Russia bans imports from Ukraine; Egypt kills 40 terrorists
(Baonghean.vn) - Russia rejects Europe's proposal to release Ukrainian sailors; China releases a Canadian citizen; Egypt kills 40 terrorists; Japanese government offers free preschool and university education... are the world's top news in the past 24 hours.
Tensions escalate, Russia bans imports from Ukraine
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| Illustration: RT |
Tass news agency reported that on December 29, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed an order banning the import of certain goods from Ukraine into Russia. On his personal Twitter page, Prime Minister Medvedev stated: "Russia has imposed a ban on the import of certain Ukrainian goods. This is a response to Ukraine's restrictions."
The Russian government press service said the decree, which was signed recently, bans the import of goods from Ukraine or their transit through Ukraine into Russia. The decree includes a list of prohibited goods. The Russian government explained that “most of the goods banned under the new decree are industrial products, but the list also includes agricultural products, raw materials and food products.”
Egypt kills 40 terrorists
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Security forces in North Sinai. Photo:egypttoday. |
The Egyptian Interior Ministry announced on December 29 that 30 terrorists were killed in two hideouts in Giza province and 11 were arrested in hideouts in Abou El Wafa and Masaken Abnaa El Giza. In North Sinai, 10 terrorists were killed in El-Arish. Police found several weapons and explosives at these locations. Officials explained that they had received information that these terrorists were planning to carry out various hostile activities against state facilities, tourism and churches, according toAFP.
Egypt announced the raids a day after a bomb exploded on a bus carrying 15 Vietnamese tourists near the Giza pyramids. Three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian tour guide were killed. The country's Interior Ministry did not say whether the raids were related to the bombing.
China releases a Canadian citizen
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Source: Facebook |
The Canadian government confirmed on December 29 that China has released Sarah McIver, a Canadian teacher who was detained earlier this month. According to a Canadian government spokesperson, McIver is on her way back to Canada. McIver was arrested in China earlier this month for not having a permit related to her teaching job.
Meanwhile, two other Canadians, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor, remain in detention. Both China and Canada have said McIver’s arrest is unrelated to the two previous arrests, which were alleged to have endangered China’s national security.
Russia, Türkiye agree to cooperate on Syria issue after US withdrawal
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| Turkish army tanks are deployed in the Hatay area, near the border with Syria, January 28, 2018. Source: AFP/TTXVN |
AFP/Reuters reported on December 29 that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country and Türkiye had agreed to cooperate on ground operations in Syria after the US announced its withdrawal from the Middle Eastern country last week.
Speaking to reporters after talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, Lavrov said: "The two sides agreed that Russian and Turkish military representatives will continue to coordinate their actions on the ground, in compliance with the new conditions, with the goal of completely eradicating terrorist threats in Syria." For his part, Cavusoglu said that both Türkiye and Russia share the goal of completely eradicating terrorist organizations from Syrian territory.
G20 records a dismal year for key stock indexes
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| Stock index board at the New York Stock Exchange, USA, December 24. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
On December 29, the Korea Exchange (KRX) announced the stock index rankings of the Group of 20 (G20) leading developed and emerging economies in 2018. Accordingly, Brazil topped the list with its key stock index increasing by 11.86% this year, followed by Saudi Arabia with a stock index increasing by 7.24% in value and India with a stock index increasing by 5.14%.
In addition to the three countries mentioned above, the remaining 17 countries recorded negative stock index growth in 2018. Notably, the US's key stock index fell 6.39% this year, while Japan's key stock index fell 11.8%. South Korea's key stock index ranked 17th in the above ranking in 2018, falling 17.79%. Countries with stock indexes with worse "performances" than South Korea include Germany, Türkiye and China, according to KRX.
The Japanese government provides free preschool and university education.
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Illustration photo. |
The free preschool education policy is expected to take effect from October 2019 when Japan raises its consumption tax from the current 8% to 10%. Accordingly, children aged 3 to 5 will be able to attend kindergartens or accredited daycare facilities for free. For non-accredited daycare facilities, households will be supported if the local government confirms that the household needs daycare services.
The government has also decided to make higher education free. Low-income households will be exempted from most of the admission and tuition fees. More non-refundable scholarships are planned. About 70% of young Japanese people now attend university, and at this rate, Japan is considered to have reached the stage of universal higher education.
Tsunami warning after 7.2 magnitude earthquake shakes Philippines
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| The location of the earthquake. Photo: volcanodiscovery |
A tsunami warning has been issued for the Philippines and Indonesia after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on December 29. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake struck about 193km from the city of General Santos. The epicenter was at a depth of 49km.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warns that destructive tsunami waves are possible within a 300km radius.
