Taiwan deploys US-made HIMARS in drills amid China tensions
Taiwan has started using US-supplied HIMARS rocket systems in its annual Han Kuang drills, aimed at strengthening defense against possible Chinese attacks, Al Jazeera reported.
On Saturday, HIMARS units were seen near Taichung during the fourth day of the 10-day exercise. Military officials said the systems must remain hidden from enemy surveillance until ready to fire.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own, dismissed the drills as a “bluff” and repeated its strong opposition to US-Taiwan military ties. Taiwanese President William Lai defended the drills as realistic and essential for defense, according to Al Jazeera.
Four dead, twenty missing after migrant boat capsizes near Dominican Republic
Four people have died and around twenty are missing after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of the Dominican Republic, authorities said. The vessel, carrying about 40 people — mostly Haitians and Dominicans — was bound for Puerto Rico, a US territory, according to Al Jazeera.
Seventeen survivors, including a child, were rescued. The boat, a fragile “yola” made of wood or fibreglass, did not meet safety standards.
Many from the Dominican Republic and neighbouring Haiti continue risking their lives on such journeys, paying up to $7,000 in hopes of reaching a better life. The dangerous route to Puerto Rico has become increasingly common in recent years, Al Jazeera reported.
Russia attacks west Ukraine with drones and missiles, kills two
Russia launched a major aerial assault on Ukraine on Saturday, firing 597 drones and 26 missiles in its fourth large-scale attack this month. Strikes hit cities nationwide, killing two and injuring 20 in Chernivtsi, a western city near the Romanian border, Reuters reported.
Ukraine’s air force downed 25 missiles and 319 drones, jamming 258 others. Ukrainian President Zelensky urged stronger sanctions and more air defence, saying the war can only be stopped by force.
Western cities—Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi—suffered the most damage. Lviv, near Poland, and Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine, saw homes, businesses, and public buildings hit. The UN said June saw the highest civilian toll in three years, according to Reuters.
Preliminary report reveals engine shutdown before Air India crash
A preliminary investigation into last month’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad has revealed that both of the aircraft’s fuel control switches were in the cut-off position just moments before the fatal impact, effectively shutting down the engines.
The report, which contains cockpit voice recordings, describes misunderstanding between the two pilots in the closing seconds. One pilot is heard questioning another why the fuel switches were turned off. The second pilot denies doing so. According to aviation experts, it is highly unlikely that both switches were accidentally activated at the same time, creating more doubts about the sequence of events, BBC reported.
The crash resulted in the deaths of at least 260 passengers and crew. The only survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, reportedly escaped the wreckage through a breach in the fuselage.
Air India has stated that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, while aircraft manufacturer Boeing expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The incident remains under active inquiry, according to BBC.
