MTQ News

According to information published by the "Polskie Radio 24" on July 30, 2022, Poland is ready to send the first batch of eight KRAB 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine which are part of the contract signed in June with the Polish defense industry. Read full Defense News at this link ... The Polish-made KRAB 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer is already in service with the Ukrainian army. (Picture source Telegram Horevica) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/VTflwaS via IFTTT

According to information published by the United States Department of Defense on July 27, 2022, General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $10,523,248 modification contract to support the production of M1A2T Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) for Taiwan. Read full Defense News at this link ... US Army M1A2 SEP V2 main battle tank. (Picture source Army Recognition) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/xCT4MZG via IFTTT

According to a Tweet published by the German Ministry of Defense on July 29, 2022, the German Minister Lambrecht has decided to deliver to Ukraine a package of 16 tracked armored bridge laying engineer tanks called in the German army as Biber. Read full Defense News at this link ... German army Biber bridger layer engineer tank. (Picture source Wikimedia) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/KD8hxIC via IFTTT

According to information published by the Radio Television of Serbia on July 29, 2022, the Ministry of Defense of North Macedonia confirms the donation of its T-72A Main Battle Tanks to Ukraine. On July 30, 2022, a video was published on Social Network showing a convoy of main battle tanks on the way to Ukraine. Read full Defense News at this link ... North Macedonia Army T-72A main battle tank (Picture source Wikimedia) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/vT91p5a via IFTTT

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. kremlin.ru   Moscow Times/AFP: Kremlin Expresses Solidarity With China Over Taiwan   The Kremlin expressed "solidarity" on Friday with China's stance on Taiwan after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned U.S. leader Joe Biden not to "play with fire" over the self-ruled island.  "Certainly we are in solidarity," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.  "We respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and believe that no country in the world should have the right to question this or take any inflammatory or other steps," he added.  "We are convinced that such behavior on the international arena can only cause additional tension."   Read more ....   Update #1: Kremlin warns US against 'provocative' moves toward China (AP)   Update #2: Russia Supports 'One China' Policy on Taiwan, Lavrov Says (Reuters)   WNU Editor : The Russia - China alliance continues t

PLA Army soldiers look through the sights of their rifles as they provide security for the hovering transport helicopter during an inter-Services maritime coordinated training exercise with the PLA Navy at an undisclosed sea area on August 3, 2020. They are assigned to an army aviation brigade under the PLA 73rd Group Army. Photo:China Military    Global Times: PLA’s post ‘Preparing for war’ draws wide support from netizens ahead of Army Day   "Preparing for war!" This short social media post by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) 80th Group Army generated over 300,000 thumbs-up in 12 hours on Friday, amid high morale among Chinese soldiers ahead of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA and escalating tensions across the Taiwan Straits. The post on Sina Weibo had received more than 19,000 comments as of press time, with many netizens commenting excitedly "PLA soldiers, fighting! We support you guys!"  Some veterans said that they are alway

Daily Mail: China says it WILL shoot Pelosi's plane down IF she travels to Taiwan under US fighter escort: Speaker refuses to confirm trip - as Beijing warns it would 'cross a red line' and aircraft carrier holds drills in the South China Sea   * 'If US fighter jets escort Pelosi's plane into Taiwan, it is invasion' Hu Xijin, a commentator with the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times, wrote on Twitter  * 'The PLA has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi's plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction'  * 'If ineffective, then shoot them down' Hu said  * Pelosi has not confirmed reports she will travel to Taiwan, only saying that she does not comment on her foreign travel plans for 'security reasons'  * The threat is a dramatic escalation in rhetoric as China grows increasingly agitated at the U.S.'s posture with Taiwan  China fired its most direct warning shot ye

  Daily Mail : Russia wants a convicted murderer to be included in US prisoner swap that would see 'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout traded for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan   * US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, an ex-US Marine  * In order to release the Americans, US officials said they offered to hand over Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the 'Merchant of Death'  * Russian officials also reportedly requested for a convicted murderer and Kremlin spy Vadim Krasikov to be included in the prisoner swap  * The request was made by Russia's backchannel spy agency, the FSB, but sources said the US is not considering Krasikov's inclusion in the deal  * Griner was arrested for carrying cannabis oil in February, and Whelan was convicted of espionage in 2020, which the U.S. said were false  Russia requested that a convicted murder to be included in a p

