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Iran, China and Russia hold joint naval drill in Indian Ocean

Iran, China and Russia have launched a joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean, with the aim of boosting marine security…reports Asian Lite News

Iran’s state TV said that 11 of its vessels have been joined by three Russian ships, including a destroyer, and two Chinese vessels.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard will also participate with smaller ships and helicopters.

The military exercise comes at a time of heightened tension between Russia and the West over Moscow’s build-up of some 100,000 troops on its border with Ukraine.

Russia is also being joined by China and Iran — two nations which are at loggerheads with the West, with Beijing recently accused of sending a spy to the heart of the UK Parliament — the report said.

The joint naval exercise will cover some 6,560 square miles (17,000 square kilometres) in the Indian Ocean’s north, and include night fighting, rescue operations and firefighting drills.

ALSO READ: Raisi: Iran seeks “maximum interaction” with all countries

“The purpose of this exercise is to strengthen security and its foundations in the region, and to expand multilateral cooperation between the three countries to jointly support world peace, maritime security and create a maritime community with a common future,” Iran’s Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajoldini, spokesman for the drills, told Iranian state TV.

This is the third joint naval drill between the countries since 2019. It coincided with a recent visit by Iran’s hardline President Ebrahim Raisi to Russia.

“Improving bilateral relations between Tehran and Moscow will enhance security for the region and the international arena,” Raisi said upon returning from Russia on Friday, the official IRNA news agency reported.

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Mandate of UN peacekeeping mission in CAR renewed

Mandate of UN peacekeeping mission in CAR renewed

The Security Council has adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) for another 12 months, till November 15, 2022…reports Asian Lite News

Resolution 2605 also decides that the peacekeeping mission, known by its French acronym as MINUSCA, shall maintain its current personnel level — 14,400 troops and 3,020 police officers, reports Xinhua news agency.

The resolution won the approval of 13 of the 15 Security Council members.

Mandate of UN peacekeeping mission in CAR renewed

China and Russia abstained on the basis that the CAR government’s views were not sufficiently reflected in the draft.

Resolution 2605 decides that MINUSCA’s mandate is designed to advance a multi-year strategic vision to create the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to national reconciliation and durable peace through the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation and the elimination of the threat posed by armed groups through a comprehensive approach and proactive and robust posture without prejudice to the basic principles of peacekeeping.

The resolution authorizes MINUSCA to take all necessary means to carry out its mandate within its capabilities and areas of deployment.

The resolution sets as priority tasks of MINUSCA the protection of civilians; good offices and support to the CAR peace process; facilitation of the immediate, full, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance; and the protection of UN personnel, installations, equipment and goods, as well as the security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel.

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The peacekeeping mission is also tasked to promote and protect human rights in the CAR; to provide support for the extension of state authority, the deployment of security forces, and the preservation of territorial integrity.

MINUSCA is also authorised to help with security sector reform; the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of members of armed groups, and repatriation in the case of foreign elements; national and international justice, the fight against impunity, and the rule of law.

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Briton arrested in Germany for alleged spying for Russia

The German Foreign Ministry said it is taking the case “very seriously”, according to the report…reports Asian Lite News.

A British man, who works at the Embassy in Berlin, was arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia, according to media reports.

The accused – named only as David S – allegedly passed documents to Russian intelligence “at least once” in exchange for an “unknown amount” of money, the BBC reported.

The arrest was made in Potsdam outside Berlin on Tuesday and his home and workplace have been searched.

The German Foreign Ministry said it is taking the case “very seriously”, according to the report.

“Spying on a close ally on German soil is absolutely unacceptable and we are in full solidarity with our British friends,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas was quoted as saying.

According to a statement, the arrest was the result of a joint UK-German investigation.

The BBC reported that MI5 and other UK agencies, as well as British police, had been working with the Germans to learn as much as they could about the alleged activity.

London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of a 57-year-old British national in Germany, as well as the involvement of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

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EU extends sanctions against Russia for 6 months

EU’s economic sanctions against Russia had been first introduced on July 31, 2014 in response to Russia’s incorporation of the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 following a local referendum…reports Asian Lite News.

The Council of the European Union (EU) has announced its decision to prolong sanctions against Russia by an additional six months over delays to implement agreements.

The Council said in a statement on Monday that EU leaders unanimously decided to roll over the economic sanctions in place against Russia over its failure to fully implement the Minsk agreements on the settlement of the Donbas conflict, reports Xinhua news agency.

Vladimir-Putin-

During the European Council meeting in late June, leaders of the EU member states had called on Russia to fully assume its responsibility in ensuring the full implementation of the agreement as the key condition for any substantial change in the bloc’s stance.

EU’s economic sanctions against Russia had been first introduced on July 31, 2014 in response to Russia’s incorporation of the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 following a local referendum.

But Kiev and Western countries reject the results of the referendum.

The sanctions were reinforced in September that year and in March 2015, the European Council agreed to link their duration to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dahiiR97dVA

The sanctions limit access to EU primary and secondary capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies and prohibit forms of financial assistance and brokering towards Russian financial institutions.

The measures also prohibit the direct or indirect import, export or transfer of all defence-related material and establish a ban for dual-use goods for military use or military-end users in Russia.

The sanctions further curtail Russian access to certain sensitive technologies that can be used in the Russian energy sector, for instance in oil production and exploration.

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Russian warships in Black Sea amid Ukraine tension

Russian Defence Ministry declared that certain sea areas in Crimea would be closed off for months because of the manoeuvres, reports Asian Lite News

Amid renewed tension in eastern Ukraine, Russia has sent 15 warships to the Black Sea for a manoeuvre, which passed through the Kerch Strait on the Crimean Peninsula on Saturday, the Navy said.

It was not initially said how long the exercises would last, dpa news agency reported.

The US had previously cancelled the deployment of two warships to the Black Sea following complaints from Russia.

Also Read – Moscow warns against Ukraine’s NATO membership

On Friday, the Russian Defence Ministry declared that certain sea areas in Crimea would be closed off for months because of the manoeuvres.

However, shipping in the strait was not affected, it said.

The European Union, NATO and Ukraine criticised Russia’s actions.

In response, a senior EU official said it was an “extremely worrying development”.

Ukrainian border patrol troops guard the country’s border to Hungary. Moscow is warning countries not to supply weapons to Kiev, amid an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. (Photo: -/Ukrinform/dpa/IANS)

International concern is growing about an escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine because of Russian troop deployments not far from the Ukrainian border.

Meanwhile, the head of Ukraine’s military operation, Sergei Nayev, indicated that he does not expect a new war.

“We don’t see any attack preparations there,” he told Ukrainian television on Friday night.

“In fact, field hospitals have been set up.” All units are in camps, on firing ranges, he said.

Also Read – US imposes new sanctions on Russia

“In military language, we are talking about a show of force.”

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian diplomat has been arrested in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

He had obtained classified documents, the domestic intelligence service FSB announced, which is not compatible with the status of a diplomat.

Also Read – Russia upset over US, UK missile deployment