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German Defence Minister: Build defences but avoid Putin's "escalation trap"
Germany's defence minister has said that it must improve its antidrone defences. However, he warned against an impulsive response to Russian airspace incursions as this could lead the country into "Putin’s escalationtrap". Boris Pistorius made his remarks in a Handelsblatt interview after drone sightings caused dozens of flights to be cancelled and over 10,000 passengers to be stranded at the Munich Airport this weekend. The authorities have not yet assigned blame but they have stated that Russia is responsible for the recent incursions of aircraft and sightings of these aircraft in Ukraine's European Allies airspace. "Putin is very familiar with Germany," Pistorius, who worked as a KGB agent for the Soviet Union in East Germany during the 1980s, said. "We must not fall into Putin's trap of escalation," he said. He told Handelsblatt that if we shot down an aeroplane, he'd claim it was a pilot error. The role of the state in defence companies He said that Germany must take a comprehensive view of all threats and not just drone incursions in order to make connections between events which may seem unrelated. He said: "Say that there are many forest fires in multiple regions or power outages at the same time." "All data relevant for assessing Germany’s security situation should flow into a single location." Germany should take a similar approach to France and actively manage important defense companies. He said that "firms with key technology need to be preserved." "I'm convinced that we need state shares: to keep jobs and know-how in Germany." FCAS DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE SOON Pistorius also warned that without a clear commitment by all three governments to the joint Franco-German-Spanish warplane project FCAS, Germany would withdraw. He said: "I will talk to my counterparts once there is a French Government." "The Chancellor is in complete agreement with me that a decision must be made by the end the year... We will cut the cord if we don't." He warned Washington about rumours that its F-35 aircraft would have a "kill button" to control the way customers use it. He said: "If such limitations existed - which they do not - U.S. Industry would look unreliable and no one would buy from them." (Reporting and Editing by Ros Russel)
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Russia launches drones and missiles at western Ukraine. Poland scrambles its aircraft
NATO member Poland scrambled its aircraft early Sunday morning to ensure the safety of the air after Russia launched airstrikes against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported missiles and drones falling on the Lviv area near the Polish border. In a recent post, Poland's operational control said that "Polish aircraft and allied aircraft operate in our airspace while ground-based radar reconnaissance and air defence systems have been brought up to the highest level of readiness." After Poland shot down suspected Russian aircraft in its airspace, in September, eastern-flank NATO member countries are on high alert. Drone sightings and air incursions have caused chaos in European aviation, including in Copenhagen, Munich and elsewhere. Lithuania's Vilnius airport was closed overnight for several hours after reports that a series of balloons may have been heading toward the airport on Saturday evening. Flightradar24 reports that early Sunday morning, commercial flights used routes typically used during the closure of Poland's Lublin airport and Rzeszow near the Ukrainian border. Flightradar24's report could not be independently verified. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration website did not immediately post any notices about possible disruptions to flights in Rzeszow or Lublin. Eurocontrol, the European air traffic controller, has warned that delays are likely to be high in airspace controlled by Poland because of the "Ukraine Situation". All of Ukraine is under threat Ukraine's Air Force warned that all of the country is under threat from new Russian missiles at 0300 GMT. This follows hours of warnings about drones and missiles, as well as air raid alerts. Andriy Sadovyi is the mayor of Lviv, a city in western Ukraine about 70 km from the Polish border. He said that missiles were heading towards the city, after the air defence systems had already been heavily engaged to repel a Russian drone strike. Witnesses reported hearing the sound of air defence systems operating from all directions. Russia has not yet commented on the potential damage. Both sides have launched air attacks to destroy infrastructure that is deemed vital to the war effort, such as energy and transport facilities. Reporting by Lidia Kelley in Melbourne and Andriy Parun in Lviv, editing by Jamie Freed
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Vilnius Airport suspends all traffic due to possible balloons in the airspace
