China launches missiles off the Taiwan cost after Nancy Pelosi’s visit

Date – 4th August, 2022

China conducted several precision missile strikes off the eastern coast of Taiwan and the Taiwan strait as
amid the visit by US House of Representatives speaker, Nancy Pelosi, as tensions between the countries
intensify to the highest level in decades.
The military exercises conducted by China involved the firing of long range explosive projectiles as
confirmed by the Military Wing of the Communist Party on Thursday. China further plans to conduct
several military strikes under its navy, air force and other departments in six zones surrounding Taiwan.
Five of the strikes launched by China landed in a Special Economic Zone in island of Hateruma, situated
to the south of Japan, as confirmed by Japanese Defence Minister, Nabuo Kishi. This comes after the
statement issued by G7 nations on the Taiwan conflict, following which China cancelled a bilateral
meeting scheduled with Japan.
The Taiwanese president Tsai Ingwen criticized China’s actions while urging it to be reasonable and
restrained. As per the Defence Ministry of Taiwan, it counted 11 Dongfeng missiles in waters in north,
south and east. It also launched jets to fight off the Chinese fighter jets which crossed the Taiwan Median
Line entering its air defence zones and fought off drones above the Kinmen Islands.
 United States Basketball star Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in jail in Russia
Date – 4th August, 2022

United States WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) star Brittney Grinner has been
sentenced to serve 9 years in jail by a Russian court on Thursday over a charge of drug possession. United
States President Joe Biden expressed his dissatisfaction calling the ruling “unacceptable.”
The two-time Olympic winner and six-time WNBA all star was found guilty of bringing cannabis infused
cartridges for vape in Russia by the court. Griner was arrested in February during the WNBA off season
after entering the country to play for a Russian team.
The arrest of the Brittney Griner came amid US-Russia tensions over the attack on Ukraine and demands
for release of the player have been going on in the United States since. The sentencing of Brittney Griner
could lead to a prisoner swap between US and Russia involving the star player and a convicted Russian
arm dealer imprisoned in the United States.
US President Joe Biden called on Russia to release Griner and assured that his administration would work
to assure her release. Lawyers representing Brittney Griner would also appeal the decision of the court.