Russia strikes Idlib if necessary; Thailand eases ban on political activities
(Baonghean.vn) - The world in the past 24 hours has seen many events such as: Russia affirms that it will continue to airstrike Idlib if necessary; 1 billion USD transferred to former Prime Minister Najib's account; Germany wants to establish close defense relations with the UK after Brexit; Thailand eases the ban on political activities to prepare for general elections...
Syria situation: Russia affirms it will continue to strike Idlib if necessary
 |
| Smoke rises after an airstrike near the village of Kafr Ain, Idlib province, Syria on September 7. Source: AFP/TTXVN |
Interfax news agency on September 14 quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying that Moscow will continue to strike rebel targets in Idlib province (Syria) if necessary, but will also open humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to escape. Speaking in Berlin (Germany), Mr. Lavrov said that the Russian air force will strike targets identified as terrorist weapons manufacturing facilities, but affirmed that this force will also encourage local reconciliation agreements.
Idlib province is considered the last rebel stronghold in Syria. In recent weeks, the Syrian government army has been preparing to launch a full-scale offensive to liberate Idlib province from rebels and terrorists.
Malaysia: $1 billion transferred to former Prime Minister Najib's account
 |
| Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Source: AFP/ VNA |
The New Straits Times reported that the results of the Malaysian police investigation into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state investment fund showed that a total of US$972 million was transferred into former Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal account at Amislamic Bank. According to Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim, the money was transferred into Mr. Najib's account through three companies, including Good Star, AABAR and Tanore.
Speaking to reporters on September 14, Mr. Noor Rashid added that the police also discovered 132 illegal transactions transferring money from 1MDB to the accounts of 50 people, including Malaysians and citizens of other countries.
At least 4 people died due to Hurricane Florence in the US
 |
Rescue workers assist people. Photo: AFP. |
Hurricane Florence weakened to a tropical storm on the afternoon of September 14 after making landfall in North Carolina, USA. Wind speeds have dropped to 119 km/h. The storm has killed at least four people and caused flooding in many areas. More than half a million homes have lost power.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said the storm is expected to leave much of the state underwater for days to come. Damage from Hurricane Florence in North and South Carolina could reach $5 billion.
The White House said on September 14 that President Donald Trump is expected to visit affected areas early or mid-next week if the visit does not hinder rescue or recovery efforts from the storm.
South Korea launches submarine that can 'deal with all threats'
 |
| Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine at the launching ceremony. Photo: AFP |
The South Korean Navy on September 14 held a launching ceremony for a domestically built submarine, considered a new strategic weapon system to enhance underwater defense capabilities. This is the first in a project to build nine 3,000-ton Changbogo-III class submarines in South Korea, with a total investment of 3.33 trillion won (2.97 billion USD).
South Korea’s new diesel-electric submarine, the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, is 83.3 meters long and 9.6 meters wide, has a displacement of 3,000 tons, a maximum speed of more than 37 kilometers per hour, and can carry 50 sailors, according to Yonhap. It is equipped with six vertical launch tubes that can launch both cruise and ballistic missiles and can operate continuously for 20 days without having to surface.
The Dosan Ahn Chang-ho will be delivered to the Navy in December 2020 after trials and will officially operate in January 2022.
Germany wants to establish close defense ties with Britain after Brexit
 |
| German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
According to Reuters, on September 14, German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized that she wants the European Union (EU) to have a close relationship with Britain after it leaves the bloc, and affirmed that allies need to coordinate closely with each other in the fields of security and defense in the future.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital Vilnius (Lithuania), Ms. Merkel said: "We want to establish a good, trustworthy relationship with the UK, we want close cooperation in areas related to security and defense policy, and we want cooperation between the 27 EU member states and the UK. However, determining the UK's relationship with the EU depends on London."Thailand eases ban on political activities to prepare for general election
 |
| Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
Thailand's military government on September 14 eased the ban on political activities, paving the way for a general election scheduled for February 24, 2019.
The decision, announced by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, allows political parties to conduct certain activities, such as holding meetings to elect leaders, admitting new members, amending party regulations, and starting the process of selecting election candidates. However, actual campaigning is not yet considered legal.
US advises citizens to exercise caution when traveling to South Africa
 |
| The US advises citizens to exercise caution when traveling to South Africa. Source: Sport Lived |
According to VNA in South Africa on September 14, the US State Department issued the above recommendation based on the causes of crime, social unrest and drought in this southern African country.
According to the advisory, violent crimes such as armed robbery, rape, car attacks, and muggings are very common in South Africa. Violent incidents are more likely to occur in the central districts of major cities, especially at night. In addition, rallies, demonstrations, and strikes occur frequently in South Africa, in many cases without prior notice, causing traffic congestion and disruption to other services. These events can turn violent.
Türkiye accuses US of being behind economic attack
 |
| Turkish lira and US dollar. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on September 14 accused the United States of carrying out a "heinous economic attack" that has sent the lira down by about 40% this year, Reuters reported. Speaking to officials of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the capital Ankara, Erdogan also said Türkiye would see the results of the independence of the central bank after the bank raised interest rates by 6.25 percentage points a day earlier.
On the same day, Mr. Erdogan also said that Turkish ministries are re-evaluating investment plans and will not consider implementing new investment projects, even though the investment projects are 70-80% completed.
