World news briefs

* After new US sanctions on Russia over a poisoned ex-spy took effect on August 27, the Russian embassy to the United States blasted the move and said Moscow will "withstand" Washington's "brute pressure." * Peru's comprehensive strategic partnership with China is a priority of its foreign policy, Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Nestor Popolizio said. * The Russian Defense Ministry had received a new regiment set of the advanced S-400 Triumph air defense missile systems ahead of schedule, Russia's Almaz-Antey arms manufacturer said Monday, August 27. * Tanzanian Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan on August 27 urged member states of the African Union (AU) to remit their statutory contributions on time to enable the continental body to fulfill its operations. * German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on August 27 called for forging an "alliance for multilateralism" as a counterweight thinking to "America First". * Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on August 27 called on heads of … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 28

* The Republic of Korea's presidential Blue House said Monday (August 27) that the cancellation of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will influence the opening date of the inter-Korean liaison office. * British Prime Minister Theresa May will fly to sub-Saharan Africa late Monday (August 27) for the first time in order to forge new trade links for post-Brexit Britain. * On the opening day of court hearings in The Hague, Iran requested that judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States. * French Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin expressed uncertainties on August 27 about honoring economic commitments next year, expecting weaker than expected growth that may weigh on the budget deficit. * A state of emergency has been declared on the Greek island of Hydra due to electricity and water outages which started on Sunday (August 26) morning, Greek … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 27

* 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

* 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