Russia threatens to retaliate against US military presence in Poland; Malaysia seizes 1.2 tons of crystal meth
(Baonghean.vn) - The world over the past 24 hours has seen many notable events such as: Russia threatens to retaliate against the US's desire to permanently station troops in Poland; North Korea declares to pursue its own denuclearization roadmap; Malaysia confiscates a record amount of crystal meth hidden in a tea container; consecutive bombings in Nigeria cause many casualties...
Russia threatens to retaliate against US plans to permanently station troops in Poland
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[US tanks deployed to Poland. Photo:AFP. |
According to TASS on May 28, the Kremlin affirmed that the US's attempt to expand its military presence in Eastern Europe will only destabilize the region. "We see that NATO is gradually expanding its military forces towards Russia, including many infrastructure facilities close to our borders. This is certainly not beneficial for security and stability in Europe," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The Polish Ministry of Defense has previously pledged to provide financial assistance of up to $2 billion through the construction of joint military facilities, allowing US forces to move more flexibly, as well as proposing to deploy a US armored division in the country.
In addition to expressing its desire to share the burden of defense spending with Washington, Poland also wants to send a message to Russia that the United States is ready to support and protect its Eastern European allies.
North Korea declares to pursue its own denuclearization roadmap
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Facilities at the Punggye-ri test site were destroyed on May 24. Photo:AFP |
North Korea said on May 28 that it will push ahead and stick to its own timetable to realize the goal of a nuclear-free world, calling the recent dismantling of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site an important step toward that goal.
North Korea also asserted that the presence of international journalists at the Punggye-ri test site's demolition ceremony demonstrated the country's transparency in its commitment to denuclearization.
This statement was made by Pyongyang after a surprise meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on May 26.
Countries agree to maintain ceasefire in southern Syria
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| Russian soldiers stand guard in Eastern Ghouta, Syria. Source: AFP/TTXVN |
On May 28, a senior Jordanian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the country, along with Russia and the United States, agreed on the importance of maintaining a "de-escalation" zone in southern Syria.
The official said that during the discussion on the new developments in southern Syria, the three countries “shared views” on the need to maintain the agreement on the de-escalation zone, as this is a key step to “promote efforts to achieve a political solution” in Syria.
Jordan, the US and Russia were among the signatories to an agreement to establish a de-escalation zone in southern Syria last year.
1.2 tons of crystal meth disguised as tea entered Malaysia
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Malaysian customs displayed 1.2 tons of confiscated crystal meth at a press conference on May 28. Photo:Reuters. |
“This is the largest drug haul Malaysia has ever seized in history,”Reutersquoted Director General of Customs Subromaniam Tholasy on May 28.
A total of 1,187 tonnes of drugs worth about $18 million were shipped in containers from Yangon, Myanmar to Port Klang located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
The “food” shipment was seized on May 22 while it was headed to a trading company in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian customs officials said the crystal meth was packed in yellow tea packets. Six Myanmar and Malaysian suspects were arrested in the operation.
Two consecutive bombings in Nigeria caused many casualties
The scene of a suicide bombing in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On the evening of May 27, a suicide bombing was carried out by two female suspects believed to be members of the terrorist group Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria.
Two suspects detonated explosive devices at a house and near a mosque in Mashamari area, on the outskirts of Konduga, about 35 km from the Borno state capital Maiduguri.
The Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed that three people were killed in the two attacks and seven others were injured. The two bombings occurred almost simultaneously.
Brazil cuts fuel prices to cool truckers' strike
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| Truck drivers take part in a strike demanding a reduction in fuel prices in Sao Paulo, Brazil on May 24. Photo: EPA/TTXVN |
Under pressure from a nearly week-long nationwide strike by truck drivers that has led to fuel and food shortages in the country, Brazilian President Michel Temer on May 28 decided to reduce domestic diesel prices by 0.46 reals per liter, applicable for 60 days.
In the context of the strike that has "paralyzed" much of Brazil's economic infrastructure and export activities, Mr. Temer also accepted four other demands made by the striking truck drivers.
"Spiderman" who saved people in France gets special naturalization
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French President Emmanuel Macron honored and granted citizenship to "spider man" Mamoudou Gassama at the Presidential Palace on May 28, 2018. Photo from the French President's Facebook page |
After a daring "Spider-Man"-style rescue, Malian immigrant Mamoudou Gassama has been honored and granted French citizenship by French President Emmanuel Macron.
During a meeting on May 28 at the Presidential Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded the Medal of Courage to Mamoudou Gassama and asked him to join the French fire brigade.
Earlier, on the evening of May 26, Gassama used his bare hands to climb an apartment building in the 18th district of Paris to save a 4-year-old child hanging from a 4th floor balcony.
