Russia warns US about possible repeat of 'Cuban missile crisis'

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Photo: Reuters

Russia has recently strongly criticized US plans to deploy missile systems in Eastern Europe and Washington's withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.RIARussia's Foreign Ministry on June 24 quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying that "if things go so far as to deploy such systems, the situation will not only become more complicated, but will escalate to the limit. We could fall into a missile crisis situation not only close to the crisis of the 1980s but also close to the Caribbean crisis" - Mr. Ryabkov said.

The Cuban Missile Crisis erupted in 1962 when the Soviet Union responded to a US missile deployment in Türkiye by sending ballistic missiles to Cuba, sparking a confrontation that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, according to Reuters news agency.

Indonesia: 7.7 magnitude earthquake off Banda Sea

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Banda Sea on June 24. Aftershocks were felt in Australia's Northern Territory. The quake struck at 11:53 a.m. local time, with its epicenter in the Banda Sea, 454 kilometers northeast of Dili, East Timor.

However, no tsunami warning was issued. Earlier, also on the morning of June 24, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake also shook Papua province, eastern Indonesia.

Trump: If we listen to Bolton, America will fight the whole world

The US president acknowledged Bolton's "hawkish" stance, but insisted that he needed such national security advisers. "I have two groups of people, the doves and the hawks. John Bolton is a total hawk," US President Donald Trump said in an interview on June 23 when asked if he was being pressured by his advisers to "take military action against Iran." "If it were up to Bolton, he would be fighting the whole world at once."

But Mr. Trump later brushed aside concerns about the influence of National Security Adviser Bolton, who served in the White House under the Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush administrations, and insisted that he would have the final say.

President Putin extends food embargo for another year

Russian President Putin. Photo: Sputnik

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended the food embargo in response to sanctions against the Russian Federation for another year, until December 31, 2020, the relevant decree was published on the official legal information portal.

The Russian food embargo in response to Western sanctions has been in place for almost five years. The President of the Russian Federation signed the relevant decree on August 6, 2014. The government decree concerns the countries that have imposed an import ban on agricultural products, raw materials and food: the United States, EU countries, Canada, Austria, Norway, Ukraine, Albania, Montenegro, Iceland and Liechtenstein. In addition, the Russian government has defined a specific list of products subject to the embargo.

Japan strengthens security to ensure G20 Summit

Japanese police are implementing the strictest security measures for the G20 Summit, which will open in Osaka on June 27. The summit will be attended by leaders of 37 countries and international organizations.

A total of 30,000 people, including journalists, will converge on Osaka, western Japan, during the summit. Up to 32,000 police officers will be deployed to protect the conference venue, hotels, airports and other locations.

Cambodia inspects construction sites after high-rise collapse

Scene of a collapsed house in Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia, June 22, 2019. Photo: THX/TTXVN

Two days after an unfinished building collapsed, killing and injuring dozens of people in Preah Sihanouk province in southwestern Cambodia, the government has set up a committee to investigate the quality of all buildings under construction in the area.

According to the decision signed by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdec Techo Hun Sen late on June 23, the above committee is led by Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Tip Seiha, in coordination with members of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Environment, the National Police, the Ministry of Tourism and officials of Preah Sihanouk province.

The committee is tasked with inspecting technical standards, construction permits and standards, as well as safety standards and construction quality at construction sites in Preah Sihanouk province. Prime Minister Hun Sen also instructed the committee to assess the quality of construction companies and update information on completed projects.

US wants to build global coalition against Iran

Monday, June 24, 2019 17:43

RELATED NEWS

• 

  US Secretary of State arrives in Saudi Arabia to discuss Iran crisis

• US media reveals the person who advised President Trump to stop attacking Iran

• Iran insists US cyber attacks were unsuccessful

• Revealing the faces urging President Donald Trump to 'respond to Iran'

NEWEST

• 

  Iran says new US sanctions will have no effect

• Two fighter planes collided in Germany

• Experts warn IS remains a threat in Syria

After a week of tension between the US and Iran, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a surprise trip to the Middle East for urgent consultations with allies and said he wanted to build a global coalition to counter Iran.

Secretary of State Pompeo made the announcement on June 23 while speaking in Washington before departing for a trip to Saudi Arabia.

The AP news agency (USA) said that after Saudi Arabia, Mr. Pompeo will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These two visits were newly scheduled last week after hot developments related to Iran.

“We will be talking to our allies to make sure we are all on the same page, and also talking about how to build a global coalition, one that includes not only the Gulf states but also Asia and Europe,” Secretary Pompeo said.

However, Secretary Pompeo still referred to the statement of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence that the US was prepared to negotiate with Iran without preconditions to reduce tensions.