South Korea withdraws troops from inter-Korean border; Hydroelectric dam collapses in Laos
(Baonghean.vn) - In the past 24 hours, many events have taken place in the world such as: The US sets conditions for the interview investigating Russia's election interference; South Korea withdraws troops from the inter-Korean border; Hydroelectric dam collapses in Laos, hundreds of people dead and missing; The US may have deported 463 immigrant parents who were separated from their children...
US sets conditions for interview investigating Russian election interference
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| US President Donald Trump. Source: cnn.com |
According to Sputnik, media reported on July 24 that US President Donald Trump's lawyer, Mr. Rudy Giuliani, said that President Trump would accept an interview conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team if the interview was limited to questions related to whether his election campaign colluded with Russia and not related to suspicions that he obstructed the investigation.
According to Bloomberg, Giuliani said that President Trump insisted that he should be excused from questions related to obstructing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. President Trump's legal advisers are concerned that Special Counsel Mueller's team may believe witnesses who contradict Trump's statements, such as former FBI Director James Comey, who accused the President of lying. According to Mr. Giuliani, President Trump's team has made a request to Mr. Mueller, but has not yet received a response.
South Korea withdraws troops from inter-Korean border
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| South Korean soldiers patrol at the DMZ. Photo:AP. |
The South Korean military is testing the withdrawal of troops and equipment from some border posts in the demilitarized zone on the border with North Korea.
YonhapThe trial troop withdrawal plan is part of an agreement reached after the inter-Korean summit in April, the South Korean Defense Ministry said on July 24. During a meeting with the National Assembly's Defense Policy Committee, the South Korean Defense Ministry said it would consider a full troop withdrawal plan.
At the inter-Korean summit in Panmunjom (in the demilitarized zone) on April 27, South Korean President Moon Jae In and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to turn the demilitarized zone (DMZ) into a true peace zone.
Hydroelectric dam collapse in Laos, hundreds dead and missing
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| Dam burst scene. Photo: geo.tv |
On July 24, state media in Laos and the region reported that hundreds of people were missing after a hydroelectric dam collapsed in the country. The source cited Lao News Agency KPL as saying that the disaster occurred at a dam in Attapeu province, southeastern Laos, at around 8 p.m. on July 23.
An estimated 5 billion cubic metres of water poured into the surrounding area, “leaving many dead and hundreds missing”. The water swept away at least six villages and left about 6,600 people homeless.
Russia raises taxes to implement President Putin's spending plan
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| Ruble. Source: Reuters |
Russian lawmakers on July 24 approved a bill to raise value-added tax (VAT) from 18% to 20%, starting in 2019, to boost budget revenues to help finance President Vladimir Putin's plans to improve health care, education and infrastructure.
The bill was unanimously approved by Russia’s ruling United Russia party, despite the threat of higher taxes that could fuel inflation and hurt consumer demand. The government said the measure would raise 620 billion rubles ($10.3 billion) a year for the state treasury.
US may have deported 463 immigrant parents separated from their children
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An illegal immigrant family was arrested at the US border in 2017. Photo:AFP. |
The government and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit yesterday saying that 463 adults who entered the US illegally have not been found, even though their children are still in the country. This will affect the reunification of separated families before the July 26 deadline.Reutersreport
The ACLU did not say why the 463 people left the U.S., but government officials have previously acknowledged deporting many people without releasing their children. Court documents show that 879 immigrant parents were reunited with their children by July 23.
European Union deploys support to help fight forest fires
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| The scene of the fire in Greece. Source: AFP/Getty Images |
On July 24, the European Union (EU) deployed and coordinated firefighters and necessary equipment from member countries to join efforts to combat the fires raging in Greece, Sweden and Latvia.
About 60 firefighters and equipment have left Cyprus for Greece, where more than 60 people have died in wildfires and hundreds have been injured. Spain has meanwhile sent two Canadair firefighting planes to Greece.
European countries including Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Denmark, Poland and Austria have also responded to Sweden’s call for assistance, which is battling 21 wildfires across the country. So far, these countries have sent 340 firefighters, 60 fire engines, 7 Canadair planes and 7 helicopters.
Wildfires are also raging in Latvia, which will receive support from Europe's Copernicus Earth observation satellite.
Israeli shield misses Syrian missile on first attempt
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Israel's David's Sling medium-range missile defense system. Photo:Wikipedia. |
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) on July 23 fired its David's Sling medium-range missile defense system for the first time to intercept two Tochka (SS-21) tactical ballistic missiles used by the Syrian army to attack rebels. However, the system had a poor debut when both interceptors missed their targets, according toNet News.
An investigation team comprising experts from the defense industry company Rafael, the Missile Defense Agency (MDO) and the Israeli Air Force was set up to investigate the cause of the incident. According to military sources, the reason the David's Sling missile missed the Syrian missile was most likely due to a technological error in the system, not the soldiers operating it.
Australia awards medals to citizens who rescued Thai soccer team
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Divers help provide oxygen and food to children in Tham Luang cave Source: AFP |
On July 24, the Australian Government awarded state medals to nine Australian citizens who participated in the rescue of the Thai youth soccer team trapped in Tham Luang cave, attracting worldwide attention.
Professional divers Richard Harris and Craig Challen were awarded the Star of Courage, the second highest Australian Government award for bravery.
These are two divers who played an important role in the rescue operation of the Thai football team, in which Harris was the last to leave the cave. He was tasked with staying close to the team to monitor their health and encourage their morale. Meanwhile, six police officers and a Navy officer were awarded the Bravery Medal, Third Class.
Gasoline prices in North Korea drop sharply, suspected to be supplied from abroad
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| Gasoline tanker in Pyongyang on July 21, 2017. Photo: AFP/VNA |
According to Reuters news agency, gasoline prices in North Korea have nearly halved since late March, raising suspicions that there are foreign fuel supplies to the country despite UN sanctions.
Analysis of market statistics conducted by Reuters news agency shows that the price of gasoline on July 24 at private stores in the capital Pyongyang was $1.24/kg, down 33% from the price on June 5 ($1.86/kg) and down 44% from the peak on March 27 ($2.22/kg). The price of diesel was $0.85/kg, down 17% from the price in March.
Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused North Korea of smuggling petroleum products beyond its legal limits. US and South Korean officials say North Korea imports about 4.5 million barrels of refined petroleum products and 2 million barrels of crude oil each year.