News in Brief -2024-10-09

If elected Harris would not meet Putin if
Kyiv wasn't represented in peace talks
WASHINGTON, Oct 08: Democratic White House hopeful Kamala Harris said in an interview broadcast Monday that if elected president she would not meet with Vladimir Putin for peace talks if Ukraine was not also represented. "Not bilaterally without Ukraine, no. Ukraine must have a say in the future of Ukraine," the US vice president told CBS's "60 Minutes" program when asked if she would meet one-on-one with the Russian leader to negotiate an end to the war. President Joe Biden's administration has previously rejected any talks with Putin. Harris also reiterated her criticisms of Republican rival Donald Trump's policies on Ukraine, describing them as a "surrender" to the invasion Moscow launched in February 2022. —AFP
Russia, China hold joint navy patrol
MOSCOW, Oct 08: Russian and Chinese navy ships have carried out a joint patrol in the northeast of the Pacific Ocean, the Russian military said on Tuesday. The vessels "proceeded with manoeuvres" to practice anti-submarine tactics, it said. The patrol came after the two countries held joint military drills, as the allies deepen ties that have seen NATO dub Beijing an "enabler" of Moscow's war in Ukraine. In early September, China said that the two sides would participate in a joint maritime patrol and that China would also participate in Russia's "Ocean-2024" strategic exercise. Russia and China have ramped up military and economic cooperation in recent years, with both railing against "Western hegemony", particularly what they see as US domination of global affairs. —AFP
Saudi Arabia executes Filipino worker
MANILA, Oct 08: Saudi Arabia executed a Filipino worker who had been convicted of murder despite Manila's efforts to stop the capital punishment, Philippine officials said Tuesday. The name of the executed Filipino, details about the crime and the date of the execution were not disclosed following the family's request for privacy. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said his government had exhausted all efforts to prevent the "unfortunate" execution. "It was a terrible tragedy," Marcos said. —AFP
Kim calls Putin 'closest comrade'
PYONGYANG, Oct 08: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent a birthday message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him his "closest comrade". Kim, congratulating Putin on his 72nd birthday, added that relations between both countries would be raised to a new level. Relations between Pyongyang and Moscow have deepened since the start of the Ukraine war - in a move that has worried the West. Separately on Tuesday, Kim said Pyongyang would speed up steps to make his country a military super power with nuclear weapons. —BBC