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Friday, 23 April 2021 5:05 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 23 April 2021 5:05 PM ]

Kenneth McKenzie, Head of US Central Command

Iran military power

Head of US Central Command, Kenneth McKenzie says Iran possesses one of the most capable militaries in the Middle East. McKenzie was addressing the US Senate Armed Services Committee. He said Iran’s offensive capabilities include nearly short-and long-range ballistic missiles as well as an array of land-attack cruise missiles. The top general said Iran’s ballistic missile force is the most formidable in the region. On Tuesday, McKenzie testified before the US House Armed Services Committee. He said Iran’s widespread use of small and medium-sized drones means the US is operating without complete air superiority for the first time since the Korean war. Iran has time and again stated that its military capabilities are merely defensive and are designed to deter foreign threats.

India surging coronavirus

India has set a global record for daily coronavirus infections for a second straight day as the new wave of the pandemic stretches the country’s health system. Officials registered more than 332,000 new infections, pushing the country total caseload to over 16 million. New daily deaths also jumped by a record of nearly 2,300 to almost 187,000. The virus surge has put India’s healthcare system into crisis with shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. Hospitals in the capital, New Delhi, have also issued desperate appeals for oxygen. The shortage has also forced major hospitals to reject patients and deploy police to secure oxygen supplies. The ailing healthcare system has also witnessed several accidents in recent days, including a deadly fire at a Mumbai hospital.

Showdown with Russia

Three NATO and EU member states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have expelled four Russian diplomats in solidarity with the Czech Republic. Lithuania's foreign affairs minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said those expelled had used diplomatic cover for spying and declared them personae non gratae. The other two Baltic States each ordered one Russian diplomat to leave. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Prague and Moscow after the Czech Republic accused the Russian intelligence of its involvement in a 20-14 explosion on its soil. Despite Moscow’s denial of allegation, Prague now expelled 18 Russian diplomats over espionage. Moscow retaliated by ordering 20 Czech diplomats to leave. Prague has demanded further evictions in response. The US, the UK, NATO and the EU have all expressed support for the Czech Republic in the row.

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