President Trump defies global criticism, UN holds emergency meeting on Eastern Ghouta

1. US President Donald Trump defies global criticism

US President Donald Trump at a meeting on March 1. Photo: REUTERS

US President Donald Trump on March 2 issued a defiant statement aimed at global criticism of his plan to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, seemingly welcoming the idea of ​​a trade war, AFP reported.

On Twitter, the White House owner stated: "When a country (the US) is losing billions of dollars on trade with nearly every country it does business with, trade wars are good and easy to win. For example, when we cut $100 billion with a country and they get smart and stop trading - we win big. Easy."

2.The United Nations will hold an emergency meeting on Syria's Eastern Ghouta issue.

Scene of devastation in Otaybah, Eastern Ghouta, Syria. Source: AFP/TTXVN

AFP news agency reported that at the request of the UK, the United Nations Human Rights Council agreed to hold an emergency session on March 2 on the crisis in Eastern Ghouta - an area besieged by rebels in Syria.

In a statement, council spokesman Rolando Gomez said an "urgent meeting" on a British-proposed resolution was due to start at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT).

3.Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's son takes office as army chief of staff

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (left) and his eldest son Hun Manet. Photo: AFP

ReutersCambodian Defense Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat said on March 2 that Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), Lieutenant General Hun Manet, has assumed the role of RCAF Chief of Staff, replacing General Kun Kim, who is currently on leave due to health problems.

Political analyst Lao Mong Hay said that Hun Manet could become Commander-in-Chief of the Cambodian army in the future.

4.North Korea criticizes US-South Korea naval drills as joint drills open

AH-64 Apache helicopters participate in a drill in Pocheon, South Korea on September 22, 2008. Source: AFP/TTXVN

On March 2, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the recent US-South Korean naval exercise was the opening act for the resumption of large-scale joint military exercises conducted by the US in South Korea.

Previously, on February 27, just two days after the end of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the US and South Korean militaries conducted a joint exercise in the southern waters of South Korea.

Participating in this exercise were UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters of the 2nd Air Defense Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division of the US Forces Korea (USFK) and the No. 1 Asia-based amphibious assault ship Dokdo of the Republic of Korea Navy.

5.Afrin "fire pan" is hot, Türkiye bombs Syrian Army

At around 0:30 a.m. on March 2 (local time), the Turkish Air Force is said to have bombed Syrian government army bases stationed in the Afrin area of ​​Aleppo, killing at least 18 soldiers.

“In addition, at least 19 soldiers are still missing after a Turkish airstrike on the National Defense Forces (NDF) in the town of Sharan in the Afrin region,” the source said.
Ankara's attack is believed to be in retaliation for the NDF's support for the Kurdish YPG militia to crush an earlier attack by Ankara-backed rebels in Afrin's Rajou district.

6.Attack near Burkina Faso Prime Minister's office

Black smoke rises as the capital of Burkina Faso is attacked. Photo: AFP.

Loud explosions and gunfire were heard in the capital Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on March 2.BBCBurkina Faso's police chief said the city was under attack by suspected Islamist militants, according toAP.

Witnesses said they saw several armed men get out of a car and open fire. Images from the scene showed black smoke billowing into the sky.

National police said special forces were fighting militants near the Burkina Faso prime minister's office and the United Nations building, and urged people to stay away. The US embassy in the city also advised people to seek shelter.

7.The Republic of Armenia has a new President

New President of Armenia, Armen Sargsyan.

The Armenian Parliament has elected Armen Sargsyan as the country's new President.

Mr. Armen Sargsyan is the former Ambassador of Armenia to London, and in 1997 he became Prime Minister. He is the only candidate for the position of President, nominated by both parties: the ruling Republican Party (RPA) and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation "Dashnaktsutyun" (ARF).

Under Armenia's new Constitution, the president is elected by parliament for a seven-year term. President Serzh Sargsyan's current powers will expire on April 9, the same day as the inauguration of the new president, Armen Sargsyan. The old government will then resign, and Armenia will transition fully to a parliamentary system.

Peace