  ABC News Australia : Kim Jong Un threatens to mobilise nuclear weapons, takes aim at new South Korea president   North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says his country is ready to mobilise its nuclear war deterrent and counter any US military clash.  He made the remarks during a speech at an event to mark the 69th anniversary of the July 27 Korean War armistice, which left the two Koreas technically still at war.  That confrontation with the United States had posed nuclear threats since the 1950-53 war and required the North to achieve an "urgent historical task" of beefing up its self defence, Mr Kim said, according to the official KCNA news agency.   Read more ....   WNU Editor : It looks like North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has gained some weight after losing a lot of weight last year.  North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Issues Nuclear Warning   North Korea: Kim Jong Un says he's ready to use nuclear weapons against US and South Korea -- SKY News  N.Korea's K

"We were briefed that over 75,000 Russians have either been killed or wounded, which is huge. You've got incredible amounts of investment in their land forces, over 80% of their land forces are bogged down, and they're tired,” @RepSlotkin told CNN. (h/t @MZanona @NatashaBertrand ) — Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) July 28, 2022 Business Insider: More than 75,000 Russian troops in Ukraine have been killed or injured, US says — one of the highest estimates so far   * US officials think more than 75,000 Russians were killed or injured in Ukraine, reports said.  * Estimates for Russian troop losses have varied, but this is one of the highest given so far.  * Russia has not released its troop loss figures in months, and is accused of covering up its dead.  US officials said that more than 75,000 Russians have been killed or injured as part of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to multiple reports.  The figure would represent around half the total number of

Wu Qian. Photo: CFP   Global Times: China’s defense ministry issues fresh, rare warning ‘action the most powerful language’ over Pelosi’s Taiwan visit; reinforces resolve   Action is the most powerful language, said the Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday as its spokesperson stressed the sensitivity of the Taiwan question again after China issued six warnings against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's potential visit to Taiwan island over the past few days.  The frequency of Chinese warnings and the remarks different departments use fully demonstrate China's determination to take any necessary military measures to counter US provocations and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, analysts said.   Read more ....   WNU Editor : This warning was issued before today's phone call between Presidents Biden and Xi. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/n78BlMZ via IFTTT

USS Ronald Reagan spotted in the South China Sea today, followed by some Chinese warships. pic.twitter.com/QsobRNttmS — Duan Dang (@duandang) July 28, 2022 Radio Free Asia: China holds new naval drills as US carrier transits South China Sea   China often holds military exercises at short notice in response to U.S. naval activities in disputed seas.   China has staged another military exercise off the back of a five-day large-scale drill near the Paracel islands–just as the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan docked in Singapore after spending over a week in the South China Sea.  The U.S. carrier and its strike group were slated to visit Vietnam this month but the visit has been called off, said two Vietnamese sources with knowledge of the matter who wish to stay anonymous because they’re not authorised to speak to the media.   Read more ....   Update #1 : China Holds Snap Military Drills In Response To US Carrier Entering South China Sea (Zero Hedge)   Update #2 : China a

  BBC: Haiti gang violence: Gun battles rage in Port-au-Prince   A war between Haitian gangs which has left hundreds dead since it flared up three weeks ago has spread to the centre of the capital, Port-au-Prince.  Gang members engaged in a fierce gun battle with each other and with police on Wednesday.  The city's temporary cathedral caught fire amid the fighting.  It is not yet known how many people were killed in this latest battle but UN figures suggest more than 200 died between 8 and 17 July.  Previously, the focal points of the battle between the G9 criminal alliance and a rival alliance calling itself G-Pèp had centred around the impoverished neighbourhood of Cité Soleil. But on Wednesday, video showed police confronting gang members not far from the presidential palace.  Read more ....  Gun Battles Rage In Haiti's Port-au-Prince Haiti Gangs Wage Battles in Downtown Port-Au-Prince -- Reuters   Haiti: 471 people dead, mass kidnappings in one week of gang war

  Daily Mail: 'Play with fire and you will get burned': China's Xi's fierce warning to Biden on Taiwan in two-hour call as tensions reach boiling point and White House braces for potential military response to Nancy Pelosi's trip   * President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday morning amid rising tensions with Taiwan  * Xi said during the two-hour call, according to Chinese state media: 'Those who play with fire will only get burnt. Hope the U.S. side can see this clearly'  * The call is the fifth time the leaders spoke since Biden took office last year  * Chinese press reports that Taiwan will 'bear the wrath of Beijing' should House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island go forward  China's President Xi Jinping warned Joe Biden 'those who play with fire will get burned' during a two-hour call Thursday morning amid rising tensions over Taiwan, according to Chinese state media.  The fifth call bet

