US-India upgrade alliance; Russia determined to restore peace in Syria

Russia affirms its determination to destroy terrorism and restore peace in Syria

Frigate Admiral Grigorovich. Photo:Livejournal.

On September 6, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the country will continue to destroy terrorists in Idlib province, as well as other places in Syria, to help restore peace there.

Speaking to reporters, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia has been and will continue to destroy terrorists in Aleppo, Idlib and other areas of Syria to bring peace back there. Ms. Zakharova stressed that this is a matter related to Russia's security.

The Syrian army has launched an operation to liberate Idlib from terrorists. The province and surrounding areas are the last major rebel stronghold in Syria, but are home to around 3 million civilians. Syria has received support from Russia and Iran in this regard. However, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations fear that a full-scale assault on Idlib could cause a humanitarian disaster on an unprecedented scale in the seven-year conflict in Syria.

Kim Jong-un re-commits to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula

Chung Eui Yong (3rd, left), top security adviser to the South Korean President, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (1st, right) in Pyongyang on September 5. Photo: YONHAP/VNA

On September 6, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his commitment to turning the Korean Peninsula into a nuclear-weapons-free zone.

According to KCNA, the North Korean leader made the commitment during a meeting on September 5 with a South Korean delegation led by South Korean presidential special envoy Chung Eui-yong. The delegation is on a one-day visit to Pyongyang to arrange the third inter-Korean summit, scheduled to take place from September 18-20.

During the meeting, Mr. Kim Jong-un affirmed Pyongyang's stance and steadfast will to completely eliminate the risk of armed conflict as well as the threat of war on the Korean peninsula, and pledged to make the peninsula a place without nuclear weapons.

Britain, France reach agreement on scallop war

A British fishing boat was attacked by French fishermen with flares last week. Photo:BBC.

The scallop war between British and French fishermen has ended peacefully after the French government agreed to compensate British fishing boats damaged in connection with the French ban, SCMP reported.

A joint statement released by the British and French governments on September 5 said that constructive talks between representatives of the fishing industries of the two countries had led to an agreement.

Conservation measures aimed at restoring scallop stocks in a 64km stretch of sea off France’s Normandy coast will now be extended to British vessels under 15m in length, which were not initially banned. In return, the French government will compensate British vessels that have suffered damage. Details will be announced after further talks on 7 September.

US - India upgrade alliance relationship

On September 6, India and the US began the first "2+2" dialogue between the two countries. Photo: VNA

After two delays, India and the US on September 6 held a 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi to discuss and further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries globally in general and in the Indo-Pacific region in particular.

In a joint statement issued after the dialogue, the two sides agreed to work together for a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring respect for the rule of law and national sovereignty, and resolving maritime and other issues through peaceful means. The two sides also pledged to cooperate on regional and global issues, reaffirmed their strategic partnership and the strategic importance of India’s designation as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) of the United States, and pledged to expand and take necessary steps to further strengthen the defense relationship.

Mr. Hun Sen continues to be Prime Minister of Cambodia

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (right, front) at the opening session of the National Assembly meeting in Phnom Penh on September 5. Photo: AFP/ VNA

On the morning of September 6, the 6th National Assembly of Cambodia voted to confirm Mr. Samdech Techo Hun Sen to continue as Prime Minister of the Royal Government of the country for 5 years (from 2018-2023) after his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won an absolute victory in the vote on July 29. All 125 CPP parliamentarians voted to confirm Mr. Hun Sen as Prime Minister - a position he has held since 1985. In addition, the National Assembly also approved the members of the Royal Government for the 6th term (2018-2023).

According to schedule, Prime Minister Hun Sen and members of the government will take the oath before Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace on the afternoon of September 6.

Previously, on August 17, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal decree appointing Mr. Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the 5th term, President of the CPP, to continue as Prime Minister of the 6th term.

Iraq imposes curfew in Basra city

Iraqi army at Umm Qasr port. Photo: Reuters

On September 6, the Iraqi government announced a curfew in the entire southern city of Basra from 3 p.m. after a wave of protests and violence broke out in the city.

Seven people have died in Iraq's second-largest city in recent days as protesters angered by power cuts, contaminated water and corruption. Demonstrators clashed with security forces. Residents in Basra say the salty water has left them vulnerable to disease during the hot summer months. Hundreds have been hospitalized after drinking contaminated water.

Iraq's Umn Qasr port was closed on September 6 after violent clashes between protesters and security forces, in which one protester was killed and 25 injured. Port workers said all operations had been halted as the entrance to the port remained blocked and trucks and workers were still unable to enter or leave the port.

San Francisco City to Use "100% Clean" Electricity

• Workers install a solar power system in San Francisco. Photo: Reuters

In the announcement sent toAdolescentOn September 6, the C40 Cities organization said that the city of San Francisco in the US has just made a strong commitment to deal with climate change, ahead of the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS).

The statement quoted San Francisco Mayor London Breed as saying the city is committed to switching its entire power grid to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar by 2030.

In addition, city residents will take action to reduce waste by 15% and landfill waste by 50%. San Francisco will have more buildings that emit zero greenhouse gases and will issue more green bonds to invest in infrastructure projects.