Ukraine establishes humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea, US issues new decree to China

Chinese Foreign Minister will visit Cambodia, Ecuadorian presidential candidate was assassinated, ECOWAS held a closed meeting on Niger... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was assassinated while campaigning in Quito on August 9. (Source: Reuters)

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

* Russia points out the US's " strategic failure " in Ukraine : On August 10, writing on Telegram , the Russian Embassy in the US announced: "We have noted another statement by the White House representative that it is necessary to provide additional support to Ukraine, although public support for this has significantly decreased. Washington's insistence on supporting Kiev in every possible way, first of all by providing new weapons, is an admission of failure in the US strategy in Ukraine."

The Russian side stressed: "We call on Washington's decision-makers on the crisis in Ukraine to sober up and see that all previous actions only lead to an escalation of the conflict and new casualties, for the purpose of having an illusory victory over Russia on the ground."

Shortly before, White House National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby pointed out “the unwavering support of the American people and Congress, both parties and both houses, for continued support of Ukraine.” (TASS)

* Ukraine says it is dealing well with Russia in Kupyansk : On August 10 , speaking on Ukrainian television, Serhii Cherevatyi, spokesman for the Eastern Military Command, said: “Today, on the Eastern front, the Russian army cannot overcome our positions ( in Kupyansk). They only operate from a distance, with 20 air strikes per day.

“Usually it is Mi-24 or Ka-52 attack helicopters, Su-25 or the newer Su-35. This is a powerful strike force, but not the spearhead and we are dealing with them well.”

According to him, Ukrainian forces are now being harassed more by rocket artillery, but the Ukrainian army continues to attack in the Bakhmut area: “In Bakhmut, we are applying great pressure, destroying the enemy’s manpower and equipment. In the past 24 hours, there have been five clashes and three Russian airstrikes.”

The spokesman also said that in the fighting in the Bakhmut direction, 56 Russian soldiers were killed, 104 were injured and 5 were captured. 3 T-72 tanks, 1 armored vehicle, 3 IFVs, 1 BMD, 1 D-30 howitzer, 3 ammunition depots, 1 reconnaissance drone and 2 Lancet attack drones were destroyed.

On the same day, August 10, the Ukrainian navy announced that a new temporary humanitarian corridor had begun operating. Commercial ships stranded at Ukrainian Black Sea ports will use the corridor in the coming days, transporting grain and other agricultural products.

According to Ukrainian Navy spokesman Oleh Chalyk, the transit will be transparent. Ships will be equipped with cameras and loudspeakers to show that this is a purely “humanitarian mission” and not a military one. (Ukrinform/Reuters)

* Germany sends more Patriot launchers to Ukraine : On August 9, according to the official list of weekly military aid updates, Germany added two launchers to Kiev's Patriot air defense system. In this new update, Germany also provided 10 Bandvagn 206 multi-purpose tracked vehicles, six heavy trucks and about 6,000 smoke rounds for 155mm guns. In addition, Berlin also provided machine guns, sighting scopes, binoculars and mine clearance equipment to Kiev.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the new military aid package, stressing that Berlin's implementation of the agreement between the two sides will help save thousands of lives. Kiev affirmed that it will continue to cooperate with Germany. In his nightly video, Mr. Zelensky also called on allies to continue providing weapons, especially more air defense and missile systems, to help Kiev defend against Russian attacks. (TTXVN)

Southeast Asia

* Chinese Foreign Minister to visit Cambodia : On August 10, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement saying that at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, Politburo member and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to Cambodia from August 12-13.

During the two-day visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. He will also have separate meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and newly-appointed Prime Minister Hun Manet. Discussions will cover a range of bilateral and multilateral cooperation issues, reflecting the common priorities of the two countries.

In addition, the press release stated that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have separate meetings with his host counterpart Prak Sokhonn and Minister-in-waiting and Secretary-General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea. The dialogues will cover diverse aspects of cooperation, covering bilateral and multilateral fields, in line with the mutual interests of the two countries.