US gross domestic product shrank 0.9 percent in the second quarter, following a decline of 1.6 percent decline in the first quarter. Two consecutive quarters of shrinking GDP is the classic definition of a recession   Daily Mail: America goes into RECESSION after second straight quarter of negative growth but Biden insists: 'We are on the right path'   * US gross domestic product shrank 0.9% last quarter, the Commerce Department said on Thursday  * It marked two consecutive quarters of GDP decline, the classic and informal definition of a recession  * But White House has insisted that the alarming data doesn't mean the economy is in a recession  * Technically, a recession has to be officially declared by private research group's panel of economists  * 'We are on the right path and we will come through this transition,' Biden said in response to the grim news  * Critics furiously blasted the administration for 'deflecting blame' and trying to 

  WNU Editor: The main battles continue in the Donbas, but Ukrainian forces have launched a number of attacks near Kherson in the south-west part of the country. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/cbjIXVD via IFTTT

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a joint press conference with President of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei on July 25, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. © Provided by CNBC. © Provided by CNBC CNBC: Ukraine wants big banks to be prosecuted for ‘war crimes,’ Zelenskyy’s top economic aide says   * Major U.S. and European banks should be prosecuted for “committing war crimes” over their financing of the Russian regime, according to a top aide to Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.  * Oleg Ustenko, economic advisor to Zelenskyy, said the Ukrainian government believes banks, such as JPMorgan, HSBC and Citi, are aiding the Kremlin’s war efforts in Ukraine.  * “Everybody who is financing this war criminals, who are doing these terrible things in Ukraine, are also committing war crimes in our logic,” he told CNBC’s Hadley Gamble on “Capital Connection” on Tuesday.  Major U.S. and European banks should be prosecuted for “committing war crimes” over their financing of trade wi

  WNU Editor : Another day of heavy fighting in Donbas and in the regions north of Kherson. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/zsYcjXp via IFTTT

  The Hill : Blinken to discuss proposal to free Paul Whelan, Brittney Griner with Russian counterpart  Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the U.S. has made a “substantial proposal” to Russia to secure the release of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner. “We put a substantial proposal on the table weeks ago to facilitate their release,” Blinken said in remarks at the State Department.  “Our governments have communicated repeatedly and directly on that proposal and I’ll use the conversation to follow up personally and I hope move us toward a resolution.”   Read more ....   WNU Editor: Russia wants Viktor Bout .... Russia pitched Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan swap for ‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout (NYPost).  U.S. Proposes A Prisoner Swap With Russia  In rare contact, US offers Russia deal for Griner, Whelan -- AP   U.S. made 'substantial' offer for Brittney Griner prisoner swap with Russia -- USA Today  US offers 'substantial proposal' to br

  Bloomberg : Biden Will Speak With Xi on Thursday as US-China Ties Worsen   (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden will speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday amid fresh tensions over Taiwan, according to people familiar with the matter.  The first conversation between the two presidents since March will take place at a particularly difficult juncture for US-China ties: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s staff and security officials aren’t ruling out plans for her to visit Taiwan in early August.  Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Monday that Beijing was getting “seriously prepared” for the possibility that Pelosi could visit the self-governing island, which China considers part of its territory.   Read more ....  WNU Editor : What caught my attention about this report is that it is the first time in four months that both leaders will be talking to each other. I am old enough to remember when Presidents Obama and Trump talked with the Chinese leader on a reg

A naval fleet comprised of the guided-missile destroyers Ningbo (Hull 139) and Taiyuan (Hull 131), as well as the guided-missile frigate Nantong (Hull 601), steams in astern formation in waters of the East China Sea during a maritime training drill in late January, 2021. Photo:China Military Online   USNI News: Pentagon Official: Chinese Military Actions Against Foreign Ships, Aircraft Are No Accidents — They’re Policy   The increasingly frequent aggressive actions by the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force like “chaffing” an Australian patrol aircraft in international waters and causing a Canadian patrol aircraft to alter its course to avoid a collision off North Korea “look like a pattern and policy” dictated by Beijing rather than random acts by pilots, the Pentagon’s senior official on Indo-Pacific security said Tuesday.  Ely Rattner, speaking at a Center for Strategic and International Studies talk, described these acts as “really new, really worrisome.”  These “unsafe interce

