Iran transfers armed UAVs to Russia using civilian aircraft; UFOs hover near Chinese aircraft carrier base; US shoots down UFOs on Canadian border… are notable world news on February 13.
UAV Shahed 129, one of the UAVs smuggled into Russia by Iran – Photo: REUTERS
UAV and UFO stories become hot world news at the beginning of the week
* Iran smuggles UAVs into Russia by ship and civilian aircraft. At least 18 long-range armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been transferred to Russia by Iran by ship and aircraft of a state-owned airline in Iran, according to The Guardian on February 12.
The transfer comes after Russian officers and technicians made a special visit to Tehran in November 2022, where they were fully introduced to Iranian technologies.
The 10-member Russian delegation selected six Mohajer-6 drones, which have a range of about 200km and carry two missiles under each wing, along with 12 Shahed 191 and 129 drones, which also have air-to-ground capabilities.
The Guardian confirmed that this information is exclusive to the newspaper. Russia and Iran have not yet commented.
Tehran has confirmed it has UAVs in Russia, but denied transferring them after the conflict broke out in Ukraine.
* UFO hovers near Chinese military base. On February 12, the Global Times confirmed that an unidentified flying object (UFO) appeared off the coast of Shandong province of the country on the same day.
The newspaper said authorities were “prepared to shoot down the UFO and have notified fishermen to ensure their safety.” The Chinese government newspaper did not say which country the device belonged to.
The move comes just days after the US shot down a strange object in Alaska and the controversy over a Chinese balloon “straying” into US airspace.
According to military observers, based on the coordinates given by China, this UFO was hovering near the Yuchi naval base. This is the home port of the Liaoning aircraft carrier, China’s first aircraft carrier.
* US shoots down third unidentified flying object in a row. The US military shot down an unidentified flying object over Lake Huron in the Great Lakes region of North America. This is the third consecutive shootdown after the “lost” Chinese balloon incident.
The Pentagon confirmed that President Joe Biden ordered the shooting down even though the object did not pose a military threat on the ground.
Earlier, a US official also said that the object shot at the Canadian border was not similar to the Chinese balloon that was shot down on February 5 off the coast of South Carolina.
Part of India’s newest, longest highway to catch up with China’s infrastructure development – Photo: AFP
* India races to build highways with China. According to The Guardian , India inaugurated the first phase of its longest highway on February 12.
The nearly $14 billion Delhi-Mumbai expressway is part of a coordinated infrastructure push to catch up with geopolitical rival China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first 246km stretch of the 1,386km route, calling it a “sign of India on the move”.
He also affirmed that “huge investments in railways, highways, subways and airports will be key to boosting the country’s growth rate, attracting more investment and creating new jobs”.
Countries seek aid for Syria, Türkiye
* Syria opens its doors to humanitarian aid. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that he met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the afternoon of February 12 to discuss international humanitarian aid for people affected by the earthquake.
Aid shipments are being hampered by Syria’s protracted civil war, which has left the country divided between various forces.
The only border crossing open to aid from Türkiye in recent years was damaged by the earthquake.
The situation is particularly dire in the rebel-held northwest, where aid convoys from government-controlled areas cannot be received without Damascus’ permission.
“I met President Assad this afternoon. He said he is ready to consider new cross-border humanitarian delivery and reception points in case of emergency,” Tedros said in an online press conference from the Syrian capital.
* Qatar sends mobile homes used during the World Cup to Turkey, Syria. On February 12, Qatar announced that it will send 10,000 mobile homes used during the recent World Cup to areas affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Qatari officials said the first shipment will leave Doha port for Türkiye today, February 13, and will continue for several days afterward.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited Türkiye on February 12, becoming the first foreign leader to visit in person after the February 6 earthquake.
Dinner in Chongqing
Diners enjoy dinner at a barbecue restaurant designed in a unique style: each table is placed separately in a concrete tube with a diameter large enough for about 4-5 people. This restaurant in Chongqing City, China – Photo: Li Hongbo/VCG/Getty
