Military world news

* Moscow will put forward a wide range of counterarguments at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in dispute with Washington over increased duties on a number of US products imposed by Russia, the Kremlin said Wednesday (August 29). * After nearly three-year-long freeze, the Turkish government Wednesday met with ministers of the EU Reform Action Group to step up its agenda to rewarm ties with the neighboring block. * Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj Wednesday met with the UN Secretary-General to Libya Ghassan Salame, discussing military escalation in Tripoli between government forces and armed militias. * White House counsel Don McGahn will be leaving in fall, US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. * Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on August 29 asked the government to take prompt and effective measures to deal with the massive outbreaks of African swine fever in the country, while compensating the affected producers as soon as possible. * President of Botswana … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 30

* The European Commission on August 23 adopted a support package for Iran, with a focus on the private sector for the sustainable economic and social development. The package includes €18 million worth of projects (8-million-euro assistance to the private sector). * US State Secretary Mike Pompeo on August 23 named Stephen Biegun to be the new special envoy for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). *With major concerns over cross-border smuggling, the Indonesian military will send 450 personnel to its border with Papua New Guinea (PNG) on August 26. * The United States reaffirmed Thursday (August 23) that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressed Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan in an earlier phone conversation to combat "terrorists," despite denial by Islamabad of the content. * The Islamic State (IS) remains a cause of a serious and significant concern despite the great losses the terrorist group has suffered, said Vladimir Voronkov, undersecretary-general for … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 24

* The 73rd joint patrol on the Mekong River with law enforcement from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand was completed Friday (August 24). Six vessels and more than 180 law enforcement personnel participated in the mission, which started Tuesday (August 21). * Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and visiting Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong agreed that Thailand and China should oppose unilateralism and protectionism in trade together and jointly facilitate trade, investment during a bilateral meeting in Bangkok on August 24. * US President Donald Trump on August 24 tweeted that he has asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to cancel his upcoming trip to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), citing the lacking of progress on the Peninsula denuclearization. * US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated on August 24 that the central bank will stick to the strategy of gradual rate hikes to manage potential risks and support domestic economic recovery. * The … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 25

* Flooding caused by recent storms in Laos has killed at least 46 people while 97 others are missing and four people were injured, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee. * Thailand has launched a Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) project covering several of its southern provinces, namely Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon. * China and India pledged on August 21 to further strengthen ties between the two countries and their militaries. * The Brazilian military on August 21 arrested at least 70 people in a massive dragnet on drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro, local officials said. * Brazilian President Michel Temer criticized protectionist measures taken against steel imports, during a speech at the Brazilian Steel Congress on August 21 in Sao Paulo. He urged the steel industry to "protect" itself from foreign attacks. * Facebook said Tuesday it is removing more than 5,000 targeting categories to prevent misuse of its ad … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 22

*Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Thursday (August 23) that he and other political party leaders have agreed to form a Supreme Council for Consultations and Recommendations, which will serve as a consultation forum between the government and political parties on the matters of national interests. * China's top observatory on August 23 issued a blue alert for heavy rain from now to August 24, the lowest level in the country's four-tier warning system. Heavy rain is expected to hit parts of the northeast and southwest China, as well as the southeastern province of Fujian, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC). * The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s President Moon Jae-in ordered chiefs of local governments and ministers Thursday to maintain an emergency management stance as typhoon Soulik was set to make landfall on the Korean Peninsula. * Embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Thursday he would resign from the parliament if a second … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 23