  SCMP: US aircraft carrier group heads towards Taiwan as tension over Nancy Pelosi’s possible visit continues to grow   * The USS Ronald Reagan and its escorts left Singapore on Monday sailing northeast, according to ship tracking information  * The ship's deployment comes after Beijing warned it would 'take strong measures' if the US house speaker visits the island China and the United States are building up their military strength around the Taiwan Strait as tensions rise over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's possible visit to the island.  The American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group, including a guided missile destroyer and a guided missile cruiser, set out from Singapore on Monday heading northeast towards the South China Sea, according to ship-tracking information provided by Beijing-based think tank the South China Sea Strategic Probing Initiative.  The US military has not disclosed its final destination, but the route would bring the

  SKY News: China threatens 'firm and resolute measures' if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan   Mrs Pelosi would be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Taiwan since 1997. She had planned to make the trip in April but tested positive for COVID.  China has threatened "firm and resolute measures" if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi makes her rumoured trip to Taiwan.  Mrs Pelosi had planned to visit the island in April, but the trip was cancelled after she tested positive for coronavirus.  Read more ....   WNU Editor: US House Speaker Pelosi does not want to go alone to Taiwan .... Pelosi inviting members of Congress for Taiwan trip (The Hill).   China Warns Of A Military Response If US House Speaker Pelosi Visits Taiwan  China warns of a possible military response to Pelosi's potential Taiwan trip -- Insider   China's military 'will not sit back' if Pelosi visits Taiwan -- EFE   Pelosi Taiwan visit: Beijing vows consequences

Financial concerns: Naftogaz has warned it may be unable to arrange loans that are required to buy natural gas for underground storage ahead of winter Photo: REUTERS/SCANPIX   Euractiv/Reuters: Ukraine's Naftogaz stumbles into default amid new debt overhaul push   Ukraine’s Naftogaz has become the first Ukrainian government entity to default since the start of the Russian invasion, after the state energy firm said it would not make payments on international bonds before the Tuesday (26 July) expiry of a grace period.  The default may accelerate repayments on the two other Naftogaz bonds, but does not trigger a sovereign cross-default.  The energy company said in a statement that it had failed to get creditors’ support on a proposal to freeze payments on some of its bonds for two years, which it launched on 12 July saying Russia’s invasion meant many of its customers were now unable to pay their bills.  Read more ....   Update: Naftogaz of Ukraine announces default on Euro

  DW: IMF lowers growth forecast, warns of global 'recession'   The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its global growth forecast to 3.2% amid high inflation and the war in Ukraine, and warned the world could be "teetering on the edge of global recession."  In an update to its global growth forecast Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned of risks to the global economy, which if left unchecked, could push the world into a recession.  High inflation and the risks posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine are responsible for placing the global economy in peril, the IMF said, adding that "worst case" scenarios are possible.  In a statement, IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said, "the world may soon be teetering on the edge of a global recession, only two years after the last one."  Gourinchas added that the the current environment suggests that the "likelihood that the US economy can avoid a recession&quo

  WNU Editor : Major advances in the past 24 hours by Russian and DPR forces in the Donbas. It appears that Ukraine has been successful in some battles in the south of the country. One reason why I like following the Military Summary and analysis channel is it compares both Ukrainian and Russian military maps, and he provides evidence on who appears to be right. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/1AcmVwh via IFTTT

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Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 26 July 2022 Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/tudEgSjS5H 🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/ddsfUTa1Gg — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) July 26, 2022 Russia has targeted Ukraine's Black Sea regions of Odesa and Mykolaiv with air strikes, hitting private buildings and port infrastructure along the country's southern coast. https://t.co/IYJI5joxGe — The Associated Press (@AP) July 26, 2022 Russia waging "gas war" against Europe with Nord Stream 1 cuts, says Ukraine president Zelensky https://t.co/RR74aER00Q — BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 26, 2022 Russia's Gazprom said it would again reduce gas deliveries to Germany through Nord Stream 1 by 20%, cutting the current flow in half. https://t.co/NoQe0Qzg3K — DW News (@dwnews) July 26, 2022 #UPDATE Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir

An advertisement for pilots for the PLA Air Force😎 pic.twitter.com/aI9AK2jlzj — 彩云香江 (@louischeung_hk) July 26, 2022 WNU Editor: Definitely no woke messaging in this Chinese Air force promotional video. from War News Updates https://ift.tt/eEZLQIO via IFTTT

