Russia holds largest military exercise since Soviet era; Iran says US won't dare attack
(Baonghean.vn) - In the past 24 hours, many events have taken place in the world such as: Korea - North Korea removed military checkpoints along the border; the US accused China and the EU of illegal currency manipulation; the Taliban launched missiles into Afghanistan; President Hassan Rouhani affirmed that the US did not dare to attack Iran; Indonesia sank more than 100 foreign fishing boats illegally fishing...
North and South Korea begin dismantling military guard posts along border
|
North Korean soldiers at a guard post in the DMZ. Photo:NHK. |
Speaking before the South Korean parliament on August 21, Defense Minister Song Young Moo said Seoul and Pyongyang have agreed to begin dismantling some guard posts along the inter-Korean border as part of confidence-building measures between the two Koreas, according toAFP. Mr. Song Young Moo said the guard posts to be removed were within 1 km of the other side's guard posts. About 10 South Korean guard posts were included in the list of those to be removed. Currently, South Korea and North Korea have two guard posts closest to each other, about 700 m apart.
According to Mr. Song, Pyongyang will take corresponding actions after Seoul begins implementing the plan to withdraw the guard posts from the border. The South Korean defense minister said the issue is still under discussion and did not give a specific time to start the plan to remove the guard posts south of the 38th parallel.
Russia plans largest military exercise since Soviet era
|
A giant formation of tanks and armored vehicles during the Zapad-81 exercise. Photo:Sputnik. |
The Russian Defense Ministry said the exercise, dubbed Vostok 2018, will take place in Siberia next September. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the exercise will be of unprecedented scale, both in terms of the area of organization and the number of troops participating.
Shoigu added that this was “the largest military event since the Zapad-81 exercise.” According to documents from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Zapad-81, which took place from September 4, 1981, involved 150,000 troops. That year’s exercise saw the Soviet Union test a series of new weapons, including the RSD-10 medium-range ballistic missile, known to NATO as the SS-20 Saber.
In addition to the Russian military, Vostok 2018 will see the participation of the Chinese and Mongolian militaries. According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, China will contribute 3,200 soldiers, 900 combat vehicles, 30 aircraft and helicopters.
US accuses China and EU of illegal currency manipulation
|
President Donald Trump accused China and the EU of illegal currency manipulation. Photo: EFE. |
US President Donald Trump on June 20 accused the European Union and China of currency manipulation. In an interview with the news agencyReuters"I think China is manipulating their currency, absolutely," President Trump stressed. "And I think the Euro is being manipulated. That's why they're paying a big price. But no matter what, America is going to win."
The statement comes as Mr Trump is increasing pressure to force China and the EU, the US's two largest trading partners, to make trade concessions to Washington.
Rockets hit Afghan diplomatic area and presidential palace
 |
| Afghan security forces bomb a house they believe was the source of the attacks. (Photo: AP) |
Immediately after rejecting the Afghan government’s ceasefire proposal, on the morning of August 21, the Taliban launched more than 10 rockets to attack the Presidential Palace and the diplomatic area in the Afghan capital Kabul. The attack occurred while Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was delivering a message on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Afghan security forces have surrounded and destroyed a house they believe was the site of a rocket attack on the presidential palace. Both ground and air forces have been deployed by Afghan authorities to monitor the Eidgah Mosque and Kabul Stadium.
President Hassan Rouhani asserts that the US does not dare to attack Iran
 |
| Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Source: AFP/VNA |
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on August 21 that the US does not dare attack Iran as Washington is aware of the military strength of the Islamic Republic as well as the cost of a conflict.
In a speech broadcast live on state television, President Rouhani stated: "Why doesn't America attack us? Because of our military strength, because ofMalaysiaAmerica recognizes... the consequences of this."
Malaysia cancels 3 projects worth 22 billion USD with China
 |
| Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: EPA-EFE/TTXVN |
On August 21, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad confirmed the cancellation of three projects worth a total of $22 billion signed between China and Malaysia until Kuala Lumpur can pay its debts. The projects include a railway project connecting Malaysia's east coast to southern Thailand and Kuala Lumpur, and two oil pipeline projects.
Speaking to reporters after concluding a five-day visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Mahathir said he had explained the reasons for canceling the projects to Chinese leaders. Accordingly, if the projects were implemented, Malaysia would need to borrow a lot of money that the country currently cannot afford. In this situation, Malaysia sees that the projects are not really necessary for the Southeast Asian country at the present time, when Kuala Lumpur's urgent problem is to solve the national budget deficit.
Muslims around the world begin celebrating Eid al-Adha
 |
| Muslims pray in Quezon, Philippines on the first day of Eid al-Adha on August 21. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
On August 21, billions of Muslims around the world began celebrating Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, which lasts for three days, to commemorate and honor the Prophet Ibrahim. This is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar. On August 21, billions of Muslims around the world began celebrating Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, which lasts for three days, to commemorate and honor the Prophet Ibrahim. This is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar.
On this occasion, Muslims often gather in mosques or large public places to pray and perform ritual sacrifices of animals such as sheep or goats. The meat will then be distributed to family, friends, and the poor.
Indonesia sinks more than 100 foreign fishing boats for illegal fishing
 |
| Indonesian Navy sinks foreign fishing boat for illegal fishing. Source: CCTV |
Indonesian authorities announced on August 21 that they had destroyed and sunk a total of 125 mostly foreign-owned vessels for illegally fishing in the country’s territorial waters. The operation was aimed at deterring vessels that intend to fish and exploit other resources illegally in Indonesian waters, said Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti.
The sinking of 125 vessels took place at 11 locations across the country on August 20. Since 2014, Indonesian authorities have sunk a total of 488 fishing vessels for violating regulations.
Many Australian Government officials resign en masse
 |
| Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull narrowly defeated Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton by 48-35. Photo: theaustralian.com.au |
On the morning of August 21, Australian Liberal Party MPs voted to re-elect the party leadership between Mr. Turnbull and Mr. Dutton. The final result was that the Australian Prime Minister won by a narrow margin of 48-35. Immediately after that, four senior officials in the Australian cabinet simultaneously submitted their resignations to show their support for Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who had just resigned after he lost to current Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkarwas was the first to leave his post, followed by Senator and Minister Assistant to the Prime Minister James McGrath and Senator and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. Attorney-General and Cybersecurity Minister Augus Taylor, one of the most important figures in the Turnbull government, also made the same decision.
