WTO backs Russia in dispute with Ukraine; US considers military intervention in Venezuela
(Baonghean.vn) - WTO ruled in favor of Russia in the dispute with Ukraine; US "seriously considering" military intervention in Venezuela; UK begins to remove the word "European Union" from its citizens' passports... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
WTO rules in favor of Russia in dispute with Ukraine
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| World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
On April 5, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in favor of Russia in its dispute with Ukraine over transit routes. The WTO dispute settlement panel said that Russia has the right to invoke national security concerns to impose restrictions on Ukrainian transit by road or rail. National security concerns were the factor that helped Russia win the WTO's support in this dispute.
According to the WTO, if Russia had imposed the restrictions during normal times, Ukraine would have won the dispute. However, given the apparent tensions between the two countries, Russia has the right to invoke national security concerns to impose the restrictions.
US 'seriously considering' military intervention in Venezuela
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US helicopters and amphibious transport ships operate off the coast of Peru in late 2018. Photo:US Navy. |
A senior Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that military intervention to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro remains a “very serious option” for Washington. “Obviously that’s not an outcome that anyone wants to see, but it’s still being seriously considered given the current situation,” the official said.
The official's statement comes as the US is stepping up sanctions aimed at weakening President Maduro's government. US Vice President Mike Pence said on April 5 that Washington had imposed sanctions on 34 vessels belonging to Venezuela's National Oil Corporation and two companies transporting oil from Venezuela to Cuba.
Britain begins removing the word "European Union" from its passports
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Old British passport (right) and new passport issued after March 30, the original date the UK was scheduled to leave the European Union. Photo:Twitter. |
The British Home Office confirmed on April 6 that some passports issued since March 30, the original Brexit date, no longer have the words "European Union" in accordance with a decision in 2017. However, the ministry said that some newly issued travel documents will still have the words in order to save public funds.
A Home Office spokesman said there would be no difference for British citizens whether they used a passport with or without the words "European Union" on the cover, stressing that both types of passport would be equally valid for people's travel.
Iraq decides to close Sheeb border crossing with Iran
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| Iraq-Iran border area. Photo: AP |
Iraq has closed its Sheeb border crossing with Iran to tourists and trade until further notice, security sources said on May 6, Reuters reported, as floods continued to sweep through villages in southern Iran.
Regarding bilateral relations, earlier the same day, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on his country and neighboring Iraq to expand gas and electricity trade as well as work towards fully implementing plans to connect the two sides' railways.
Nigeria: Bandits attack a village, kill 50 people
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A car burned in an attack in Nigeria in February 2019. Photo: Press TV |
At least 50 people were killed when armed bandits attacked Sakajiki village in Zamfara state, northwest Nigeria. The victims were mainly militiamen and local residents.
Banditry has long been a menace to rural communities in Zamfara State. Bandits regularly attack and burn villages, steal livestock, plunder food, and even kidnap civilians for ransom.
Britain starts issuing passports without the words 'European Union'
Saturday, April 6, 2019 19:50
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Britain has started issuing passports without the words "European Union" on the cover, despite the Brexit process being delayed and it still unclear when London will leave this "common roof".
The British Home Office confirmed on April 6 that some passports issued since March 30, the original Brexit date, no longer have the words "European Union" in accordance with a decision in 2017. However, the ministry said that some newly issued travel documents will still have the words in order to save public funds.
A Home Office spokesman said there would be no difference for British citizens whether they used a passport with or without the words "European Union" on the cover, stressing that both types of passport would be equally valid for people's travel.