave. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being detained across Russia and the occupied Ukrainian territories. They are held in centers ranging from brand-new wings in Russian prisons to clammy basements. Most, including have no status under Russian law. Russia is planning to hold possibly thousands more. Russian document shows plans for 25 prison colonies, 6 detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026. The document’s date is January. In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in May allowing Russia to send people from territories with martial law, which includes all of occupied Ukraine, to those without, such as Russia. Russian Torture and Detention of Ukrainian Civilians   This makes it easier to deport Ukrainians who resist Russian occupation deep into Russia indefinitely, which has happened in multiple cases documented by the AP. Many civilians are picked up for alleged transgressions as minor as speaking Ukrainian or simply being a young man in an occupied region and are often held without charge. Others are charged as terrorists, combatants, or people who “resist the special military operation.” Hundreds are used for slave labor by Russia’s military, for digging trenches and other fortifications, as well as mass graves. Torture is routine, including repeated electrical shocks, beatings that crack skulls and fractured ribs, and simulated suffocation. Many former prisoners told the AP they witnessed deaths. A United Nations report from late June documented 77 summary executions of civilian captives and the death of one man due to torture. Russia does not acknowledge holding civilians at all, let alone its reasons for doing so. But the prisoners serve as future bargaining chips in exchange for Russian soldiers, and the U.N. has said there is evidence of civilians being used as human shields near the front lines. Human Rights Abuses and Torture   The AP spoke with dozens of people, including 20 former detainees, along with ex-prisoners of war, the families of more than a dozen civilians in detention, two Ukrainian intelligence officials, and a government negotiator. Their accounts, as well as satellite imagery, social media, government documents, and copies of letters delivered by the Red Cross, confirm a widescale Russian system of detention and abuse of civilians that stands in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions. Some civilians were held for days or weeks, while others have vanished for well over a year. Nearly everyone freed said they experienced or witnessed torture, and most described being shifted from one place to another without explanation. “It’s a business of human trafficking,” said Olena Yahupova, the city administrator who was forced to dig trenches for the Russians in Zaporizhzhia. “If we don’t talk about it and keep silent, then tomorrow anyone can be there — my neighbor, acquaintance, child.” INVISIBLE PRISONERS   The new building in the compound of Prison Colony No. 2 is at least two stories tall, separated from the main prison by a thick wall. Satellite imagery shows this new facility in Rostov region, Russia, since the war began in Feb 2022, says AP. Hundreds of detained Ukrainian civilians are believed to be housed in this facility, per captives, families, activists, and lawyers. Two exiled Russian human rights advocates said it is heavily guarded by soldiers and armored vehicles. Over 40 detention facilities in Russia & Belarus, and 63 sites in occupied Ukraine hold civilians, incl. Rostov building. Data from former captives, Ukrainian Media Initiative, & Gulagu.net formed the AP map’s information. The recent U.N. report counted a total of 37 facilities in Russia and Belarus and 125 in occupied Ukraine. Some also hold Russian prisoners accused or convicted of a variety of crimes. Other, more makeshift locations are near the front lines, and the AP documented two locations where former prisoners say Ukrainians were forced to dig trenches. The shadowy nature of the system makes it difficult to know exactly how many civilians are being detained. Ukraine’s government has been able to confirm the legal details of a little over 1,000 who are facing charges. Ukraine’s Detained Civilians   At least 4,000 civilians are held in Russia and at least as many are scattered around the occupied territories, according to Vladimir Osechkin, an exiled Russian human rights activist who talks to informants within Russian prisons and founded Gulagu.net to document abuses. Ovechkin showed AP a Russian prison document from 2022 saying that 119 people ‘‘opposed to the special military operation’’ in Ukraine were moved by plane to the main prison colony in the Russian region of Voronezh. Many Ukrainians later freed by Russia also described unexplained plane transfers. In all, Ukraine’s government believes around 10,000 civilians could be detained, according to Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Kononeko, based on reports from loved ones, as well as post-release interviews with some civilians and the hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers returned in prisoner exchanges. Ukraine said in June that about 150 civilians have been freed to Ukrainian-controlled territory, and the Russians deny holding others. “They say, ‘We don’t have these people, it’s you who is lying,’” Kononeko said. The detention of two men from the Kherson region in August 2022 offers a glimpse at how hard it is for families to track down loved ones in Russian custody. Detention and Uncertainty   Artem Baranov, and Yevhen Pryshliak, who worked at a local asphalt plant with his father, had

