Catalonia’s regional government has announced it will hold a referendum on separating from Spain on October 1. The Spanish government, which sees the vote as illegal, has said it will block the referendum. Source Deutsche Welle
The Defense Ministry plans to introduce a land-based Aegis missile defense system to respond to North Korea’s missile threats and will seek funding in the next fiscal year to cover system design costs, a government source said Wednesday.
Bulgaria has decided to increase its border security measures in order to prevent illegal migration from Turkey, Bulgarian Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov said in an interview published on Thursday. Source: Daily Sabah
Austria is sending soldiers to stop migrants coming from Italy, while Bulgaria has said the EU should “defend” its borders by “force of arms”. Austria said it would deploy 70 soldiers, but no armoured vehicles, at the Brenner Pass to Italy on Thursday (17 August). Source: Euobserver
