North Korea may charge visa fees for foreign journalists; Syrian capital “completely safe”

US President asks Justice Department to investigate 2016 election campaign

President Donald Trump is confidently fighting back against the investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia. Photo: Reuters

The US Justice Department has asked its inspector general to expand its review of the National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance process to determine whether political motives influenced the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said.

The department has asked the NSA to consult with a federal prosecutor if an expanded Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) check uncovers evidence of criminal conduct in the way the FBI investigates individuals suspected of colluding with Russian agents.

Previously, on Twitter, US President Donald Trump announced that he would officially ask the US Department of Justice to investigate whether the FBI or judicial agencies under the Barack Obama administration infiltrated or monitored his election campaign for political purposes.

Syria declares Damascus and suburbs "completely secure"

Syrian government soldiers on a street in Al Hajar al Aswad. Source: AFP/TTXVN

The Syrian army on May 21 declared the capital Damascus and its suburbs "completely safe" after the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization was defeated.knock outout of this area

This is considered a major turning point for the Syrian government in the seven-year conflict, whereby for the first time the government can ensure that Damascus and its suburbs are no longer under any military threat.

Speaking on state media, a Syrian military spokesman confirmed that the capital Damascus and its suburbs and surrounding towns were completely safe.

North Korea may charge $10,000 visa fee to foreign reporters

South Korean reporters at Incheon International Airport in Seoul before leaving for Beijing, China. Photo: Yonhap.

At Pyongyang's request, foreign reporters will be present at the North Korean embassy in Beijing at 11 a.m. on May 22, KoreaThe Times quoted a South Korean government official as saying that each reporter had to pay a $10,000 visa fee and take a 70-seat North Korean flight to Wonsan city, then travel by bus to the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

The source added that South Korean reporters will be exempted from this visa fee, although North Korea has yet to approve Seoul's proposed list of reporters.

According to the plan, North Korea invited reporters from the US, China, Russia, South Korea and the UK to observe the destruction of the nuclear test site from May 23-25. Several major news agencies in the world such as AP, ABC and CNN have all received invitations.

Malaysia sets up task force to investigate 1MDB scandal

Source: iMoney

Malaysia has set up a task force to investigate possible crimes committed by individuals involved in the management of the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund (1MDB), the Prime Minister's Office said on May 21. The task force, which includes members of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the police and the central bank, will be responsible for verifying and seizing assets obtained from the use of funds believed to have been drawn from the 1MDB fund.

1MDB is an investment fund founded by former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2009 with the aim of serving socio-economic development. Mr. Najib is accused of being involved in the loss of billions of dollars from foreign transactions through 1MDB. However, 1MDB as well as Mr. Najib have repeatedly denied these allegations.

Thailand announces no-gathering zones ahead of opposition protests

Illustration: YouTube

A day before a planned opposition rally to mark the fourth anniversary of the coup, Thai police on May 21 announced a ban on protests at government buildings and surrounding streets, warning protesters not to defy the military government's ban on gatherings.

About 3,000 police have been deployed ahead of a march expected to start at Thammasat University and end at government headquarters to pressure the military government to hold a general election in November.

Mr. Nicolas Maduro re-elected President of Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Photo: Independent

On the morning of May 21 (Vietnam time), the Venezuelan Electoral Commission announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had won the presidential election. Voter turnout was 46.1%, down from 80% in the 2013 vote. President Maduro received 5.8 million votes, compared to 1.8 million votes for opposition candidate Henri Falcon.

With the results announced, President Maduro's supporters in some areas of the capital Caracas and neighboring areas poured into the streets to celebrate the victory. However, opposition candidate Henri Falcon announced that he would not recognize the election results, claiming that there was fraud in the vote.

Japan: Emergency evacuation of passengers on plane

Passengers on a Boeing 767 of Japan's largest airline ANA were urgently evacuated. Photo: Reuters

On the morning of May 21, passengers on a Boeing 767 of Japan's largest airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA), were urgently evacuated before the plane took off from Narita airport in Chiba province.

According to the announcement, after smoke appeared in the passenger cabin, 137 passengers waiting to take off on flight number 809 from Japan to Hong Kong (China) were evacuated back to the gate. At least 4 passengers reported feeling uncomfortable after inhaling the smoke, but no one had to be hospitalized.

During the investigation, authorities found that there was an oil leak in the auxiliary engine at the rear of the plane and smoke had entered the passenger cabin. However, there was no sign of fire in this incident.

In the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United on the evening of May 19, fans did not see Mr. Roman Abramovich in the stands.

According toNew York Times, as owner of Chelsea FC, the Russian billionaire's unusual absence has raised suspicions that the British government has not renewed his visa. Perhaps the period of welcoming Russian oligarchs with ties to the Kremlin has ended in the foggy country.

Sources close to the Russian oligarchs say Mr Abramovich's investor visa, which is usually easily renewed every two years, expired in April.