US reveals new anti-Russia plan for Europe; Iran officially announces uranium enrichment
(Baonghean.vn) - The US revealed a new anti-Russia plan for Europe; Iran officially announced uranium enrichment; Australia and the US began the Talisman Saber 2019 exercise; Taliban launched a car bomb in central Afghanistan... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
US reveals new anti-Russia plan for Europe
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump met in Osaka, Japan on June 28. Photo: Reuters |
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has just announced a US strategy to help "liberate" European allies from what the US calls Russian influence. According to Russia's RT news agency, the plan, called the "Framework for Countering Kremlin Influence" (CMKI), was announced on July 5, and sets out four goals: helping European countries protect their domestic political systems from outside interference, countering disinformation campaigns, and reducing Europe's dependence on trade and energy from Russia.
To keep European countries out of Russia’s sphere of influence, the US will invest millions of dollars in local media to ensure they are truly “independent”. In addition to financial support, USAID will also provide tools to counter “fake news”. On the economic front, to promote the economic independence of European countries, USAID plans to “remove production restrictions on private enterprises and free market activities, and increase integration with Western economies”.
Iran officially announces uranium enrichment
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| Illustration of Iran's nuclear capabilities. Photo: WCJB. |
On July 7, Iran officially announced that it had increased its uranium enrichment level to over 3.67% and exceeded its permitted reserves within a few hours. The announcement was made by a group of senior Iranian officials at a joint press conference in the capital Tehran. Accordingly, Iran will exceed the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Iran will resume work at the Arak heavy water reactor based on its needs.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said the focus would be on energy supplies and research needs during this period. The decision came two weeks after the latest Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) joint commission met in Vienna, Austria, and Iran said the EU’s INSTEX trade support instrument, while a step forward, was insufficient.
California declares state of emergency after earthquake
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A grocery store employee at a gas station in Ridgecrest, California, stands amid the rubble after an earthquake on July 6. Photo:Guardian |
"I want to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to restore the damage overnight and this morning," California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on Twitter on July 6, after declaring a state of emergency for the state. "As Californians, we need to be ready for the next earthquake." Newsom also asked the US President to declare a state of emergency to unlock federal funds to help affected residents. He called the two 6.4 and 6.9 magnitude earthquakes on July 4 and 5 a "wake-up call" for the state and other areas of the US.
About 3,000 people in Ridgecrest were without power, with many sleeping on the streets out of fear. There have been no reports of injuries. Rescue workers in California are assessing damage to damaged buildings, fires, broken roads, and leaking water and gas lines.
Australia and US begin Talisman Saber 2019 exercise
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| Photo: US Navy |
On July 7, the opening ceremony of the Talisman Sabre 2019 exercise between Australia and the United States was held at the Port of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, on the US warship USS Ronald Reagan. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Australian Minister of Defense, Senator Hon Linda Reynolds said the exercise was organized to improve combat readiness and combat coordination between the Australian and US armed forces.
According to Minister Reynolds, this year’s Talisman Saber exercise will involve more than 34,000 military personnel and soldiers from both countries. Forces from Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will participate alongside the Australian Defence Force. Delegations from India and South Korea will serve as observers.
Zimbabwe lacks money to buy ink, paper to print passports
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| Zimbabweans line up to apply for passports in the capital Harare. (Photo: AP). |
Zimbabwe’s passport service has been hit by a long-term shutdown, leaving many citizens stranded in the country amid the southern African nation’s worsening economic crisis. Passport renewals and replacements are being delayed because the government does not have enough foreign currency to import paper, ink and raw materials to print the books.
Officials at the Zimbabwe Registrar General say citizens are facing a minimum of 18 months of waiting time to apply for documents. According to an official at the Zimbabwe passport office, only 10 passports are printed each day, with a current backlog of 280,000.
Taliban car bomb in central Afghanistan, dozens killed and injured
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| Afghan security personnel cordon off the scene of a bombing in the central province of Ghazni, July 7, 2019. Photo: AFP/VNA |
At least eight Afghan security personnel were killed and 49 civilians wounded in a Taliban car bomb attack in central Afghanistan on July 7, a government spokesman said. The incident occurred as representatives of the Taliban and the United States held the seventh round of talks in Qatar's capital Doha to find a way out of the protracted war in Afghanistan ahead of the country's presidential election.
The Taliban now control nearly half of Afghanistan’s territory. Statistics show that since the US launched an offensive to overthrow the group in 2001, more than 2,400 US soldiers have died in the fight.
US reveals new anti-Russia plan for Europe
Sunday, July 7, 2019 14:44
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The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has just announced a US strategy to help "liberate" European allies from what the US calls Russian influence.
The plan includes financial support for local media as well as increasing the number of US businesses entering the European market.
According to Russian news agency RT, the plan, called the “Framework for Countering Kremlin Influence” (CMKI), was announced on July 5, and sets out four goals: helping European countries protect their domestic political systems from interference by outside forces, dealing with disinformation campaigns, and reducing Europe’s dependence on trade and energy from Russia.
To keep European countries out of Russia's sphere of influence, the US will invest millions of dollars in local media to ensure they are truly "independent".
“With funding from USAID, 11 strategic media partners in Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia will reach growing audiences, diversify revenues, and enhance their digital media presence,” the plan states.
In addition to financial support, USAID also provides tools to combat “fake news.” However, USAID’s tools have previously been questioned for their reliability.
On the economic front, to promote the economic independence of European countries, USAID plans to “remove production restrictions on private enterprises and free market activities, and increase integration with Western economies.”
Responding to the new US strategy, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on July 6 that Washington is seeking to exploit and profit from the European market by creating "a sinister anti-Russian propaganda plan."
