Trump agrees to reopen government for 3 weeks; Malaysia cancels Chinese rail project
(Baonghean.vn) - Mr. Trump agreed to open the government for 3 weeks; Malaysia canceled the Chinese railway project due to high interest rates; Thai political parties demand neutrality of the military government; Venezuela is ready to accept Russia's role as a mediator... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
Trump agrees to open government for 3 weeks
 |
US President Donald Trump announced on January 25 that he would sign a bill to temporarily end the 35-day partial government shutdown. According to the Guardian, the announcement helped end the longest government shutdown in US history, marking a significant concession by the head of the White House.
President Donald Trump thanked federal workers and their families for “their dedication as our country faces a difficult challenge.” About 800,000 government workers have been furloughed for a month, and many others are still working without pay. He also announced that if Congress does not come up with a reasonable deal within the next three weeks, the US government will shut down again on February 15 or he will use emergency powers granted by the Constitution to solve the problem at the border.
Venezuela ready to accept Russia's role as mediator
 |
| Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government march in the capital Caracas on January 23, 2019. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On January 26, Venezuelan Ambassador to Russia Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa announced that the Caracas government is ready to accept Russia's role as a mediator to establish a dialogue with the opposition. Mr. Faria Tortosa recalled that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has also repeatedly expressed his readiness to initiate a dialogue with the opposition. However, according to Ambassador Faria Tortosa, representatives of the opposition did not sign any documents during the negotiations because they "received instructions from the United States."
According to this diplomatic official, the Venezuelan side clearly understands that Russia has experience in mediating serious conflicts around the world, so the government of President Maduro has accepted this offer. Mr. Faria Tortosa added that in addition to Russia, Mexico and Uruguay have also offered to act as mediators.
Interest rates too high, Malaysia cancels Chinese railway project |
| Malaysian Economic Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali. Photo: malaymail.com |
On January 26, Malaysian Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said that Malaysia had to cancel the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project due to the high annual interest rate. According to Minister Mohamed Azmin, at a meeting on January 24, the Malaysian Cabinet decided to cancel the project after realizing that if the project continued, Malaysia would have to pay about 500 million ringgit (more than 120 million USD) in interest each year, an amount that is beyond the government's ability in the current financial conditions.
Regarding the compensation that Malaysia must pay to the project investor, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), Mr. Azmin said that the Malaysian Ministry of Finance will make a decision.
Political partiesThailanddemand neutral military government
 |
| Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. Source: AP |
According to Thai media, on January 26, political parties in this country urged the military government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to be neutral or even resign in preparation for the election at the end of March. These parties said that the current government will take advantage of the opportunity to stay in power to make decisions that benefit its supporters and disadvantage its opponents in the race for the prime minister's seat.
Chusak Sirinil, legal representative of the Pheu Thai Party, asked General Prayut to shut down the government, stop budget programs and stop deploying personnel. Meanwhile, the Democrat Party demanded that the Prime Minister stop using Article 44 of the Constitution, considered the "ultimate weapon" used by the military after the 2014 coup, and maintain only a "formal government" while waiting for the transfer of power to the new government. The opposition also pressured him to make his political intentions public.
Brazil dam collapse: Chances of finding missing people are slim
|
This is considered the worst environmental disaster in Brazil's history. Photo: AFP |
As of the afternoon of January 26, more than 300 people were missing after a tailings dam collapsed on January 25 in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The death toll has also risen to nine. Brazilian authorities said the chances of finding survivors are slim.
More than 200 people, including more than 100 firefighters, have been mobilized to search for the missing. Bulldozers and excavators have also been mobilized to speed up the rescue process. Dozens of trapped people have been rescued and taken out by helicopter because the roads in the accident area were destroyed.
Australia honors 2 divers who rescued Thai soccer team
 |
| Richard Harris (left) and Craig Challen. Source: ABC News |
On January 25, in Canberra, Australia, a ceremony was held to award the title of Australian of the Year 2019 to two divers and doctors who participated in the rescue of the Thai youth football team in June 2018, Richard Harris and Craig Challen.
According to the Australian National Awards Council, the two doctors were awarded the title Australian of the Year 2019 for their steadfast courage and selflessness.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Harris expressed his joy and surprise that the hobby he has pursued for the past 22 years has brought such an interesting and honorable result today. Meanwhile, Dr. Challen said that the incident that occurred at Tham Luang Cave, Thailand in 2018 showed the need to let children freely "test their limits," thereby making them resilient and knowing how to overcome difficulties.
This is the first time the title has been awarded jointly to two individuals, after it began being presented annually in Australia on the occasion of National Day in 2004.
