Russia releases details of Il-20 downing; Macron's approval rating at record low
(Baonghean.vn) - The world over the past 24 hours has been filled with many outstanding news such as: Russia announced details about the Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft being shot down; Israeli security arrested 18 Palestinians on suspicion of terrorism; Macron's approval rating at a record low; China shut down thousands of websites; British supermarkets stopped using plastic bags...
Russia releases details about Il-20 reconnaissance plane shot down
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| Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft. Source: RT |
On September 23, the Russian Ministry of Defense held a press conference to announce details related to the Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft shot down by the Syrian air defense system over the Mediterranean Sea on the night of September 17, killing 15 Russian soldiers.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov asserted that the blame for the downing of the Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft in Syria lies entirely with the "Israeli Air Defense Forces." The Russian defense official stressed that objective data presented showed that the actions of the Israeli fighter pilots were unprofessional or at least irresponsible. Accordingly, the Israeli air defense forces deceived the Russian military aircraft about the attack location of the F-16 fighter, preventing the Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft from flying into a safe area.
At the press conference, the Russian defense official also affirmed that the country has never violated the bilateral agreement with Israel on preventing incidents in Syrian airspace and has not activated the defense mechanism even when Israel created potentially dangerous situations that threatened Russian forces.
Israeli security forces arrest 18 Palestinians on suspicion of terrorism
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| Israeli soldiers. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Sputniknews reported that the Israeli online newspaper Jerusalem Post reported on September 23 that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and security agencies have arrested 18 Palestinians suspected of carrying out terrorist activities against civilians and the Israeli army. According to the newspaper, the arrests were made on the evening of September 22 in a joint operation by the IDF, the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the police.
The information was released a day after the IDF said Palestinian gunmen threw a homemade pipe bomb into the Israeli settlement of Beit El in the West Bank on the evening of September 21, but caused no casualties.
Iran accuses US of seeking to destabilize
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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a military parade in Tehran, September 22. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on September 23 criticized the US for trying to create instability in the Islamic Republic, but affirmed that Washington's intentions would not succeed. Mr. Rouhani's statement came exactly one day after an attack on a major military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz near the Iraqi border killed at least 29 people, including many members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Speaking before departing for New York, the US to attend the UN General Assembly, Mr. Rouhani accused the Arab countries backed by Washington of providing financial and military support to anti-government Arab ethnic groups. According to Mr. Rouhani, the US has instigated and facilitated these Arab countries. The Iranian leader declared that Iran's response to this attack will be in accordance with the legal framework and take into account Iran's national interests.
British Labour Party Annual Conference 'heats up' on Brexit issue
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| British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at a session of Parliament in London on September 5. Photo: AFP/VNA |
Labour Party spokeswoman Rebecca Long-Bailey said on September 23 that the party leadership does not support the idea of holding a second referendum on the final Brexit deal, but will respect the decision of members at the party's annual conference this week.
In an interview with Sky News, a representative of the Labor Party affirmed that in case Prime Minister May cannot receive support from Parliament or even from within her own Conservative Party to push through an agreement with the EU, if all party members wish, the party leadership will respect the decision to hold a second vote or referendum.
12 sailors of Swiss cargo ship kidnapped by pirates off Nigeria
Pirates kidnapped 12 crew members of the MV Glarus in Nigerian waters on September 22, according to Massoel Shipping, the owner of the MV Glarus. The ship was carrying wheat and was traveling between Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital in the southwest, and the oil hub of Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta. The pirates took 12 of the 19 crew members. A Massoel Shipping representative said: "The company is working with the authorities and experts to ensure the speedy release of those detained."
The Swiss Foreign Ministry has been informed of the situation, saying that none of the crew members are of Swiss origin. The nationality of the hostages has not been determined.
Attack in DR Congo, at least 16 people killed
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| Soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Congo during a campaign to clear rebels in Beni, North Kivu. Photo: AFP/VNA |
At least 16 people, mostly civilians, were killed in a rebel attack on the village of Beni, in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where land conflicts between the Hema herders and Lendu farmers have been frequent.
A doctor at a local hospital confirmed the bodies of 12 civilians and four soldiers or rebels. Eight people, including five civilians, were wounded in the attack on the evening of September 22.
China shuts down thousands of websites
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Users access a Chinese website. Photo: AFP. |
Chinese authorities have a tight grip on the internet. They have cracked down on a range of illegal online activities, including pornography, gambling, religious recruitment and “spreading false information,” according toReuters.
In a campaign that began in May 2018, authorities have resolved 120 violations and ordered 230 companies to rectify illegal behavior. More than 40,000 websites and online accounts and more than 140,000 pieces of harmful information had been removed by the end of August, according to China’s National Office for Combating Pornography and Illegal Publications.
Macron's approval rating at record low
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TFrench President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating is at its lowest since the beginning of his term. Photo:AFP. |
AFPFrench President Emmanuel Macron’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since the start of his term, according to a major poll released on September 23, with just 29% of respondents saying they are satisfied with his leadership. The survey was conducted between September 14 and 22 among 1,964 people.
The survey by the Ifop research group, published in the journalDimanche Journal, showing that Mr Macron's approval rating fell 5 points in September compared to August. The French president's approval rating fell sharply following a scandal involving a security guard in July.
British supermarkets stop using plastic bags
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| UK supermarket chain Co-op will ban single-use plastic bags from 2023. Photo: iwcp.co.uk |
In a statement on September 23, Co-op retail director Jo Whitfield said: "The cost of plastic food has become too high, and from today, Co-op will phase out non-reusable packaging. The first step to eliminating single-use plastic bags will be to start using eco-friendly bags in our stores. They are a simple but effective way to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags."
The move will help eliminate 60 million plastic bags, according to Co-op. The lightweight paper shopping bags, which can be used for shopping and then re-used as bin bags, will be rolled out in the next few weeks to around 1,400 Co-op stores across the UK, and will then be rolled out to all 2,600 of the company's stores. All bags will be easily recyclable by 2023. The company has also pledged to use at least 50% recycled plastic in its bottles, jars, trays and baskets by 2021.
