Syria grants amnesty to deserters; France asks Google to remove prison images
(Baonghean.vn) - The world over the past 24 hours has been filled with many outstanding news such as: Syria grants amnesty to deserters and military service evaders; France asks Google to remove prison images after a daring prison break; Former President Bill Clinton and his wife are about to go on a "tour"; Philippines allows rice imports in an open-door policy...
Syria grants amnesty to deserters and military service evaders
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| Illustration |
Syrian state media on October 9 published a decree by President Bashar Al Assad, stating that the decree applies to deserters inside and outside Syria. Those currently in Syria will have four months to present themselves, while those abroad will have six months to do so. The amnesty does not apply to those who joined the anti-government forces and armed forces that are classified as terrorists by the Assad regime.
The amnesty decree was issued as the Syrian government is expanding its program to disarm rebels and encourage Syrian refugees abroad to return home as the war on terrorism is gradually coming to an end.
Large weapons depot explodes in Ukraine, 10,000 people evacuated |
| An explosion occurred at a military warehouse in Ukraine. Photo: Reuters |
At least three large explosions rocked an arms depot this morning in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernigov, 176 km east of the capital Kiev, according toRT.About 10,000 people living in the area were evacuated, while Ukrainian authorities also closed airspace within 20 km of the weapons depot. Rail and road traffic in the area was also suspended.
The force of the blast destroyed many homes. Images shared on social media showed the explosions lighting up the sky. 220 rescue workers and 60 engineering units were deployed, while the Ukrainian military also dispatched five fire engines to the scene.
Kim Jong-un invites Pope to visit Pyongyang
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Pope Francis speaks to the faithful at the Vatican in 2017. Photo:Reuters. |
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told South Korean President Moon Jae-in of his desire to meet the Pope at last month's summit. It was the first time a North Korean leader had extended an invitation to the Pope since 2000. North Korea and the Vatican do not have diplomatic relations, so South Korean President Moon Jae-in will deliver North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's invitation to the Pope next week during his trip to Europe,Reutersquoted Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom as saying.
The South Korean president’s European tour, which runs from October 13 to 21, is mainly to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting in Belgium. Mr. Moon will also stop in France, Italy and Denmark.
Strikes force French power plants to sharply reduce capacity
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| EDF Laurent 1 nuclear power plant. Photo: Getty Images |
On October 9, a strike in the electricity sector forced three nuclear power plants and two coal-fired plants in France to reduce their output by 2.8 gigawatts. The 24-hour strike by the energy branch of the CGT union was part of a series of union protests against French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s reforms.
Indian airport security banned from smiling at passengers
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CISF members patrol at the airport in New Delhi, India. Photo:AFP |
India's Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the armed police force in charge of aviation safety, will switch from "smiling broadly" to "smiling moderately," according to the Indian Express. The move is aimed at making the CISF "more vigilant than friendly." Indian authorities have cited excessive friendliness with passengers as part of the cause of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US.
Passenger numbers in India’s aviation industry have increased sixfold in the past decade. The number of low-cost domestic flights has increased, connections have become more frequent, and passengers have benefited from this growth, with many low-income earners taking to the skies for the first time. Airports are struggling to cope with the rapid increase in passengers, as well as the safety and security concerns.
10,000 rescue workers speed up search for earthquake and tsunami victims
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| Rescuers search for victims after the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Central Sulawesi province, Indonesia. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
Rescuers in Indonesia are stepping up their search for victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi province in late September, hoping to find more bodies before a deadline of October 11. More than 10,000 rescuers are intensifying their efforts to search for victims in the rubble, especially in the worst-hit areas south of Palu, where many people are believed to be trapped under layers of concrete and mud after the disaster.
Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency has decided to end the search on October 11, expressing concern about the spread of the disease.
France orders Google to remove prison images after daring escape
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| French Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet. Photo: Getty Images |
The French government has asked Google to remove images of its prisons from the internet, including a facility where a criminal dubbed the “prison break king” escaped earlier this year. French Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet said on October 9 that she had sent a request to Google asking the search engine to remove the sensitive images, but the company has yet to take any action.
Meanwhile, a Google spokesperson said that applications such as Google Maps and Google Earth collect images from many outside sources. The company has sent image providers a list of sensitive locations and asked them to take necessary measures to ensure compliance.
Philippines allows rice imports in open direction
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| Photo for illustration purposes only: interaksyon.com |
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to adjust the rice import policy in an open direction to "cool down" the domestic rice prices that have been constantly increasing recently. Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that President Duterte has allowed "barrier-free" rice imports as a solution to stabilize rice prices in this Southeast Asian country.
According to Mr. Roque, with the above adjustment policy, President Duterte hopes that people will be able to buy rice at reasonable prices even if the price of crude oil or other types of oil continues to increase. Private enterprises importing rice will also benefit from this adjustment policy when all the long-standing strict regulations to limit rice imports will be removed as long as these enterprises fully fulfill their tax obligations.
Former President Bill Clinton and his wife are about to go on a "tour"
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| Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, who served as US Secretary of State. Photo: Reuters |
According to CNBC, the former US President and his wife announced that they will hold speeches in 13 cities in North America with the theme "An Evening with President Bill Clinton and Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton". The talks in the US and Canada have ticket prices ranging from 72-750 USD (1.75 million-17.5 million VND).
The tour, which will run into 2019, will be hosted by Live Nation, the same company that has organized former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book launches and tours with Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Bruno Mars. According to Live Nation, the Clintons will hold a joint talk and share inspirational stories from their careers, as well as discuss current affairs and the future.
