World 24/7: Third Korea-North Korea Summit; Ferry disaster in Tanzania

South Korea and North Korea reached an agreement in the third summit:South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Pyongyang on September 18, starting a three-day visit to North Korea. The visit comes amid a deadlock in nuclear negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington, apparently stemming from differences in views on denuclearization. In the photo: Moon Jae-in (left) and Kim Jong-un wave to people at Sunan Airport, Pyongyang on the morning of September 18.Photo: AP

After talks in Pyongyang, the leaders of South and North Korea issued a joint statement, pledging to make the Korean Peninsula a nuclear-weapon-free zone. The two Koreas also agreed on measures to prevent conflicts, expand the reunion program for separated families, promote joint economic projects and jointly bid for the right to host the 2032 Olympics. In the photo: The South Korean delegation (left) holds talks with North Korea in Pyongyang.AP Photo

Optimistic news about the prospects for peace on the Korean Peninsula came after President Moon Jae In returned from a three-day visit and talks with leader Kim Jong Un. Reacting to the first news about the inter-Korean talks, President Trump called it "good news". President Moon is expected to inform President Trump about the results of the talks when the two leaders meet on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly next week. In the photo: The leaders of South and North Korea signed a declaration ending the state of war.Photo: Yonhap

Ceasefire agreement in Idlib (Syria):On September 17, Russian President Putin (right) and Turkish President Erdogan met in Sochi. After the talks between Putin and Erdogan, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that there would be no attack on Idlib. "We have decided to establish a demilitarized zone of about 15 to 20 kilometers along the line of contact between the armed opposition and government forces by October 15, from where militants can withdraw from the area, including al-Nusra Front," Russian President Putin said after more than 4 hours of negotiations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Photo: AFP

The ceasefire agreement between the parties has been welcomed by the Syrian people. The United Nations has also praised the agreement and hopes that it will facilitate humanitarian aid operations. About 7,000 Syrians in refugee camps on the Syrian-Turkish border and from Lebanon have begun to return home, especially in the southeastern countryside of Idlib province, Hama province and northern Syria in the demilitarized zone. In the photo: Syrians in refugee camps on the Syrian-Turkish border and from Lebanon have begun to return home.Photo: Arshif

According to Syria's SANA news agency, although the situation in Idlib is gradually returning to normal after Russia and Türkiye reached an agreement, the staging is still aimed at creating an excuse for the US and Western countries to launch another missile attack on Syria. The news agency on September 21 broadcast footage it obtained, showing White Helmets trying to bring water to people believed to be victims of a chemical attack. Some of the group's staff were identified as both aid workers and victims after being disguised.Photo: OffGuardian.

US-China tariff war:On September 17, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced that the 10% tax rate will take effect from September 24 and may more than double in 2019. The move is believed to increase the trade conflict between the world's two largest economies while China will certainly respond.Photo: Bloomberg

China's Ministry of Commerce said on September 18 that it would be forced to take "synchronized countermeasures" to protect China's interests against the US tariffs. Beijing announced additional tariffs on60 billion USDimports from the US, in response to the tariff package imposed on200 billion USDWashington's imports from China.Photo: AFP

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe re-elected:In the internal election of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on September 20, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) easily defeated his only rival, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishida, with 553/807 votes, thereby continuing to hold the position of leader of the ruling party. Mr. Abe's third term as LDP president will end in August 2021, becoming the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history.Photo: Koji Sasahara/Associated Press

While Japanese voters prioritize the economy and social security, Prime Minister Abe aims to reform the post-World War II pacifist constitution, which stipulates that Japan must "forever renounce war" and not maintain armed forces, officially recognizing a standing army after more than half a century. Pictured: A drill of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.Image:Kyodo

Ferry disaster in Tanzania:According to some sources, the ferry with a capacity of about 100 passengers and 25 tons of cargo had an accident when it was nearing its destination at 1:00 p.m. on September 20 (local time). The number of lucky passengers who survived the incident is still only 41. Rescuers have recovered 207 bodies in the ferry sinking on Lake Victoria in Tanzania. The ferry was carrying about 300 people. Tanzanian President John Magufuli declared a national mourning on September 21 to remember the victims. In the photo: Volunteers participating in the rescue of the sunken ferry in Tanzania.Photo: Stephen Msengi

Australia calls for ban on music festivals:Two people died and 700 people had to seek medical help due to drug-related problems at the Defqon 1 music festival in Sydney, Australia, on September 15. After the incident, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that the Defqon 1 music event was unsafe. She called for the festival to be banned. "I am deeply shocked by what has happened... It is a terrible thing," Ms. Berejiklian said on September 16.Photo: Defqon 1