APEC fails to issue joint statement for first time; Syrian army drives IS out of Al-Safa
(Baonghean.vn) - For the first time, APEC did not issue a joint statement after the summit; Syrian army defeated IS from its last stronghold in the South; Argentina admitted it was not strong enough to salvage a sunken submarine; President Trump visited the scene of the California wildfire disaster... are notable news from the world yesterday.
APEC fails to issue joint statement after summit for first time
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APEC leaders' meeting in Papua New Guinea on November 18. Photo: AFP. |
This is the first time that APEC leaders have failed to reach a joint statement. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said that a statement summarizing the meeting will be issued in the coming days, while affirming that APEC is seeking to ensure "free and open" trade by 2020. Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato said that the conflicting visions prevented members from agreeing on a draft joint statement, especially when Beijing and Washington revealed their ambitions to compete for influence in the region, and there was no sign of resolving the US-China trade war.
The 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit was held from November 17 to 18 in the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby. This was the first time Papua New Guinea had played host to the event. Australia provided one-third of the costs, as well as logistical and security support for the event.
Syrian army drives IS out of last stronghold in the south
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Syrian government army soldiers fighting in Al-Safa. Photo: AFP |
Syrian government forces have taken control of the Al-Safa volcano, the last stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) in the south of the country, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said. The remnants of the IS group have fled to the Badia desert in the east, according to the monitor.AFP.
The IS militants withdrew from the Al-Safa volcano after "reaching an agreement with government forces" to end a month-long siege and heavy attacks, said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the SOHR. Damascus has previously stepped up air strikes and sent hundreds of troops to the Al-Safa operation. Syrian state TV said the army was hunting down remaining IS fighters. The defeat in Al-Safa left IS in control of just one area in eastern Syria, where it faces attacks from US-backed forces.
Argentina admits it does not have the capacity to salvage sunken submarine
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The submarine ARA San Juan before a sea voyage in 2017. Photo: AFP |
"We lack modern technology to explore the seabed and salvage the ARA San Juan submarine,"APquoted Argentine Defense Minister Oscar Aguad speaking yesterday, just hours after the US search company Ocean Infinity discovered the submarine wreckage on the seabed 907 meters deep off the Valdes Peninsula, central Argentina. This statement angered relatives of the 44 sailors on the San Juan. Many said they would fight for the Argentine government to quickly recover the submarine.
Argentine Navy Commander Jose Luis Villan called for "prudence", saying a federal judge is overseeing the investigation into the cause of the sinking and will decide whether to salvage part or all of the San Juan. Argentina will likely have to seek foreign help or hire private companies to bring the San Juan ashore. The salvage operation is considered difficult and very expensive, because the submarine sank far from shore and has complex seabed terrain.
President Trump visits the scene of the California wildfire disaster
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| President Trump visits the scene of a wildfire in California. Photo: AP |
US President Donald Trump visited the scene of the California wildfires on November 17 and he hopes that this will be the last time because the disaster is really bad. "It's very sad. They told me that the scene is not that bad in some places, but many areas are completely burned,"AFPquoted US President Donald Trump speaking after inspecting the town of Paradise, which was devastated by the worst wildfire in California history.
When asked by reporters if the visit would change Trump’s views on climate change, which he has long been skeptical of, the US leader replied: “No.” In October 2017, President Trump said that climate change scientists were politically motivated and that he believed the problem was not caused by humans.
10 Afghan police officers kidnapped
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| Afghan police stand guard at the scene of a suicide bombing in Kabul on March 2, 2018. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Zabul provincial police chief Mohammad Mustafa Mayar confirmed that Taliban gunmen attacked the checkpoint early on the morning of November 18. The ensuing fighting left one policeman dead and 10 others kidnapped. An investigation has been launched while the Taliban have not yet commented on the incident.
In recent years, the Taliban has seized large areas across Afghanistan and frequently carried out large-scale attacks. According to United Nations statistics, since the beginning of 2009, more than 26,000 Afghan civilians have been killed and nearly 49,000 injured due to armed conflict.
China denies creating debt traps for developing countries
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. Photo: PressTV. |
China's Foreign Ministry said on November 17 that no developing country would fall into a debt trap just because of cooperation with China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the above comments in a statement posted online, in response to previous comments by US Vice President Mike Pence. Ms. Hua Chunying emphasized that cooperation with China will help countries improve their level and capacity for independent development as well as improve the quality of life of their people.
Previously, speaking at the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Vice President Mike Pence attacked the Belt and Road Initiative.China, which argues that countries should not accept loans that pose a risk of undermining national sovereignty.
More than 400 people injured in protests in France
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| Protesters protest against fuel price hikes in Paris, France on November 17, 2018. Photo: AFP/ VNA |
More than 400 people were injured, 14 of them seriously, during protests against fuel price hikes across France, French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on November 18. This is more than double the number announced by French authorities on November 17.
Speaking on RTL radio, Mr Castaner said that around 288,000 people took part in protests on November 17 at 2,034 locations across France. Some 3,500 stayed out all night. There were 409 injuries, including 28 members of the armed forces. Police questioned 282 protesters and arrested 157 of them.
El Salvador Navy busts record drug bust
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| Police display seized drugs in San Salvador, El Salvador on July 18, 2013. Photo: AFP/VNA |
The Salvadoran Navy announced that it had seized a boat carrying six tons of cocaine 343km from the port of Acajutla, in the western state of Sonsonate, Central America. According to authorities, this is the largest drug seizure in El Salvador's history, with an estimated value of up to $159 million.
El Salvador's Defense Minister David Munguía Payes confirmed that the entire drug trafficking group was also arrested, including four Colombians and one Guatemalan. They will be prosecuted for international drug trafficking. The seized drugs will be handed over to the El Salvador Prosecutor's Office.
British Labour Party confirms no referendum at present
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| British Labour Party Chairman Jeremy Corbyn. Source: AFP/VNA |
British opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on November 18 that a second referendum on Britain's exit from the European Union (EU), also known as Brexit, will not take place at the present time, but is only an option in the future.
The Labour Party has said it will not back Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal in the upcoming parliamentary vote. Some Labour members have backed a referendum on the deal. However, Corbyn told Sky News that such a referendum should not take place now.
