US to establish new military base in Iraq; Cuban President to interact with people via Twitter
(Baonghean.vn) - Rumors that China has arrested a third Canadian citizen; the US has established a new military base in Iraq to monitor activities in Syria; Russia is considering the worst-case scenario for the fate of the nuclear treaty with the US... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
Rumors of China detaining a third Canadian citizen
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Chinese police outside the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. Photo: Reuters |
The Canadian National Post newspaper, citing sources from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that another Canadian citizen has been detained in China, making it the third case of China arresting a Canadian citizen. However, speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying denied the information.
Previously, two Canadians were arrested in China after Canadian police arrested Ms. Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Huawei Telecommunications Group, China, on December 1.
Russia considers worst-case scenario for nuclear treaty with US
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Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: RT. |
Speaking at a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that other countries join the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty as a solution to save the agreement, which is currently only signed with the US.
Russian officials continue to make statements of readiness for dialogue with the US, but Moscow does not place too much hope on an agreement. The worst-case scenario for the fate of the Treaty has also been considered by Russian officials.
US sets up new military base in Iraq to monitor activities in Syria
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Source: China Daily |
The US military has built a new military base in Iraq's western Anbar province, near the border with neighboring Syria. The independent al-Mashriq newspaper quoted the mayor of the town of al-Qaim, Ahmed al-Mahalawi, as saying:
"US soldiers have built a base in the al-Maliha area, near the town of al-Qaim, about 400km west of the capital Baghdad (Iraq). The new base close to the Syrian border appears to be intended to monitor the border to protect US forces deployed in Syria, near the border with Iraq."
The US forces "did not inform the provincial government about (the construction of) military bases".
Cuban President to Interact with People via Twitter, YouTube
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| Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel - Photo: Reuters |
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced that his office will set up a new website, a Twitter account and a YouTube channel to interact with the people.
According to Reuters news agency, Mr. Miguel Diaz-Canel hopes that these popular information channels in the technology era will help the Cuban government exploit the practical benefits of the technology era to better communicate the country's policies to many people in the country.
Over the years, as Cuba has increased the development of network connection services such as Internet cafes, wifi parks, and especially 3G service for the first time this month, the network connection environment here has improved significantly.
US special envoy to South Korea for consultations on denuclearization process
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US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Biegun (right) at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, South Korea on October 28, 2018. File photo (Source: Yonhap/VNA) |
Stephen Biegun, the US special representative for North Korea policy, has arrived in South Korea to discuss ways to restore the denuclearization process.
During his four-day visit, Biegun is likely to stress the importance of continuing to impose sanctions on Pyongyang despite inter-Korean cooperation.
Taliban will negotiate peace if foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan
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| US soldiers on duty in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Alexander Venediktov, Assistant to the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, said that the Taliban movement will only participate in peace talks with the Afghan government after foreign troops withdraw from the South Asian country.
In an interview with Sputnik news agency, Mr. Venediktov stated: "According to our estimates, the Taliban movement, which currently exceeds 60,000 members, refuses to negotiate directly with the Afghan leadership... The leader of this movement declared that negotiations will only be possible after 16,000 foreign troops withdraw from the country."
Greece passes new budget with many austerity measures
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| People shop at a seafood market in Athens, Greece. Source: AFP/TTXVN |
Greek lawmakers have approved a draft 2019 budget, with more austerity measures, marking the first budget without an external financial bailout in nearly 10 years.
The new draft budget will still focus on austerity measures to ensure Greece achieves a budget surplus, in line with a debt relief agreement with international creditors.
However, in the newly approved budget, the Greek government has allocated 900 million euros ($1 billion) in support in the form of tax cuts as well as social security programs to support disadvantaged households.
Greece is targeting economic growth of 2.1% in 2018 and 2.5% in 2019, with debt falling from 180.4% of GDP this year to 167.8% of GDP next year.
Germany relaxes immigration rules to attract skilled workers
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German police escort refugees back to the airport. Source: rumoursaboutgermany.info |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet has approved a new immigration bill that loosens rules to attract skilled foreign workers, including non-European Union (EU) citizens, to supplement its aging workforce.
The draft also proposes easing visa procedures for foreign workers, allowing those looking to work in jobs such as cooking, metallurgy or IT to stay in the EU's largest economy for six months to look for work and undergo a trial period, provided they can support themselves.
To come into effect, the bill will have to be approved by the National Assembly next year, however, some amendments are expected.