🇺🇦💰📉Fitch downgraded Ukraine's long-term rating from "CCC" to "C" - default has begun. pic.twitter.com/4prRmha6yz — AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZmilitary1) July 23, 2022 The National: Fitch downgrades Ukraine as debt restructuring and deferral plans begin   Fitch Ratings lowered Ukraine's credit score after the war-torn nation started the formal process of restructuring $22.8 billion in sovereign debt and deferring payments on external bonds. The country's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating was lowered to C from CCC — only one step before default — the New York-based agency said on Friday. The protracted war is delivering "severe stresses" to Ukraine's macroeconomy, financial position and public and external finances, it added.   Read more ....   WNU Editor : Ukraine is just one step away from going into default. But I am willing to bet that Western governments are going to step in to make sure this will not happen. from

"We are not ready for the negotiations that we need." - @ericschmidt #AspenSecurity pic.twitter.com/As749t6ZyU — Aspen Security Forum (@AspenSecurity) July 22, 2022 VICE: Eric Schmidt Thinks AI Is as Powerful as Nukes   An AI deterrence regime would necessitate an AI Hiroshima.  Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt compared AI to nuclear weapons and called for a deterrence regime similar to the mutually-assured destruction that keeps the world’s most powerful countries from destroying each other.  Schmidt talked about the dangers of AI at the Aspen Security Forum at a panel on national security and artificial intelligence on July 22. While fielding a question about the value of morality in tech, Schmidt explained that he, himself, had been naive about the power of information in the early days of Google. He then called for tech to be better in line with the ethics and morals of the people it serves and made a bizarre comparison between AI and nuclear weapons.   Read mor

"We are not ready for the negotiations that we need." - @ericschmidt #AspenSecurity pic.twitter.com/As749t6ZyU — Aspen Security Forum (@AspenSecurity) July 22, 2022 VICE: Eric Schmidt Thinks AI Is as Powerful as Nukes   An AI deterrence regime would necessitate an AI Hiroshima.  Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt compared AI to nuclear weapons and called for a deterrence regime similar to the mutually-assured destruction that keeps the world’s most powerful countries from destroying each other.  Schmidt talked about the dangers of AI at the Aspen Security Forum at a panel on national security and artificial intelligence on July 22. While fielding a question about the value of morality in tech, Schmidt explained that he, himself, had been naive about the power of information in the early days of Google. He then called for tech to be better in line with the ethics and morals of the people it serves and made a bizarre comparison between AI and nuclear weapons.   Read mor

Autonomous armed drones have reportedly been used in the current Ukraine-Russia war   DW: 'Killer robots': Will they be banned?   A United Nations panel in Geneva remains split on whether to ban autonomous weapons, which don't need a human to pull the trigger. The war in Ukraine is complicating the conversation.  These aren't the drones that deliver your online order. Loaded with cameras, sensors, and explosives, their mission is to drive themselves to a target with an algorithm in the driver's seat. They destroy themselves along with the target, leaving behind just a pile of electronic detritus.  Increasingly, these sorts of weapons are the stuff of a manufacturer's promotional materials rather than science fiction movies. From today, a United Nations conference of 80 countries gathers in Geneva to debate whether to ban them or at least regulate them more strictly.   Read more ....   WNU Editor: Not going to happen .... US rejects calls for regulating

Smoke rises from a vessel off the coast of the Gaza Strip, after the Israeli Navy opens fire at it, amid an alleged smuggling attempt. (Social media)   FOX News: Israeli Navy sinks Palestinian vessel allegedly smuggling 'equipment' to Hamas   Two Palestinian crew members swam ashore after Israeli Navy sank their vessel   The Israeli Navy sank a Palestinian fishing vessel allegedly smuggling "equipment" to Hamas terrorists in Gaza on Sunday.  The vessel reportedly ignored multiple hails and commands to stop from Israeli vessels. The two Palestinians aboard the boat swam ashore before it sank, according to The Times of Israel.  "Navy soldiers called via loudspeakers to the vessel, and when it did not respond to the calls, the soldiers fired in accordance with the open-fire policy," the Israel Defense Forces told the Times.   Read more ....   Update #1: Navy sinks boat attempting to smuggle ‘equipment’ to Hamas from Egypt, IDF says (Times of Israel