Trump calls on Europe to share military costs; Russia slams Austria for “baseless accusations”
(Baonghean.vn) - In the past 24 hours, there have been many outstanding news in the world such as: President Trump calls on Europe to share military costs with the US; Russia criticizes Austria for "baseless accusations" about the spy scandal; End of search and rescue operation for the plane crash in Indonesia; Türkiye sends audio recording of Mr. Khashoggi's death to many countries...
President Trump calls on Europe to share military costs with the US
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US President Donald Trump shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée presidential palace in Paris, France, November 10. |
During his visit to France to attend the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I (November 11, 1918-2018), President Trump said: "The United States wants a strong Europe. This is very important to the United States and both sides can do this best in any way that brings about the desired effect." The US leader also emphasized that the US wants to help Europe but Europe must be fair because the current burden of military costs is mostly paid by the US.
Meanwhile, in a speech before meeting his US counterpart at the Élysée Palace, French President Macron said that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defense. The French leader also emphasized that he agreed with President Trump's view that Europe needs to "share the burden" more within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Russia and Philippines finalize 2019 defense cooperation plan
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| Russian guided missile cruiser Varyag at seaport in Manila on April 20, 2017. Source: rappler |
The Philippine Department of National Defense announced on November 10 that the country and Russia have agreed on a series of joint defense and military activities to be carried out next year. The ministry said that the two sides finalized the 2019 Military Cooperation Activity Plan during the second meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) held on November 7 in Moscow, Russia. The JWG serves as a platform for discussing military commitments or joint activities between the two countries.
The announcement stated that the plan includes activities or commitments that the two sides have agreed to jointly implement in 2019, including high-level delegation exchanges, naval ship visits to ports, educational exchanges and training.
EU supports Yemen in dealing with humanitarian crisis
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| Children queue to get water at a public tap in Hodeidah, Yemen on September 30, 2018. Photo: THX/ VNA |
The decision was made amid fierce fighting between the Saudi-led Arab coalition and Houthi rebels to gain control of several strategic areas in the Islamic country.
The statement quoted EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, stating that the EU is racing against time to help the Yemeni people avoid famine. That is why the alliance has stepped up humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni people, according to which about 8 million vulnerable people will receive additional funding to meet essential needs such as nutrition, health, and sanitation. However, according to the EU, the only way to prevent this humanitarian tragedy is through a political solution to end the violence.
Search and rescue operation ends for plane crash in Indonesia
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| Transporting debris of Lion Air plane for investigation at Tanjung Priok port, Jakarta, Indonesia on November 4, 2018. Photo: THX/ VNA |
On November 10, Indonesia announced the end of the search for victims of the Lion Air plane crash carrying 189 people that occurred nearly two weeks ago. The head of the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency, Muhammad Syaugi, said that from the afternoon of November 9 to November 10, the agency had not found any more victims. Therefore, he announced the end of the search and rescue operation. He also apologized to the people, especially the victims' relatives, if there was any negligence during the nearly two-week search operation.
So far, 196 body bags have been recovered. Seventy-nine victims have been identified and returned to their hometowns for burial. Rescue workers have also recovered parts and engines. In addition to the direct victims of the crash, a diver who participated in the operation also died during the mission. Meanwhile, Lion Air has begun paying compensation worth $102,058 for each passenger who died, the money being sent to the families of the victims.
Ukraine introduces criminal liability for violations of state borders
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| Panorama of a session of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev. Photo: AFP/VNA |
On November 10, the law amending the Criminal Code of Ukraine on the responsibility of “citizens or residents of the aggressor state, or other individuals in the interests of the aggressor state” for violating the state border came into force after being passed by the country’s parliament and signed by President Petro Poroshenko. The new law stipulates that those who are banned from entering Ukraine but still deliberately cross the state border to harm the interests of Ukraine will be held criminally responsible.
The ban also applies to representatives of the armed forces and other power bodies of the “aggressor state” who illegally cross the border without passing through border checkpoints or through border checkpoints without proper documents or with incorrect documents.
Russia slams Austria for 'baseless accusations' over spy scandal
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| Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (left) at a press conference in Vienna, Austria, November 9. Photo: AFP/VNA |
On November 10, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl had a phone call with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to explain Austria's motives in the case of an army colonel suspected of spying for Russia. The statement stressed: "She (Foreign Minister Kneissl) expressed hope that these new developments will not affect the development of cooperation between the two countries in the future." For his part, Foreign Minister Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's stance, considering it unacceptable for Vienna to make "groundless accusations" publicly.
A day earlier, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that his country had opened an investigation into a retired army colonel suspected of spying for Russia for decades. Mr. Kurz said that Austria was demanding an explanation from Russia and that Vienna would consult with its European partners on the next steps. Chancellor Kurz also said that Austrian Foreign Minister Kneissl had summoned the Russian diplomatic representative to discuss the incident and canceled his upcoming visit to Russia.
Türkiye sends audio recording of Khashoggi's death to several countries
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| Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi Arabian consulate and his body was destroyed. Photo: Aljazeera/TTXVN |
According to the British news agency Reuters, speaking before leaving for France to attend the event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, President Erdogan stated that Saudi Arabian officials clearly knew that the killer of this journalist was one of a group of 15 people who arrived in Türkiye a day before Mr. Khashoggi died on October 2. Türkiye has sent copies of recordings related to the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to officials in Saudi Arabia, the US, Germany, France and the UK.
Earlier, Turkish sources said that Turkish officials had an audio recording showing that journalist Khashoggi was tortured and murdered when he entered the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.
China denies allegations of “wiretapping” at African Union headquarters
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. |
China has denied German media allegations that it conducted "wiretapping" at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman also denied reports that China had used "unethical" tactics while providing aid to Africa and increasing China's political influence in Africa.
Speaking at a press conference held in Beijing on November 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that the accusations made by the German media were completely baseless and untrue. The Chinese Foreign Ministry representative emphasized that these accusations were still the same old arguments used by all sides to smear China's image.
