Trump prepares to “renew” the US military? The demilitarized zone in Idlib is only temporary

Trump is preparing to "renew" the US military?

US President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense James Mattis answer questions from the press outside the White House. Photo: AP

As President Donald Trump faces a series of major foreign policy challenges in the coming months, he will have to make some key decisions about the generals who will advise him and lead the US military.

Behind the scenes, the White House and the Pentagon are looking for a series of senior officers capable of taking on many important positions to replace many military generals about to retire, according to CNN.

Defense Secretary James Mattis is playing a central role in the process of nominating nominees for Senate confirmation. No one knows how long Mattis will stay in the job or what names he is proposing. But this senior leadership is expected to help shape U.S. military policy and operations for years to come.

India declares to pursue independent policy in arms procurement

Russia's S-400 Triumph missile system. Source: AFP/VNA

Amid concerns over US sanctions over Russia's S-400 missile system deal, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said the country pursues an independent policy and is also interested in buying Kamov helicopters and other weapons systems from Moscow.

India and Russia on October 5 signed a multi-billion dollar deal for New Delhi to buy the S-400 Triumf air defense system from Moscow, a move that could trigger sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). India and Russia signed the deal despite the US warning that it would be a "focus area" for sanctions.

China accuses former Interpol president of taking bribes

Mr. Manh Hong Vi. Photo:Xinhua

China's Ministry of Public Security said on October 8 that Meng Hongwei, the recently resigned president of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), is being held for investigation into bribery. A statement on the ministry's website said Meng, who is also a vice minister, "took bribes and is suspected of breaking the law." The statement added that anyone who accepted bribes would be investigated.

China's Ministry of Public Security said Meng's suspected bribery and illegal behavior had "caused serious harm" to the party and the public security sector, adding that a task force would investigate anyone suspected of taking bribes with Meng.

Turkish government eases ban on foreign currency transactions

Turkish lira and US dollars at a money exchange shop in Ankara. Photo: THX/TTXVN

The Turkish government has introduced a number of exemptions from the ban on the use of foreign currencies in commercial transactions, including export contracts, capital market instruments and employment contracts involving foreigners.

The exemption also applies to other areas such as the sale of software produced abroad, charter contracts for transport vessels and contracts involving state institutions, provided that these transactions do not involve employment or real estate.

Last month, President Recep Tayyip Erdoga's government announced that real estate or rental contracts must be transacted in the local currency lira.

Syrian President Assad: Demilitarized zone in Idlib is only temporary

Syrian army tanks. Illustration photo: Masdar News

Türkiye-backed Syrian rebels said on Friday they expected to complete the withdrawal of heavy weapons from a buffer zone in northwestern Syria within days under a deal to establish a demilitarized zone aimed at halting the bloody fighting in Idlib.

Earlier, Russia and Türkiye on September 17 reached an agreement to establish a demilitarized zone in northwestern Idlib, on the Turkish border, to prevent what many warn will be the worst humanitarian disaster since the conflict broke out in Syria.

However, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad warned on October 7 that the agreement reached to prevent a major battle in the last stronghold of opposition forces was only a “temporary measure” before the government army regains control of Idlib. The latest statement by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has many people worried that fighting in Idlib could still happen at any time.

Nobel Prize in Economics 2018 honors two American economists

William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer. Photo: Reuters

On the afternoon of October 8 (Vietnam time), two American economists, William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer, won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics. According to the announcement of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, William D. Nordhaus was honored for integrating climate change into macroeconomic analysis, and Paul M. Romer was highly appreciated for bringing technological innovation into long-term macroeconomic analysis.

The Nobel Prize in Economics is the fifth and final prize of the 2018 Nobel season. Previously, the 2018 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry, Physics, Medicine and Peace were announced.