US intercepts two Russian Tu-95s from Alaska; South Korea opens new point on DMZ Peace Trail
(Baonghean.vn) - The US announced that it "intercepted" two Russian Tu-95s from Alaska; South Korea opened a new point on the DMZ Peace Road; American youth caused panic when he brought a gun and 100 bullets into a supermarket... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
US announced "interception" of two Russian Tu-95s from Alaska
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| Russian Tu-95 aircraft. Photo: Sputnik |
According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), US fighter jets on August 8 intercepted Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers off the coast of Alaska. "Two F-22s and two fighter jets supported by an E-3 Sentry, KC-135 Stratotanker and C-130 refueling aircraft from NORAD successfully identified and intercepted two Tu-95 "Medved" bombers over Alaska and in the Canadian air defense zone," the department said.
Russia, meanwhile, insists its aircraft remained in international airspace over the Beaufort Sea and never entered US or Canadian sovereign airspace. This is the second known interception of Russian military aircraft off the coast of the US and Canada in August. On August 1, US fighter jets escorted two Russian Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft. There was no sign of airspace violation, as there was this time. The flight was confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Malaysia prosecutes a series of US bank directors related to the 1MDB scandal
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Goldman Sachs bank counter at the New York Stock Exchange, USA. Photo: AFP. |
Malaysia on August 9 prosecuted 17 former and current Goldman Sachs executives for their involvement in the embezzlement of the country's investment fund. "The defendants will face jail terms and fines due to the seriousness of the conspiracy to defraud and illegally appropriate billions of dollars," Malaysian Attorney General Tommy Thomas said, referring to the Malaysian state development investment fund 1MDB, founded by former Prime Minister Najib Razak. Goldman Sachs said it believed the allegations were "false" and "will be vigorously defended."
The 17 defendants were directors of three Goldman Sachs branches, including Goldman Sachs International, Goldman Sachs Asia and Goldman Sachs Singapore, during the period 2012-2013. Malaysia sued these branches and two former bank employees in December 2018 for allegedly making false statements that led to the embezzlement of $2.7 billion. Goldman Sachs said it was defending the allegations, asserting that the former Malaysian government and 1MDB had lied to the bank.
South Korea opens new point on DMZ Peace Trail
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View of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) on the border with North Korea in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, South Korea. Photo: Yonhap/TTXVN |
On August 9, speaking at the opening event of the third section of the "Peace Road" in the inter-Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) through Paju city, Gyeonggi province, South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul said that in the coming time, the ministry will continue to cooperate with local authorities in the border area to develop the DMZ into a "peace base", a place to experience both history, natural ecosystems and culture.
According to Mr. Kim Yeon-chul, this year, the South Korean Ministry of Unification will finish the survey of the East-West Crossing Road, a new walking route that follows the inter-Korean border areas, cutting across the Korean Peninsula, to promote its opening in 2022, making it one of the famous walking tourist routes in the world.
More than 2 million Muslims flock to Mecca to begin the Hajj pilgrimage
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Mecca. Photo: News Punch. |
More than 2 million Muslims from around the world gathered in Mecca on August 9 to begin the initial rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage. This is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world and the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be performed at least once in a Muslim's lifetime. It is a demonstration of Muslim unity and their submission to God.
This year’s pilgrimage comes amid political and sectarian tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran and ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Libya. Muslim communities around the world also face increased threats.
American youth causes panic when carrying gun and 100 bullets into supermarket
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Police at a Walmart supermarket in Springfield, Missouri, USA on August 8. Photo: AP. |
Employees and customers at a Walmart in Springfield, Missouri, were shocked when a man wearing body armor and carrying a rifle entered the store. A firefighter in plain clothes pulled out his gun and subdued the suspect. Police arrived shortly afterward and arrested the man, but did not release his identity. Police said no shots were fired and no one was injured, although it was determined to be a "very dangerous and frightening situation."
Police seized the gun and 100 rounds of ammunition and are continuing to investigate the suspect’s motive, which they believe may have been intended to cause chaos rather than carry out a shooting.
