Kim Jong Un oversees weapons tests on new warship
SEOUL, July 5: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw weapons tests aboard the newly repaired 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon, including a nuclear-capable cruise missile, main guns, automatic cannons, and electronic warfare systems, according to state media. The tests were conducted on Friday and observed from shore, after which Kim ordered the vessel to complete trials and enter active service within two months. The ship had been damaged during a failed launch ceremony last year before being repaired and relaunched in June. The latest tests come amid North Korea’s accelerated push to expand its naval capabilities, including nuclear-armed warships and submarines. Kim has recently prioritised naval modernization as part of broader military goals, following the commissioning of another destroyer, the Choe Hyon. Analysts say North Korea’s warship program may be advancing with Russian support, though questions remain about operational effectiveness. (AP)
China frees pastor weeks after Trump appeal
WASHINGTON, July 5: A pastor of the underground Zion Church in China, Ezra Jin Mingri, has been released from detention and arrived in Los Angeles, where he reunited with his family, according to rights advocates. Jin was detained in October along with 17 other church leaders in one of the largest crackdowns on a single church in decades, raising concerns over religious freedom in China. His release came less than two months after US President Donald Trump raised his case during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, urging his release. Xi reportedly said the matter would be seriously considered. Advocacy groups and lawmakers confirmed Jin’s release and shared images of him reuniting with his daughter, marking a notable outcome in a high-profile diplomatic intervention. (AP)
Portugal wildfire rages as Greece warns of toxic smoke
ATHENS, July 5: Hundreds of firefighters battled wildfires across Portugal and Greece on Sunday, with Spain and Italy sending reinforcements to assist Portugal as a major blaze continued for a fourth day. In Portugal’s Vouzela region, more than 1,200 firefighters, supported by nearly 400 vehicles and 15 aircraft, were deployed to contain a fire that has burned about 12,000 hectares since Thursday, according to EU Copernicus data. Spain sent 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles, while Italy and Spain also provided aircraft support. In Greece, authorities warned residents in parts of Thessaloniki to stay indoors due to toxic smoke after a wildfire engulfed a recycling plant near Oraiokastro. Around 160 firefighters responded, with evacuations ordered in nearby suburbs. Several buildings were damaged, and a 76-year-old man was arrested for allegedly causing the blaze through negligence. Officials noted that most Greek wildfires stem from human error, as the country continues to face frequent summer fire outbreaks worsened by climate conditions. (AP)
