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world news Diamars 9 augustus 2022

China extends threatening military exercises around Taiwan

(AP) — China said Mon- has defined as China’s “core
day it is extending threat- interests” — including Tai-
ening military exercises wan, territorial claims in the
surrounding Taiwan that South China Sea and historic
have disrupted shipping adversary Japan — are key to
and air traffic and sub- maintaining his nationalist
stantially raised concerns credentials.
about the potential for
conflict in a region crucial The military has said the
to global trade. exercises, involving missile
strikes, warplanes and ship
The announcement fur- movements crossing the
ther increases uncertainty midline of the Taiwan Strait
in the crisis that developed dividing the sides, are a re-
last week with U.S. House sponse to Pelosi’s visit.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit
to Taiwan. China has ignored calls to
calm the tensions, and there
The exercises will include was no immediate indication
anti-submarine drills, appar- of when it would end what
ently targeting U.S. support amounts to a blockade.
for Taiwan in the event of a flict with the United States Thursday, in response to the
potential Chinese invasion, On Monday, Chinese For- China’s slowing economic and its allies, including Japan Chinese exercises.
according to social media eign Ministry spokesperson growth, which has reduced and Australia.
posts from the eastern leader- Wang Wenbin said China options among migrant The drills will include snip-
ship of China’s ruling Com- would “firmly safeguard workers as well as college Taiwan’s defense ministry ers, combat vehicles, ar-
munist Party’s military arm, China’s sovereignty and ter- graduates, has raised the said Sunday it detected a total mored vehicles as well as
the People’s Liberation Army. ritorial integrity, resolutely specter of social unrest. The of 66 aircraft and 14 warships attack helicopters, said the
deter the U.S. from contain- party has maintained its pow- conducting the naval and air report, which cited an anony-
China claims Taiwan as its ing China with the Taiwan er through total control of the exercises. The island has re- mous source.
own territory and its leader, issue and resolutely shatter press and social media, along sponded by putting its mili-
Xi Jinping, has focused on the Taiwan authorities’ illu- with suppression of politi- tary on alert and deploying Taiwan President Tsai Ing-
bringing the self-governing sion of “relying on the U.S. cal opponents, independent ships, planes and other assets wen has called on the inter-
island democracy under the for independence.” lawyers and activists working to monitor Chinese aircraft, national community to “sup-
mainland’s control, by force on issues from online free ships and drones that are port democratic Taiwan” and
if necessary. The two sides Asked in Dover, Delaware, speech to LGBTQ rights. “simulating attacks on the is- “halt any escalation of the
split in 1949 after a civil war, on Monday about China’s land of Taiwan and our ships regional security situation.”
but Beijing considers visits to response to Pelosi’s visit, China doesn’t allow public at sea.” The Group of Seven indus-
Taiwan by foreign officials as U.S. President Joe Biden opinion polls, and popu- trialized nations has also
recognizing its sovereignty. said: “I’m not worried, but lar opinion is hard to judge. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s offi- criticized China’s actions,
I’m concerned they’re mov- However, it generally skews cial Central News Agency prompting Beijing to cancel
Xi is seeking a third term as ing as much as they are. But in favor of the government reported that Taiwan’s army a meeting between Foreign
Communist Party leader lat- I don’t think they’re going to and its efforts to restore Chi- will conduct live-fire artil- Minister Wang Yi and his
er this year. His control over do anything more than they na’s former dominant role in lery drills in southern Ping- Japanese counterpart, Yoshi-
the armed forces and what he are.” the region that puts it in con- tung county on Tuesday and masa Hayashi.

France in midst of 4th heat wave amid historic drought

(AP) — France was in the as the country faces what cord. Meteo France said the heat recorded, according to the
midst of its fourth heat the government warned wave began in the south and government. Last month was
wave of the year Monday is its worst drought on re- National weather agency is expected to spread across the driest July since measure-
the country and last until the ments began in 1959.
weekend.
Some French farmers have
Overall, the southern half of started to see a drops in pro-
France expects daytime tem- duction especially in soy,
peratures of up to 40 degrees sunflower and corn yields.
Celsius (104 degrees Fahren-
heit) ad won’t drop at night Water restrictions in place
below 20 C (68 F). range from daytime irriga-
tion bans to limiting water
The high temperatures aren’t usage to people, livestock and
helping firefighters battling to keep aquatic species alive.
a wildfire in the Chartreuse
Mountains near the Alps in The government said last
eastern France, where au- week that more than 100
thorities have evacuated municipalities can’t provide
around 140 people. drinking water through taps
and need water truck sup-
Meteo France said this plies.
week’s heat wave will not
be as intense as the one last The heat also forced energy
month, when several regions giant EDF to temporarily cut
experienced record-breaking power generation at some of
temperatures. But the high its nuclear plants, which use
temperatures come during river water to cool reactors.
the most severe drought ever