Russia warns of F-16s to Ukraine, new alliance in Thailand launched

Russia intercepts UAV attack near Moscow, Australia buys US missiles, Mr. Biden may meet with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

Australia has reached an agreement to buy 200 Tomahawk missiles from the US. (Source: Wikipedia Commons)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

* Russia intercepts multiple UAVs attacking Moscow : On September 21, the Russian Defense Ministry said Kiev's attempt to carry out an "attack using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) failed" at 6:50 a.m. (local time). The devices were "suppressed by electronic warfare means" and fell in the village of Pokrovskoye in the Odintsovo district, southwest of Moscow, but caused no casualties. Another "attack by Kiev" was also intercepted in Istra, northwest of Moscow. According to RIA Novosti (Russia), flights from the two international airports Vnukovo and Domodedovo were disrupted, but were diverted elsewhere shortly afterwards.

Kaluga Governor Vladislav Shapsha confirmed that air defense systems south of Moscow had intercepted a UAV. The attack caused no casualties or damage to infrastructure. (AFP/Reuters)

* Ukraine responds to attack in Chernihiv : On August 20, in a video address just before ending his visit to Sweden, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared: "I guarantee that our soldiers will respond to Russia for this attack." He said that a 6-year-old girl named Sofia was killed, and said that among the injured were 15 children.

Earlier, Ukraine accused Russia of launching a missile attack on the central square of the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on August 19, killing seven people and injuring nearly 150 others. Chernihiv Governor Vyacheslav Chaus said the total number of injured victims was 148. (AP)

* Ukraine, the Netherlands and Denmark reach agreement on the supply of F-16s : On August 20, writing on his personal Telegram , President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “We have agreed with (Dutch Prime Minister) Mark Rutte on the number of F-16s that will be supplied to Ukraine after our pilots and engineers complete the training course. 42 aircraft. This is just the beginning.” The leader emphasized that these modern fighter jets will strengthen air defense capabilities and help Kiev better confront Moscow's forces.

Meanwhile, Denmark has also announced that it will transfer 19 F-16s to Ukraine. The first six F-16s are expected to be delivered by New Year 2024. However, Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen stressed that Ukraine can only use these F-16s on its own territory.

In response, the Danish news agency Ritzau quoted Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin as saying: “Denmark’s decision to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine will lead to an escalation of the conflict. By acting under the guise that Ukraine itself must determine the conditions for peace, Denmark is taking actions and words that are aimed at leaving Ukraine with no other choice but to continue military confrontation with Russia.”

Earlier, on August 17, the US reportedly approved the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine by the Netherlands and Denmark. The aircraft will be sent to Kiev after the completion of the training course for Ukrainian pilots, which is expected to last six months. On August 19, the country's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov also confirmed that two Ukrainian pilots who are currently in training have conducted test flights on F-16s in the US. (Reuters/TASS)

Southeast Asia

* Thai officials confirm the time of the former Prime Minister's return: On August 21, the Royal Thai Police Office confirmed that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will return to the country on August 22. Thai National Police Chief - General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that the security forces participating in receiving this politician have undergone a drill, including the deployment of security measures, as well as a plan to move the former Thai Prime Minister from the airport to the Immigration Police Department for verification procedures.

Gen Damrongsak has not yet announced the flight number and airport details. However, it is reported that Mr. Thaksin will land at Don Mueang Airport by private jet at 9:00 am on August 22. The former Prime Minister will then be taken to the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Department No. 2 to make a record of his return to the country. He will then be escorted to the Criminal Division for Political Position Holders of the Supreme Court to confirm his identity in accordance with the arrest warrant. After the court issues a detention order, the Department of Corrections will transfer him to the Bangkok Remand Prison, where he will be detained pending further legal proceedings.

Sorawis Limparangsi, spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General, said that Mr. Thaksin is expected to appear at the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court of Thailand at 10:30 a.m. on August 22. After that, the politician will go to the courtroom with the presence of his relatives. The Supreme Court of Thailand will issue a press release detailing the politician's case after the proceedings are over. Reporters will have to work outside the security fence and will not be allowed to enter the court area. (VNA)

* Thailand: Revealing the identities of 14 parties forming the government: Early in the afternoon of August 21, 14 parties led by the Pheu Thai Party (For Thailand) held a press conference at the National Assembly House to announce a new coalition to lead the government.

Accordingly, the 14 parties above currently control a total of 317/500 seats in the House of Representatives, including: Pheu Thai 141 seats, Bhumjaithai (Pride of Thailand) 71 seats; People's State Power Party (PPRP) 40 seats; United Thailand (UTN) 36 seats; Thai Development Party (Chartthaipattan) 10 seats; People's National Party (Prachachat) 9 seats; United Power Party (Pheu Thai Ruam Palang) 2 seats; Dare to Develop Party (Chart Pattana Kla) 2 seats; All Thai Freedom (Seri Ruam Thai) 1 seat; New Social Power (Plung Sungkom Mai) 1 seat; Thongthee Thai (Rural Thailand) 1 seat; New Democracy (New Democracy) 1 seat; New Party (Mai) 1 seat and Teachers for the People (Kru Thai Pheu Prachachon) 1 seat.

The PPRP will be represented by party secretary-general Thamanat Prompao. Pheu Thai’s two prime ministerial candidates, Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, will not attend the press conference but will instead hold a separate meeting with Pheu Thai lawmakers at the party’s headquarters at 3 p.m. The Democrat, Bhumjaithai and MFP parties, which received the most votes in the election, will also hold separate meetings with their own lawmakers on the afternoon of August 21.

On the same day, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party expressed confidence that the Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin will be elected prime minister in the Thai Parliament session on August 22. She said that the Pheu Thai legal team had examined all the allegations against Mr. Srettha during his tenure as CEO of the Sansiri real estate development company and concluded that he had not broken the law.

The daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin expressed her apologies for disappointing her supporters when Pheu Thai failed to form a new government with the MFP as originally planned and had to join hands with other parties. However, Ms. Paetongtarn promised that the new government led by this party will do its best to solve the difficult problems that are affecting the lives of the people.

Security has been tightened around the Parliament building with hundreds of riot police deployed. Signs have been put up restricting access to the area within a 50-meter radius of the building, while two lanes of traffic, sidewalks and the Kiak Kai government center near the Parliament building have been reserved for protesters. (Thai PBS)

South Pacific

* Australia reaches agreement to buy more than 200 Tomahawk missiles from the US : On August 21, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles said the country will spend 1.3 billion AUD (833 million USD) to buy more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US as part of a major deal between the two countries. He said: "We are investing in the capabilities the Defence Force needs to deter adversaries far from our shores and keep Australians safe in the complex and uncertain world we live in today." Thus, Australia will be one of three countries owning Tomahawk along with the US and the UK.

Minister Richard Marles also added that the ship-launched version of the Tomahawk missile produced by RTX Corp (USA) will be deployed on the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart-class destroyers.

In addition to the Tomahawks, Canberra will spend about AU$431 million ($276.44 million) to buy more than 60 advanced anti-radiation guided missiles from Washington. Australia is also buying long-range anti-tank guided missiles for the army's Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles in a contract worth AU$50 million ($32.07 million).

Earlier in March, the US State Department approved the sale of Tomahawks, a missile with a range of 1,500 km, but did not give a specific time. (TTXVN)

South Asia

* Three Southeast Asian countries call on India to resume rice exports : On August 20, Mint (India) reported that Singapore has offered to buy 110,000 tons of rice from India, while Indonesia plans to import 1 million tons of rice to overcome disruptions in the food market due to bad weather. According to Mint , the Philippines depends heavily on rice supplies from India.

The paper highlighted the demand from other countries and entities, including the United Nations (UN) and Bangladesh, for rice exports from India. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) recently requested India to send 200,000 tonnes of rice as humanitarian aid to improve global food security, which has been severely damaged by the Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. Bangladesh is currently negotiating with India for a food supply deal.

Earlier, on July 20, the Indian government announced a temporary suspension of white rice exports (except Basmati rice) to increase domestic supply and check market prices. This measure has caused major disruptions in the world food market, as the country accounts for 40% of the global rice export market. (Sputnik)

Northeast Asia

* Japan pushes ahead with plan to discharge wastewater from Fukushima nuclear power plant : On August 21, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he will hold a meeting with relevant cabinet ministers on August 22 to decide when to start discharging treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Kishida discussed with the head of the Japan National Fisheries Cooperative Federation Masanobu Sakamoto, hoping to gain the official's consensus on the above plan.

In a related news, in an interview the same day, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said that the recent US-Japan-South Korea trilateral summit "had a prior consensus not to put the issue of contaminated water on the agenda." (Kyodo/Reuters/Yonhap)

* Seoul explains to Beijing the results of the Korea-Japan-US Summit : On August 21, in an interview with Yonhap News TV (South Korea), Foreign Minister Park Jin affirmed that Seoul had “explained in detail” the results of the summit through diplomatic channels after the event at Camp David (US). He affirmed that the summit was not intended to “exclude any specific country or target specific forces”.

Regarding bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Park Jin stated that the South Korean government wishes to “promote a complete and healthy relationship with China.”

Earlier, President Yoon Suk Yeol, his US counterpart Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit at Camp David (US). In the following statement, the three sides expressed concern over China's "actions that are inconsistent with the international rules-based order." (Yonhap)

America

* Ecuadorian presidential election: Left-wing candidate leads : On the evening of August 20 (local time), the National Electoral Council of Ecuador (CNE) announced the results of the quick vote count, according to which candidate Luisa Gonzalez won 32.3% of the votes.

With the above results, the politician from the left-wing Civic Revolutionary Movement (RC) Party has a large gap with the two candidates behind him, Mr. Daniel Noboa with 24.01% of the votes and Mr. Cristian Zurita with 16.37% of the votes.

Thus, no candidate won more than half of the votes or reached 40% of the votes with a gap of at least 10% compared to the second candidate. Therefore, the two candidates with the highest support rate, Ms. Gonzalez and Mr. Noboa, continue to enter the second round of the presidential election, scheduled to take place on October 15. (TTXVN)

Middle East-Africa

* US President may meet Saudi Crown Prince on sidelines of G20 : On August 21, Axios cited four sources as saying that US President Joe Biden is considering meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in September. Accordingly, the meeting between the two leaders will take place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi (India). If realized, the meeting could accelerate the negotiation process that the White House is organizing with Saudi Arabia on an agreement that includes Washington's security guarantees for Riyadh, as well as a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. (Reuters)

* Iran announces time for prisoner exchange with the US: On August 21, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said: "The specific time frame has been announced by relevant agencies and the process is expected to last a maximum of 2 months."

Earlier this month, Tehran and Washington reached a prisoner swap deal that would see five U.S. citizens held in Iran released in exchange for the release of $6 billion in Iranian assets frozen in South Korea. (IRNA)

* Pope Francis calls for peace in Niger: On August 20, speaking to the faithful in St. Peter's Square after a prayer service, Pope Francis stated: "I am following with concern what is happening in Niger, and I join the bishops' appeal in favor of peace in the country and stability in the Sahel region... as well as the efforts of the international community to find a peaceful solution as soon as possible for the good of all." (Reuters)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-218-nga-canh-bao-vu-f-16-toi-ukraine-lien-minh-moi-o-thai-lan-ra-mat-239185.html