Lithuania suspended air traffic on Vilnius Airport because balloons may have flown in its airspace. Flights were diverted to other countries, said the airport operator late Saturday. In recent weeks, drone sightings have caused havoc in European aviation. This has happened at airports such as Copenhagen and Munich. "Attention: the airspace above Vilnius Airport has been closed," the airport stated in a website statement. The closure is expected to last up until 2:30 am local time (2330 GMT). Flights diverted to Poland and Latvia The airport website and airline announcements are the best places to check for updates, according to the statement. According to our information the decision was taken due to an alleged series of balloons headed toward Vilnius Airport. Flights have been impacted as a result," the airport announced on social media. The operator reported that most incoming flights had been redirected towards neighbouring Latvia and Poland while departures had been cancelled. One flight from Copenhagen was diverted to Denmark. In August, NATO member Lithuania said that it had declared an 90-km-long (56-mile-long) no-fly-zone parallel to its border with Belarus in response to drones coming from there. This would allow the armed forces of Lithuania to respond to violations. Lithuania, which is a staunch supporter of Ukraine shares a border of 679 km (422 miles) with Belarus, an ally of Russia. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is located about 30 km away from the border. Reporting by Nerijus Adomiaitis in Oslo and Terje Solsvik Editing by Matthew Lewis, Rod Nickel
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China cancels some flights when Typhoon Matmo approaches Hainan during high holiday travel
Chinese authorities have cancelled flights and ferries on Hainan Saturday night, before Typhoon Matmo strikes the province in the south. This is likely to disrupt a busy holiday travel season for the island resort. The official Xinhua agency reported that all flights from and to the international airport of the provincial capital Haikou are expected to be canceled at 11 p.m. Sanya's Maritime Safety Bureau, the resort city of Hainan, has also announced that all tourist ferries and ships will be banned in its jurisdiction as of 6 p.m. Sunday is expected to be a landfall day Matmo is expected to land around noon Sunday, after it has approached east of Hainan. Its maximum wind speed will be between 42 and 48 meters per second. Haikou will stop all schooling, work, and transport on Sunday afternoon, Xinhua reported, while Zhanjiang, a port city in Guangdong, is also planning to do this. Xinhua reported on Wednesday that during the eight-day holiday, which begins with China's National Day, on October 1, the average daily trip is expected to increase by 3.2% compared to the same period in the previous year. According to Hainan official social media, Haikou planned more than 150 cultural events, including sports competitions, and Sanya planned 170 arts and tourism activities during the holiday season. Citing meteorological experts, the state media CCTV asked the public to be vigilant, as Matmo would have a severe impact on tourism and transport during a busy travel period. At noon, the Hong Kong Observatory upgraded its Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal to Strong Wind No. 3 and said it would assess whether higher signals are needed later on Saturday. The Hong Kong Observatory raised its tropical cyclone warning signal to Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 12 noon and said that it would evaluate the need for higher signs later on Saturday. The observatory reported on Friday that the financial hub had issued 12 tropical-cyclone warnings this year. This is the highest number since 1946. Clare Jim is the reporter. (Editing by William Mallard, Mark Potter and Clare Jim)
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Russian strikes passenger train in Ukraine injuring dozens
Officials said that a Russian drone struck a passenger train in a station at the northern Sumy region of Ukraine, injuring several dozen people. "A brutal Russian strike on the railway in Shostka region, Sumy," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy posted on Telegram. He included a video showing a burning wrecked passenger carriage, as well as others that had their windows blown out. He claimed that dozens of rail workers and passengers were injured. Oleh Hryhorov, regional governor of Ukraine, said that the attack occurred on a train traveling from Shostka towards the capital Kyiv. He said that medics and rescuers had been working at the scene. Oksana Tarasiuk, the head of district administration in the area, told Ukraine's national broadcaster that the strike had injured about 30 people. In the immediate aftermath, no fatalities were reported. The Russians couldn't have been unaware they were attacking civilians. Zelenskiy wrote that the world cannot ignore this act of terrorism. In the past two months, Moscow has intensified its airstrikes against Ukraine's rail infrastructure. It has been hitting it nearly every day. (Reporting and editing by Max Hunder. Editing by Alexandra Hudson. Mark Potter (Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
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After drone sightings in the late night, Munich Airport begins a slow reopening
