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[ Reuters ] Canada foreign minister says eyes wide open when it comes to normalizing China ties
Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, flew back to China on Friday after reaching an agreement with U.S. prosecutors to end a bank fraud case against her. That resulted in the scrapping of her extradition battle in a Canadian court. Soon after Meng flew to…
[ SCMP ] North Korea open to closer ties with Seoul, formal end to Korean war is ‘admirable idea’: Kim Yo-jong
Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un, says the North is open to “constructive discussion” to mend fences with South Korea if Seoul drops its “hostile attitude” toward Pyongyang. Speaking on Friday, she also welcomed South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s recent call to declare an end to the Korean war as an “interesting and admirable idea”,…
Manny Pacquiao accepted Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) nomination to run for Philippines President
Manny Pacquiao is running to become the next President of the Phillippines. The 42-year-old boxer – who is one of the most celebrated athletes of all time – has accepted the nomination of the PDP-Laban-Pacquiao faction ahead of the elections in May 2022. Manny Pacquiao@MannyPacquiao·Sep 19I boldly accept the challenge of running as PRESIDENT of…
[ The Defenstar ] Argentina to buy inferior and more expensive JF-17 over FA-50 due to UK
Argentia has decided to buy 12 FC-1 ‘Xiaolong’ a.k.a. JF-17 Block-3 jets from China for 664 million USD (55 million per unit) rejecting other fighters on offer including the South Korean FA-50. India had not offered its Tejas fighter due to geopolitical reasons, however this deal helped to finally reveal the unit price of the…
[ ABC News ] Why World Bank is under fire over set of rankings
World Bank has long been accused of using sloppy methodology and of succumbing to political pressure in producing the rankings. This week, the bank dropped the report after investigators had reviewed internal complaints about “data irregularities’’ in the 2018 and 2020 editions of “Doing Business” and possible “ethical matters” involving World Bank staff members. In…
Syrian gas pipeline sabotage, causing complete power outage across Syria
Last night, Syria suffered a complete power outage for unknown reasons (other reports mention that this only affected Damascus and the surrounding regions). It was later announced by Syria’s Minister of Electricity Ghasan Al Zamel that a pipeline was targeted an explosive device at Deir Ali Power Plant, that caused the blackout. “There was a…
UK’s Babcock sell Arrowhead 140 (AH140) frigate design to PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) – 2 vessels licensed in the deal
Indonesia has acquired the rights and license to build 2 x Arrowhead 140 frigates with bespoke design modification for its Navy. The agreement was signed at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2021 event in London, on board HMS Argyll, by David Lockwood CEO Babcock and Kaharuddin Djenod, CEO PAL. And was witnessed by…
[ NYT ] Furious Over Sub Deal, France Recalls Ambassadors to U.S. and Australia
Calling American and Australian behavior “unacceptable between allies and partners,” France announced on Friday that it was recalling its ambassadors to both countries in protest over President Biden’s decision to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. It was the first time in the history of the long alliance between France and the United States, dating back…
You can now advertise directly with DPA
After a “meh” trial to use Google Adwords as a mean of getting advertising income, we concluded that it’s rather massive waste of time to use Adwords. Not to mention how Google Adwords destroys the UIUX (user interface/user experience) of DPA. As such, we have decided to launch our own advertising solution, which will allow…
[ Sky News ] China says AUKUS submarine deal ‘highly irresponsible’ and ‘intensifies the arms race’
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian condemned the move and said: “The US, the UK and Australia’s cooperation in nuclear submarines severely damages regional peace and stability, intensifies the arms race, and jeopardises the international efforts in promoting the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. “The US and UK’s action of exporting highly sensitive nuclear…
AUKUS trilateral security partnership is now a thing
Australia, United Kingdom and the United States announces on 15 September 2021 at the White House, that the 3 countries will now form a new trilateral security partnership called AUKUS. The partnership will allow scientists, industries and defense forces from the 3 countries to work together. The cooperation will include cyber technologies, artificial intelligence, quantum…
[ PNA ] PH can’t get F-16 jets for now due to budget woes
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday said the Philippines is unlikely to acquire Lockheed Martin F-16 jet fighters for its multi-role fighter (MFR) program for now due to budgetary constraints. “For now, it is very unlikely that we will be able to acquire F-16s as our budget for (the MRF project) will only allow us…
[ The Sydney Morning Herald ] Australia, the US and UK to announce landmark new defence pact
Australia, the United States and Britain will unveil a landmark new security pact to share advanced technologies, including nuclear submarine technology, in a major international announcement on Thursday morning. As part of the pact, to be known as AUKUS, the US would help Australia develop a nuclear submarine capability, which could result in Australia dumping…
[ Business Insider ] First US Navy carrier strike group to deploy with F-35C stealth fighters sails into the South China Sea
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group sailed into the South China Sea this week carrying stealth fighters. The Carl Vinson is the first US Navy aircraft carrier to deploy with F-35Cs. Chinese state-affiliated media criticized the carrier’s arrival, calling it a “provocative deployment.” A deployed US Navy aircraft carrier sailed into the South China Sea…
India militarises highways as emergency landing strips; 20 under construction
Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently constructing/repurposing 20 stretches of national highway as emergency landing strips, with the first just completed in January this year. This is announced at Barmer by India’s Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari where they inaugurate the first of its kind at Satta-Gandhav stretch of the National Highway 925 on…
[ TODAY / AFP ] North Korea test-fires new ‘long-range cruise missile’: KCNA
North Korea test-fired a new “long-range cruise missile” over the weekend, state media reported Monday, calling it a “strategic weapon of great significance” amid a long standoff with the United States over its nuclear programme. The test launches took place on Saturday and Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The missiles travelled…
Philippines Air Force to decide between the Fighting Eagle (FA-50PH) and the Fighting Falcon (F-16C/D)?