Cartel Bombs Kill 6 in Mexico – Lahore Security Guards   MEXICO CITY — A drug cartel set off seven bombs in western Mexico, killing four officers, and two civilians. The governor of Jalisco state said the explosions were “a trap” set by the cartel to kill law enforcement personnel. Luis Méndez, the chief prosecutor of Jalisco state, said the blasts in Tlajomulco left craters, destroyed four vehicles, and wounded 14 people. It appeared to be the first time that a Mexican cartel killed law enforcement personnel with improvised explosive devices or IEDs and was the latest example of the increasingly open, military-style challenge posed by the country’s drug cartels. Méndez said the two dead civilians were in a vehicle that happened to be passing the spot when the IEDs detonated in Tlajomulco, near the state capital of Guadalajara. The possibility of remote detonation was suggested, indicating that the blast occurred precisely as intended. Among the 18 wounded, 12 were civilians, including three children aged 9, 13, and 14, with some in critical condition. Experts had to defuse an eighth IED that did not detonate, and warned the area was still dangerous, Méndez said. Enrique Alfaro, the governor of Jalisco state, said an anonymous caller who gave a volunteer search group a tip about a clandestine burial site near the roadway set “a trap” for the officers. Mexico’s Missing Persons Crisis   For years, police have been unable to locate the more than 110,000 missing people in Mexico, but they accompany volunteer search groups that look for such hidden graves. The volunteers, usually the mothers of missing people, often get anonymous tips about where their relatives may be buried. Jalisco Gov. Enrique Alfaro said a total of eight “improvised explosive devices” were planted on the roadway. Alfaro calls the attack a brutal terror act, blaming an unnamed drug cartel for the deaths. He said he was temporarily suspending police escorts for volunteer searches for the safety of the civilians. No search volunteers were in the blown-up convoy, said Hector Flores, a leader of a search group in Jalisco. Cartel’s unprecedented act exposes their capabilities – Alfaro. “This attack also represents an open challenge to the Mexican government on all levels.” Alfaro didn’t name suspects, but the Jalisco cartel is skilled in using IEDs and bomb-dropping drones. IEDs also wounded 10 soldiers in the neighboring state of Michoacan in 2022 and killed a civilian. Cartel Attacks and IEDs in Mexico   A car bomb killed a National Guard officer in Guanajuato, as another cartel carried out the attack. Protesters in Guerrero, allied with a drug gang, battled security forces on Monday. They seized a police armored truck and smashed the state legislature building gates. Guadalajara experiences bloody cartel battles; Jalisco cartel blamed for previous IED use in Mexico. In February 2022, in the Michoacan township of Aguililla, a roadside mine damaged an army vehicle and injured 10 soldiers. A few days later, another IED killed a farmer when he drove over the device in his pickup truck. The farmer’s son was wounded in the blast, which was fueled by a device containing ammonium nitrate. Special squads of Mexican army troops equipped with metal detectors and bomb suits were later deployed to the area. Dozens of such devices were found along rural roads and fields in the area around the township of Aguililla. IEDs: Radio/telephone detonation, pressure-triggered (stepping on them), and vial-activated (chemical combination). Cartel Conflict and Searcher Struggles   Years of conflict: Jalisco cartel vs. Viagras gang (United Cartels) battling for control in the area. However, those battles have featured the use of trenches, pillboxes, homemade armored cars, and drones modified to drop small bombs. However, the cartels’ bomb-carrying drones have caused more terror in Michoacan. While initially crude and dangerous to load and operate — and still worrisomely indiscriminate — drone warfare has improved; it’s not unusual to see a metal barn or shed roofs opened like tin cans from the impact of drone explosions. Tuesday’s IED attack on Tlajomulco hurt search groups as they rely on anonymous tips to locate mass graves. Searchers suspect cartel informants provide tips on victims’ burial sites, adding to their anguish. Searchers work with cartels under an uneasy truce, seeking closure, not prosecution for family kidnappings. Moreover, they say they only want to find the remains, to end their uncertainty, and give their relatives a decent burial. However, six volunteer search activists have been killed in Mexico since 2021. Motives in killings unclear. Cartels intimidate searchers investigating active grave sites. Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/roadway-bomb-planted-drug-cartel-kills-3-police-101164435

