In case of provocation from the North, South Korea warns of retaliation
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered the military on Wednesday to retaliate immediately and severely in the event of any provocation by North Korea.
His order comes amid concerns that North Korea may conduct its first nuclear test in five years.
Yoon, who took office in May, chaired his first meeting with top military commanders and called for strong capabilities to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. North Korea has conducted missile tests at an unprecedented rate this year and is believed to be preparing for its seventh nuclear test.
The reclusive communist state has tested dozens of missiles in recent months, including an intercontinental ballistic missile.
On the other hand, the UN bans North Korea from ballistic and nuclear weapons tests and has imposed strict sanctions after previous tests.
Boris Johnson is fighting for "political survival" after ministers resign
Although only a few weeks have passed after surviving a motion of no confidence in the British Parliament, Prime Minister Johnson is facing a new political challenge. Two of his main ministers have resigned this week, thus straining the entire government.
Rishi Sunak, the Finance Minister, said he could not work with a government mired in scandal, while Sajid Javid, the Health Minister, said the Prime Minister had lost his confidence. Both announced their resignations one after the other, 10 minutes apart.
Their decision came shortly after Boris Johnson admitted that it was a mistake to appoint MP Chris Pincher, deputy leader of the parliamentary group, to a government post. Pincher was suspended as a Conservative MP last week accused of sexual misconduct. The British Prime Minister said in an interview for the BBC, that "I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no place in this government for anyone who is predatory or who abuses his position."
Covid-19 returns strongly in France: Over 200 thousand infected per day
Positive cases with Covid-19 have increased significantly, especially in France, when the number reached its peak on Tuesday, with over 200,000 infected within 24 hours. Across the country, pharmacies have found it almost impossible to afford to carry out the tests, with Lyon being the most affected city.
Autoritetet franceze u kanë kujtuar qytetarëve rëndësinë që të mbajnë maska, sidomos në vende të populluara dhe në transportin publik.
Rastet pozitive kanë arritur pikun edhe në Gjermani, me thuajse 150 mijë në ditë, një shifër kjo pak më e ulët se ajo e regjistruar të dielën në Britani, 154 mijë e 557. Ndërsa në Itali rastet e reja kanë qenë 132 mijë e 274 në 24 orët e fundit.
Greva e punonjësve mbyll fushat e gazit në Norvegji: Europa në krizë energjitike
Tronditja energjitike e Europës u përshkallëzua edhe më gjatë kësaj jave, pasi punëtorët norvegjezë të naftës dhe gazit hynë në grevë, duke mbyllur tre fusha në Detin e Veriut. Diçka e tillë shkaktoi një rritje të menjëhershme të çmimeve të gazit natyror.
Kompania shtetërore norvegjeze e energjisë tha se kishte mbyllur fushat pasi disa nga punonjësit e saj dolën në grevë pas një mosmarrëveshje pagash. Norvegjia ishte burimi i dytë më i madh i gazit natyror në Europë vitin e kaluar, pas Rusisë, sipas të dhënave të Eurostat dhe ndërprerja vjen në një moment kritik për rajonin.
Çdo rënie e vazhdueshme e prodhimit të Norvegjisë mund t’i japë një goditje të madhe përpjekjeve për të rimbushur rezervat e gazit përpara dimrit, si dhe të rrisë rrezikun e një mungese të energjisë.
Germany, the region's largest economy, has already declared a "gas crisis" and warned that it cannot rule out the introduction of rationing to get through the winter. News of the strike sent natural gas prices up 5% to 172 euros per megawatt hour, according to data from the Intercontinental Exchange. This is the highest price since early March in the days following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Norwegian workers will strike again, which will result in the shutdown of three more fields, Equinor said. These fields produce the equivalent of about 330,000 barrels of oil per day, of which almost 80% is natural gas.
Source: BBC, CNN
