Russian President holds online dialogue with citizens; Germany announces family reunification bill

Russian President V. Putin holds 16th online conversation with the entire nation

Russian President Putin. Photo: Sputnik

On June 7, in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin had an online conversation, answering questions from all the people about issues of concern to the country.

This is the first online meeting of the Russian leader since he was re-elected as president for a fourth term from 2018 to 2024 and the 16th since 2001, of which 11 times he has interacted as President and 4 times as Prime Minister of Russia. As of June 6, more than 1.6 million questions have been sent to the head of the country, of which Russian people are most interested in pension issues, poverty rate, gas prices and the remarkable economic development that President V. Putin proposed when taking office. However, during the meeting, people can continue to send questions. Thus, President V. Putin will answer "on the spot" the most different issues in all aspects of life.

Türkiye jails more than 2,000 suspects involved in 2016 military coup

Turkish police patrol in Istanbul. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Türkiye's Justice Ministry announced on June 7 that its courts have sentenced more than 2,000 suspects to prison in connection with the failed military coup to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016.

Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said 2,140 defendants had been sentenced to prison and 1,487 of them had been released. Ankara is expected to complete the remaining trials by the end of 2018.

China calls on countries to help track down corrupt criminals

China releases the identities of 50 corruption suspects. Photo: Caixin Global

China has released information and photos of 50 fugitives suspected of tax and economic crimes. According to a report from the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group, the suspects' information includes gender, ID number, previous address, date of escape from China, and the crimes they committed.

The statement said 23 fugitives may have fled to the United States, Canada and New Zealand – the most likely countries. Most of the fugitives are suspected of corruption or bribery. Of the 50 named, 21 have been on the run for more than 10 years.

Iraq airstrikes IS targets in Syria

On the morning of June 7, Iraqi F-16 fighter jets bombed an IS command center in the city of Hajin in Syria, where the leaders and gunmen of this terrorist organization were gathered.

Since last year, with the approval of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the support of the US-led international coalition against IS, the Iraqi air force has conducted a number of airstrikes against the terrorist organization in Syria.

Germany unveils controversial family reunification bill

Migrants wait to complete procedures at the residence registration center in Berlin on October 15, 2015. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

On June 7, at a meeting of the German Federal Government, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer presented to the Federal Parliament a bill on family reunification policy for refugees after months of debate. According to the bill, from August 1, each month only a maximum of 1,000 migrants will be allowed to settle in Germany on the condition that they are directly related to refugees living and working in Germany.

Minister Seehofer called on the Federal Parliament to hold the first debates on the bill, considering the new rules for refugees, taking into account the humanitarian aspects and the interests of those who benefit from this bill.

South Korean advance team arrives in Kaesong to establish inter-Korean liaison office

Kaesong Inter-Korean Industrial Zone. Source: AFP/VNA

South Korea's Unification Ministry said on June 7 that its advance team will visit Kaesong, a North Korean border town, to establish a joint liaison office with Pyongyang, an agreement reached during inter-Korean summits earlier this month.

According to the ministry, the 14-member advance team, led by Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung, will visit Kaesong on June 8 to conduct on-site inspections of the inter-Korean industrial complex in Kaesong as the North Korean side has agreed to the visit.

Thai Prime Minister affirms that political activities are still banned

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. Source: AFP/VNA

Thai media on June 7 quoted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha as saying that bans on political activities will remain in place even though all election-related laws have been approved by the Constitutional Court.

General Prayut reaffirmed that elections will be held in February 2019 and the Thai people will have the right to decide the country's future.

However, the military government leader also emphasized that he will personally review each case of election-related activities, including political parties' campaigns, to decide whether to allow them to proceed or not.