US sanctions on Russia take effect; Iran declares full control of the Gulf
(Baonghean.vn) - The world in the past 24 hours has been filled with many events such as: The first package of US sanctions against Russia took effect; Iran declared that it had complete control over the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz; Greece was overloaded with refugees on some islands; Donald Trump banned the White House from praising John McCain...
First package of US sanctions against Russia takes effect
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| (Source: 112.international) |
According to a VNA correspondent in Moscow, the first package of sanctions imposed by the US against Russia due to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK took effect on August 27.
Accordingly, the US will end support activities, arms trade activities and financial provision for Russia. In addition, the US will also refuse credits and ban the export to Russia of some security technologies and items.
This package of sanctions does not apply to cooperation between Russia and the US in the space sector.
The second package of sanctions, expected to be implemented from November 2018, includes downgrading diplomatic relations, banning Russian airline Aeroflot from flying to the US, and banning exports and imports.
Malaysia bans foreigners from buying houses in large eco-urban project
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| Construction site next to a villa display at the City Gardens Forest City project in Johor Bahru, Malaysia in February 2017. Source: Reuters |
On August 27, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the country will not allow foreigners to buy real estate in the $100 billion Forest City eco-city project in the southern state of Johor.
Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stressed that the future city will definitely not be offered for sale to foreigners, and affirmed that no foreigners will be granted visas to live here.
The government opposed the project because it was originally intended for the high-end market segment, not for Malaysians. Most Malaysians cannot afford to buy a house here.
Iran claims complete control of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz
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| An Iranian oil tanker off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the head of the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on August 27 that Iran has complete control of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have previously threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil exports, in response to any hostile US action.
Last May, the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group (including the US, China, the UK, France, Russia and Germany) and announced the re-imposition of sanctions on Tehran, aiming to reduce Iran's oil export revenue to zero. The US sanctions, focusing on Iran's oil exports, will take effect in November.
In another development, on the afternoon of August 27 (Hanoi time), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague, Netherlands, opened a trial following a lawsuit filed by the Iranian government against the Trump administration's restoration of economic sanctions against the country.
Donald Trump bans White House from praising John McCain
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| Senator John McCain. Photo: Sputnik |
US President Donald Trump has banned the publication of a prepared press release related to the death of Senator John McCain, the Washington Post reported, citing several sources.
According to the publication, White House staff have finished drafting a statement. However, Donald Trump said he preferred an official statement on Twitter, although the President's press secretary Sara Sanders and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly supported this, the Washington Post said.
Following McCain's death on Monday night, Trump tweeted his condolences. An official White House statement was not released.
Greece overloaded with refugees on some islands
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The influx of refugees to Greek islands is causing them to become overwhelmed. Photo: Daily Express |
On August 26, local authorities on the Greek islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos once again called on the central government to resettle refugees.
The Greek government has pledged to reduce the number of refugees on the islands to 10,000 by September. However, more than 16,000 refugees are still living in cramped conditions on the islands.
The situation on Lesvos is the most serious, with less than 50% of the refugees’ housing needs met. In addition, new arrivals continue to pour into makeshift tent camps on the edge of the forest.
The lack of space and resources not only increases tensions between different ethnic groups in the refugee camp, but also causes disruption to neighboring districts, affecting local businesses and causing anxiety for local residents.
Russia confirms no bombing in northern Afghanistan
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| Illustration: khaama.com |
On August 27, RIA news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as affirming that the country was not behind the airstrike in northern Afghanistan and that Russian military aircraft had not conducted any operations near the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Earlier, an Afghan official said that an unidentified Russian or Tajik aircraft on August 26 carried out an airstrike on a militant position in Durqad district, Takhar province, northeastern Afghanistan. At least eight Taliban fighters were killed and six others were injured in the airstrike.
China monitors and controls smog with remote sensing satellites
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| Smog covers China's capital Beijing. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment has announced plans to more effectively monitor and control smog in key regions and areas through the use of remote sensing satellites.
A satellite network monitoring the density of PM 2.5 dust particles - the main pollutants in the atmosphere - will gradually cover the capital Beijing, Tianjin and 26 cities in neighboring provinces, 11 cities in the Fenhe and Weihe river deltas, as well as 41 cities in the Yangtze River delta, according to the ministry's announcement.
According to the ministry, thanks to technologies such as remote sensing satellites, officials in Beijing can quickly detect environmental problems in remote areas and promptly direct remediation work.