US - South Korea re-sign free trade agreement; Swedish Prime Minister ousted
(Baonghean.vn) - The world over the past 24 hours has been filled with many notable events: The US and South Korea re-signed a free trade agreement; Russia may use an Iranian base for military operations in Syria; Swedish Prime Minister was deposed; The kidnapper of an Indonesian fisherman demanded a $1 million ransom...
US - South Korea re-sign free trade agreement
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| South Korean President Moon Jae In and US President Donald Trump signed a bilateral free trade agreement on September 24. Photo:AFP |
On September 24, a signing ceremony between US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in took place in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Under the new agreement, South Korea will double the number of cars each US automaker can sell in the country to 50,000 without having to meet local safety standards. However, US companies are not allowed to sell more than 10,000 cars a year in South Korea.
South Korea agreed to a provision that would allow the US to maintain a 25% import tariff on trucks until 2041 instead of 2021 as originally planned. The deal also sets quotas on South Korean steel exports to the US.
Russia may use Iranian base for military campaign in Syria
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| Russian Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber. Photo:Reuters |
The Russian military has offered to use Noyeh airbase, in northwestern Iran, as a makeshift airport for military missions in Syria,TASSThe Russian Air Force used the base in April to refuel long-range bombers during airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in eastern Syria, according to information from Abkhazia's ANNA News agency on September 24.
Iran is seeking to strengthen military cooperation with Russia after the incident in which an Il-20 reconnaissance plane was mistakenly shot down by Syrian air defenses while responding to an airstrike by Israeli fighter jets on the night of September 17. Moscow believes that Tel Aviv bears full responsibility for the incident as it deliberately used the Russian plane as a shield against Damascus's air defenses. Iranian officials believe that after this tragedy, Russia will strengthen its defense capabilities in Syria and will not prevent Tehran from continuing its presence and strengthening its forces in this Middle Eastern country.
Indonesian fisherman kidnapper demands $1 million ransom
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| Fishermen fishing at sea near Lumpung, Sumatra island, Indonesia. Photo: AFP/ VNA |
The wife of one of two Indonesian fishermen recently kidnapped off the coast of Sabah state, Malaysia, received a phone call demanding 4 million ringgit (nearly 1 million USD) in exchange for the release of the two hostages.
On September 25, Sabah State Police Chief Omar Mammah confirmed the incident and added that the call took place at around 10:24 a.m. on September 18. Based on the phone number, it can be determined that the call was made from Philippine territory. However, according to Chief Omar, the caller did not give a specific deadline for the payment. He said that in the coming time, the subject will continue to contact the fishermen's families to discuss this issue further.
Iran identifies mastermind of Ahvaz parade attack
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| Scene of the attack on the military parade in Ahvaz on September 22, 2018. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
In a preliminary investigation report released on September 25, Iran's Intelligence Ministry said investigators had identified five members of a terrorist squad linked to jihadist separatist groups supported by "reactionary" Arab countries. Iranian authorities had "circled down" the hideouts of these terrorists and arrested 22 related subjects. According to the statement, Iranian security forces also seized a large amount of explosives as well as military and communication equipment.
Iran's Intelligence Ministry also stressed that authorities have also identified foreign sponsors and supporters of this attack and detailed information about them will be provided at the "appropriate time".
Syria determined to regain control of Idlib at all costs
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| Smoke rises after clashes in Kafr Ain, on the outskirts of Idlib province, Syria on September 7. Source: AFP/TTXVN |
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said on September 25 that his country would regain control of Idlib province by all means, regardless of war or peace. He also said that the Damascus government is determined to defeat the rebel forces in Idlib, despite the agreement between Russia and Türkiye to stop military attacks in the area.
Under an agreement reached between Russia and Türkiye last week, the two countries will jointly establish a demilitarized zone between Syrian government troops and rebel forces around Syria's Idlib province.
UK to remove benefits for EU workers
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| Workers work at BMW's car factory in Oxford, England. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
British media quoted anonymous sources as saying that at a meeting on September 24, ministers in the British government agreed to support the recruitment of workers based on skills and expertise, not nationality. Specifically, citizens of the remaining 27 countries in the EU will not enjoy the current freedom to live and work in the UK in the post-Brexit period. Last week, the government also proposed that in the future, citizens of countries in and outside the EU coming to the UK must comply with the country's immigration regulations, giving priority to those with skills and high skills.
The British Prime Minister is expected to announce future immigration rules at the Conservative Party conference next week, before making proposals later this year. However, according to analysts, any post-Brexit immigration policy will also impact on future UK trade deals.
Swedish Prime Minister ousted
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Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven at a press conference in Stockholm on September 12. Photo:Reuters. |
Mr. Stefan Lofven had to step down as Prime Minister after a vote of confidence in the Swedish parliament on September 25. The results of the vote of confidence showed that Prime Minister Stefan Lofven received only 142 votes in favor, while 204 MPs voted against him.BBCreport
The Swedish parliament must now elect a new leader, a process that could take weeks. Lofven is expected to remain prime minister until a replacement is chosen. Opposition Alliance leader and Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson is the frontrunner for the job.
Nearly $100 million in newly printed banknotes "evaporated without a trace"
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| Liberian people protest. Photo: DW |
The Liberian government is investigating the disappearance of nearly $100 million in cash that has sparked outrage among the public. The newly printed banknotes were ordered for the Liberian Central Bank and were delivered to the country between November 2017 and August this year. However, the money has disappeared without a trace.
The incident has angered Liberians. Hundreds of people gathered on the streets of the capital Monrovia on September 24, especially outside the US Embassy and the representative offices of the African Union and the European Union in Liberia, to protest the disappearance of nearly 100 million USD.
Earlier, Liberian President George Weah, who has pledged to step up the fight against corruption, said on September 22 that he would not stop until the truth was revealed. He said that if wrongdoing was found, the perpetrators would be held fully responsible.
