Israel seeks to ease tensions with Russia; Europe launches mutual defense alliance
(Baonghean.vn) - The world over the past 24 hours has been filled with many outstanding news such as: Israel seeks to reduce tensions with Russia; Korea - North Korea agree to keep 2 guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone; Europe launches a Joint Defense Alliance, gradually reducing dependence on the US; Hun Sen denies accusations of appointing his son to consolidate power...
Israel seeks to ease tensions with Russia
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Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft. Photo: RT. |
Israel said it continues to take steps to de-escalate tensions with Russia following the downing of a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane in Syria. Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Kounkrinos said the country is taking steps and continuing to cooperate within the framework of de-escalation with Russia. This is a professional and effective mechanism that serves the interests of both Israel and Russia.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman stressed that Israel-Russia relations are on the right track. However, Russia said that tensions remain between the two countries as Israel continues its military actions in Syria, especially. Russia asked Israel to adjust its military activities in Syria to ensure that it does not inadvertently endanger Russia.
North and South Korea agree to keep two guard posts in Demilitarized Zone
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| South Korean soldiers stand guard at the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the truce village of Panmunjom on April 18, 2018. Photo: EPA-EFE/TTXVN |
The two Koreas agreed on November 8 to keep one of the 11 border guard posts chosen for “complete removal” due to their historical significance, the South Korean Defense Ministry said. South Korea chose to keep one guard post, built on the east coast in 1953, due to its historical value and potential to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, North Korea chose a guard post in the center of the border area based on its own criteria. Despite the decision to keep the two posts, both sides will withdraw all weapons and other military equipment from the site.
During the general-level talks held between the two Koreas last month, the two sides agreed to withdraw 11 guard posts each in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) by the end of November and confirm the removal of these posts by December. This plan is implemented under the military agreement that the two countries' defense leaders signed during the third summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang in September.
Saudi Arabia bans Israeli and Palestinian Muslims from entering Mecca
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| Muslims pray at the Great Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Source: AFP/VNA |
A VNA correspondent in Tel Aviv quoted Israeli newspaper Haaretz as saying that Israeli Muslims may not be able to perform the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages because the Saudi Arabian government no longer recognizes Jordan's temporary travel documents.
Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations. Until now, Muslims holding Israeli passports have been able to use Jordanian-issued travel documents to enter Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia’s new rule affects not only the more than one million Muslim citizens of Israel, 17 percent of the country’s population, but also Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip who travel on temporary Jordanian travel documents.
Hun Sen denies allegations of appointing son to consolidate power
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Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen attends the ASEM leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium on October 19. Photo:Reuters. |
Speaking to students in Phnom Penh on November 8, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen affirmed that his children were appointed as a result of their own learning and training. The Cambodian Prime Minister affirmed that his children's appointments were the result of their learning and training, not to consolidate his own power. This is the first time in a long time that Prime Minister Hun Sen has spoken out against accusations that his children were appointed to consolidate his power.AFPreport
Prime Minister Hun Sen's eldest son, General Hun Manet, graduated from the US military academy at West Point in 1999 and has a doctorate in economics from the University of Bristol. In 2010, Hun Manet was promoted to the rank of major general in the army and became deputy commander of the Prime Minister's Guard. In September, General Hun Manet became chief of staff of the Royal Cambodian Army. Prime Minister Hun Sen's second son, Hun Manit, currently commands a military intelligence unit. His youngest son, Hun Many, is a member of parliament in charge of the youth movement of the Cambodian People's Party (CCP).
12 people killed in shooting in California
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Police investigate at the scene of a shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, USA on November 7. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the shooting left at least 11 people dead, and the perpetrator was shot dead in a residential area outside the city of Thousand Oaks.
Earlier, the media reported that a shooting occurred at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, Southern California. According to witnesses, the attacker threw smoke grenades into the crowd before opening fire. Security forces then appeared, exchanged gunfire with the suspect and one police officer was injured.
Horrific bus accident in Zimbabwe, at least 47 people killed
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The scene of a bus accident in Zimbabwe. (Source: contribute.pindula.co.zw). |
Zimbabwean media reported that the accident occurred when two buses collided near a toll booth in Rusape town in Manicaland province on the evening of November 7 (local time). According to initial reports, up to 30 bodies of the victims were identified at the scene of the incident. According to the Zimbabwe Herald newspaper, two of the victims were children among the latest reported 47 victims. Rescue work and investigation into the cause of the accident are still underway.
Europe launches common defense alliance, gradually reducing dependence on the US
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10 countries participating in the European Intervention Initiative. Illustration photo: Sputnik. |
Europe has just launched a joint military intervention force in the French capital Paris. With the participation of 10 countries, the European Intervention Initiative proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron is considered a measure to strengthen the bloc's military power, reducing dependence on the US in the context of President Donald Trump's administration gradually loosening its commitment to the region.
The European Intervention Initiative is joined by 10 countries including Germany, Belgium, the UK, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Finland, Spain, Portugal and France. Members cooperate in the areas of planning, analyzing new military and humanitarian crises, and developing military plans to resolve crises.
Lebanon plans to repatriate 200,000 Syrians by end of 2018
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| Syrian refugees prepare to return home from Lebanon at the Masnaa border gate. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Lebanon is planning and ready to ensure the return of 200,000 Syrian refugees by the end of this year, said General Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the Russian National Defense Control Center, during a meeting of the Russian-Syrian Joint Coordination Commission on Refugees held in Moscow. According to Mr. Mizintsev, the return of refugees is completely voluntary and in accordance with the UN regulations.
Having regained control over most of the territories previously held by opposition forces and terrorist organizations, the Syrian government is now focusing on facilitating the return of refugees. Moscow is supporting Damascus by providing humanitarian aid to civilians and ensuring a ceasefire.
