US budget deficit soars; Ukraine simplifies citizenship procedures for Russians
(Baonghean.vn) - Mr. Zelensky requested to simplify the procedure for granting citizenship to Russians; US budget deficit increased by nearly 27%; Kim Jong-un promoted more than 100 scientists; The majority of British people support leaving the EU at all costs... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
US budget deficit increased by nearly 27%
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| The US budget deficit continues to increase. Photo: Reuters |
The Washington administration is facing a budget deficit that increased by nearly 27% compared to the same period last year, Reuters reported on August 13, citing data from the US Treasury Department.
The US budget deficit for the first 10 months of fiscal 2019 increased to $866.8 billion, surpassing the $779 billion for all of last year. Of that, defense spending increased 9.5% to $568.2 billion over the period. In July alone, the budget deficit increased by $119.7 billion, more than $48 billion compared to the same period in 2018.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects the deficit will surpass $1 trillion in 2020, largely due to President Donald Trump's massive tax cuts for the country's super-rich.
Mr. Zelensky asked to simplify the procedure for granting citizenship to Russians
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| Illustration: Sputnik |
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has instructed the government to prepare a bill on a simplified procedure for granting Ukrainian citizenship to Russians, the decree was published on the state website. The document refers to individuals who have been arrested for political convictions.
According to the decree, the simplified procedure will also apply to foreigners and stateless persons involved in the"ensuring the national security and defense of Ukraine". Previously, in November 2018, Ukraine restricted entry for Russian men aged 16 to 60.
Kim Jong-un bestows military ranks on more than 100 scientists
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and military officers, August 14, 2017. Photo: KCNA. |
According to a report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 13, 103 scientists were promoted to military officer ranks for creating "a turning point opening a new era" in enhancing the country's military capabilities and "solving difficult technological problems of cutting-edge defense science."
Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the Workers' Party of Korea, also carried on its front page the decision of Chairman Kim Jong-un along with a list of those who were promoted to military ranks. Among them, Jon Il-ho, who has always appeared with Kim Jong-un during North Korea's latest short-range ballistic missile launches, was promoted to lieutenant general, the highest rank among the scientists awarded this time.
In North Korea, military ranks are often awarded to people working in the civilian sector in recognition of their contributions to the country.
Britain may soon release Iranian 'supertanker'
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Grace 1 ship detained near Gibraltar on July 6. Photo:AFP. |
Iran's Port Authority chief Jalil Eslami said today that Britain could soon release the Grace 1 oil tanker after the two countries exchanged documents. Grace 1, dubbed Iran's "supertanker" because it has a capacity of up to 300,000 tons, was seized by British Marines and Gibraltar coast guard on July 4 on charges of transporting oil to Syria, violating European Union sanctions. Iran denied the accusation, asserting that no port in Syria is large enough to accommodate Grace 1.
Iran seized the British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero near the Strait of Hormuz on July 19, a move seen as retaliation for the seizure of the Grace 1. The seizures of oil tankers traveling between Britain and Iran have significantly escalated tensions in the Gulf.
Majority of British people support leaving EU at all costs
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| View outside the House of Commons building in London on January 9, 2019. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
Most British people support Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to take Britain out of the European Union (EU) - Brexit - at all costs on October 31, including suspending Parliament in case no agreement is reached. This is the result of a public opinion poll conducted and published by the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
According to the poll results, 54% of respondents agreed with the statement: "Mr. Boris (Johnson) needs to implement Brexit at all costs, including suspending Parliament to prevent MPs from obstructing this process". Meanwhile, 46% disagreed with the above statement. This poll results reflect the views of 1,645 participants. Also according to the results of another poll, the rate of support for Mr. Johnson's ruling Conservative Party increased by 6%, to 31%, while the rate of support for the opposition Labor Party was 27%. The poll was conducted with the participation of 1,783 people.
