Ukraine holds joint exercises with NATO; Philippine President apologizes for insulting Obama
(Baonghean.vn) - The world over the past 24 hours has been filled with many events such as: Russia accuses the US of 'grossly' interfering in internal affairs; Philippine President apologizes for insulting Obama; Ukraine conducts joint military exercises with NATO while still having tensions with Russia; South Korea urges resumption of US-North Korea negotiations; China will forgive debts for some of the least developed African countries...
Russia accuses US of "gross" interference in internal affairs
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| Spokesman Dmitry Peskov at a meeting in Moscow. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On September 3, the Kremlin accused the US of acting in a "crude" manner by trying to recruit Russian citizens to act as spies for the US, proving that Washington was interfering in Moscow's internal affairs.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the statement when asked about an article published by the New York Times, which said that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Department of Justice tried to recruit tycoon Oleg Deripaska as an informant between 2014 and 2016, but failed.
Spokesman Peskov pointed out that in recent years, the US has been trying to use intelligence agencies to recruit Russian citizens, putting psychological and other pressure on them.
Ukraine holds joint exercises with NATO amid tensions with Russia
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| US and Ukrainian soldiers. Source: ukrinform.net |
According to AFP, on September 3, Ukraine began joint military exercises with the US and a series of other member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in the context of escalating tensions with Russia due to the Kremlin-backed uprising in the East of this Eastern European country.
The annual Rapid Trident exercise, which runs from the village of Starychi in western Ukraine until September 15, involves about 2,200 troops from 14 countries. It opens a week before Russia holds its largest military exercise since the Cold War in the east of the country, with China and Mongolia taking part.
South Korea urges resumption of US-North Korea talks
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US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader have a historic meeting in Singapore. Photo: AP |
On September 3, Chief Cabinet Secretary of the President of South Korea - Mr. Im Jong-seok called for efforts to initiate denuclearization negotiations between the US and North Korea.
In a status posted on his personal Facebook page, Mr. Im Jong-seok expressed his hope that the special presidential envoy will soon return to South Korea after finalizing a specific schedule for the third Inter-Korean Summit between Mr. Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scheduled to take place this September. Chief Cabinet Secretary Im Jong-seok also hoped that the special presidential envoy will fulfill his mission as a liaison, promoting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to North Korea and the denuclearization negotiation process between the US and North Korea.
Myanmar sentences two reporters to seven years in prison for violating state secrets
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Reuters reporter Wa Lone gives a thumbs up as he leaves a court in Insein, Yangon, Myanmar, September 3. Photo: Reuters. |
In a trial on September 3, two reporters for the British news agency Reuters, Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were convicted of violating Myanmar's Official Secrets Act, a harsh British colonial-era law that carries a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison.AFP"The two defendants intentionally caused harm to the state's interests," Judge Ye Lwin said. "Each was sentenced to seven years in prison."
The two reporters deny all charges and say they were framed while covering the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims in Inn Din village, in the western coastal state of Rakhine, last September. They say they were killed without trial. Wa and Kyaw, both Burmese nationals, said they were arrested after attending a dinner hosted by police in Yangon, where they were given documents related to the killing. After leaving the restaurant, the two reporters were arrested for possessing classified documents.
Spanish Prime Minister proposes referendum to extend powers to Catalonia
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on September 3 proposed a referendum in Catalonia on the possibility of expanding autonomy for the region, but stressed that he would not allow a vote on independence as requested by regional government leaders. "This is a referendum on autonomy, not self-determination," Prime Minister Sanchez emphasized. However, Prime Minister Sanchez did not mention the time of this vote.
Catalonia, a region in northwestern Spain with a population of about 7.5 million, speaks its own native language and accounts for one-fifth of Spain's GDP. The region was granted autonomy under Spain's 1978 constitution.
China to cancel debt for some least developed African countries
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| Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing on September 3. Photo: THX/ VNA |
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China will forgive debts of some of Africa's least developed countries and is willing to work with international partners to support Africa in pursuing peace and development.
Xi Jinping stressed that Beijing will cancel the debt of some African countries in the form of interest-free Chinese government loans before the end of 2018. This debt cancellation will be for Africa's least developed countries, heavily indebted and poor countries, and landlocked and small island developing countries that have diplomatic relations with China. Xi Jinping also announced that China will increase its total aid to Africa by $60 billion.
In addition, Beijing will also carry out major initiatives with African countries, covering areas such as industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation and green development.
Israel warns of possible attack on Iranian equipment in Iraq
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| Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaks in Jerusalem on March 12. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On September 3, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned that his country could attack suspected Iranian military assets in Iraq, as it has done with a series of airstrikes in Syria.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Mr. Lieberman emphasized that Israel is closely monitoring developments in Syria and will not limit its actions to Syrian territory in relation to Iranian threats. Asked if the targets of action include Iraq, Mr. Lieberman made it clear that Israel will counter "any threat from Iran, regardless of where it comes from."
Philippine President Apologizes for Insulting Obama
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos on September 6, 2016. Photo: Reuters. |
Mr Duterte regretted threatening to call Mr Obama a "son of a whore" two years ago when the US criticized his war on drugs in the Philippines. "This is the right time to tell Mr Obama that he is now a common man and I apologize for saying those words," he said.AFPquoted President Rodrigo Duterte speaking to Filipinos living in Israel on September 2.
Mr. Duterte is on a four-day visit to Israel to seek new sources of military hardware and negotiate terms to protect Filipino workers working abroad.
After taking office as president in mid-2016, Mr. Duterte repeatedly insulted world leaders, politicians and influential figures.
