Trump warns NATO members; Thai soccer team rescued successfully

US President warns transatlantic allies

US President Donald Trump. Photo: EFE-EPA/TTXVN

US President Donald Trump said the remaining North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries have not treated the US fairly and Washington will have to "do something" to change this.

The above statement was made by the White House owner just hours before leaving for Brussels (Belgium) to attend the NATO Summit, taking place on July 11-12.

President Trump also said the United States would not be "outmaneuvered" by the European Union (EU), which he said had not given the necessary support to the transatlantic alliance and taken advantage of the United States on trade. He also warned that NATO would have an "interesting" time as the United States would no longer ignore the fact that it had spent too much money on the military alliance, while the other countries' spending was "insignificant".

Successful rescue of all 13 members of the Thai soccer team

The players were taken to hospital. Photo: AFP

On the afternoon of July 10, the third day of the rescue operation for the “Wild Boars” football team continued to go smoothly when the rescue team brought the 12th player and coach out of Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand.

The rescue operation was divided into 3 phases, starting from the morning of July 8. In the first phase, 4 members were rescued safely. In the second phase, 4 members escaped from the cave and the last 5 members were safely out on July 10.

US-Philippine Navy exercise

A US-Philippines exercise in 2017. Photo: US Embassy in Manila.

The US and Philippine navies are conducting exercises and training off the coast of the Philippines and on land, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is participating as an observer.

Stars and Stripes news site quoted a US Navy announcement saying that the exercise, called “Sama Sama” (meaning “Join Hands”), had been launched since July 9. The content of Sama Sama includes air defense drills, diving and search and rescue operations.

The US Navy sent the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Millinocket, the submersible and rescue ship USNS Salvor and the P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft. The Philippine counterpart deployed the frigate BRP Ramon Alcaraz and the amphibious landing ship BRP Tarlac.

Many people injured in plane crash in South Africa

The plane crashed into a field of wild grass. Photo: timeslive.co.za

Nineteen people were injured when a plane crashed into a grass field in the Wonderboom area of ​​the South African capital Pretoria on the evening of July 10 (Vietnam time).

According to ER24, emergency medical services responded to the scene and transported the victims to the nearest medical facility. ER24 spokesperson Russell Meiring said no one had suffered life-threatening injuries.

Syria: Fierce fighting in Latakia province - Hundreds of journalists trapped in Daraa

Scene of devastation in Syria. Source: AFP/VNA

On July 10, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said fierce fighting took place between Syrian government forces and rebel and Islamist forces the night before in northwestern Syria, killing 27 Damascus government supporters, including 8 officials.

According to SOHR, rebel fighters launched a surprise counterattack on the village of Al-Ateira and checkpoints in the coastal province of Latakia near the Turkish border, driving pro-government fighters out of these positions. About 40 pro-government fighters were also wounded and 6 rebels were killed.

On the same day, July 10, Middle Eastern media quoted the Syrian Journalists Association as saying that at least 270 journalists were trapped in Daraa province, southwest of the country, amid ongoing fighting there with attacks by Syrian government forces on opposition gunmen.

China lends $20 billion to Arab countries for development

Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Emir of Kuwait - Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (Photo: Skynews)

During the visit to China by the Emir of Kuwait, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China will provide economic development loans worth 20 billion USD to Arab countries.

These loans will be allocated to projects that create jobs and have a positive social impact in Arab countries in need of reconstruction. The loans are part of China's special program on "economic restructuring" and "industrial stimulation".

In addition, China is willing to provide another $150 million in loans to countries in the Arab region to "enhance their ability to maintain stability."

Malaysia hunts for key suspect in 1MDB case

Mr. Low Taek Jho. Photo: Channel News Asia/TTXVN

On July 10, Malaysian police said they had asked Macau authorities (China) to arrest financial expert Low Taek Jho, an important figure in the money laundering investigation of the Malaysian State Investment Fund (1MDB) who is believed to have fled from Hong Kong (China) to Macau.

Malaysian police have requested Interpol to issue a red notice, asking for assistance from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, India, Myanmar and China as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the state news agency Bernama reported, citing Inspector General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun. A Malaysian police team had gone to Hong Kong to hunt for Jho Low after receiving a tip-off, but the wanted man had fled to Macau. Malaysian police have requested assistance from Macau authorities and are awaiting a response.

Japan: Death toll from floods rises to 155

As of noon on July 10, the total number of people killed by floods and landslides in western Japan has increased to 155.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said there are still dozens of missing people and the rescue operation is ongoing.

The Japanese government is expected to draw money from its reserve funds and provide food, water and other necessities to affected areas, with an estimated total of about 2 billion yen ($18 million).

Singapore installs hundreds of thermal cameras to prevent smoking

Modern thermal imaging camera systems can detect smoking in non-smoking areas. Photo: tnp.sg

Singapore authorities plan to deploy a state-of-the-art thermal imaging camera system that can detect smoking in non-smoking areas, as well as prohibited "unhygienic" behaviors such as spitting and littering. The cameras will be placed around residential areas and public areas across the "Lion Island", according to the Straits Times.

Singapore has some of the strictest anti-smoking laws in the world. Smoking is banned in most public places. Illegal smokers can be fined up to 1,000 Singapore dollars (SGD - about 740 USD) if caught. E-cigarettes are also completely banned.