British PM blocks Parliament from interfering with Brexit; Russia denies visa to US senator
(Baonghean.vn) - British Prime Minister prevents Parliament from interfering in Brexit; South Korea calls on Japan to dialogue to mend bilateral relations; Russia refuses to grant visas to Moscow to two US senators; Iran does not want tensions to escalate... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
Russia denies visas to Moscow to two US senators
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| Illustration photo: TASS |
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy and Republican Senator Ron Johnson in the US said Russia has denied them visas to visit Moscow next week. The decision comes amid disagreement between Washington and its allies over whether to accept Russia back into the Group of Seven (G7).
Senators Murphy and Johnson, members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have pushed several bills targeting Russia in response to what Washington sees as Moscow's aggression in Ukraine, as well as sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Iran does not want tensions to escalate
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| Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Photo: AP |
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran does not seek to escalate tensions but must ensure its national interests. "As our President said, we absolutely do not want tensions to escalate. We believe that every country should enjoy its rights under international law," Zarif said during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on August 28 in Yokohama.
Iran's foreign minister will visit China, Japan, and Malaysia from August 25 to seek help from these countries against US sanctions. Relations between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal last year and increased sanctions on the Gulf country.
British Prime Minister stops Parliament from interfering in Brexit?
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| British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: Reuters |
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson on August 28 asked the Queen to postpone the meeting of Parliament, just a few weeks before the deadline for Britain to leave the European Union (Brexit) on October 31. According to the schedule, the British Parliament will meet again next week after the summer recess. However, Mr. Johnson announced that he will choose October 14 for the Queen to give her opening speech to the Parliament session.
With this schedule, the British Parliament will continue to be closed from mid-September until October 14. Therefore, British MPs are unlikely to have enough time to intervene and derail Mr. Johnson's "Brexit train", which is determined to "Brexit" with or without a deal on October 31. British Parliament Speaker John Bercow said that Mr. Johnson's move to delay the session of Parliament was an "insult to the constitution", while the deputy leader of the opposition Labour Party Tom Watson criticized on Twitter: "This action is a complete affront to our democracy. We cannot let it happen".
South Korea calls on Japan for dialogue to mend bilateral ties
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Protesters in Suwon city call on Japan to lift export restrictions. Photo: EPA |
South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon on August 28 called for dialogue with Japan to mend bilateral relations, shortly after Japan officially abolished preferential trade partner status for South Korea. This event is expected to deepen the dispute between the two neighboring countries.
The South Korean prime minister made the call just hours after the Japanese government's decision to remove South Korea from a "white list" of 27 countries that enjoy preferential treatment when importing more than 1,100 "strategic items" from Japan that can be used for military purposes officially took effect. For countries not on this list, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (MEITI) will review and approve each shipment before export.
Malaysian court begins trial of former Prime Minister Najib Razak
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| Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (center, front row) arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On August 28, the Kuala Lumpur High Court began the trial of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state investment fund. According to prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram, money from the 1MDB fund was transferred to Mr. Najib's account in four stages. Mr. Najib was the one who made the amendments to the 1MDB charter and also changed the name of the investment fund from Terengganu Investment Authority to 1MDB. In addition, Mr. Najib used his position (Prime Minister and Finance Minister) to carry out a number of specific actions and attempts to influence the 1MDB leadership for personal gain.
The case is expected to last several months. Mr. Najib is charged with four counts of abuse of power to obtain a total of 2.3 billion ringgit ($547 million) and 21 counts of money laundering.