Munich Airport said Saturday that it would gradually resume flights at 7 am (0500 GMT), and delays were expected throughout the day. This comes after the airport had closed both runways for the second time within 24 hours because of a drone sighting. After the closure on Friday evening, the airport asked travellers to contact their airline as it prepared for a restart two hours later than initially scheduled. Authorities said that dozens of flights were diverted or canceled, leaving 6,500 passengers stranded. In recent weeks, drone sightings have repeatedly thrown European aviation into chaos. Some authorities blamed Russia for the incidents. The Kremlin denies any involvement. The authorities have not yet attributed the drone sightings on Thursday or Friday to a particular actor. A statement posted on the airport's website stated that "German air traffic management restricted flight operations in Munich Airport due to unconfirmed sightings of drones, and suspended them until further notification." The airport updated its website later and said that 23 flights had been diverted to Munich, 12 flights had been cancelled, and 48 departures were postponed or cancelled. The report added, "As in the previous evening, airports and airlines looked after passengers." "Camp beds and blankets were distributed, as well as drinks and snacks." The captain of a London bound aircraft who had its departure cancelled informed passengers the previous night that the runways were closed due to drone sightings "near the take-off runways and landing runways", and that helicopters from the police department were in the air. Airport website indicated that due arrivals were diverted beginning at 8:35 pm (1835 GMT). Munich Airport was closed late Thursday night and into the early hours of Friday morning after drone sightings disrupted many flights. Alexander Dobrindt, the German interior minister, promised on Friday that he would introduce legislation to make it easier for police to request the military to shoot down drones. (Reporting and additional reporting by Kirstiknolle and Mrinmay dey; Writing and editing by Thomas Escritt, Chris Reese and Rosalba o'Brien, William Mallard, and Chris Reese)
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China cancels some flights when Typhoon Matmo approaches Hainan during high holiday travel
Chinese authorities have cancelled flights to Hainan Saturday night, before the typhoon Matmo strikes the province in the south. This is likely to disrupt a busy holiday period on the island. The official Xinhua agency reported that all flights from and to the international airport of the provincial capital Haikou are expected to be canceled at 11 p.m. Matmo is forecast to land on Sunday. Haikou will suspend all school, work, and transport between Saturday afternoon and Sunday, Xinhua reported. Xinhua reported on Wednesday that during China's eight day National Day holiday which began on March 23, people will make approximately 2,36 billion passenger journeys, with the daily average trip forecast to increase by 3.2% compared to the same period in 2013. According to Hainan official social media, Haikou planned more than 150 cultural events, including sports competitions, and Sanya planned 170 tourism and art activities. Citing meteorological experts, state media CCTV asked the public to be vigilant, as Matmo would have a significant impact on tourism and transport, while the number travellers has increased significantly. Hong Kong Observatory has announced that it will raise the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal to Strong Wind Signal No. At 12:20 pm (0420 GMT), the Hong Kong Observatory will raise the tropical cyclone warning signal to Strong Wind Signal No. The observatory reported on Friday that the financial hub had issued 12 tropical cyclone alert signals this year - the most in the past 46 years. Clare Jim, William Mallard and William Jim are the editors.
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FT reports that Pakistan is courting the US for a new Arabian Sea port.
Financial Times, citing an alleged plan, reported that Field Marshal Asim Muniz's advisers had approached U.S. officials to offer to build and operate a port in the Arabian Sea. According to the Financial Times, the plan involves American investors building and running a terminal in Pasni to access Pakistan's vital minerals. Pasni lies in Gwadar District, in the province Balochistan which borders Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Munir and Pakistan's prime minister Shehbaz Shariff met with Donald Trump, the U.S. president, at the White House back in September. Sharif requested investment in the U.S. mining, energy, agriculture and technology sectors during that meeting. According to the FT the offer was made with some U.S. government officials and shared with Munir before a meeting at the White House with Trump late last month. The FT reported that the blueprint does not include the use of the port as a base for U.S. bases. Instead, it aims to attract funding for a railway network connecting the port with mineral-rich provinces in the west. Could not verify the report immediately. A request for comment was not immediately responded to by the U.S. State Department or White House. The Pakistani Army was not immediately available. Reporting by Abu Sultan from Bengaluru, edited by Chris Reese & Shri Navaratnam
Trump tells South Korea that he wants to meet Kim in North Korea this year.
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Monday that he would like to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in this year. He also stated that he is open to more trade discussions with South Korea despite his new criticisms of their visiting Asian ally.