Drone Strike: ISIS Leader Killed A U.S. drone strike killed an Islamic State group leader in Syria hours after the same MQ-9 Reaper drones were harassed by Russian military jets over the western part of the country, according to the Defense Department. A U.S. defense official said that three Reapers had been flying overhead searching for the militant on Friday. During this time, Russian aircraft harassed them for about two hours. Shortly after that, the drones killed Usamah al-Muhajir, who was riding a motorcycle in the Aleppo region, said the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity to describe details of the military operation. The official said al-Muhajir was in northwest Syria at the time of the strike, but that he usually operated in the east. It was not immediately clear how the U.S. military confirmed that the person killed was al-Muhajir; no other details were provided. In a statement Sunday, U.S. Central Command said the strike did not indicate any civilian casualties. The military was assessing reports of a potential civilian injury. WATCH: How negligence, systemic issues lead to civilian casualties from U.S. airstrikes Unsafe Russian Fighter Jets Friday was the third day in a row that U.S. officials complained that Russian fighter jets in the region had conducted unsafe and harassing flights around American drones. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, head of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, said in a statement that during the Friday encounter, the Russian planes “flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations.” The first friction occurred Wednesday morning when Russian military aircraft “engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior” as three American MQ-9 drones were conducting a mission against IS, the U.S. military said. On Thursday, the U.S. military said Russian fighter aircraft flew “incredibly unsafe and unprofessionally” against both French and U.S. aircraft over Syria. Unarmed Drones Carrying Weapons Col. Michael Andrews, Air Forces Central Command spokesman, reported an hour-long incident with close fly-bys and flares deployed. U.S. officials said the earlier flights had unarmed drones, but on Friday, they carried weapons while hunting al-Muhajir. “We have made it clear that we remain committed to the defeat of ISIS throughout the region,” said Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, in the statement. Additionally, Russian and Syrian militaries conduct six-day joint training. Gurinov added in comments carried by Syrian state media that Moscow was concerned about the flights of drones by the U.S.-led coalition over northern Syria, calling them “systematic violations of protocols” designed to avoid clashes between the two militaries.   Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-drone-strike-kills-isis-group-leader-in-northwest-syria-defense-official-says

Taiwan-China Tensions: Military Maneuvers and Exercises   TAIPEI, Taiwan — China sent navy ships and a large group of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, toward Taiwan, over two days, the island’s defense ministry said on Wednesday before its annual military exercises aimed at defending itself against a possible invasion. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army sent 38 warplanes and 9 navy vessels around Taiwan, between 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. From Wednesday morning until noon time, the military flew another 30 planes, among which included J-10 and J-16 fighters. The PLA’s calculated show of strength was not confined to this initial phase alone. As the clock transitioned from Wednesday morning to the approaching noon, an additional 30 planes took to the skies as part of this exercise. Among these, 32 vessels crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that authorities had considered as a buffer between the island and mainland. Later on Wednesday, another 23 planes crossed the midline. Taiwan is scheduled to hold the annual Han Guang exercise later this month, in which its military will hold combat readiness drills against preventing an invasion. It will also conduct the annual Wan’an exercises aimed at preparing civilians for natural disasters and practicing evacuations in case of an air raid. China’s Actions and Responses   China claims Taiwan as its territory and increases military planes’ presence in response to political activities in Taiwan. In the past year, it has also started sending its navy vessels, as well as drones to circle the waters near the island. In Tuesday and Wednesday’s maneuvers, the PLA flew H-6 bombers in a large loop to the south of Taiwan, traveling past the island before looping back towards China‘s southern coast. The recent maneuvers on Tuesday and Wednesday further underline China’s strategic approach. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) orchestrated flights of H-6 bombers, a significant part of its aerial arsenal, in a sweeping trajectory to the south of Taiwan. Its largest military drills in recent years were in response to former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last August. PLA’s missile launch escalated tensions, disrupted trade lanes, and forced flight reroutes over Taiwan. In April, while in demand, PLA conducted combat drills near Taiwan in response to President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with the US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. This maneuver was a direct response to the diplomatic developments that unfolded on the international stage. Specifically, President Tsai Ing-wen’s engagement with a significant figure from the United States, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, triggered this response. Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/china-sends-large-group-warplanes-navy-ships-towards-101131337

