Today’s defence-related news features reports that a resident king penguin and honorary member of the king of Norway’s guard has been given a new title of brigadier.
Saudi Arabia
It is being reported that Britain, France and the US are facing criticism over an agreement to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, which could be used in Yemen.
A Government spokesperson said:
The UK Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. The Government is satisfied that extant licences for Saudi Arabia are compliant with the UK’s export licensing criteria. The key test for our continued arms exports to Saudi Arabia in relation to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is whether there is a clear risk that those weapons might be used in a serious violation of IHL. The situation is kept under careful and continual review.
Syria
There is continued reporting in the Daily Telegraph of US warnings to the Syrian Government that the Americans would not hesitate to defend themselves if they felt threatened. According to reports, the warning comes after Syrian warplanes carried out airstrikes near an American base last week.
Norwegian military mascot
It is widely reported including on the front page of The Guardian, that a resident king penguin, has been given a military promotion in a special ceremony at Edinburgh zoo. Sir Nils Olav, an honorary member of the king of Norway’s guard, has been given a new title of brigadier.
Image of the day
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