Russia increases number of ships in Kerch Strait; US wants to extradite Huawei's CFO

Russia increases the number of ships present in the Kerch Strait

Kerch Strait. Photo: VNA

The representative of the coast guard department of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), Mr. Alexei Volsky, said that the Russian coast guard was forced to increase the number of ships in the Kerch-Yenikale canal area in the Kerch Strait, in response to recent provocations by Ukraine.

According to Mr. Volsky, an investigation into Ukrainian ships recently seized by Russia in the Kerch Strait showed that these ships were carrying more weapons and ammunition than allowed.

There is no evidence that President Trump colluded with Russia to interfere in the election.

US President Donald Trump at a press conference in Washington DC, USA. Photo: THX/TTXVN

US President Donald Trump said US prosecutors have found no evidence of collusion with Russia, following a lengthy and costly investigation into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

On Twitter, Mr. Trump wrote: "Two years and two million pages of documents (costing over $30 million), but no evidence of complicity."

The information was given by Mr. Trump to refute the US prosecutors' statement a day earlier about a conspiracy showing that a Russian had helped Mr. Trump's election campaign.

Pakistani anti-terror police announced that they have arrested five terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban organization who planned to attack the offices of the intelligence agency, located in Bahawalpur city, Punjab province.

However, the police got information about the incident and conducted a raid on the group's hideout. Several explosive belts, hand grenades, weapons and funding were seized at the scene.

Riot protests broke out in Paris, police had to fire tear gas

Yellow vest protesters clash with police in Paris on December 8. Photo:AFP

The demonstration on the Champs-Elysees turned violent shortly after 10am. French police fired the first rounds of tear gas at the riotous Yellow Vest protesters as they poured into central Paris. French law enforcement also deployed armored vehicles from the French gendarmerie in the Arc de Triomphe area.

Hundreds of people were arrested before and during the protests. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said 481 people had been arrested. 211 people remain in custody. The violence in recent weeks in France has been unprecedented, with many protesters and police injured.

Japan to sharply increase spending to respond to security challenges

Japanese soldiers. Photo: BBC.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense will spend at least 27 trillion yen ($240 billion) from April 2019 to March 2024, with an average increase of 1.1 percent each year, the Nikkei newspaper reported. Currently, the purchase of military equipment and salaries for soldiers accounts for 80 percent of Japan's defense spending. However, according to the plan, the money for new equipment will be a separate fund to make it easier to buy military equipment from the United States.

Purchasing US military equipment could help Japan ease trade conflicts with the US as US President Donald Trump continues to urge Japan to buy more US goods, including military equipment, to reduce the trade deficit.

Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians march to protest against racial discrimination

IMF approves $3.7 billion loan to help Angola develop economy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo in Washington DC, USA. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $3.7 billion loan to Angola over three years to help the southern African country diversify its economy and control corruption. The IMF said the loan would be used to help Angola restructure state-owned enterprises and improve economic governance.

In recent years, falling oil prices have plunged Angola’s economy, which is 70% dependent on oil exports, into crisis, with high poverty rates. Since taking office in September 2017, President Joao Lourenco has pledged to step up anti-corruption efforts, engage in dialogue with opposition groups, diversify the economy and promote foreign investment.

Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou. Photo:Nikkei.

US prosecutors want to extradite Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou from Canada to face charges related to violations of Iran sanctions. The US now has 60 days to make a formal extradition request.

According to evidence read at a trial in Vancouver, Canada, Ms. Meng Wanzhou was accused of fraud in the US for avoiding Huawei's relationship with Skycom. Between 2009 and 2014, Huawei used Skycom to conduct transactions in Iran, despite US and European Union (EU) bans. In addition, the CFO of Huawei Group was also accused of defrauding many financial institutions.