NATO holds largest exercise since Cold War; Saudi Arabia admits to attempted murder of journalist
(Baonghean.vn) - The world over the past 24 hours has had many outstanding news such as: 50,000 NATO soldiers began the largest exercise since the Cold War; President Trump called on the US media to end "hostility"; Ethiopia has its first female president; The case of the missing journalist: Saudi Arabia admitted this was "an assassination"...
50,000 NATO troops begin largest exercise since Cold War
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| US armored vehicles cross the river by ferry to the exercise area in Norway. Photo:US Army |
Tens of thousands of troops began the Trident Juncture 18 exercise in Norway on the morning of October 25. The exercise will last until November 23 and is intended to demonstrate that NATO remains united, despite doubts about the alliance's solidarity since Donald Trump became US president.AFPreport
Trident Juncture 18 brings together 50,000 soldiers, 10,000 combat vehicles, 65 warships and 250 aircraft from 31 countries, including 29 NATO members and 2 partner countries, Sweden and Finland. The exercise simulates a scenario of NATO troops defending an invaded member country. This is NATO's largest exercise in the past 20 years.
Missing journalist case: Saudi Arabia admits it was “an assassination”
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Saudi Arabian dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi (Photo: Time) |
Saudi Public Prosecution ServiceSaudi Arabia announced that, based on information provided by Turkey, suspects in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are being investigated for “attempted murder.” This is the first time the Saudi government hasArabia used the term “assassination” to describe the killing, which is seriously damaging the country’s image.
In a short statement, the Saudi Public ProsecutionSaudi Arabia also said that investigations are still continuing. Journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi nationalSaudi Arabia and living in the US was murdered on October 2nd inside the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye. After his death, the Saudi governmentArabia has faced international pressure.
President Trump calls on US media to end "hostility"
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| US President Donald Trump at the White House. Photo: Reuters |
US President Donald Trump has called on the media to end their "hostility" and "phony attacks" in response to a series of pipe bombs sent to former US President Barack Obama, prominent Democratic lawmakers and CNN earlier in the day.
Speaking to supporters at a rally in Wisconsin on October 24, President Trump said public figures have a duty to tone down their rhetoric, after leading US Democrats accused him of ignoring violence and dividing Americans. "No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains, but it's been done and it's been done all the time," Trump said. The US president also stressed that the media has a duty to end the hostility and the constant negative stories and sometimes false attacks.
Kurdish rebels "uproot" Turkish soldiers' posts in Iraq
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| The moment Kurdish militia attacked a Turkish military guard post. Photo taken from video:Almasdar News |
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) released a video on October 24 of an attack on a Turkish military checkpoint in Diyala province, northern Iraq, according toAlmasdar News.In the video, two Turkish soldiers armed with machine guns are stationed in a bunker on a rocky outcrop. PKK gunmen take advantage of the terrain, secretly approach and throw two grenades at the bunker, killing one Turkish soldier instantly. The second soldier jumps out of the bunker and runs away but is shot down by the rebels shortly after. The PKK quickly confiscates the captured guns and ammunition after the battle and takes control of the position.
Since 2015, Türkiye has secretly sent a military unit to northern Iraq to support the Kurds in the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) and to prevent the expansion of the PKK, a political force demanding independence for the Kurds in the border area and listed as a terrorist organization by Ankara.
North Korea pledges to fully implement agreements with the US and South Korea
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| North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Hyong-ryong (right). Photo: bta.bg |
Speaking at the 8th Xiangshan Security Forum taking place in Beijing (China), Vice Minister Kim Hyong-ryong emphasized that the US-North Korea summit in Singapore last June was a major event that opened a new era for the two countries to put aside their hostile relations and strengthen their friendship. He affirmed North Korea's firm determination to build peace in the region as well as to let the world know about this country through the full implementation of the North Korea-US statement issued on June 12. He also said that the content of peace was also clearly stated in the Pyongyang joint statement that the leaders of the two Koreas reached last September.
Also in his speech, Vice Minister Kim Hyong-ryong emphasized North Korea's desire to develop its economy, improve people's lives, and contribute to building peace and stability in the region. Pyongyang also called on other countries to actively support the current trend of "dialogue and cooperation" in the region.
Diplomat SW Zewde becomes Ethiopia's first female president
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| Ethiopia's first female President Sahle-Work Zewde. Photo:bbc.com |
On October 25, professional diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde was elected by the National Assembly as President of Ethiopia, replacing Mulatu Teshome who resigned the same day. During the vote in the National Assembly, Ms. Zewde received the absolute support of the parliamentarians. With this decision, she became the first female President of this East African country.
Ms. Zewde, 68, previously served as Ethiopia's ambassador to France, Djibouti and Senegal. Before being elected President, this female politician was the top United Nations official at the African Union. She is fluent in two foreign languages, English and French.
Israel fires missiles in response to Hamas in Gaza Strip
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Violence broke out at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel. Photo: Reuters |
Early on October 25, Israeli fighter jets launched missiles at several facilities of the armed Islamic movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a rocket launch from this land into Israel.
Israeli aircraft struck several rocket launchers and Hamas facilities in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, damaging them and some nearby structures, according to Israeli security officials and witnesses. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Yemen facing "the worst famine in human history"
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A Yemeni mother and her 6-year-old son in a hospital in the port city of Hodeida. Photo:Reuters. |
The UN's Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, recently warned that the famine in Yemen could be "the worst any humanitarian expert has ever seen." Mr. Lowcock said the lives of many people in the Middle Eastern country were "clearly at risk" from famine, and that about 14 million people, or half of Yemen's population, could soon be completely dependent on aid to survive.
Mr. Lowcock said fierce fighting in the port city of Hodeida, which has been the entry point for much of the food, was threatening aid. He called for a ceasefire around the ports and for ships carrying aid to pass safely across the country. The war has hampered the flow of goods into Yemen. Even as the United Nations ramps up aid for some 8 million people, workers are unable to reach all those suffering from hunger.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister charged with six more crimes
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| Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will appear in court next year. Photo: Reuters |
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his former senior finance official Serigar Abdullah were charged on October 25 with six counts of breach of trust involving a government fund worth 6.6 billion ringgit ($1.58 billion). If convicted, each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine and caning. However, Najib and Irwan may be exempted from caning because they are over 50 years old, according to Reuters.
Prosecutors suspect the two of wrongdoing involving 220 million ringgit in government funds for state-owned company KLIA Berhad and 1.3 billion ringgit for an aid and subsidy program. Former Prime Minister Najib and Mr. Irwan are also accused of wrongdoing involving 5.12 billion ringgit in government funds. Mr. Najib has previously faced 32 charges of money laundering, corruption and breach of trust related to the state investment fund 1MDB. Mr. Najib has long denied all charges.
