US officials on Wednesday said they have evidence that North Korea has sent about 3,000 troops to Russia to undergo military training.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters in Rome that it was unknown if those troops would be sent to fight on Russia's side in the war in Ukraine.
“What exactly they’re doing is left to be seen. But yes, there is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia,” he said, using the abbreviation for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“If they're co-belligerents, if their intention is to participate in this war on Russia's behalf, that is a very, very serious issue.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the North Korean soldiers had travelled by ship from the Wonsan area to the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok between early to mid-October. They were then taken to military training sites in eastern Russia, he said.
“If North Korean soldiers do enter into combat, this development will demonstrate Russia's growing desperation in its war against Ukraine,” Mr Kirby told reporters.
In June, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a defence treaty.
The two US officials said the latest development would not only affect the nearly three-year-old war on Ukraine, it would also affect Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
Moscow and Pyongyang have both denied any posting of troops, although North Korea has previously provided munitions to Russia.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
