Russia plans to eliminate USD transactions; 2 military planes crash in Myanmar
(Baonghean.vn) - The world in the past 24 hours has seen many events such as: The US and South Korea continue to negotiate on sharing military costs; Russia has a "secret" plan to eliminate USD transactions; 1 in 9 people in the world do not have enough food; The French President appoints a new Minister of the Interior...
US and South Korea continue negotiations on military cost-sharing
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The US and South Korea are negotiating to narrow differences over the cost of US forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula. Illustration photo: JCS |
The United States and South Korea began negotiations on October 16 on sharing the costs of US forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said. This is also the seventh round of negotiations on South Korea's financial sharing for the US military presence.
According to South Korean media, in 2018, Seoul had to pay about 960 billion won ($850 million) to share the cost of US troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula.
However, the US has repeatedly called on South Korea to increase this cost to 1.5 trillion won (about 1.3 billion USD) to maintain the presence of about 28,500 troops since the early 1990s in this country.
Russia has 'secret' plan to eliminate USD transactions
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| Russia's key exports such as oil may be traded in rubles. Photo: Reuters |
RT reported on October 16 that the Russian government is planning a secret plan to eliminate dependence on the US dollar and help domestic manufacturers make more profits by trading in rubles.
This is a detailed plan to implement a recently launched plan, in which exporting enterprises will receive faster VAT refunds, along with other incentives if they abandon the US dollar in transactions.
The detailed list is being drafted by the Finance Ministry, the Economic Development Ministry and the Central Bank of Russia before being submitted to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
World Food Day October 16: 1 in 9 people do not have enough food
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| Malnourished children receive treatment at a hospital in Hajjah province, Yemen on October 1, 2018. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
In his message on World Food Day, October 16, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that 1 in 9 people in the world do not have enough food. About 820 million people still suffer from hunger, the majority of whom are women.
In addition, some 155 million young children are malnourished and at risk of lifelong stunting. Hunger is also the leading cause of 50% of child deaths worldwide.
In response to this situation, Secretary-General Guterres called on countries to commit to a world without hunger, a world where everyone has access to healthy, nutritious diets. In addition, the Secretary-General also urged countries, companies, organizations and individuals to contribute to the development of sustainable food systems.
Indonesia to build new city to replace Palu after tsunami
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The scene of devastation after the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia on October 2. Source: THX/TTXVN |
The Indonesian government plans to build a new city to replace Palu in Central Sulawesi province, which was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 2,000 people and displaced tens of thousands. The decision was made during a closed cabinet meeting chaired by President Joko Widodo on October 15.
US concerned about China's "robbery" behavior
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US Secretary of Defense James Mattis at a press conference at the Pentagon in May 2017. Photo: Reuters. |
The US defense secretary asserted that Washington is not trying to contain Beijing, but criticized its military and trade moves.
"The United States is clearly not trying to contain China, but rather to present a different view. We are two major powers in the Pacific region and two major economies. There will be times when we 'step on each other's toes'. So we will find ways to effectively adjust the relationship," said US Defense Secretary James Mattis.
However, Mattis then addressed the main sticking points between the two countries, condemning Beijing's "economic predation" on smaller Asian nations, which has left them in deep debt. He also expressed concern about Beijing's assertiveness in the South China Sea.
UK basic wages rise at fastest pace in nearly a decade
Office buildings in London, UK. Photo: AFP/VNA |
According to data released by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) on October 16, in the period from June to the end of August, the average income (excluding bonuses) of the people of the Foggy Land increased by 3.1%, the highest increase since January 2009. If bonuses are included, the total income of the British people increased by 2.7% in the same period, up 0.1% compared to media forecasts.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate remained at a 43-year low of 4%. However, the number of people in the workforce fell by 5,000, the first decline in nearly a year. The ONS said the fall was partly due to fewer students looking for work in the first months of the year.
2 military planes crash in Myanmar, 3 people killed
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The scene of the military plane crash in Magway, Myanmar on October 16, 2018. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
The Myanmar Air Force said two military aircraft crashed on the morning of October 16 in the town of Minbu, in the central Magway region of the country, more than 500 km northwest of Yangon. Two pilots died. The incident also killed a 10-year-old girl on the ground who was hit by debris from the plane.
AFP news agency quoted an unnamed air force official as saying that an F-7 fighter jet crashed into a telecommunications tower near Magway air base and the pilot did not have time to get out of the plane.
The cause of the accident is believed to be due to dense fog which limited visibility. The second incident occurred about 10 miles away. The pilot of that plane managed to eject but died when it hit the ground.
French President appoints new Interior Minister
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| French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
On October 16, French President Emmanuel Macron reshuffled his government, most notably deciding to appoint former Socialist MP Christophe Castaner as Interior Minister.
The reshuffle follows the surprise resignation of former Interior Minister Gerard Collomb on October 2, which is seen as a "hard blow" amid President Macron's record low approval ratings.
By putting Mr Castaner in the hot seat at the Interior Ministry, President Macron wants to strengthen his government after a series of resignations and boost the reform momentum that has shown signs of fading. In addition to the Interior Minister, the new appointments in this reshuffle include the heads of the ministries of culture and agriculture.
