Russia conducts military drills in Kuril Islands; CIA accused of attacking North Korean embassy in Madrid
(Baonghean.vn) - Russia conducts military exercises on disputed islands with Japan; CIA accused of involvement in attack on North Korean Embassy in Madrid; US discovers shocking university admissions fraud... are world events of the past 24 hours.
Russia holds military exercises on disputed islands with Japan
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| Disputed islands area between Russia and Japan. Photo: theunshackled.net |
On March 12, Russia's Eastern Military District conducted military exercises in the southern region of the disputed islands with Japan, which Moscow calls the Southern Kurils, while Tokyo calls the Northern Territories.
According to the announcement of the Eastern Military District, the armored units of the military district conducted exercises on the two islands of Iturup and Kunashir, which Japan calls Etorofu and Kunashiri respectively. The exercise involved 500 soldiers with T-72B and BMP-2 tanks, practicing anti-landing enemy operations.
CIA accused of involvement in attack on North Korean embassy in Madrid
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| North Korean Embassy in Madrid. Photo: Reuters |
According to AFP, on March 13, the El Pais daily reported that at least two of the 10 people who broke into the North Korean Embassy in Madrid last February were linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The mysterious incident occurred on February 22, just five days before the US-North Korea summit in Hanoi. The summit was attended by former North Korean Ambassador to Spain Kim Hyok-chol.
The intruders were apparently looking for information about Kim Hyok-chol, the newspaper quoted investigators as saying. According to El Pais, this could be a "political espionage" operation, as the 10 subjects broke in with fake guns and controlled the diplomatic staff.
China offers to help Venezuela restore power system
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| Power outage in Caracas, Venezuela, March 9, 2019. Photo: AFP/VNA |
On March 13, China offered to help Venezuela restore its power system, as the South American country has been experiencing a power outage for days. Speaking at a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang stressed that China is willing to offer support and technical assistance to Venezuela to restore its power system.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called on allies such as Russia and China as well as the United Nations to assist in an investigation into a "US cyber attack" that the Venezuelan leader said was responsible for the country's power outage.
US uncovers historic college admissions fraud
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| The ringleader of the college admissions scam - William Singer leaves the Boston court on March 12. Photo: New York Times |
According to US media on March 12, the police of this country have just dismantled a network of people who were trying to get into top universities in the US. Operation "Varsity Blues" has confirmed that 50 suspects including CEOs, many famous Hollywood stars, fashion designers, senior lawyers and university professors... in the US "colluded" to get their children into top universities such as Yale, Stanford, Georgetown or Southern California.
Federal prosecutors say the scheme has been operating since 2011 and involved 200 universities across the country. The group created fake applications to send to universities to get them through the admissions process. The school administrators, who had been paid bribes, would then manipulate the college entrance exam results of the "sent" candidates.
UK expands drone ban zone
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| Surveillance equipment installed at Gatwick Airport in London, UK on December 21, 2018. Photo: AFP/ VNA |
In order to deal with the appearance of drones around airports, especially major airports in London, British authorities on March 13 expanded drone-free zones around airports.
Under the new rules, the radius within which drones are banned will be increased from 1km to 5km. Meanwhile, UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said those who deliberately break the ban will face large fines or even life imprisonment.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister continues to deny money laundering charges
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| Former Prime Minister Najib Razak leaves court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, December 12, 2018. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On March 13, the New Straits Times reported that former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak continued to plead not guilty to three money laundering charges related to an amount of 47 million ringgit (11.5 million USD) five years ago.
Najib denied the charges when he appeared before the Kuala Lumpur High Court on March 13, presided over by Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan. The trial will resume on April 17.