Trump announces increased sanctions on Iran; Ukraine faces severe gas shortage

President Putin lays wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Russian leaders attend wreath-laying ceremony at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Photo: Sputnik

On the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow on June 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexandrovsky Garden in Moscow. Soldiers of the Honor Guard company carried a wreath with a ribbon in the colors of the Russian flag bearing the golden inscription “The President of the Russian Federation pays tribute to the Unknown Soldier.” Mr. Putin approached, straightened the ribbon and bowed his head in silent memory of those who fell in the Great Patriotic War.

Afterwards, other participants of the ceremony also laid flowers at the memorial. The event continued with a solemn parade of servicemen representing three types of armed forces - the Army, the Air Force - Space Force and the Navy. At the end of the ceremony, President Putin laid flowers on the Hero Cities tree line.

Since 1996, the date of the beginning of World War II, June 22, has been declared a Day of Remembrance and Sorrow. As stated in the corresponding Presidential Decree, "this day reminds us of all those who were lost, tortured in Nazi captivity, died of hunger and deprivation. We mourn with sorrow all those who gave their lives in the service of the defense of the Fatherland."

President Trump announced increased sanctions on Iran

US President Donald Trump at a press conference on the White House grounds. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump announced further sanctions against Iran to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. "We will be imposing additional large-scale sanctions on June 24," President Trump wrote on Twitter, while warning that Washington has not completely ruled out the possibility of using military action against Iran. The White House owner also expressed hope that one day when the sanctions are lifted, Iran "will become a prosperous country," according to AFP.

Earlier, at a White House press conference, President Trump warned Iran: "We will increase sanctions and in some cases immediately," but did not give further details. The US increased pressure on Tehran "not for oil" but to prevent the Islamic Republic from possessing nuclear weapons, according to the White House owner.

Ukraine is in a state of severe gas shortage.

Workers operate a gas pipeline system in the town of Boyarka, Kiev region. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

According to Sputnik, the head of Ukraine's gas transport corporation Ukrtransgaz has announced a serious shortage of gas reserves in the country. The gas reserves at the corporation's underground storage facilities are only 152 million cubic meters, while the monthly fuel consumption is up to 240 million cubic meters. Moreover, to operate the technological equipment serving its own needs and balance the system of Ukrtransgaz for the summer period, about 720 million cubic meters of gas will be needed.

China confirms Xi Jinping attends G20, does not mention meeting Trump

The meeting between Mr. Xi and Mr. Trump at the G20 is still in doubt, less than a week before the summit in Japan. Photo: Reuters

China's Xinhua News Agency on June 23 quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang as saying that, at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Xi will go to Osaka to attend the G20 summit from June 27 to 29. This is Beijing's first official confirmation after much speculation in the press. President Trump had threatened to increase import tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods if Xi did not come to the G20 and meet him.

Observers, US-China politicians and many businesses are looking to the G20 for a meeting between Xi and Trump. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has not made any official statement about a sideline meeting between the two leaders. Meanwhile, President Trump announced that he would have a meeting with Xi after a phone call with the Chinese leader on June 18.

One survivor found in the rubble of a 7-story building collapse in Cambodia

Rescuers search for victims and deal with the aftermath of the collapse of a 7-storey building in Sihanoukville, Cambodia on June 22, 2019. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

The death toll from the collapse of a seven-story building in Cambodia’s southern province of Preah Sihanouk has risen to 17, with 24 others injured, officials said on June 23. Rescuers are searching for victims buried in the rubble. One person was found alive and brought out more than 12 hours after the building collapsed. At least 1,000 rescue workers, soldiers, police and medical staff have been deployed to the scene.

Local officials expect the death toll to rise as rescue teams have only searched 40% of the area and have yet to reach the lower floors of the building. The seven-story building that collapsed was under construction in the coastal town of Sihanoukville and was nearly 80% complete. This is the deadliest building collapse in Cambodia in recent years.

GNearly 50% of child deaths in Africa are due to hunger.

Girls in Bangui, Central African Republic. Photo: AFP/ VNA

The African Child Policy Forum – a specialized forum on issues related to children in Africa – has reported that 45% of child deaths in this continent are due to malnutrition in its latest report. According to statistics, about 60 million children in Africa are currently not provided with enough food despite the economic growth rate of the Black Continent has increased steadily over the years.

According to this forum, malnutrition causes millions of children to slowly die after weakening their health, limiting their ability to learn and preventing future development opportunities. This is the result of extreme poverty, uneven economic development, gender discrimination and the disruption of food production chains. In addition, conflicts and wars are also considered important causes pushing tens of millions of children into severe malnutrition. According to statistics, 75% of malnourished children in Africa are currently living in areas with armed conflicts, especially in countries such as South Sudan, the Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Nigeria.