US launches missile to disable cargo ship suspected of violating Iranian blockade
According to Xinhua News Agency, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on August 10 (local time) announced that a US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired 2 missiles into the engine room of a cargo ship after the ship did not comply with the warning.
CENTCOM said that the ship M/V Vela Nova flying the Panamanian flag tried to move through the Gulf of Oman and violated the US blockade by heading towards an Iranian port.
In its announcement, CENTCOM also said that as of August 11, US forces had forced 55 merchant ships to divert, neutralized 3 ships and conducted direct inspections on 2 ships that did not comply with regulations.
In the initial report on the incident, maritime security company Vanguard informed that Vela Nova was hit by a missile and caught fire, but the fire was later extinguished.
Houthi declares attack on Saudi Arabian military equipment ship
Xinhua News Agency reported that Houthi forces in Yemen on August 10 (local time) announced that they had attacked a ship believed to be carrying Saudi Arabian military equipment in the Bab Al Mandab Strait, and attacked forces backed by this country in areas controlled by the Yemeni government.
In a statement posted on social network X, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said that a large number of ballistic missiles and drones were also used to attack troop concentration points, weapons depots and command centers in Mocha, a coastal city in southwestern Taiz province, and Tadawin military base in Marib province.
Mr. Sarea declared that the attacks were highly accurate and caused casualties to dozens of people, including Saudi Arabian soldiers.
There has been no confirmation from Saudi Arabia or the Yemeni government about the number of casualties announced by the Houthi.
Meanwhile, the coast guard force supporting the Yemeni government said that the Tihamah commercial ship suffered multiple missile attacks while moving through the Bab Al Mandab Strait on August 10, killing 6 people and injuring 10 others.
According to the announcement, the 4 deaths were crew members, including 3 Pakistanis and 1 Indonesian. The remaining two belonged to the 2nd Naval Brigade of pro-government forces. Among the injured were 7 crew members, 2 coast guard personnel and 1 member of the 2nd Naval Brigade.
The coast guard said they have coordinated with rescue teams to evacuate victims after attacks caused fires on ships and caused serious damage.
The Bab Al Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, which is one of the important shipping routes for international freight and energy transportation.
The Netherlands faces prolonged drought as Rhine River water levels fall to record lows
Xinhua News Agency quoted information from the Dutch Ministry of Water Infrastructure and Management on August 10 (local time) as saying that the country is facing prolonged drought, putting increasing pressure on measures to maintain and distribute fresh water sources.
In the weekly drought monitoring bulletin, the Ministry assessed the current situation as particularly serious. The flow of the Rhine River in Lobith - where the river flows into the Netherlands from Germany - has decreased to 615m3/second, the lowest level ever recorded here.
According to the Dutch Ministry of Water Infrastructure and Management, the flow of the Meuse River, which flows through France and Belgium before entering the Netherlands, is also decreasing. Groundwater levels in most of the country's territory are currently low or very low.
Authorities warn that river flow may remain at this level until December, when the weather is warm and rainfall is forecast to be low next week.
The rainfall deficit nationwide is expected to reach about 300mm, equivalent to the level previously recorded during the severe drought in 2018. In some areas, the deficit has exceeded 400mm.
Prolonged droughts are putting increasing pressure on agricultural production and ecosystems, increasing crop and environmental damage in some areas of the Netherlands. Water quality is also affected by blue algae growth and fish deaths recorded in many places.
The Dutch Ministry of Water Infrastructure and Management also said that drinking water supplies are still guaranteed. However, increasing salinity is becoming a concern and is being closely monitored by authorities at some water intake points serving clean water production.
Last month, the Dutch government raised the warning level on water resources from the risk of water shortage to actual water shortage. Functional agencies have implemented many measures to save fresh water and maintain water levels, including limiting the operation of ports in some areas to reduce water use.
