US prepares $10 billion for the “post-Maduro” era; Australia reserves Huawei ban
(Baonghean.vn) - The US prepares 10 billion USD for the "post-Maduro" era; Australia reserves the ban on Huawei participating in the 5G network; Trump raises more than 30 million USD to run for president again; Malaysia resumes the trial of former Prime Minister Najib Razak... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
US prepares $10 billion for the "post-Maduro" era
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| Venezuelan militiamen attend an event to express their loyalty to the government. Photo: Reuters |
Speaking at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) conference in Washington DC, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the US is working with a number of countries to build a $10 billion fund, ready to "support" Venezuela after the country "completes the construction of a new government".
The US is currently among about 50 countries/territories that recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as "interim president", while pressuring President Nicolas Maduro to leave.
AFP quoted Minister Mnuchin as saying that at the IMF and WB conference, the parties discussed ways to "support Venezuela in the post-crisis period", including increasing oil export capacity to leverage trade.
On the same day, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde stressed that the organization cannot help Venezuela overcome its economic crisis until it reaches a majority consensus from its 189 members on "recognizing the legitimate leadership of the Caracas government."
North Korea celebrates 107th birthday of late President Kim Il Sung
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Image of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. Photo: Xinhua News Agency. |
On April 15, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrated the 107th anniversary of the birth of late President Kim Il Sung - also known as the Day of the Sun, one of the most important holidays in this country.
According to observers, unlike every year, at this year's celebration, North Korea did not conduct any military show of force such as missile testing, parades, or display of missile simulations... This is believed to be aimed at maintaining a peaceful atmosphere, ready for dialogue with the US, towards the 3rd US-North Korea summit.
Trump raises more than $30 million to re-run for president
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President Trump at a meeting with supporters in 2018. Photo:AFP. |
US President Donald Trump's election campaign raised more than $30 million in just the first three months of 2019, bringing the total budget for the White House boss's race to $40.8 million.
This is an advantage for the US President over all Democratic opponents in the 2020 election, showing that Republican voters are willing to invest in Trump despite the difficulties he may face in his re-election.
The Trump campaign said the average donation per voter in the first quarter of 2019 was $34.26, and 99% of donations were under $200.
Trump's campaign contributions have far outpaced the total funding of his Democratic rivals, led by Senator Bernie Sanders at $18.2 million and followed by Kamala Harris at $12 million.
Australia reserves ban on Huawei from 5G network
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| Huawei's booth at Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, February 25, 2019. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
On April 14, Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham announced that the government stands by its decision regarding the 5G network, and that this decision is not aimed at any particular country or telecommunications company.
The decision, made in August last year, banned equipment suppliers "likely to be subject to foreign government influence" from participating in the development of 5G networks in Australia.
Mr Birmingham affirmed that Australia respected WTO processes, "confident in Australia's compliance" and would respond to China's questions about the ban in accordance with customary procedures.
Protesters in Sudan demand transfer of power
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| Thousands of protesters gathered outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 14. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Thousands of protesters continued to gather outside the Sudanese army headquarters in Khartoum on April 14 to maintain pressure on the Transitional Military Council - the body that took over Sudan's governance after Mr. Al-Bashir was ousted on April 11.
The Sudanese Professionals Association, which organised the protests, called on the Transitional Military Council to "immediately transfer power to a civilian government".
The Sudanese Professionals Association also demanded that "the transitional government and the armed forces put Mr. Bashir and the heads of the National Intelligence Service and Security Service (NISS) in his administration on trial."
Malaysia resumes trial of former Prime Minister Najib Razak
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| Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (center) arrives at court in Kuala Lumpur on April 3. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court for the second hearing of his corruption trial in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. The trial will focus on technical details related to the funds missing from the 1MDB fund.
Previously, in the first trial on April 3, former Prime Minister Najib faced 7 charges that allegedly helped him "pocket" 42 million ringgit (about 10.3 million USD) taken from the 1MDB Fund, including the crimes of breach of trust, corruption and money laundering. This is only a small part of the total amount that Mr. Najib is accused of stealing from this fund.
According to prosecutors, Mr. Najib and his close associates took billions of dollars from the 1MDB Fund to spend on personal needs such as high-end real estate, works of art and a luxury yacht.
