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DPRK missile launch

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has reportedly fired multiple cruise missiles off its west coast, the latest in a string of such launches by Pyongyang. According to the South Korean military, an unspecified number of cruise missiles were launched toward the Yellow Sea. Seoul said the specifications of the missiles are being evaluated. The South says it has stepped up surveillance while maintaining its utmost readiness in coordination with the United States. The launches come three days after the DPRK fired a pair of short-range ballistic missiles as part of what it called a tactical nuclear strike drill. Pyongyang said the launches were in response to US-South Korean military exercises. Pyongyang views such war games as a rehearsal for invasion while Washington and Seoul claim they are defensive in nature. 

Russia-Ukraine war

Russia says it has thwarted a Ukrainian naval drone strike on a bridge linking the Russian mainland to the Crimean Peninsula. The Russian Defense Ministry said, three semi-submersible unmanned boats were destroyed in the Black Sea. The ministry added that they had been sent by Ukraine to target the Crimean Bridge. Russia has witnessed nearly a dozen sea drone attacks by Ukraine in the Black Sea since the start of the year. Drone attacks, in general, have become an inseparable part of the Russia-Ukraine war, as both sides carry out such strikes against each other. On Friday, Moscow announced that it had shot down around 280 Ukrainian UAVs in the past week. 

Niger anti-French protest

Anti-French sentiment is growing in Niger as Paris insists on supporting the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. Thousands of protesters have gathered outside a French military base in Niamey to demand the departure of the French soldiers. People rallied outside the French base wearing and waving the country’s flag. They expressed their full support for the country’s military government that seized power in July. Protesters demanded that western countries, especially France, respect their choice of government. Meanwhile, the French President said his country does not recognize the military government in Niger. Emmanuel Macron added that he is regularly in contact with Niger’s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. However the Nigerien Junta says Macron’s comments constitute further blatant interference in the African country’s domestic affairs. France has around 1,500 troops in Niger, many of them stationed at an airbase near the capital Niamey.

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