The statement stressed: “The upcoming visit coincides with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the Cambodia-China Friendship Year. The visit will contribute to further consolidating the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, consolidating a high-quality, high-level and high-standard community of shared destiny, promoting the Diamond Cooperation Framework and enhancing cooperation between regional and international platforms, bringing benefits to the people of the two countries.” (VNA)

* Pheu Thai calls for end to political polarization in Thailand : On August 10, Pheu Thai Party vice president Phumtham Wechayachai proposed forming a special government to end post-election political polarization. He also rejected criticism that Pheu Thai had switched sides, asserting that what the party is trying to achieve is to put aside factional issues and called on all parties to work together to resolve the political crisis that is hindering the country's development.

Pheu Thai Party Vice President hopes that the nomination of Srettha Thavisin as the prime minister candidate will help reduce political conflicts and create a new political environment to ensure that the government and the opposition can cooperate for the common good. “We are ready to join hands with all parties, whether they are opposition or independents. Only one issue, the lese majeste law, will not be affected,” he said.

The statement was made in the context that the Pheu Thai-led coalition has only won 238 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives. The party is currently trying to gain more support from the United Thai National Party (UTN) and the People's State Power Party (PPRP). Notably, during the recent election campaign, the Pheu Thai Party pledged not to form a government with the UTN and PPRP. (Bangkok Post)

Europe

* Germany tightens security after arrest of officer suspected of spying for Russia : On August 10, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that the country has tightened security measures to better defend against current challenges.

“Our security agencies are extremely vigilant. We have coordinated our forces and strengthened security measures to counter the current threats,” she stressed. Germany has taken a number of steps to counter Russian intelligence, including expelling Russian diplomats accused of having ties to these agencies. She also noted that the conflict in Ukraine has changed the security situation in Germany.

Previously, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) arrested a German officer on suspicion of spying for Russia. According to the announcement, the arrested person is named Thomas H., working at the Department of Information Technology and Arms Procurement of the German Ministry of Defense. The suspect's residence and workplace were also searched. Specifically, in May, the suspect is said to have contacted the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian Embassy in Berlin many times to request cooperation and provide information related to his professional activities to forward to Russian intelligence.

A judge from the German Federal Court of Justice has issued an arrest warrant for the man. The investigation is being conducted in close cooperation with the German Ministry of Defense's Military Intelligence Service and the German Ministry of the Interior's Department for the Protection of the Constitution (Germany's domestic intelligence agency).

Speaking to Funke (Germany), Chairwoman of the German Parliament's Defense Committee Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann said that it is necessary to check employees who work with classified information. She did not rule out the possibility that "among officials, there are people who have provided secret information to Russia without remorse." (Sputnik)

America

* The US will restrict investment in high-tech sectors in China : On August 9, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order banning certain US investments in sensitive technologies in China, while requiring the government to be reported on funding in other technology sectors.

This executive order allows the US Treasury Secretary to ban or restrict certain US investments in Chinese entities in three areas: semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technology, and certain artificial intelligence systems.

It also aims to block US capital and expertise from developing technologies that could aid China’s military modernization and undermine US national security, focusing on private equity, venture capital, joint ventures and new investments.

In a letter to Congress, President Biden said he was declaring a national emergency to address the threat posed by advances by countries like China “in sensitive technologies and products critical to military, intelligence, surveillance, or cyber capabilities.”

“For too long, American money has fueled China’s military rise,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. “Today, we are taking a strategic first step to ensure our investments are not funding China’s military advancement.” He said Congress must take note and amend the law’s restrictions.

The rules will only affect future investments, not existing ones, according to a US administration official. (Reuters)

* Ecuador: Presidential candidate assassinated, many countries and organizations speak out: According to local television station Ecuavisa (Ecuador) and local press, Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead while campaigning in Quito on the evening of August 9. The attack also injured 9 others.

Local media reported that politician Fernando Villavicencio had received multiple death threats before the incident. Ecuador’s Attorney General’s Office said a key suspect in the assassination had died from gunshot wounds, adding that six people were detained in connection with the incident.

