North Korea asks South Korea for economic help; Iran refuses to negotiate with US
(Baonghean.vn) - The world in the past 24 hours has seen many events such as: Russia and Türkiye agree on demilitarized zone borders; The US announces a new national cybersecurity strategy; Up to 126 people died in a ferry capsizing in Tanzania...
Russia and Türkiye agree on demilitarized zone borders
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| Scenes of pain and devastation in Idlib province. |
Russia and Türkiye have agreed on the borders of a demilitarized zone around Syria's Idlib province, part of a bilateral deal aimed at avoiding a military assault on the last rebel-held enclave.
Speaking on September 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Russian and Turkish defense officials had agreed on the specific borders of the demilitarized zone. He stressed that establishing the demilitarized zone was "an intermediate but necessary step."
US announces new national cybersecurity strategy
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| US National Security Advisor John Bolton (right). Photo: Getty |
The White House on September 20 released a new national cybersecurity strategy, predicting more attacks ahead of the US election. The strategy includes the federal government's defense priorities as well as its determination to deal with foreign hackers.
The new national cybersecurity strategy will guide federal agencies to protect themselves and the personal data of American citizens, according to US National Security Advisor John Bolton. Mr. Bolton stated that the US will identify, respond to, prevent and deter cyber activities that are destabilizing and contrary to Washington's national interests.
Japanese Prime Minister retains key positions in new government
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| Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe retains key positions in the new government. Photo: Oneindia |
Speaking at a press conference on September 20 after being re-elected as President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would reshuffle his cabinet and appoint key positions in the ruling party as early as October 1.
Prime Minister Abe also affirmed that during the cabinet reshuffle, he will continue to retain key positions in the current government, including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. These are people who have been with and accompanied Mr. Abe since the beginning of his second term as Prime Minister in September 2012.
North Korea admits economic difficulties, asks South Korea for help
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| North Koreans dance and sing at a celebration in Pyongyang on April 9. Source: YONHAP/VNA |
According to Yonhap, on September 21, Kim Hyun-chul, special economic adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, said that North Korean Deputy Prime Minister Ri Ryong-nam admitted that the country's economy was facing difficulties and asked neighboring South Korea for help. North Korea's offer is considered a rare one aimed at boosting the economy.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Kim Hyun-chul added that the North Korean Deputy Prime Minister made the above statement during a meeting with CEOs of leading South Korean corporations earlier this week.
China asks US to withdraw military sanctions
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| Chinese armed forces. Photo: The National Interest |
On September 21, Chinese authorities warned the United States to withdraw its sanctions against the Chinese military or else “suffer the consequences.” Speaking at a daily press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said Beijing strongly demanded that the United States withdraw its sanctions against the Chinese military.
The announcement came after the Trump administration imposed a number of measures in retaliation for China's purchase of Russian fighter jets and missile systems. Washington said the Chinese armed forces violated US sanctions against Russia over Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 US election.
Iran refuses to negotiate with the US
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| Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Photo: AP |
On September 20, Iran rejected the offer of negotiations with the United States. In a tweet, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that the United States had violated the terms of the final agreement that had been agreed upon by all parties. According to Zarif, the Iran nuclear deal is not a private agreement but an international agreement endorsed by the United Nations.
Earlier, US special envoy for Iran Brian Hook said on September 19 that the US is seeking to negotiate an agreement with Iran that could cover both its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Ferry capsizes in Tanzania: Up to 126 people dead
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Volunteers join the rescue of a sunken ferry in Tanzania. (Photo: Stephen Msengi) |
On September 21, Tanzania's Transport Minister announced that the death toll from the MV Nyerere ferry capsizing on Lake Victoria - Africa's largest lake - a day earlier had risen to at least 126. Speaking to a national television reporter, Minister Isack Kamwele stated: "We are very sad to announce that 126 people have died."
Search and rescue operations are still underway. Police and military divers have been mobilized to help search for the missing.
Earlier, Tanzanian authorities announced that the ferry capsized near Ukara Island, southeast of Lake Victoria. Local media quoted witnesses as saying that the ferry was carrying more than 200 passengers at the time of the accident, far exceeding the maximum number of passengers it was allowed to carry. In addition, the ferry was also carrying many goods, including corn and cement.
Mexican President-elect decides to sell his private jet because it is too luxurious
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| Mexican President-elect Lopez Obrador. Photo: Reuters |
Mexican President-elect López Obrador told reporters on September 19 that “I will not board the presidential plane,” and that he would reserve the idea of selling the presidential plane. López Obrador said he felt “embarrassed” to board a “luxurious” plane while there was still much poverty in Mexico.
The announcement came after López Obrador, who will officially take office as president in December, spent three hours waiting on the tarmac of a commercial plane flying from Oaxaca to Mexico City. The plane was delayed due to heavy rain.
The Mexican presidential plane is a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that costs about $218.7 million. The Mexican government received this plane 2 years ago. Mashable newspaper rated Mexico as owning the most modern presidential plane in the world.
Türkiye increases cooperation with Germany to resolve lira crisis
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| Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak. Source: AFP/VNA |
On September 21, Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak visited Germany, ahead of President Tayyip Erdogan's official visit later this September.
The sharp rise in the value of the US dollar and the decline in the value of the lira in recent weeks have caused many economic difficulties for Türkiye. Therefore, experts assess that the focus of President Erdogan's visit to Germany later this month will be the economic crisis in Türkiye. Ankara's goal is to gain political and economic support from the number 1 economic power in the European Union.
