US rejects Türkiye's conditions; First reunion of separated Korean-North Korean families

The first reunion of separated families between Korea and North Korea

The first reunion of families separated during the Korean War (1950-1953) took place on August 20 at the Kumgang Mountain resort in North Korea.

Eighty-nine South Koreans, mostly aged 70 or older, met with 180 relatives living in North Korea. Many were no longer in good health and were confined to wheelchairs and required assistance from relatives. Reunions between parents and their sons and daughters were rare, with the majority occurring between cousins, nephews and nieces.

The first round of family reunions will be held from August 20 to 22. According to the plan, during these reunions, the separated families will meet each other directly for about 11 hours.

Following the first phase, the second phase will be held from August 24 to 26. In the second phase, 83 North Koreans will meet their relatives living in South Korea at the same resort.

Russian government to help Lebanon repatriate Syrian refugees

Syrian refugees return home from Arsal, Lebanon on July 23. Photo: AFP/VNA

On August 20, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized that Moscow will help Lebanon repatriate Syrian refugees living temporarily in this Middle Eastern country.

The statement was made by the Russian diplomat after discussions on the same day with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil in Moscow.

Iran calls on Europe to speed up efforts to save nuclear deal

Speaking at a weekly press conference broadcast live on Iranian state television on August 20, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi stressed:

“European countries and other signatories to the deal (a reference to China and Russia) have been trying to salvage the deal, but the process has been slow. So it needs to be accelerated. Iran is largely relying on its ability to overcome the new US sanctions.”

European nations are scrambling to ensure Iran can gain enough economic benefits to convince it to stay in the historic nuclear deal that the United States withdrew from in May 2018.

On August 7, three months after withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, the government of US President Donald Trump officially restored sanctions against the country.

Malaysia hopes China will 'understand' when canceling $20 billion projects

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (left) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended a welcoming ceremony in Beijing. Photo:Reuters.

"We hope to make China understand the problems that Malaysia is facing now,"Reutersquoted Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaking at a joint press conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

"I believe that China will have a sympathetic view of the problems that we have to deal with and perhaps help us solve some of our internal financial problems."

Mr. Mahathir affirmed that Malaysia does not want to confront any country, while emphasizing the benefits that Malaysia gains from increasing trade, technology and business contacts with China.

The Malaysian Prime Minister's statement comes as he seeks to renegotiate, or possibly cancel, Chinese-invested projects worth more than $20 billion.

US rejects Türkiye's conditions for releasing Pastor Brunson

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in Washington DC. Photo: THX/TTXVN

Ankara had previously asked Washington to lift a potential multibillion-dollar fine on Halkbank, which faces penalties for helping Iran evade US sanctions, in exchange for the release of Brunson and two other US citizens, as well as three Turkish nationals working for the US government.

Series of attacks on police in Russian republic

Security forces of the Russian Republic of Chechnya. Source: Sputnik

On August 20, unidentified gunmen carried out a series of attacks on police in the Russian Republic of Chechnya.

According to the head of this republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, armed gunmen attacked police in several locations in Chechnya, injuring many people. One subject even tried to carry out a suicide bombing, but local security forces promptly stopped him.

Initial reports said two police officers were injured in the town of Shali, and several traffic police officers were injured in the capital Grozny. However, the situation has now been restored.

For the first time since 2010, Greece has officially emerged from financial control by its creditors, after completing its third bailout package.

This is also the last bailout package that the Greek government has received from its creditors. Since 2010, Greece has received a total of 260 billion euros in bailouts from its creditors to deal with the worst public debt crisis in its history.

In exchange for bailout packages, successive Greek governments have committed to extremely harsh austerity policies and to harsh reforms in the areas of labor, pensions and social security.

In addition, the country was also placed under strict financial supervision by creditors such as the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the 8 years of supervision, Greece was not allowed to participate in bond markets and many economic policies were subject to intervention from creditors.

New Zealand company rewards employees who cycle to work

Illustration photo.

An advertising agency in Christchurch, New Zealand, has just launched an initiative to encourage employees to cycle to work by offering cash rewards. Accordingly, employees of Mak Collective Company will receive 5 New Zealand dollars (3.6 USD) for a day of cycling to the company.

If you use your bike to commute for more than six months, the bonus increases to NZ$10 a day. This means an employee will receive around NZ$1,950 (around $1,421) a year if they cycle to work every day for a year. The payment will be paid at the end of the year.

The Mak Collective director said the initiative aims to encourage company employees to exercise and reduce their dependence on cars or public transport.