Russia accuses Syrian rebels of staging chemical attack; Trump cuts aid to Palestine

Russia says Syrian rebels are preparing to stage a chemical attack

Rebel positions hit by airstrikes by Syrian government forces earlier this year. Photo:AFP

"To stage a 'chemical attack', the Tahrir al-Sham rebel group transferred eight vehicles carrying chlorine to a village near the city of Jusr al-Shughur in Idlib province. The group's fighters had been trained by the British private military company Olive,"Sputnikquoted Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying today.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the rebels would use chemical agents to attack civilians and then blame the Syrian government to create an excuse for the US and its allies to launch a new air campaign. "Western countries are trying to worsen the situation in the Middle East and prevent the peace process on Syrian territory," General Konashenkov said.

South Korea and the US pledge to work together to maintain dialogue with North Korea

Source: yonhapnews

Yonhap reported that the South Korean Foreign Ministry said that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha pledged on August 25 to work together to maintain the momentum of dialogue with North Korea, after Washington canceled Pompeo's visit to Pyongyang.

During the call, Secretary Pompeo informed Ms. Kang of the reasons for canceling his planned visit to Pyongyang and expressed the need for close consultations between the two sides to jointly chart a future course. For her part, Ms. Kang reaffirmed the strong determination of the two allies to thoroughly advance joint peace efforts. She also agreed on the need to closely coordinate with Washington in maintaining dialogue with North Korea.

Türkiye stresses determination to counter economic attacks

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: THX/ VNA

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on August 25 that the commitment and determination of the Turkish people is a necessary guarantee against attacks on the country's economy.

In a statement commemorating the 1071 Battle of Manzikert, President Erdogan said that as Turkey deals with attacks on its economy, its greatest guarantee is the commitment and determination of every citizen to "preserve independence, nation and future."

Mr. Erdogan also affirmed that no one can stop Türkiye from achieving the goals for 2023, 2053 and 2071 that the country has set.

Trump cuts $200 million in aid to Palestine

The decision to cancel a large amount of aid to Palestine was made by Trump in the context of the humanitarian crisis happening in the Gaza Strip. "US President Donald Trump has directed to cancel $200 million in aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The money will be transferred to other projects with higher priority,"Reutersquoted a senior US State Department official on August 25.

The decision comes after Trump reviewed his aid program for Palestine, as well as assessed the challenges the international community faces in providing assistance in Gaza, which is controlled by the Hamas Islamist movement.

Iran resumes talks with Russia on building new nuclear power plant

Tasnim news agency on August 25 quoted Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian as saying that the country has resumed negotiations with Russia on building a new nuclear power plant, with a possible electricity output of up to 3,000 MW.

According to Tasnim, Iran is currently capable of producing 1,000 MW of nuclear power and is operating a Russian-built reactor in Bushehr, the country's first nuclear power plant. In 2014, the two countries reached an agreement to build eight new reactors in Iran.

Mexican President-elect affirms maintaining military to fight crime

Mexican soldiers stand guard on the street. Source: AFP

On August 24, Mexican President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced that he would continue to deploy the army to fight crime.

President Obrador stressed that he could not stop mobilizing the army and marines to ensure security and support the police forces. In addition, he also affirmed that he would fulfill his campaign promises to adjust the security strategy. President-elect Obrador is expected to announce the rest of the security strategy next October.

Since deploying its army to fight crime in 2006, Mexico has killed scores of drug lords. But violence has continued to rise as gangs have become divided and fought for power. Last year, Mexico's death toll from violence reached a record 28,702.

Thailand increases fines for driving without a license

The Thai Legislative Assembly is considering a proposal to amend the Road Traffic Law, increasing penalties for those who do not have a driver's license.

Accordingly, the maximum fine for not having a driver's license will increase from 1,000 baht and 1 month in prison to 50,000 baht (equivalent to 36 million VND) and 3 months in prison; if the driver's license has expired or is being held, the maximum fine is 50,000 baht and 3 months in prison; if not carrying a driver's license, the maximum fine is 10,000 baht.

According to statistics from the National Traffic Safety Center of Thailand, there are currently up to 8 million people participating in traffic without a driver's license.

More than 21,000 Japanese people practice evacuation in simulated nuclear accident

Reactors 1 and 2 at the Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui, Japan. Source: Kyodo/TTXVN

On August 25, Japan held an evacuation drill in the central prefecture of Fukui, home to the country’s largest concentration of nuclear plants. About 21,600 people participated in the two-day exercise, including residents living within a 30km radius of two nuclear plants located just 14km apart.

The drill was aimed at testing evacuation plans for residents living around Kansai Electric Power Company's Oi and Takahama nuclear power plants, simulating a loss of cooling power to the reactors after a strong earthquake.