[ad_1]
Below is a summary of the current world news briefing.
Türkiye’s Erdogan sworn in as new president
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was sworn in on Saturday for a new term as president after winning re-election over the weekend, extending his rule into a third decade. “I, as president, swear on my honor and integrity before the great Turkish nation and history to defend the country’s existence and independence,” Erdogan said in a live-streamed ceremony from Ankara’s parliament.
Three Europeans return home after prisoner swap in Iran
Three Europeans returned home on Saturday after being exchanged prisoners by Iran, and Tehran said there was no reason to arrest the Europeans if they had not been “exploited” by foreign security services. The three men – two Austrian-Iranian dual citizens and one Danish – were released by Iran on Friday as Iranian diplomat Asadollah Assadi, a Belgian government spokesman said. as part of a swap deal that Iran released last week to release Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele.
Deadly Indian rail accident shifts focus from new trains to safety
India’s sprawling rail network is undergoing a $30 billion makeover that includes gleaming new trains and modernized stations, but Friday’s deadly train accident suggested greater attention should be paid to safety, industry analysts said. At least 261 people were killed in the country’s worst rail accident in more than two decades after a passenger train derailed and crashed into another in the eastern state of Odisha.
India’s worst train accident in more than two decades kills at least 261
At least 261 people have been killed in India’s worst rail accident in more than two decades after a passenger train derailed and crashed into another in the east of the country, officials said Saturday. One of the trains involved in Friday’s accident also crashed into a freight train parked near Odisha’s Balasore district, leaving a mess of train cars and injuring 1,000 people.
U.S. and Canadian navies make rare joint crossing of Taiwan Strait
A U.S. and a Canadian warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, the U.S. Navy said, in a rare joint mission in the sensitive waterway amid heightened tensions between Beijing and Washington over China’s claim to Taiwan. The U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet said the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon and Canada’s HMCS Montreal made a “routine” voyage through the Channel “by navigating the high seas and overflying free waters as applicable under international law.”
U.S., China trade accusations as hopes of military talks dash
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday accused China of refusing to hold military talks, leading to a standoff between the superpowers over Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s top security summit, Austin said Beijing’s reluctance to negotiate undermines efforts to maintain peace in a region where both rivals are increasing their military firepower.
NATO member Turkey sends troops to Kosovo amid unrest in north
Turkey plans to send commandos to Kosovo on Sunday and Monday in response to NATO’s request to join the alliance’s KFOR peacekeeping force following unrest in the north of the country, the defense ministry said. In a statement on Saturday, the ministry called for restraint and constructive dialogue to resolve what it said could undermine regional security and stability.
Pope visits Mongolia, where only 1,300 Catholics
Pope Francis will take place August 31-September. 4 A trip to Mongolia, one of the most remote places he has ever been, with only about 1,300 Catholics but strategically important to the Roman Catholic Church due to its proximity to China. The Vatican announced the visit in a brief statement on Saturday, saying it was at the invitation of the country’s president and Catholic leaders. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said details would be announced in the coming weeks.
Counteroffensive under way despite Russian missile attack, Ukrainian defense official says
Ukraine’s plans to counter the Russian occupation are ongoing despite “unprecedented” missile and drone attacks across the country in recent weeks, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister told Reuters on Saturday. Volodymyr V. Havrylov said that in addition to cruise missile attacks, Ukraine faced repeated salvos of ballistic missiles in May, especially in urban centers including the capital Kiev.
Zelensky says Ukraine ready to launch counteroffensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview published on Saturday that Ukraine was preparing to launch a long-awaited counteroffensive to retake territories occupied by Russia. “We firmly believe that we will succeed,” Zelensky told the Wall Street Journal.
(According to agency opinion.)
[ad_2]
Source link