Russia develops new weapons to counter the US; North Korea affirms it will find a 'new path'
(Baonghean.vn) - Russia warns that it will develop new weapons to counter the US; Japan commemorates the 73rd anniversary of the US dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima; North Korea affirms that it will find a 'new path'... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
Russia warns it will develop new weapons to counter the US
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| US MK-41 missile launcher system. Army Cecognition screenshot |
At a meeting with the Russian Security Council, President Vladimir Putin ordered the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and the SVR foreign intelligence service to closely monitor any steps the United States takes to develop, produce or deploy missiles banned under the INF treaty, according to Reuters. “If Russia receives reliable information that the United States has completed the development of these systems and started producing them, Russia will have no choice but to develop similar missiles,” Putin stressed.
According to the Kremlin owner, with its arsenal of air- and sea-launched missiles and hypersonic missiles under development, Russia is capable of dealing with any threat. The leader added that what needs to be done is for Moscow and Washington to restore arms control talks to prevent an arms race from breaking out.
The US officially labeled China a currency manipulator.
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| Chinese yuan and US dollars at a bank in Beijing, China. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
The US Treasury Department has officially designated China as a currency manipulator, accusing Beijing of devaluing the yuan as the trade war between the two sides escalates. The US Treasury Department said in a statement that, under the authorization of President Donald Trump, Secretary Steven Mnuchin has determined that “China is a currency manipulator.” The statement also said that Mr. Mnuchin will consult with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to eliminate the unfair competitive advantage that China has received from its latest actions related to the devaluation of its domestic currency.
The move came after China earlier in the day allowed the yuan to depreciate by 2%, to the level of over 7 yuan per US dollar, the weakest level for the Chinese currency in 10 years. China's decision triggered a massive sell-off of stocks on Wall Street on August 5. The devaluation will also put pressure on the Federal Reserve Bank (Fed), forcing the agency to consider implementing new interest rate cuts.
Iran's President: Security for security, peace for peace
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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Photo: AFP |
President Hassan Rouhani said on August 6 that Iran is ready to negotiate with the United States if Washington lifts sanctions on the Islamic Republic, despite Iran's foreign minister earlier rejecting a meeting with President Trump. Rouhani said "peace with Iran is the mother of all peace" and "war with Iran is the mother of all wars" as the Iranian president firmly defended the historic 2015 nuclear deal.
The Iranian leader also declared: "Peace for peace and oil for oil. America cannot say that they will not let us export oil. The same goes for the Strait. It is not fair that in the Strait of Hormuz you are free, but in the Strait of Gibraltar we are not."
Japan commemorates 73rd anniversary of US atomic bombing of Hiroshima
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| Japan held a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the US dropping the atomic bomb during World War II, at the Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima city. Photo: EPA/TTXVN |
On the morning of August 6, the government of Hiroshima city, western Japan, held a ceremony to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the US atomic bombing before the end of World War II. The ceremony was held at Peace Memorial Park near Ground Zero, with the participation of about 50,000 people, including representatives of about 90 countries around the world. Attendees observed a minute of silence for the victims of this tragic event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of continuing efforts to realize "a world without nuclear weapons". He stressed that as the only country in the world to have suffered atomic bombs in war, Japan is steadfast in its obligation to eliminate nuclear weapons and this policy will be maintained during the Reiwa period.
North Korea vows to find a 'new path'
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| People watch on TV at a station in Seoul (South Korea) images of a missile test-launched by North Korea on August 6, 2019. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
North Korea on August 6 affirmed that it remains committed to resolving issues through dialogue, but warned that Pyongyang "will be forced to find a new path" if South Korea and the US continue hostile military moves. The statement was made after the country launched two objects that were believed to be short-range ballistic missiles that morning. The launch is believed to be in response to ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the US.
The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying that the joint US-South Korea exercises were an "obvious denial and flagrant violation" of the diplomatic process between Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington.
