US sends troops to eastern Syria to destroy IS; Netherlands expels 4 Russian spies

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said a US aircraft carrying US marines arrived in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor on October 3 to join the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militants, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Xinhua.

According to SOHR, this group of marines will support the fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the Kurdish militia, to destroy IS in Hajin, one of the last towns controlled by IS in Deir Ezzor province. This is considered a move to strengthen the military campaign against IS on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River by the US-led coalition.

AFP reported that on October 4, Dutch Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld said that the country's intelligence agency had foiled a Russian plot to target the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in April and expelled four Russian spies.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Bijleveld stated that a laptop belonging to one of the four spies was connected to Brazil, Switzerland and Malaysia. In particular, the activities in Malaysia were related to the investigation into the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in 2014 in Ukrainian airspace.

South Korea, North Korea celebrate 2007 Inter-Korean Summit

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il at the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang on October 4, 2007. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

On October 4, a delegation of South Korean government officials, politicians, and leaders of social and religious organizations left Seoul for Pyongyang to attend events commemorating the 11th anniversary of the 2007 Inter-Korean Summit. The 160-member delegation, led by Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan, flew to Pyongyang for a three-day visit.

During this time, the South Korean delegation will participate in events commemorating the 11th anniversary of the 2007 inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang between then-South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, father of current North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Denmark said on October 4 that it would not accept any refugees under the United Nations (UN) quota system this year, and would instead focus on helping newcomers integrate into society.

In a statement, Denmark’s Immigration Minister Inger Stojberg said the Nordic country is still struggling to help the many refugees who have arrived in the country in recent years integrate into local communities. Despite the increasing number of refugees entering the labor market, many still do not earn enough to support themselves, she said.

US pushes to bring Taliban to negotiating table

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad. Source: greaterkashmir

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will lead an interagency delegation to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Saudi Arabia from October 4-14, with the mission of coordinating efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. Khalilzad will work closely with the Afghan government and other stakeholders to seek the best way to reach a negotiated solution to the conflict, according to a report by the Vietnam News Agency in South Asia.

This is Mr. Khalilzad's first trip abroad since his appointment to the above position. The trip also reflects the US administration's intention to promote the parties involved in the peace process in Afghanistan.

Ukrainian Parliament extends special status of Donbass region

Panorama of the Ukrainian Parliament session in Kiev. Photo: AFP/VNA

On October 4, the Ukrainian Parliament approved a draft law extending the special status law for the Donbass region in the east of the country until December 31, 2019. According to a statement posted on the Ukrainian Parliament's homepage, the draft, submitted by President Petro Poroshenko a day earlier, was approved with 245 votes in favor.

The special status law was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament and applied in Donbass in September 2014, five months after the region fell into turmoil due to conflict between government forces and pro-independence groups. The special status law grants increased economic, financial and administrative powers to certain local authorities in Donbass and was initially effective for three years until October 2017. It was later extended for 12 months (until October 2018).

Singapore to pilot e-Entry Declaration

Passengers check in at a self-service machine at Changi International Airport in Singapore. Photo: AFP/VNA

On October 4, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) simultaneously piloted the Electronic Arrival Card (EAC) for foreign visitors at all air, land and sea ports of entry in the country.

According to the ICA announcement, the pilot implementation period will last for about 3 months before completely eliminating the paper-based immigration declaration form. Singapore authorities will randomly select a number of visitors who have not yet completed the paper immigration declaration form to request an EAC, then provide their comments. The comments will be taken into account by ICA, studied and adjusted to bring the most convenience to foreign visitors when coming to Singapore.

US considers withdrawing from INF 'if Russia continues to violate Treaty'

Source: thedrive.com

On October 4, the US said it may withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty if Russia continues to "violate" the treaty.

Washington has complained for nearly two years that a ground-launched missile system developed by Russia violates the 1987 INF. While Russia insists that its 9M729 missile system does not violate the INF, US disarmament ambassador Robert Wood said Moscow has long denied the weapon even exists.