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile in three months on Wednesday, days after it threatened “shocking” consequences to protest what it called provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory. Some experts say North Korea likely launched its developmental, road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM, a type of solid-fuel weapon that is harder to detect and intercept than its liquid-fuel ICBMs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously called the Hwasong-18 the most powerful weapon of his nuclear forces. The missile, fired from North Korea’s capital region around 10 a.m., flew about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,000 kilometers (3,730 miles) before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments. They said the missile was launched at a high angle in what observers say was an apparent attempt to avoid neighboring countries. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the missile flew for 74 minutes — the longest flight time recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea. The previous record of 71 minutes was registered during the test flight of the liquid-fuel Hwasong-17 ICBM last year. South Korea’s military called the launch “a grave provocation” and urged North Korea to refrain from additional launches. Matsuno denounced North Korea’s repeated missile launches as “threats to the peace and safety of Japan, the region and international society.” In a trilateral phone call, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea, Japan and the U.S. agreed to sternly deal with North Korean provocations and boost their coordination to promote a stronger international response to the North’s nuclear and missile programs, according to Seoul’s Foreign Ministry. The launch came while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were attending the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. In an emergency meeting of South Korea’s security council convened by video in Lithuania, Yoon warned North Korea would face more powerful international sanctions due to its illicit weapons programs. North Korea’s ICBM program targets the mainland United States, while its shorter-range missiles are designed to hit U.S. regional allies like South Korea and Japan. Since 2017, North Korea has performed a slew of ICBM tests, but some experts say the North still has some technologies to master to possess functioning nuclear-armed missiles capable of reaching major U.S. cities. The North’s ICBM test in April was the first launch of the Hwasong-18. After that launch, Kim said the missile would enhance the North’s counterattack capabilities and ordered the expansion of his country’s nuclear arsenal to “constantly strike extreme uneasiness and horror” in its rivals. Missiles with built-in solid propellants would be easier to move and hide, making it difficult for opponents to detect their launches in advance. All of North Korea’s previous ICBM tests used liquid fuel. Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said Wednesday’s launch appeared to be the North’s second flight-test of the Hwasong-18. Earlier this week, North Korea released a series of statements accusing the U.S. of flying a military spy plane close to its soil. In a statement Monday night, Kim’s sister and top adviser, Kim Yo Jong, warned the United States of “a shocking incident” as she claimed that the U.S. spy plane flew over the North’s eastern exclusive economic zone eight times earlier in the day. The U.S. and South Korea dismissed the North’s accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric that raised animosities. “I would just say that we continue to urge (North Korea) to refrain from escalatory actions,” Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said Tuesday. “As a matter of international law, (North Korea’s) recent statements that U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded, as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas.” North Korea has made numerous similar accusations over U.S. reconnaissance activities, but its latest statements came amid heightened animosities over North Korea’s torrid run of weapons tests since the start of last year. Some observers say the North wants to use an expanded weapons arsenal to wrest greater concessions in eventual diplomacy with its rivals. “Kim Yo Jong’s bellicose statement against U.S. surveillance aircraft is part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. “Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it — in this case, South Korea and Japan’s leaders meeting during the NATO summit.” Kim Dong-yub, the professor, said Wednesday’s launch was likely made under the North’s previously scheduled weapons build-up programs to hone Hwasong-18 technologies, rather than a direct response to the NATO gathering or the alleged U.S. spy plane flight. The Hwasong-18 is among an array of high-tech weapons that Kim Jong Un has vowed to introduce to deal with what he called escalating U.S. military threats. Other weapons on his wish-list are an ICBM with multi-warheads, a spy satellite and a nuclear-powered submarine. In late May, North Korea’s launch of its first spy satellite ended in failure, with a rocket carrying it plunging to the ocean soon after liftoff. Some experts say North Korea might ramp up weapons tests around July 27, the date for the 70th anniversary of the signing of an armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea calls the date “the V-Day” or “the War Victory Day.” “Pyongyang might be manufacturing tensions ahead of its Victory Day to further strengthen solidarity domestically after having failed its first spy satellite launch in May, and then justifying future provocations by first unleashing a stream of threats and harsh rhetoric about U.S. spy planes,” said Duyeon Kim, an adjunct senior fellow with the Center for a New American Security. U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from engaging in any launches using ballistic technologies. But China and Russia, both permanent members of