Russia warns NATO if it admits Georgia; President Trump: “1 is America, 2 is Iran”
(Baonghean.vn) - In the past 24 hours, many events have taken place in the world such as: Russia warns NATO of "terrible conflict" if it accepts Georgia; Mr. Trump warns trade partners: "1 is the US, 2 is Iran"; North Korea repatriates South Korean citizens who illegally crossed the border; Former Malaysian Prime Minister must appear before the Anti-Corruption Commission...
Russia warns NATO of 'terrible conflict' if Georgia joins
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| Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Photo:Reuters |
"Georgia's entry into NATO would spark a terrible conflict. I don't understand why they are doing this on purpose,"ReutersToday, citing a statement by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Medvedev's remarks came weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned NATO against moves to strengthen ties with Ukraine and Georgia, saying the policy was irresponsible and would have unpredictable consequences for the bloc.
NATO leaders pledged in 2008 to bring Georgia into the alliance and discussed the issue again at a meeting in Brussels in July. This is believed to be the main reason why Russia, which shares a border with Georgia, is angry and has frequently criticized NATO's intention.
Trump warns trade partners: "1 is America, 2 is Iran"
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Trump's tweet. |
In a statement on Twitter early on August 7 (US time), US President Donald Trump affirmed that “anyone doing business with Iran will not be doing business with the United States”. “Iran sanctions are officially in effect” – Mr. Trump announced, at the same time affirming, “these are the most painful sanctions ever imposed, and in November, they will reach another level”.
The US President emphasized: “Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States. I only ask for WORLD PEACE, nothing else.”
The statement was made in the context that the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said on August 7 that the European Union (EU) is encouraging businesses to increase cooperation with Iran.
North Korea repatriates South Korean citizens who illegally crossed the border
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South Korean soldiers stand guard at the inter-Korean border in April 2018. Photo:Korea Times. |
A 34-year-old South Korean man surnamed Seo was returned home at 11 a.m. on August 7, a day after his repatriation plan was announced by the North Korean Red Cross.Yonhapciting a statement from the South Korean Unification Ministry.
A statement from North Korea said Seo had been detained since late last month for illegally crossing the border. No further details were available.
The South Korean Unification Ministry said the "humanitarian" measure by North Korea would have a "positive" impact on inter-Korean relations. It also said six other South Koreans have been detained for years in North Korea, including three missionaries and three North Korean defectors who have been naturalized as South Korean citizens.
Fighting in eastern Afghanistan kills at least 50 people
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| Afghan security forces. Source: Reuters |
According to Xinhua, Afghanistan's Pajhwak Afghan News reported on August 7 that at least 50 civilians and security personnel were killed in a fierce battle in the eastern province of Logar on the night of August 6. According to the agency, the clash began at midnight after Taliban insurgents attacked from multiple directions the headquarters of the remote Azra district and neighboring areas.
The agency quoted Abdul Wali Wakeel, a member of the Logar provincial council, as saying that 35 security personnel and civilians were killed in clashes in Azra district, while at least 15 police officers were killed in “friendly fire” when the US-led NATO coalition carried out an airstrike on a security checkpoint in Azra. Several Taliban militants were also reported to have been injured or killed in the clashes.
UK prepares to ask Russia to extradite suspect in Sergei Skripal case
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| Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Source: Sky News |
The Guardian reported that the UK is ready to request Russia to extradite two suspects in the nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, UK, in early March. British prosecutors have completed the extradition request and are preparing to submit it.
The extradition request is likely to be rejected by Russia, which could further strain diplomatic relations between London and Moscow, which are at their worst since the Cold War. In addition, the Russian constitution prohibits the extradition of its citizens to other countries.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister must appear before the Anti-Corruption Commission
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| Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak appears in court on July 4, 2018. Photo: AFP |
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has asked former Prime Minister Najib Razak to appear before the agency on August 7. The Star Daily newspaper quoted an anonymous source in the MACC as saying that Najib Razak was asked to appear at the agency at 5pm (local time). Former Prime Minister Najib Razak has not yet responded to the above information.
On July 19, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was also summoned to give testimony in the investigation into the 1Malaysia State Investment Fund (1MDB).
Saudi Arabia and Canada escalate “diplomatic crisis”
Diplomatic tensions between Saudi Arabia and Canada have been escalating since Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador on August 5, accusing him of “interfering in internal affairs.” All flights to and from Canada to Saudi Arabia have been suspended, while thousands of Saudi students studying in Canada have been relocated to other countries.
In her first response since Saudi Arabia’s decision to expel Ambassador Dennis Horak, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada will always defend human rights not only in Canada, but around the world. Earlier, in a rather surprising move, the Saudi government on August 5 asked the Canadian ambassador in Riyadh to leave the country within 24 hours, recalled the Saudi ambassador to Canada and froze trade relations between the two countries.
The consequences of the dam break in Laos will take years to overcome.
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Lao Foreign Minister chairs press conference. |
On August 7, in the capital Vientiane, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, and the Lao Ministry of Health, held an international press conference to announce the progress of the recovery of the Sepien Senamnoi hydropower dam collapse in Attapeu province, southern Laos, on the evening of July 23.
Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said that by the end of August 6, rescuers had found the bodies of 31 victims, with more than 100 people still missing. More than 6,000 people affected by the Sepien Sanamnoi hydropower dam collapse have been temporarily housed at five locations in Attapeu province. Due to the large scale of the damage, it will take Laos many years to recover from the incident. Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath announced that due to the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower dam collapse, the Lao Government has decided to suspend the signing of new Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and Project Development Agreements (PDAs) for hydropower nationwide to conduct further assessments and inspections.
Trump's star on the Walk of Fame could be permanently removed
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| President Trump's star on the Walk of Fame. Photo: The Blaze |
- President Trump's iconic Hollywood star could be permanently removed if members of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce vote to do so.
According to Sputnik, Mr. Trump's behavior towards women is one of the reasons cited for the vote to remove his star on the Walk of Fame.
Other reasons cited include Trump’s decision to separate children from their parents at the US-Mexico border, his denial of climate change, his treatment of transgender people and his plan to take away funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program to pay for the costs of detaining children related to current immigration policies.