CANADA: A deal was been struck to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany from a Pacific port.

Germany bills it as reducing dependence on liquefied natural gas from the United States. Its cheaper natural gas imports by pipeline from Russia were cut off following the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines under the Baltic, most likely by the US. 

The complex cooling and storage requirements and long travel distances make LNG much more expensive, and 60-100 per cent higher in “life-cycle [carbon] emissions,” than piped gas.

NORTH KOREA: State media said yesterday that leader Kim Jong Un supervised weapons tests on Tuesday featuring nuclear-capable ballistic missiles for “battlefield nuclear use,” nuclear-capable cruise missiles with AI guidance and new artillery systems.
South Korea confirmed missile tests appeared to have taken place.

DR CONGO: World Health Organisation chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in the country yesterday to directly supervise the fight to contain an Ebola outbreak.

He said the region, where an Ebola treatment centre was attacked by soldiers, was seeing a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict.” 

The east of the country is riven by civil war over control of mineral resources.

LAOS: Five of seven villagers trapped in a flooded cave for over a week have been found alive, rescuers said yesterday.

Two remain missing and rescue efforts continue. Laotian and Thai rescue teams are co-operating in the rescue effort.

It’s not known why the locals entered the cave in Xaisomboun, but it is a site people look for gold in, though authorities warn against entering because of the risks.