US will support Britain after Brexit; Russia continues to transfer S-400 'fire dragon' to Türkiye
(Baonghean.vn) - Russia continues to transfer the S-400 'fire dragon' to Türkiye; The US will support the UK after Brexit; Thousands of protesters occupy Hong Kong airport; Singapore completely bans ivory trade from 2021... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
Russia continues to transfer "fire dragon" S-400 to Türkiye
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| Photo: RIA Novosti |
According to Sputniknews, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on August 12 that Ankara will receive the second batch of Russian S-400 air defense systems in August and September.
The contract to supply Russia's S-400 air defense system to Ankara is worth a total of $2.5 billion. Türkiye becomes the third country, after Belarus and China, to own one of the most modern air defense systems in the world.
US threatens to withdraw troops from Germany if defense spending is not met
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| US soldiers stationed in Germany come to Poland for exercises. Photo: Reuters |
US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell once again strongly criticized Germany's defense spending, saying that Germany is "abusing" its alliance with the US.
It is insulting, he said, to expect that US taxpayers will continue to pay for more than 50,000 Americans in Germany, while the Germans use their trade surplus for domestic purposes.
US Ambassador Richard Grenell reiterated President Donald Trump's warning to redeploy troops from Germany to Poland. According to him, it is time for Germany to pay for its defense and the US must act to ensure this. This is not the first time the US Ambassador has criticized the decisions of the German government.
Thousands of protesters occupy Hong Kong airport
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| A sea of protesters at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Reuters |
All flights to and from Hong Kong, except those already inbound, were cancelled from the afternoon of August 12 after an estimated 5,000 protesters stormed the special administrative region's international airport terminal.
According to a notice from the Hong Kong Airport Authority at 4 p.m. (local time), “all check-in services for departing flights have been suspended.
The Hong Kong Airport Authority later advised all passengers to leave the airport as soon as possible and set up an emergency center at the airport.
John Bolton: America will support Britain after Brexit
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| US National Security Advisor John Bolton. Photo: Reuters |
Speaking to British officials on August 12, US national security adviser John Bolton stressed that President Donald Trump wants to see a successful Brexit for Britain and Washington will support a US-UK free trade agreement.
Bolton, who is in London for two days of talks with officials, is seeking an improved bilateral relationship with Prime Minister Boris Johnson after a series of tense relations between the White House boss and Boris Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May.
A central message from Mr Bolton was that Washington would help soften the blow from Brexit with a free trade deal being negotiated by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and his British counterpart Liz Truss.
Singapore to completely ban ivory trade from 2021
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Elephant tusks seized by Singapore on July 22, 2019. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Singapore will ban the domestic sale of all ivory products from 2021, the government said, as the Lion City steps up its campaign against illegal wildlife trade.
The announcement came on World Elephant Day (August 12) and follows two years of consultations by the government with residents, non-governmental groups and retailers in Singapore.
Violators face up to a year in prison, in addition to fines. Traders can turn over their ivory products to authorities or keep them after the ban officially comes into effect.
