US President signs new immigration order; Afghanistan peace talks in Russia

Austria arrests retired army colonel on suspicion of spying for Russia

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Defense Minister Mario Kunasek speak at a press conference about the investigation. Photo: AFP

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on November 9 that authorities are investigating an unnamed retired colonel on charges of working for Russian intelligence since the late 1990s.

NewspaperKronen ZeitungCiting an announcement from the Austrian Ministry of Defense, the colonel had passed information on the migrant crisis, Austrian weapons systems and military aircraft to Russian military intelligence since the late 1990s in return for large sums of money. The newspaper also reported that the colonel contacted and provided classified documents to a Russian agent named Yuri every two weeks. Austrian military counterintelligence decided to expose the case after Russian intelligence informed the source, saying that Vienna had found out the truth.

Signed by the President of the United Statesimmigration ordernew, say no to refugees

Migrants head toward the Mexico-US border in Baja California state (Mexico) on April 28. Source: AFP/TTXVN

On the evening of November 9 (Vietnam time), US President Donald Trump announced that he had signed a new immigration decree to prevent the flow of illegal immigrants seeking asylum in the country. This move demonstrated the Washington administration's firm stance of saying "No" to the flow of migrants from Central American countries, crossing Mexican territory and gathering at the border area between Mexico and the US to seek asylum in the US.

The new executive order, recently released by the US Department of Homeland Security, allows President Trump to restrict illegal immigration if he finds it threatens national interests. This is the latest step by the US government to address the ongoing migration crisis at the southern border with Mexico.

Acid found in well suspected to be used to destroy body of Saudi journalist

• Turkish investigators search the roof of Consul General al-Otaibi's residence. Photo: Reuters

According to Al-Jazeera, citing the Turkish Attorney General's Office on November 9, Saudi Arabian officials used acid and other chemicals to dispose of the body of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Traces of hydrofluoric acid and other chemicals were found in the well of the residence of Consul General Mohammed al-Otaibi in Istanbul, according to the source.

Turkish investigators took samples from the well when they were granted access to the building last month. Al-Jazeera reported that other samples taken from sewers and drainage systems around the residence also showed acid was used. However, Ankara has yet to officially announce where Khashoggi's body was disposed of.

Afghanistan peace talks in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks at the peace talks. Source: EPA-EFE

Peace talks on Afghanistan began in the Russian capital Moscow on the morning of November 9 to initiate direct dialogue between the Kabul government and the Taliban. Both the Kabul government and the Taliban sent representatives to participate in this multilateral negotiation.

Participating in this peace talks on the side of the Kabul government are four representatives of the High Peace Council of Afghanistan, a government body in charge of the negotiation process with the Taliban. Meanwhile, speaking to the press, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the group has sent a five-member delegation to attend the peace talks in Moscow. However, the group will not conduct any direct negotiations with the Kabul government delegation.

South Korea and the US announce talks on military cost-sharing

South Korean soldiers. Source: Getty Images

South Korea's Foreign Ministry announced on November 9 that the country and the United States will hold a round of talks next week to agree on how to share costs for the US Forces Korea (USFK).

According to the plan, the 9th round of negotiations on this issue between Seoul and Washington will be held from November 13-16 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, to reach an agreement on sharing costs for the USFK's stationing activities. The South Korean Foreign Ministry said the two sides will have in-depth discussions to coordinate their views based on what was discussed in previous negotiations.

Cambodia celebrates 65 years of independence

On November 9, in the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia solemnly held a rally to celebrate the 65th anniversary of National Day, the day the French colonialists returned independence to the country of pagodas (November 9, 1953 - November 9, 2018). After the flag-raising ceremony, laying wreaths in memory of heroes and martyrs and lighting the victory torch at Independence Monument, King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen reviewed the troops and welcomed people from all walks of life attending the celebration.

Speaking before tens of thousands of people at the Square in front of the Royal Palace, King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen paid tribute to generations of heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the country's independence and freedom; thanked the armed forces and people for their joint efforts with the government to maintain peace, stability, security and order; and pledged to continue their efforts to promote prosperous development and bring progress to the people and country of Cambodia...

Türkiye continues to arrest more than 100 soldiers in connection with the coup

Turkish police arrest suspects linked to supporters of cleric Guleni in Ankara. Photo: AFP/TTXVN.

Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported on November 9 that Turkish prosecutors have recently ordered the arrest of 103 soldiers suspected of supporting cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of directing the failed coup in July 2016 and is currently living in exile in the US.

According to the police, this is a large-scale police raid on Turkish military soldiers in Istanbul and 31 other provinces, some of whom are high-ranking officers and security colonels. All the suspects arrested this time are still on duty.

Suicide bombing at hotel in Somalia, 17 people killed

Smoke rises after an explosion in Somalia. Source: Reuters

At least 17 people were killed in suicide bombings at a hotel in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on November 9, according to Reuters. Police said the attackers detonated two bombs at the Sahafi Hotel, located opposite the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters. Security forces and hotel guards returned fire.

About 20 minutes later, a third explosion occurred on a busy street in the capital Mogadishu. Police confirmed that all the victims were civilians who were passing through the area when the attack occurred. The death toll is expected to rise.