Russia and Belarus to hold joint military exercises in September
Russia and Belarus will hold joint military exercises in Belarus from September 12 to 16 to test their readiness and protect their Union State alliance, according to Reuters.
Ukrainian President Zelensky earlier warned of possible Russian moves in Belarus, though without evidence. Belarusian President Lukashenko moved the drills away from western borders to ease regional tensions and called claims of aggression “nonsense.”
Belarus sees NATO’s response, including planned exercises in Poland, as unnecessary militarization. Tensions remain high after Russia used Belarusian land for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.
Myanmar security forces involved in systematic torture, UN report says
UN investigators have found evidence of systematic torture by Myanmar’s security forces, including beatings, electric shocks, and strangulation, sometimes resulting in death. Children detained in place of parents were also tortured. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) identified some senior perpetrators based on over 1,300 sources, Reuters reported.
The report also notes summary executions by both security forces and opposition groups. Myanmar’s military government denies the allegations and has not cooperated with UN inquiries. Since the 2021 coup, the country remains in conflict with thousands detained. The IIMM warns budget cuts threaten its ongoing investigations and justice efforts.
South Africa to offer US a revised trade deal on Tuesday
South Africa will submit a revised trade deal offer to the US on Tuesday to reduce the 30 percent tariffs imposed by President Trump. Trade Minister Parks Tau said the new proposal addresses US concerns, including sanitary issues, with US poultry and pork shipments expected soon, Reuters reported.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen called the offer generous and beneficial for both countries but warned tariffs could remain unless South Africa changes certain race-related policies criticized by Trump.
Cargo plane's engine catches fire in Chennai
A cargo plane experienced an engine fire on Tuesday while landing in Chennai. The aircraft, arriving from Kuala Lumpur, was safely brought down, and the fire on its fourth engine was promptly extinguished by fire tenders. No injuries were reported, according to Firstpost.
Separately, a passenger plane caught fire after an accident at Kalispell City Airport in Montana on Monday. The pilot and three passengers survived, with only two sustaining minor injuries.
In related news, Air India announced the suspension of Delhi-Washington DC flights due to a temporary fleet shortage amid retrofitting of Boeing 787-8 aircraft and operational challenges caused by continued closure of Pakistani airspace, Firstpost reported.
