News in Brief(2023-07-26)

North Korea fires missiles ahead of
Korean War anniversary celebrations
SEOUL, July 25: Pyongyang conducted twin missile launches late Monday, ahead of Korean War anniversary celebrations that will be attended by Chinese dignitaries in the first foreign delegation visit to the country since its 2020 pandemic border closure. South Korea's defence ministry described the two projectiles as ballistic missiles that flew about 400 kilometers (248 miles) before falling into the sea, according to reports by news agency Yonhap of South Korea and Japan's Kyodo. —AFP
Canada Atlantic floods kill two
HALIFAX, July 25: Two of the four people missing after floods ripped through the Canadian Atlantic province of Nova Scotia over the weekend are dead, Premier Tim Houston said on Monday. Police earlier confirmed the death of a 52-year-old man who was reported missing after his car became submerged and said they had found a second body most likely to be one of the four people who disappeared as waters rose. —Reuters
15 migrants drown off coast of Dakar
DAKAR, July 25 (Reuters): At least 15 people drowned when a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Senegal's capital Dakar on Monday, Senegal's President Macky Sall said on Monday. The incident occurred offshore from one of the country's popular beaches in the Ouakam area in the early hours of Monday. "I express my deep sorrow following the death of around fifteen Senegalese people following the sinking of a pirogue (boat) off the coast of Dakar. My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims," Sall said on his Twitter account. —Reuters
Typhoon halts Taiwan military drills
TAIPEI, July 25: Taiwan has cancelled parts of its largest military drills as it braces for what could be the strongest typhoon to hit the island in four years. Doksuri has roared to super typhoon strength with winds of 240km/h (149mph) and is headed to waters that separate Taiwan and the Philippines. The annual Han Kuang drills that began on Monday test Taiwan's defence in case of an attack from China. It is unclear if the rest of the five-day-long exercise will be disrupted. —BBC
Thai parliament postpones PM vote
BANGKOK, July 25: Thailand's parliament on Tuesday postponed a vote to choose a new prime minister, prolonging the kingdom's political deadlock more than two months after an election won by opposition parties. Reformist candidate Pita Limjaroenrat, whose party won the election, failed to get enough votes in a first parliamentary sitting to select a prime minister on July 13 -- blocked by military and pro-royalist senators. —AFP
Belarus reviewing border security
MOSCOW, July 25: Belarus said Monday it was reviewing security on its borders with Ukraine and Poland with members of Russia's Wagner mercenary group being hosted by Minsk after their failed uprising back home. —AFP