Ukraine holds massive military parade; Trump: Everyone will be very poor if he is impeached

US Department of Education considers funding to buy guns for teachers

Education Secretary DeVos (center) attends a school safety meeting at the White House in August. Photo: Reuters.

The US Department of Education is considering using funds from the Student Support and Academic Improvement program to purchase guns for teachers in schools,NYTimes"The Department of Education continually reviews and evaluates policy issues, particularly those related to school safety," said department spokeswoman Elizabeth Hill.

Currently, states can approve programs that allow teachers and staff to carry weapons in schools. At least 14 states have laws that allow teachers to carry guns in school.

On August 24, the leadership crisis in Australia ended when Treasurer Scott Morrision was elected as the leader of the ruling Liberal Party and became the new Prime Minister of Australia. On the evening of August 24 (local time), Mr. Scott Morrision was sworn in as the 30th Prime Minister of Australia.

After exactly one week of work, the leadership crisis in Australia has ended after Mr. Scott Morrision overcame former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who sparked the recent leadership crisis, to become the leader of the Liberal Party with a vote ratio of 45/40. This victory also paved the way for Mr. Scott Morrision to become the 30th Prime Minister of Australia.

Ukraine holds biggest Independence Day parade ever

Cadets of the Ukrainian Military Academy participate in a military exercise in Kiev on April 14, 2016. Photo: AFP/VNA

On August 24, Ukraine held its largest military parade ever in the center of the capital Kiev to celebrate the 27th anniversary of Independence Day (August 24, 1991 - August 24, 2018).

A total of 4,500 soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, and other security and defense forces took part in the parade. In addition, about 250 units of heavy weapons, including many missile systems, also took part in the parade.

Guests attending the event included delegations from 18 countries, including US National Security Advisor John Bolton and several members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

President Trump: 'People will be very poor' if he is impeached

Mr. Trump speaks to supporters in West Virginia on August 21. Photo: AFP

According to AFP on August 24, US President Donald Trump and close officials warned of serious consequences for the economy if he was impeached. "If I were impeached, I think the market would crash, I think people would be very poor. I don't know how you can impeach someone who has done such a great job," Trump said in an interview on "Fox and Friends."

Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani also warned of political turmoil. “You’re only going to impeach him for political reasons and the American people are going to reject that,” Giuliani said.

New North Korean ambassador to UN has not received US visa

According to a VNA reporter in Seoul, North Korea's new Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Kim Song, has not yet received a visa to enter the US to start his new job in New York.

Mr. Kim Song will replace Mr. Ja Song Nam, who left New York at the end of July after holding the position since February 2014. Mr. Kim Song applied for a visa to the US at the end of May this year at the US Embassy in Beijing, but it is not known when he will receive the visa and is currently unable to travel to the US.

Previously, Mr. Kim Song served as Counselor of the Permanent Mission of North Korea to the United Nations.

Russia proposes to Türkiye a solution to resolve tensions in northwestern Syria

Syrian forces clash in rebel-controlled areas in Idlib. Photo: AFP/VNA

Russia has proposed options to the Turkish government to resolve the situation in northwestern Syria, Interfax news agency reported. The proposals were discussed during a meeting between Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar on August 24 in Moscow.

Türkiye currently supports several rebel groups in the Idlib region of northwestern Syria, and has set up more than 10 military observation posts there, while Russia supports forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Idlib province is the largest area of ​​Syria still controlled by rebels since 2015. About 60% of the province is controlled by the jihadist alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), with the rest held by opposition factions. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently declared that the area would be the next priority target for government forces.

South Korean President's approval rating falls to lowest since taking office

South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks in Seoul on August 15. Photo: THX/TTXVN

According to the results of a public opinion poll released by Korea Gallup on August 24, the support rate for President Moon Jae-in and the ruling Democratic Party has both decreased. The poll was conducted by Gallup from August 21-23 on 1,001 adults nationwide (95% confidence level, margin of error +/- 3.1%).

Accordingly, the positive evaluation rate for President Moon Jae-in's state management work reached only 56%, down 4% compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, the negative evaluation rate was 33%. The number of respondents who did not give an opinion was 11%. Notably, this is the lowest decrease since President Moon took office in May 2017.

Malaysia: Tycoon Jho Taek Lowwantedfor money laundering

Mr. Jho Low. Source: mole.my

Malaysian police on August 24 announced criminal charges against fugitive tycoon Low Taek Jho, who is wanted in connection with a multi-billion-dollar money laundering scandal at state investment fund 1MDB.

Low, commonly known as Jho Low, is seen as close to former Prime Minister Najib Razak and is considered by investigators in Malaysia and the United States to be a key figure in the 1MDB scandal. The Commercial Crime Investigation Department said Low was charged with eight counts of money laundering, while Low's father, Low Hock Peng, was also charged with one count of money laundering.

Low and his family's whereabouts are unknown, but Malaysian lawmakers and police say the 38-year-old tycoon may be in China. Some media reports say he may be in Abu Dhabi.