Korea and Japan end state of war; China imposes retaliatory tariffs on US
(Baonghean.vn) - The world in the past 24 hours has seen many events such as: South Korea and North Korea declared an end to the state of war; China imposed retaliatory tariffs on the US; German intelligence director lost his job due to accusations of bias towards the far-right; Malaysia arrested former Prime Minister Najib for a multi-billion dollar embezzlement scandal...
South Korea and North Korea declare an end to the state of war
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| South and North Korea declare an end to the state of war. Photo: Yonhap |
At 10:00 a.m. on September 19 (local time), South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un began discussions on the second working day of the South-North Korea Summit, aiming to establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders had a private discussion at the North Korean government guesthouse Paekhwawon in the capital Pyongyang.
After their talks, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a peace agreement and witnessed South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo and his North Korean counterpart No Kwang-chol sign a comprehensive agreement on reducing military tensions along the border. In it, the two sides agreed to “never use force against each other in any difficult situation.” According to a spokesman for the South Korean presidential office: “The leaders of South Korea and North Korea have truly declared an end to the state of war on the Korean Peninsula through their agreements.”
China retaliates against the US, imposing tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods
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American apples on sale in China. |
China has retaliated after the US's decision to impose new taxes on its goods by announcing additional tariffs on60 billion USDimported goods, causing the trade war between the two trading economies to escalate seriously.South China Morning PostCiting an announcement from China's Ministry of Finance on September 18, Beijing's tariffs, at two rates of 5% and 10%, will take effect from September 24, the same day Washington's new tariffs on Chinese goods take effect.
Beijing retaliated after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would begin imposing a 10% tariff on200 billion USDChinese goods from September 24, significantly expanding the scope of the trade war. The tax will increase to 25% from January 1, 2019.
A government source said the latest tariffs had damaged conditions for the two sides to hold trade talks in Washington next week. China was reviewing plans to send a delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He.
Russia does not attack Idlib after spy plane shot down
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Syrian rebel positions in Idlib were hit by airstrikes earlier this year. Photo:AFP. |
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the downing of a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane would not affect the agreement between Russia and Türkiye on establishing a demilitarized buffer zone in Idlib province, the last stronghold of rebels and insurgents in Syria, according toRT."This is an important breakthrough agreement, a vital agreement on the future of Syria. The agreement proves that Moscow and Ankara can agree on effective solutions, that is, to resolve the conflict through diplomacy," Mr. Peskov emphasized.
The information was released by the Kremlin after a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by a Syrian S-200 anti-aircraft missile over the Mediterranean on September 17, killing 15 Russian servicemen. The Russian Defense Ministry later accused Israel of airstrikes in Latakia province as the indirect cause of the incident and threatened to take appropriate measures in response. Israel rejected Russia's accusation and pledged to provide information to Moscow to investigate the incident.
German intelligence chief sacked over allegations of far-right bias
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Intelligence agency director Hans-Georg Maassen at a hearing on September 12. Photo:AFP |
On September 18, government spokesman Steffen Seibert announced on Twitter that Hans-Georg Maassen, the head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency, had been removed from his post following allegations that he had expressed support for the far-right AfD party. Maassen will leave the intelligence agency and take up a new position at the Interior Ministry under Interior Minister Horst Seehofer. The announcement came after several discussions amid a crisis that threatens to split the coalition between Chancellor Angela Merkel, Interior Minister Seehofer and Social Democrat leader Andrea Nahles.
According toCNNThe move is aimed at appeasing both Ms Nahles, who wants Mr Maassen removed, and Mr Seehofer, who supports Maassen and has been critical of the prime minister's immigration policy.
Malaysia arrests former prime minister Najib over multi-billion dollar embezzlement scandal
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Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Photo:AFP |
Malaysia's anti-graft agency announced that former prime minister Najib Razak has been arrested in connection with the 1MDB state fund scandal while he was in office.
Channel NewsAsiaCiting an announcement from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), former Prime Minister Najib was taken to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya City (Malaysia) in the late afternoon of September 19. He will appear in court on the afternoon of September 20. MACC said the charges against him were related to the 1MDB state investment fund scandal during his time as prime minister, specifically related to the amount of 2.8 billion ringgit (equivalent to681 USD) was transferred to Mr. Najib's account.
Mr Najib was arrested in July and released after posting bail of 1 million ringgit.Channel NewsAsiasaid that in the court session on September 20, Mr. Najib could be charged with abuse of power.
Cambodian King appoints team of advisers and assistants to Prime Minister
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| Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. Photo: phnompenhpost.com |
According to a Royal Decree of Cambodia published in the media on September 19, King Norodom Sihamoni has appointed a total of 101 people as personal advisors and assistants to Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
The decree, dated September 18, said 46 people were appointed as personal advisers to Prime Minister Hun Sen, while the remaining 55 were chosen as personal assistants to the prime minister. The decree said: "Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, shall be responsible for implementing this royal decree from the date of signing."
Chemical leak in Sydney, at least 32 people poisoned
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| The chemical poisoning incident occurred at the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park hotel in Sydney on the morning of September 19. Photo: AAP |
News agencyTASSreported that at 9am on September 19 at the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park Hotel in Sydney, Australia, at least 32 people were poisoned by chemicals. According to the report, 8/32 people had to be hospitalized, the rest received medical support on the spot.
A New South Wales health official said people inside the building were in a state of panic after experiencing “eye irritation and difficulty breathing.” Hotel staff called the fire department after detecting smoke and an unusual smell inside the hotel. Four fire engines and 16 firefighters were dispatched to the building. At this time, doctors have checked the condition of all the victims and determined that their health is gradually stabilizing.
Japanese princess sets date to marry commoner, giving up status
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Princess Ayako and her fiancé Kei Moriya. Photo: Kyodo |
On September 19, information about the wedding date of Princess Ayako, the youngest child of the late Prince Takamado - cousin of Emperor Akihito, and her fiancé Kei Moriya - an employee of the shipping company NYK Line in Tokyo, was set. Accordingly, the 28-year-old princess will marry her 32-year-old boyfriend on October 29.
In particular, the announcement of Princess Ayako's wedding was made through a traditional ceremony called "Kokki no Gi". According to Mainichi, in the traditional engagement ceremony called "Nosai no Gi", Moriya's messenger will represent the fiancé to bring gifts to the Princess' residence to ask for her engagement. Then, in the "Kokki no Gi" ceremony, this messenger continues to have the task of proposing the wedding date of Princess Ayako in front of her mother, Princess Hisako.
The wedding of Princess Ayako and her fiancé Moriya will be held at the famous Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. The Japanese Imperial Family will attend the event, including Princess Hisako and her eldest daughter, Princess Tsuguko.
