Putin visits China; Malaysia bans ministers from accepting gifts

Putin visits China amid tensions with the US

Russian President Putin (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 8. Photo:Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China on June 8 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping to discuss issues related to partnership and strategy, including large-scale energy cooperation, transport and industrial projects. The two leaders will also discuss global issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Iran nuclear deal.

Putin and Xi Jinping have recently enjoyed an increasingly close relationship, as US President Donald Trump views Moscow and Beijing as economic and political rivals that challenge US values ​​and interests.

French President warns US could be expelled from G7

French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: Reuters.

"The remaining six countries in the G7 form a larger market than the US. Perhaps the US president is not interested in being isolated now, but we are not afraid to become a group of six if necessary."RTquoted French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Previously, US President Donald Trump said that the country was suffering from "unprecedentedly bad trade deals" and decided to impose new import tariffs on steel and aluminum, including on allies such as Canada and the European Union, causing strong opposition from many leaders.

IS rebels retake many areas in eastern Syrian town

Syrian army in Albu Kamal. Source: Getty Images

AFP reported that the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist group on June 8 used at least 10 suicide bombers in a large-scale attack on the town of Albu Kamal in eastern Syria.

SOHR said that after this attack, IS recaptured many areas of the town of Albu Kamal. In addition, at least 25 fighters of the Syrian government and its allies were killed in this attack. This is the largest attack by IS in recent months.

Singapore temporarily lifts sanctions on North Korea Summit delegation

On June 8, Singapore announced that it would temporarily lift trade sanctions and reduce import and export tariffs on goods for the North Korean delegation attending the US-North Korea Summit, scheduled to take place on June 12 in the country. This is to facilitate the transfer of goods by the North Korean delegation. This decision will take effect from June 9-14.

Last November, Singapore announced a trade suspension with North Korea, shortly after the United Nations announced sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons program.

Former President Jacob Zuma's trial postponed for second time

On June 8, South Africa decided to postpone the trial related to corruption allegations against former President Jacob Zuma until July 27, and this is the second time the trial against Mr. Zuma has been delayed since the first was scheduled to be held on April 6.

Former President Zuma had previously appeared in court on charges related to a 30 billion rand (2.5 billion USD) arms deal in the late 1990s.

Malaysian government bans ministers from accepting gifts

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Source: Reuters

Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Special Committee on Anti-Corruption on June 8, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the government would implement a “no-gift” policy for ministers and their political aides. Currently, this regulation only applies to civil servants.

According to Prime Minister Mahathir, if there are gifts, they can only be flowers, food or fruit.

WWF: Mediterranean is about to become a "sea of ​​plastic"

Plastic bottles litter the water on the Mediterranean coast, Beirut, Lebanon, May 28. Source: EPA-EFE

In a report calling for measures to clean up one of the world's most polluted seas, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warned on June 8 that the Mediterranean is becoming a "sea of ​​plastic".

According to WWF, the Mediterranean has record levels of “microplastics” – pieces of plastic smaller than 5mm. This type of plastic tends to increasingly enter the food chain, posing a threat to human health.

A WWF report said the density of plastic particles in the Mediterranean is nearly four times higher than in other seas around the world.

ZTE pays $1 billion to escape US sanctions

ZTE had to stop its main operations in early May after the US cut off its supply of components - Photo: Reuters

ZTE, China's second-largest telecommunications equipment maker, has reached an agreement with the Trump administration under which the company agreed to pay a $1 billion fine and reform its leadership in exchange for Washington lifting a ban on doing business with American components suppliers.

The deal gives ZTE 30 days to replace its board of directors and operating system, pay a $1 billion fine plus a $400 million bond, and maintain a monitoring team appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Additionally, the deal includes a 10-year ban if the Chinese group violates it in the future.