For her part, the head of the National Electoral Council of Ecuador, Diana Atamaint, said that the country's presidential election will continue as scheduled on August 20. Earlier, after the assassination, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day nationwide state of emergency.

For its part, speaking on August 9, the Election Observation Mission of the Organization of American States ( OAS ) issued a statement stating: “We call on the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation. We also call on all candidates to strengthen security measures and call on the authorities to provide the necessary support to ensure the integrity of those participating in the electoral process. The safety of candidates is fundamental to maintaining confidence in the democratic system.” At the same time, the OAS said that members of the Election Observation Mission will arrive in Ecuador on August 10 to provide the necessary support in ensuring “a safe and democratic environment during the electoral process.”

For its part, the Mexican Foreign Ministry condemned the recent violence in Ecuador and expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Ecuador.

On August 10, US Ambassador to Quito Michael Fitzpatrick said that the US condemned the assassination and offered to assist Quito in investigating this crime. In a statement posted on social network X (formerly Twitter ), the US Embassy stated: "The US government strongly condemns this attack and offers urgent assistance to the investigation."

On the same day, the Chinese Foreign Ministry affirmed: "China condemns the attack and expresses condolences over the passing of Mr. Villavicencio." (Reuters/Sputnik)

Middle East-Africa

* Mali, France stop issuing visas to each other's citizens : France and Mali have stopped issuing visas to each other's citizens, diplomats said on August 10. This week, the French Embassy suspended issuing new visas in Bamako after placing all of Mali in a "red zone" where citizens are advised not to travel. In response, Mali also stopped issuing new visas to French citizens at its embassy in Paris. (AFP)

* Swedish Embassy in Lebanon attacked : On August 10, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom and a diplomatic source said that an attacker threw a petrol bomb at the Swedish Embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

A diplomatic source here said: "We can confirm that a petrol bomb was thrown at the facade of our embassy last night but did not explode... The perpetrator managed to escape." Swedish Foreign Minister Billstrom also emphasized: "It is fortunate that no one was injured." According to him, the incident is being investigated. The Swedish diplomat also noted: "The Lebanese authorities are obliged to protect diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention."

Tensions have flared between Sweden and Muslim countries after a series of protests over public desecration of the Quran in Stockholm. (AFP)

* Coup in Niger: Military forces announce ministers, ECOWAS holds closed-door meeting: On the night of August 9, the head of the rebel forces that took power in Niger , General Abdourahamane Tchiani, signed a decree to form a transitional government of 21 ministers. The vast majority of the newly formed transitional cabinet, including the Ministers of Defense and Interior, serve in the military.

For its part, on August 9, the Nigerien Social Democratic Party (PNDS-Tarayya) of President Mohamed Bazoum said that the politician and his family were being held in “cruel” and “inhumane” conditions at their residence, without running water, electricity, access to fresh food or doctors. The party called for a nationwide mobilization to rescue Mr. Bazoum and his family.

Previously, on August 9, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns about Mr. Bazoum's health after a phone call with the politician.

Also on August 9, in a statement on national television, the Niger military government said: “A French military aircraft deliberately cut off all communications with air traffic control when it entered our airspace from 6:39 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. (local time) on August 9.” However, France has denied this allegation.

On August 10, the spokesman of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) said that the leaders of member countries have begun a closed-door meeting in the capital Abuja (Nigeria) on the bloc's response to the current situation in Niger. According to media reports, the meeting is likely to focus on discussing whether ECOWAS will conduct military intervention in Niger.

The Niger military government has repeatedly rejected diplomatic offers from African, US and UN envoys. However, on August 9, in the capital Niamey, the Niger military government met with Special Envoy Lamido Muhammad Sanusi and Nigeria's Abdullsalami Abubarkar, the President of ECOWAS. Both were allowed to enter Niger despite the country's closed borders. Sanusi met with General Abdourahamane Tiani, while Special Envoy Abubarkar met with other representatives at the airport. (Al-Arabiya/Reuters/Sputnik)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-108-ukraine-lap-hanh-lang-nhan-dao-tren-bien-den-my-ra-sac-lenh-moi-voi-trung-quoc-237940.html