Russia arrests US citizen accused of spying; South Korea cancels aid to North Korea
(Baonghean.vn) - Russia arrests US citizen accused of spying; Syria allows Iraqi fighter jets to strike IS inside its territory; South Korea cancels $8 million in aid to North Korea; There are images of assassins transferring journalist Khashoggi's 'body parts'?... are the world's top news in the past 24 hours.
Russia arrests US citizen accused of spying
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An FSB agent. Photo:TASS. |
"US citizen Paul Whelan was caught red-handed by agents of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on December 28 while conducting espionage activities in Moscow.
The Russian security service has not released details of Whelan's arrest or the charges against him, only saying that the necessary investigation is underway. If convicted, Whelan could face a prison sentence of 10-20 years under Russian criminal law.
The FSB also arrested Norwegian citizen Frode Berg on similar charges in early December. Berg is due to appear in court for his first hearing in February 2019.
Syria allows Iraqi fighter jets to strike IS inside its territory
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Iraqi Air Force Su-25 attack aircraft. Photo:AFP. |
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has given Iraqi warplanes permission to strike Islamic State (IS) positions in his country. The Iraqi military must notify the Syrian government before launching airstrikes, but does not have to wait for the Syrian government to confirm whether the target is a terrorist organization.
The Iraqi Air Force has carried out several airstrikes against IS targets in Syria since 2016, the most recent of which took place on December 12. During the operation, Iraqi warplanes attacked an IS meeting place in the al-Susah area in eastern Syria and several of their hideouts, killing 44 terrorists.
South Korea cancels $8 million aid to North Korea
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| The cross-border railway between the two Koreas, November 30, 2018. Photo: YONHAP/VNA |
South Korea's Unification Ministry announced that $8 million in humanitarian aid to North Korea will be canceled due to international sanctions against Pyongyang, marking the second year Seoul has canceled the aid.
Previously, in September 2017, the South Korean government decided to provide aid to North Korea through international organizations, but these activities were later suspended due to international sanctions against Pyongyang.
The aid will also not be implemented in the new year 2019, because according to Korean law, the government can postpone the use of state funds designated for the upcoming fiscal year if the money is not used due to unavoidable reasons, but it will not be carried over to the next year.
US officially withdraws from UNESCO
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The US decision to withdraw from UNESCO, announced in October 2017, will take effect on Monday, according to the organization's charter. (Photo: Sputnik News). |
The US decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced in October 2017, takes effect on Monday, December 31. Washington retains observer status, but will no longer contribute to and be elected to the World Heritage Committee.
"This decision was not made lightly. It reflects the growing US contribution (in membership fees) to UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform within the organization, and the continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO," State Department representative Heather Nauert said.
Are there images of the killer transferring journalist Khashoggi's 'body parts'?
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The body of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has not been found yet. Photo: AFP |
Images shown on A-Haber news on the evening of December 30 captured a suspicious scene: three muscular men carrying five suitcases and large black bags entered the home of the Saudi Arabian consul general in Istanbul.
The residence is located a short distance from the Saudi consulate where Mr Khashoggi died on October 2 and his body has not yet been found. Citing unnamed sources, A-Haber said the late journalist's dismembered body was contained in suitcases and black bags.
Burkina Faso declares state of emergency in the north
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| Burkina Faso police patrol in Ouagadougou. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Burkina Faso has declared a state of emergency in several northern provinces as Islamist extremist groups step up attacks on the country's border with Mali.
Government spokesman Remy Fulgance Dandjinou made the announcement after an emergency government meeting. Dandjinou also stressed that Burkina Faso is facing serious security problems from the widespread and cross-border terrorist threat.
The number of bloody attacks has been increasing steadily over the past three years in Burkina Faso. Initially, the attacks occurred in the north, then spread to the east, bordering Togo and Benin.
Dozens of people still missing in explosion that collapsed apartment building in Russia
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| Scene of apartment building collapse in Russia. Source: L/P |
According to the latest information provided by Russian authorities, the death toll in a suspected gas explosion that partially collapsed a high-rise apartment building in southern Russia has risen to three people, while the number of missing people has been determined to be 79.
On the afternoon of December 31, local authorities said rescuers had rescued three people from the rubble. Russia has opened a criminal investigation into the incident.
At around 6:00 a.m. on December 31 (local time), or around 7:00 a.m. Vietnam time, a suspected gas explosion at a 10-story apartment building in Magnitogorsk city, Ural region, 1,700 km east of Moscow, damaged all 48 apartments in the building.
