US rejects Türkiye's conditions; First reunion of separated Korean and 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 Korean territory.

89 South Koreans, most of them 70 years old or older, met with 180 relatives living in North Korea. Many were no longer in good health, even in wheelchairs and requiring support from relatives. Reunions between parents and sons and daughters were rare, mostly between cousins, nephews and nieces.

The first round of family reunions will be held from August 20 to 22. According to the plan, the separated families will meet each other in person 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 will help Lebanon repatriate Syrian refugees

Syrian refugees repatriated from Arsal, Lebanon on July 23. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

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 (referring to China and Russia) have been trying to save 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 countries 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 this 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 saying 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 solve 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 earlier asked Washington to lift a potential multi-billion dollar fine on Halkbank, which is facing 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, Mr. 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, law and order 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 had to commit to extremely harsh austerity policies and carry out 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 or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the 8 years of supervision, Greece was not allowed to participate in the 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 company 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 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 earn around NZ$1,950 (about $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.