Trump told reporters that he would like to meet Kim Jong Un this year in the Oval Office, as he welcomed South Korea’s new President, Lee Jae Myung to the White House. "I am looking forward to meeting Kim Jong Un at the appropriate time."
Trump and Lee met for the first time in tense conditions. Trump complained vaguely about a "Purge" or "Revolution" in South Korea via social media, before later retraction as a possible "misunderstanding" among the allies. The two sides are still arguing over the details of the trade agreement they signed in July, which spared South Korean exports from harsher U.S. duties. They also continue to argue about nuclear energy and military spending.
Lee, after meeting Trump, attended a business conference with CEOs from South Korean firms and over 20 U.S. companies, including Carlyle Group Nvidia Boeing GE Aerospace Honeywell General Motors. Korean Air, South Korea's flag-carrier, is expected to place an order for 100 Boeing aircraft, according to sources.
KIM IGNORES TRUMP'S CALLS
North Korea didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for a comment on Trump’s remarks.
Kim has refused to respond to Trump's repeated requests to resume the direct diplomacy that he conducted during his term of office from 2017-2021, which failed to produce a deal to stop North Korea's nuke program. North Korea's rhetoric is escalating, with Kim promising to accelerate his nuclear program while condemning U.S. and South Korea military exercises. Kim oversaw the testing of new air defenses systems at the weekend. Lee, in the Oval Office of the White House, avoided the dramatic confrontations that marked the February visit by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the May visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Lee used a strategy that has been well-worn by Trump's visitors from abroad. He talked golf, and praised the interior design and peacemaking of the Republican President. He had told reporters that he read the 1987 presidential memoir "Trump: the Art of the Deal" to prepare.
The liberal South Korean encouraged Trump's engagement with North Korea.
Lee, in Korean, said: "I hope that you will bring peace to the Korean Peninsula. It is the only nation divided in the world. I want you to meet Kim Jong Un and build a Trump World in North Korea, so that I can go golfing there. You can be a true world-historic peacemaker."
South Korea's economy is heavily dependent on the U.S. Washington provides its security through troops and nuclear deterrence. Trump called Seoul a money machine that benefits from American military protection.
DIFFICULT ISSUES
Trump has been pressuring Seoul to reach a trade agreement and discuss issues related the bilateral military alliance.
Trump said to reporters that after meeting Lee: "I believe we have a trade deal done." "They had some issues with it, and we stuck to our guns." They're going to do the deal they agreed on." He didn't elaborate and the White House didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.
Trump told Lee that he would share "intelligence" he received regarding South Korean investigations, which he claimed targeted churches and military bases. The White House didn't respond to an inquiry for further information. The police in Seoul raided Sarang Jeil Church this month. It was led by Jun Kwang-hoon who had been leading protests to support Yoon Suk Yol, Lee's former predecessor. In July, prosecutors who were investigating Yoon's attempted declaration of martial law executed a search warrant at the Korean portion of a joint military base operated by the United States. South Korean officials said that U.S. soldiers and equipment were not searched.
The far-right in South Korea, particularly evangelical Christians and Yoon's supporters, view him as a victim to communist persecution.
Trump is expected to press Lee to increase defense spending and to maintain the 28,500 U.S. soldiers in South Korea.
When asked if he'd reduce these numbers to give the U.S. greater regional flexibility, Trump replied: "I don’t want to say it now," but suggested that Seoul could give the U.S. ownership over the "land we have the fort on," an apparent reference Camp Humphreys - a U.S. Army Garrison in South Korea.
Lee said to reporters that it would be hard for Seoul to accept U.S. requests to adopt "flexibility", a reference to the use of U.S. troops for a broader range of operations including China-related threat. Lee is trying to find a balance between cooperating with the U.S. and not antagonizing China - Seoul's main trade partner. As he was on his way to Washington, Lee sent a delegation to Beijing to call for normalized relations.
Lee will highlight South Korea's anticipated U.S. investment when he visits the Hanwha Group's shipyard in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Trump will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in South Korea from October 30-November 1. Reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington, Idrees Al, Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt, and David Shepardson, and Josh Smith in Seoul, Hyun-Joo Jin, Jumin Park, and Jack Kim; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing and editing by Lincoln Feast; Ed Davies, Michael Perry and Rod Nickel
(source: Reuters)