Dozens of tanks and soldiers fired explosives and machine guns in drills Monday on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, a main stronghold for a nation that is perhaps the world’s least-known military powerhouse. Just across the sea from rival Russia, Japan opened up its humbly named Self Defense Force’s firing exercises to the media inContinue reading “Japan’s military, among world’s strongest, looks to build”
Tag Archives: Coast Guard
Philippines tells China to ‘back off’ after South China Sea standoff
Foreign minister says Chinese action illegal Blocking of supply ship threaten “special relationship” Philippines has occupied shoal for 22 years on grounded ship The Philippines on Thursday condemned “in strongest terms” the actions of three Chinese coast guard vessels that it said blocked and used water cannon on resupply boats headed towards a Philippine-occupied atollContinue reading “Philippines tells China to ‘back off’ after South China Sea standoff”
China harasses Malaysian oil and gas vessels on a ‘daily’ basis, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative says
Moves by Chinese coastguard and maritime militia said to be focused on Luconia Shoals, where Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas company is exploring a gas field Washington-based AMTI says civilian vessels there have been targeted daily for the past two years, and similar tactics now being used against Indonesian drillers in Natuna Sea Chinese boats have beenContinue reading “China harasses Malaysian oil and gas vessels on a ‘daily’ basis, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative says”
Ruling party elects Kishida as leader in win for Japan establishment
New LDP leader Kishida likely to be voted PM on Monday General election expected Nov. 7 or Nov. 14 Kishida is party consensus builder, but lacks popularity Has called for stimulus of more than 30 trillion yen Seen maintaining Japan’s security, foreign policy posture Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) anointed former foreign minister FumioContinue reading “Ruling party elects Kishida as leader in win for Japan establishment”
Prosecution Witness in Netanyahu Trial Killed in Plane Crash
Esti and Haim Garon, a married couple, were killed in the crash off Greek island of Samos. Haim Garon served as the deputy Communications Ministry director Two people were killed on Monday when a light aircraft crashed into the sea close to the Greek island of Samos, Greek authorities said. The two were identified asContinue reading “Prosecution Witness in Netanyahu Trial Killed in Plane Crash”
Japan, Vietnam sign defense transfer deal amid China worries
Japan can now give defense equipment and technology to Vietnam under an agreement signed Saturday, as the two countries step up their military cooperation amid worries about China’s growing military influence. Japan’s Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said the deal elevates their defense partnership “to a new level” and that Japan and Vietnam plan to deepenContinue reading “Japan, Vietnam sign defense transfer deal amid China worries”
Japan Keeps Intercepting China Military Drones and Spy Planes
Japan says it has scrambled fighter aircraft to intercept Chinese military drones and accompanying surveillance aircraft on three consecutive days this week as its defense forces took part in a series of readiness exercises with regional allies. Thursday marked the third straight day of Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle sightings reported by the Japanese Defense Ministry’s Joint Staff Office.Continue reading “Japan Keeps Intercepting China Military Drones and Spy Planes”
Pentagon to seek approval to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory
The Pentagon on Monday said that it will seek U.S. President Joe Biden’s approval by the middle of September to require military members to get vaccinated against COVID-19. After setting COVID-19 rules for federal workers, Biden last month directed the Pentagon to look into “how and when” it will require members of the military toContinue reading “Pentagon to seek approval to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory”
Russia, China, Iran Warn U.S. Must Not Intervene in Cuba
Russia, China and Iran have warned the United States that it must not intervene in Cuba after the island was rocked by major protests for which U.S. President Joe Biden cast his support. As Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez railed against “the increased aggression of the U.S. government” during lengthy remarks delivered to the press Tuesday inContinue reading “Russia, China, Iran Warn U.S. Must Not Intervene in Cuba”
Italy to investigate Libyan coastguard’s ‘attempted shipwreck’ of migrant boat
Officials to be investigated after film appears to show patrol boat firing shots at a vessel carrying 64 people in the Mediterranean Prosecutors in Sicily have launched an investigation against the Libyan coastguard after footage emerged appearing to show officials firing on a boat of migrant families in the Mediterranean Sea. On 30 June, rescue workers fromContinue reading “Italy to investigate Libyan coastguard’s ‘attempted shipwreck’ of migrant boat”
Among the Fray 