Iraq Sweden embassy attack
Iraqi police have used water cannon to disperse protesters near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. That was after the diplomatic mission was set on fire by a crowd angry over a planned desecration of the holy Qur’an in Stockholm. According to eyewitnesses, the police in riot gear chased the protesters away. In a statement, the Iraqi foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack on the embassy, saying the government has instructed security forces to conduct a swift probe and hold the perpetrators to account. The Swedish foreign ministry also denounced the attack, saying its embassy staff are safe. It came after Swedish police authorized a gathering outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on Thursday. Its organizers are planning another act of desecration of the Holy Qur'an and burning of the Iraqi flag.
Russia-China drills
Russia and China are conducting joint air and sea drills in the Sea of Japan as part of growing defense ties between Moscow and Beijing. The Russian Defense Ministry has released some images of the maneuvers dubbed Northern Interaction 2023 that kicked off on Monday. It remains unclear how long the exercises will last. Earlier, the Chinese defense ministry said the drills are aimed at safeguarding strategic maritime routes and bringing peace and stability to the region. The Chinese military has sent five warships, including a guided-missile destroyer. Russia has dispatched troops from its air and naval units. Russia and China have been boosting their military ties for decades. The two sides have ramped up their defense cooperation in recent months, especially after the visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China.
UK doctors strike
Hospitals in England are under further strain as senior doctors have gone on their first strike in over a decade over pay dispute. The state-run National Health Service has warned that the 48-hour industrial action will leave routine care virtually at a standstill. The consultants plan to strike again on August 24 and 25, unless a pay deal is reached. The latest walkout follows a five-day strike by junior doctors which ended on Tuesday. The back-to-back strikes have prompted fears for patient safety as the UK is already reeling from a vast pandemic backlog. Nurses and ambulance staff also took strike action this year, eventually accepting a five percent pay rise in May. Britain has been rocked by walkouts by various public sectors for months. The employees demand higher wages to cope with the cost-of-living crisis amid soaring inflation.