EU extends sanctions on Crimea; Yemen rebels capture French special forces

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) at the question-and-answer session before the National Assembly on June 6. Source: AFP/VNA

On June 18, negotiations took place between German Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU and the Christian Social Union (CSU) in Germany's ruling coalition to resolve deep disagreements over refugee policy.

The bitter row over immigration policy between the CDU and CSU this week is threatening to tear apart the Grand Coalition that also includes the Social Democrats (SPD), potentially ending the chancellorship of Ms Merkel, who has led the German government since November 2005.

EU extends sanctions on Crimea

Today (June 18), the European Union continued to extend sanctions against Crimea for another 12 months, until June 23, 2019.

“On 18 June 2018, the European Council extended its robust measures in response to the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and the Sevastopol region by Russia until 23 June 2019,” the EU statement said. The current EU sanctions on Crimea and Sevastopol are set to expire on 23 June.

The EU renews sanctions against Crimea and Sevastopol every year, with the sanctions against Crimea announced by the EU in 2014 amid Russia-West relations at an unprecedented low since the Cold War due to the Ukraine crisis and the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.

Israel retaliates with airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza Strip

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on a Hamas military site in Beit Lahia, near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip on May 14. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

On the morning of June 18, the Israeli military announced that Israeli aircraft had conducted nine consecutive airstrikes against the Hamas Islamist movement in the northern Gaza Strip, in response to kites and fireballs launched from the territory, causing damage to Israeli property.

A day earlier, Israel carried out five consecutive airstrikes targeting kite and flaming balloon sites, as well as Hamas targets in Gaza. On June 16, at least two Palestinians were slightly injured by a missile fired from an Israeli drone east of the al-Bureij refugee camp on the border with Israel.

Democratic lawmakers joined hundreds of protesters outside an immigration detention facility in New Jersey on June 17 to protest the Trump administration's practice of separating families at the border.

The protest comes after the White House escalated the debate over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in recent days. All illegal border crossers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, even if they have children. All parents who are in the process of being separated from their children.

First Lady Melania Trump also expressed her disagreement with this policy. Melania did not oppose the above policy, but she called on Republican and Democratic lawmakers to jointly push for a new immigration reform bill to end the controversial separation of children from their parents.

North Korean citizens drifting at sea seek asylum in South Korea

Illustration photo: Yonhap News

South Korean radio and television stations on June 18 quoted a government official as saying on June 17 that among the five North Korean sailors who drifted in the East Sea and were rescued by the South Korean Coast Guard on June 11, one sought asylum in South Korea.

According to the official, the remaining four wanted to return to North Korea. Therefore, the South Korean government handed over the four to Pyongyang at the truce village of Panmunjom.

Italy dismantles gangs operating under the guise of economic and social organizations

Italian police during an operation to arrest people linked to mafia gangs in Ostia. Photo: AFP/TTXVN.

The Italian Gendarmerie Ros special task force has just decided to place under house arrest 104 suspects linked to the organized crime gangs “Mercante-Diomède” and “Capriati” living in the city of Bari, the capital of the Puglia region, southern Italy, as well as throughout Italy.

The move is the result of an investigation codenamed “Pandora” by the Bari Anti-Mafia Agency to combat organized crime groups that are plotting to infiltrate the economic and social systems in the Bari area. Initial results show that these groups have recruited members, are able to stockpile military weapons such as AK submachine guns and have ties to members of the Sacra Corona Unita social activist organization in the city of Lecce and several other organizations in the city of Foggia.

Yemen rebels claim to have captured French special forces

Strong earthquake in Osaka, at least 3 people killed

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the 5.3-magnitude earthquake occurred at 7:58 a.m. on June 18 in northern Osaka Prefecture with an epicenter at a depth of 15.4 kilometers. The Japanese National Meteorological Agency said the earthquake was 6.1 magnitude (initially 5.9 magnitude) and the epicenter was 10 kilometers deep.

On Japan's 7-level Shindo scale, the earthquake was rated at 6- (six minus). At this level, it is quite difficult to stand on the ground.

There were no immediate reports of damage or tsunami warnings after the jolt, which stranded commuters and left tens of thousands without power. Authorities said at least three people were killed and 61 injured in the quake.

Born on a train, baby gets 25 years of free train travel

Illustration photo: RER/AFP

25 years of free train travel is the gift that the French railway industry is giving to a newborn boy after he was born on a train in Paris on the morning of June 18.

The train carrying the mother had to make an emergency stop at Auber station, central Paris, so the woman could give birth, with the help of about 15 people, including rescue workers, police and train staff.

At the time, the Paris transport control agency (RAPT) also announced that all trains on the RER A line would be suspended for 45 minutes due to an "unexpected" incident. According to RAPT, both the mother and baby are currently healthy.