Xi says China, U.S. can achieve mutual success, shared prosperity
China and the United States can achieve mutual success and shared prosperity, benefiting both countries and the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.
In his phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi said that to realize this vision, the two countries should make joint efforts to achieve mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
During their talks, the two heads of state had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, and provided strategic guidance for the stable development of bilateral ties in the next stage. The conversation was pragmatic, positive and constructive.
Thai King endorses new cabinet under PM Anutin
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed a new cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a royal command said on Friday.
According to the official Royal Gazette, the king appointed the 36-member cabinet as selected by Anutin, including six deputy prime ministers and other ministers, following his endorsement as the country’s new prime minister earlier this month.
With its leader, Anutin, also serving as interior minister, the Bhumjaithai Party will lead the coalition government, holding the largest share of 12 cabinet seats, including three posts within the prime minister’s office.
UN General Assembly adopts draft resolution on Palestine’s participation in 80th session
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday adopted a draft resolution on the participation by the State of Palestine during its 80th session, due to the non-issuance of visas by the United States to some Palestinian representatives.
The draft resolution, adopted by a vote of 145 in favor, five against and six abstentions, decides that Palestine may submit a pre-recorded statement of its president to be played in the General Assembly Hall during the General Debate and may deliver statements by means of videoconference or submit a pre-recorded statement at the meetings of the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
UN Security Council fails to adopt resolution on continued Iran sanctions relief
The Security Council on Friday failed to adopt a resolution that would continue to provide sanctions relief for Iran under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The draft resolution, put forward by the Republic of Korea in its capacity as Security Council president for the month of September, won four votes in favor, nine votes against, and two abstentions, failing to get the nine positive votes required for adoption.
If adopted, the draft resolution would have prevented a “snapback” of UN sanctions against Iran, a mechanism contained in the Iran nuclear deal and Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Israeli army closes evacuation route from Gaza City
The Israeli military on Friday announced the closure of an evacuation corridor from Gaza City to the southern Gaza Strip that had been opened earlier this week.
According to the army, the route along Salah al-Din road would remain available for civilians until noon on Friday.
“From this moment, Salah al-Din road is closed for moving southward,” said Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces’ spokesman.
Israeli media reported that about 450,000 people had already left Gaza City as of Thursday.
Israeli army says senior Hamas militant killed in Gaza airstrike
The Israeli military said Friday its forces, in coordination with the Israel Security Agency, carried out strikes in the Gaza Strip and killed a senior Hamas figure.
According to an army statement, troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip directed an airstrike that killed Sim Mahmoud Yusuf Abu Alkhir, deputy head of military intelligence in Hamas’ Bureij Battalion. The military alleged that Abu Alkhir had been involved in planning and executing attacks against Israeli forces.
U.S. to sell missiles worth 780 mln USD to Poland amid drone incursion
The U.S. State Department has approved a sale of Javelin missile systems worth about 780 million U.S. dollars to Poland, days after an alleged Russian drone incursion into Poland’s airspace alerting NATO members, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement issued on Thursday.
The agency said it has notified Congress of the proposed sale, which includes 2,506 FGM-148F Javelin missiles and 253 lightweight command launch units.
The package also covers training, simulation rounds, spares, tool kits, battery coolant units, transportation and technical assistance from both the U.S. government and contractors, according to the statement.
