Trump accuses China of obstructing the resolution of the North Korea issue; South Korea “majorly reshuffles” its cabinet

The US Patriot PAC-3 missile was test-fired in the middle of this year. Photo:Lockheed Martin.

"Protecting airspace and sea areas are indispensable factors if we want to ensure Ukraine's defense capabilities. Kiev has sent a request to buy at least three air defense systems worth 750 million USD/complex to Washington,"Interfaxquoted Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Valeriy Chaly stated on August 29.

Ambassador Chaly did not say which US air defense systems Ukraine wanted to buy, but revealed that the country's military was also looking to buy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), counter-battery radars and anti-sniper systems from Washington.

The desire to purchase US weapons was raised by Ukraine during recent high-level meetings between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and US President Donald Trump in Brussels, Belgium, as well as between Kiev officials and US National Security Advisor John Bolton.

The EU is preparing a list of measures to respond to the US.

Source: usembassy.gov

Sputniknews reported that European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said on August 30 that the European Commission (EC) is still preparing a list of potential countermeasures in case the US imposes new taxes on imports of cars and auto parts from the bloc.

Earlier on August 28, EC spokesman for Trade and Agriculture Daniel Rosario said the EU was ready to counter any additional US tariffs on EU goods after US President Donald Trump earlier announced he would impose a 25% tax on cars imported from the EU.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in carries out his first cabinet reshuffle

South Korean President Moon Jae-in at a cabinet meeting in Seoul. Photo: Yonhap/TTXVN

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on August 30 nominated five new ministers in his first cabinet reshuffle. The president also appointed Jeong Kyeong-doo, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as defense minister. Yoo Eun-hae, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party, as education minister. Sung Yun-mo as trade, industry and energy minister. Lee Jae-kap, a former vice minister of labor, was appointed as labor minister, while Jin Sun-mee, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party, was appointed as gender equality and family minister.

The above ministerial candidates must undergo parliamentary confirmation hearings, although their appointment does not require parliamentary approval.

Syria: Government forces to deploy troops in Idlib

Syrian soldiers. Source: almasdarnews

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on August 30 that government forces would be "deployed" in the rebel-controlled northern Idlib region and that Damascus' main targets were al-Nusra rebels, Reuters reported.

Speaking after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, al-Moualem said Syria would not use chemical weapons in any attack and did not have any such weapons.

Austria proposes mobilizing EU armies to stop immigrants

Source: Reuters

Austria on August 30 proposed mobilizing the European Union (EU) armed forces to support the bloc's border guards in preventing illegal immigration, in the context that the ruling coalition in Austria wants to more tightly control the EU's land and sea borders.

Austrian Defense Minister Mario Kunasek made the proposal to EU partners at a closed-door meeting in Vienna, stressing that military personnel taking part in the mission would be placed under police control.

The proposal would allow the use of EU military assets such as medical units, soldiers and helicopters if police are overwhelmed in stopping illegal immigrants. Police and civilian authorities would be able to monitor the activities of the soldiers.

Military plane crashes in Ethiopia, at least 18 people killed

At least 18 people were killed in a military helicopter crash in the Oromiya region of Ethiopia on the morning of August 30 (local time). Ethiopian news agency Fana reported that among the 18 dead were 15 military personnel and 3 civilians.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian state news agency (ENA) said the helicopter crashed while flying from the eastern city of Dire Dawa to Bushoftu. ENA also said the helicopter crashed in an area nearly 100 km from the capital Addis Ababa. Among the dead were two children and two women.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. ENA also said the plane caught fire in the air before crashing./.

Starbucks plans to "eliminate" plastic straws in Korea

Source: WSJ

Starbucks Coffee Korea Co. said on August 30 that it will test paper straws at its stores in South Korea next month to replace plastic straws to protect the environment.

The paper straws, developed by Starbucks, will be available to customers in white and green, both of which have received food safety certification from the US and South Korea. Starbucks said it will select an official color for the straws after the testing period, based on consumer preferences.

Starbucks Coffee Korea said a two-month trial period for paper straws will begin on September 10 at 100 of its stores in Seoul and other major cities before rolling out the product to all Starbucks stores across Korea in November 2018.