On June 24 this year (2021), US State Department had approved the sale of 12 x F16 Block 70/72 fighters to the Philippines – 10 x single seat F16C and 2 x two seater F16D…. although collectively, Block 70/72 are also known as F16V “Vipers”. However, the Philippines defense secretary, Delfin Lorenzano told the Philippines…
Singapore to donate 60,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Batam, Indonesia
According the Antara News, the Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi announced that Singapore government plans to provide 60,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to the Singapore’s neighbouring island of Batam, a major city of Riau Islands, Indonesia. According to the Mayor, Singapore’s requirement for reopening of the Batam-Singapore border depends on Batam reaching 80% vaccination of…
[ RT ] The last pipe of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 has been welded, operator announces
The final pipe of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project has been welded and will be lowered into the seabed of the Baltic Sea, the operator of the Russian project, Nord Stream 2 AG, said on Monday. According to the company, it will now dock the German section with the Danish one and will proceed…
[ Manila Times ] 2 ranking NPA leaders surrender in Isabela
Local supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) have turned over their firearms following the surrender of two high ranking NPA rebels to the Army’s Fifth Infantry Division (5th ID), according to Maj. Jekyll Julian Dulawan, 5th ID public affairs officer. In a report released on Tuesday, Dulawan said Alias Rence and Alias Maki, both…
Guinea coup: China’s bauxite conundrum?
According to worldatlas.com, Guinea is the 4th biggest exporter of bauxite, an alumnium ore. With 19.3 million metric tons produced annually, Guinea is also reputed to be the largest bauxite deposits in the world. (these numbers from worldatlas.com are outdated by the way ; but included for now just for context) With the economic warfare…
Kazakhstan joins the Airbus A400M club, becomes the 9th country to operate the aircraft
According to the press release by Airbus, the Republic of Kazakhstan has placed an order for 2 Airbus A400M, to become the 9th operator of the aircraft, after Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, Malaysia and Luxembourg. The delivery of the first aircraft is schedule for 2024. The deal includes a complete suit of maintenance…
Myanmar Reports: July 21 – Sept 9 2021
Gunfires and explosion reported at Sanchaung, Yangon; military vehicles rushed to the scene Fighting reported between Tatmadaw’s 138 infantry division against KIA in Putao district, Kachin State – 30 Aug 2021 Tatmadaw’s 363 brigade attack KIA’s 8 brigade positions at Kyaukkyi – 3 Sep 2021 Fighting reported between KIA and Tatmadaw at Homalin Township, Sagaing…
Gunfires and explosion reported at Sanchaung, Yangon; military vehicles rushed to the scene
Ohnmar Soe@OhnmarSoe #MYANMAR At least ten gun fire shootings and explosions were reported in the commercial area #Sanchaung of #Yangon just now, according to the neighbours. The photo was posted on social media showing SAC vans rush to the scene. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/j0Rorn4ojx
National Socialist Council of Nagaland Niki Group (NSCN (K)) Signs Ceasefire Pact with the Government of India
In a big development on Wednesday, the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group signed a ceasefire pact with the Centre to bring lasting peace in Nagaland. Already, the Union government has entered into similar agreements with other Naga groups such as NSCN(NK), NSCN(R) and NSCN(K)-Khango besides signing a Framework Agreement with NSCN(IM). The…