International
North Korea makes a seemingly failed launch of a missile into the Sea of Japan
North Korea fired as a test an unidentified ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan (called the East Sea in the two Koreas) that apparently failed, according to the South Korean Army, in what is the first launch of its kind since last May 30.
“Around 05.30 (Tuesday’s 20.30 GMT) today, Wednesday, June 26, North Korea launched an unknown type ballistic missile from the Pyongyang area to the East Sea, but it is believed that it failed,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.
The intelligence authorities of the Republic of Korea (official name of South Korea) and the United States are carrying out more analysis,” the text adds.
A military source cited by the Yonhap agency indicated that the projectile launched was apparently a hypersonic missile that only managed to travel about 250 kilometers before falling into the water.
In turn, the Japanese authorities have pointed out that the projectile would have fallen outside the Japanese exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the waters of the Sea of Japan.
The launch comes after the day before Pyongyang sent another wave of balloons with waste to the South for the second consecutive day – and for the fifth time in the last month – in retaliation for the sending, in a northerly direction, of propaganda against the regime made days earlier by a group of activists from the South.
In addition, on Monday the North Korean regime charged against the arrival at the South Korean port of Busan of the American aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, with nuclear propulsion, a gesture that is interpreted as a show of strength after the summit held last week in Pyongyang between the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un and the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
The South Korean president himself, Yoon Suk-yeol, visited the aircraft carrier, which today plans to start trilateral maneuvers with the South Korean and Japanese armies.
Pyongyang threatened to take “new and overwhelming” measures in response to that “provocative act,” in a statement by the North Korean Deputy Minister of Defense, Kim Kang-il, picked up by the state agency KCNA.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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