UK passes Brexit law; North and South Korea sign railway agreement

Brexit Bill officially becomes law, counting down the minutes to Britain's departure from the EU

On June 26, the Brexit Bill officially became law, paving the way for the UK to leave the European Union (EU). British media quoted the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, stating that the EU Withdrawal Bill had been officially approved by the Royal Family.

Earlier, on June 21, the British House of Commons voted to pass the bill with 319 votes in favor and 303 votes against. The House of Commons rejected a proposal to empower MPs to avoid a scenario where Britain leaves the EU without reaching any agreement. The Senate also approved the government's amendments, which pledged to respect the role of parliament in the final Brexit agreement.

Under the Brexit Act, the UK will officially cease to be an EU member at 11pm on 29 March 2019.

South Korea and North Korea sign inter-Korean railway agreement

Photo: AFP

On June 26, South Korea and North Korea signed an agreement to conduct a joint research to connect and modernize the railway network connecting the inter-Korean border.

According to South Korea's Unification Ministry, the joint study will begin first on the northern part of the western railway line connecting Seoul and Sinuiju from July 24, and then on the railway line running along the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula.

The agreement was reached after delegations from the two Koreas held working-level discussions on the southern side of the Panmunjom truce village on railway cooperation following a summit between the two countries' leaders last April.

US Supreme Court upholds entry ban on some Muslim countries

US Supreme Court. Source: kuow.org

According to Reuters, on June 26, the US Supreme Court supported President Donald Trump's entry ban on several Muslim countries with 5 votes in favor and 4 votes against.

This is considered one of President Trump's most important victories since he took office, thereby ending a fierce debate in the courts about whether this policy is an illegal ban targeting Muslims.

9 EU countries sign agreement on joint military intervention force

• French Defense Minister Florence Parly attends the signing ceremony of the European Intervention Initiative agreement on June 25. Photo: AFP

On June 25, the defense ministers of nine EU countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Spain and Portugal, jointly committed to signing a joint European military intervention force to support each other in emergency situations.

Under the European Intervention Initiative, this joint defense force would be tasked with rapidly mobilizing troops in crisis situations near Europe's borders.

China exempts agricultural import tax for 5 Asian countries

Soybeans are one of the Chinese products exempted from tariffs. Source: brecorder.com

According to AFP, on June 26, China confirmed that it will exempt tariffs on a number of goods, including soybeans, imported from five Asian countries amid the risk of a trade war between China and the US that could cause the price of American beans to increase.

As part of its Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement with Bangladesh, India, Laos, South Korea and Sri Lanka, China will cut import tariffs to zero on some key agricultural products, while also cutting tariffs on dozens of other products, starting July 1.

According to the list published by China, imported products from the above five countries that are exempt from tariffs include soybeans, soybean oil, rapeseed, beef fat and lamb fat.

Syrian army recaptures first major town in the southwest

The Syrian Army's Tiger Forces broke through the Islamist rebels' defenses on the night of June 25 after striking with a surprise attack on the northeastern and western flanks of the town of Busra Al-Harir.

Accordingly, the “Tiger” special forces announced that they had taken full control of Busra Al-Harir, the first major town they captured in the campaign in southwestern Syria.

Busra Al-Harir is an important, strategically located town in southwestern Syria.

Four countries launch new joint patrols on the Mekong River

Illustration photo: china.org

A new round of joint patrols on the Mekong River involving law enforcement officers from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand began on June 26.

This is the 71st patrol since the joint operation took place in 2011 to ensure the border river is safer.

According to the Yunnan Border Police (China), the ships will depart from Guanlui Port in Xishuangbana, southwest Yunnan Province, to patrol a total of 256km of the river. The patrols are aimed at detecting drug smuggling activities along the Mekong River, and conducting surprise inspections of vessels moving in the waters near key areas, including the Golden Triangle.

Macedonian president refuses to sign country's name change agreement

On June 26, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov refused to sign the agreement on changing the country's name, claiming it was unconstitutional. State news agency MIA quoted President Ivanov as saying he "has no obligation to sign an agreement that violates Macedonia's constitution."

However, according to Reuters news agency, President Gjorge Ivanov's decision not to ratify the country's name change agreement cannot prevent this agreement and the National Assembly is expected to reject the President's veto with a minimum majority in the second vote.

British grandmother skydives to celebrate her 102nd birthday

Eva Lewis was cheered on by three generations of her children and grandchildren as she took part in an indoor skydiving challenge to celebrate her birthday.

Eva Lewis, from Hertfordshire, was lifted off the floor on June 25 amid winds as strong as a 177 km/h hurricane, at the wind tunnel of the iFLY indoor skydiving center, according toStandard.

She wore a blue suit and a helmet and was picked up by two male staff members of the center. Not showing any fear, the elderly woman enjoyed the thrill and even wanted to try it again.

From her 75-year-old son to her 9-year-old granddaughter and great-grandson, everyone watched and cheered Mrs. Lewis through the glass door outside the tunnel. They arranged the challenge as a special birthday present for her.

"I can't believe that at 102 I can try indoor skydiving for the first time and feel like I'm floating in the air. It was a great day and I want to try it again," said Ms Lewis.