Israeli Prime Minister visits Russia to discuss Syria situation; Venezuela puts army on alert

Israeli Prime Minister visits Russia to discuss situation in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) at a meeting in Moscow, Russia on April 4. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Russia on April 4 to discuss recent developments in Syria and military cooperation between the two countries. His visit to Moscow comes after tensions over the US decision to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights and days before the Israeli election. This is said to be one of the main issues to be discussed by the two sides. Russia condemned the US decision and considers the Golan Heights to be part of Syrian territory.

Security issues will also be raised by Netanyahu, as Israel has always considered Iran and its presence in Syria as the biggest threat in the region. Netanyahu stressed that he will continue to act to prevent Iran's efforts in Syria. Both Iran and Israel are close allies of Russia.

US President Donald Trump affirms that the US economy is still very strong

US President Donald Trump. Photo: Fortune

US President Donald Trump said on April 4 that the US economy remains extremely strong despite what he called "unnecessary and destructive actions" by the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States (Fed), the latest attack by the White House boss on the country's independent central bank.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the Fed, saying the US central bank's tight monetary policy has contributed to a strong dollar and hurt the competitiveness of the world's largest economy. The US central bank, after raising interest rates four times last year, recently signaled it would be "patient" before making further decisions to tighten monetary policy.

Venezuela puts military on alert to counter US "tactics"

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at a cabinet meeting in Caracas on April 1. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has just announced that the country's military has been put on alert to prevent "unconventional" war tactics by the US. President Maduro accused the US of wanting to overthrow his government through attacks on public services, according to RT on April 4.

Mr Maduro accused opponents of using his country as a testing ground for new war strategies and new weapons. “Venezuela could be used as a testing ground for new weapons of war related to electromagnetics and cybernetics and for a new war strategy that is not a direct invasion or missile attack but the bombing of essential public services,” President Maduro stressed.

EU approves visa-free status for UK citizens after Brexit

Illustration photo.

The new law will allow British citizens to travel to the EU and four countries in the Schengen free-travel area visa-free for up to three months. That means the UK will join around 60 countries whose citizens do not require a visa for short trips to the EU.

Russia donates 50,000 tons of wheat to North Korea

The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on April 4 that the wheat donated by Russia through the World Food Program (WFP) arrived at Hungnam port on the east coast of North Korea on April 3.

Earlier this week, the World Food Programme announced that Russia had sent 50,000 tonnes of wheat to address severe food shortages in North Korea. North Korea has long suffered from food shortages, which have worsened in recent years due to sanctions imposed on the country.

Thailand to hold voting and recounts at some locations

An official counts votes at a polling station in Chiang Mai after ballot boxes closed on the afternoon of March 24. Photo: PA-

On April 4, Thailand's Election Commission (EC) announced that it would recount votes at two polling stations and hold new ballots because the number of voters did not match the number of votes counted in some constituencies in the general election on March 24, according to the Associated Press. The recount was conducted at two polling stations in Khon Kaen province while new ballots were conducted at polling stations in the capital Bangkok and the provinces of Lampang, Yasothon, Phetchabun, and Phitsanulok.

Sawaeng Boonmee, deputy secretary-general of the EC, said the date for the new polls would be announced later, but would likely take place just after Thailand's traditional Songkran New Year in mid-April.