Japan defense papers raises concerns about China, N Korea
AP, Tokyo
Japan called North Korea’s nuclear and missile development a “grave and imminent threat” to the region and international security, and criticized China’s increasingly assertive military action as “dangerous” in its annual defense report.
The report, approved Tuesday by the Cabinet, comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government pushes for Japan to take on greater military roles abroad. This year’s 484-page report allocated several more pages to each country than the previous one.
Emerging powers may form new alliance
Dawn.com, Washington
In 20 years, emerging powers like China and Russia may partner with smaller states like Pakistan and North Korea to create new alliances challenging America’s supremacy, says a Pentagon report released this week.
The Pentagon’s Defence Technical Information Centre (DTIC), which prepared the report, predicts that over the next two decades, the United States will likely maintain its position as the single most powerful actor on the world stage but there will be other actors on the stage as well.
Yemen govt delegates quit talks
AFP, Kuwait City
Yemen’s government delegation to peace talks were leaving Kuwait on Monday after the rebel side rejected a draft peace plan proposed by the United Nations, its representatives said.
“We now leave Kuwait … but are not quitting the consultations and not ending them before Aug 7,” said the head of the delegation, Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al-Mikhlafi. He was referring to the end date set by the UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed for the talks that began April but have so far failed to end Yemen’s conflict.
Typhoon Nida shuts HK
Reuters, Hong Kong
Typhoon Nida swept through Hong Kong on Tuesday, shutting down most of the financial hub and disrupting hundreds of flights with gale-force winds, while low-lying areas were put on flood alert.
Hong Kong’s first major typhoon this year brought gusts of more than 100 km per hour (62 mph) and prompted authorities to issue an amber warning, signifying heavy rain, at 5.20 a.m. Hong Kong time.
