Russia delivers S-400 to Iran, Israel opens fire on UN forces, Ukraine lets foreigners join the army

The Ukrainian president visited a series of European countries before the US election, China called for building a peaceful and open Asia, Iran is ready for all scenarios in the Middle East, Colombia is negotiating to join the Belt and Road, Russia announced evidence of Ukraine's use of chemical weapons... are some of the outstanding international events in the past 24 hours.

Russia's S-400 air defense missile system was delivered to Iran. (Source: Infonet)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

Asia-Pacific

*Chinese Premier calls for building a peaceful, open Asia: Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on October 10 that China is willing to work with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries to uphold Asian consciousness, promote Eastern wisdom and move steadily towards building a peaceful and stable Asia with common prosperity, openness and connectivity.

The Chinese premier affirmed that Asian countries value independence, stressing that Asian issues should be resolved through consultation with Asian people and that Asia's destiny should be in their own hands.

According to Mr. Li Qiang, all Asian countries emphasize that development is paramount and peace is extremely important. Prime Minister Li Qiang made the above statements at the 27th ASEAN+3 Summit in Laos. (THX)

*North Korea appoints new Ambassador to Switzerland: On October 10, North Korea announced its decision to appoint Mr. Jo Chol-su as Ambassador - Head of the delegation in Geneva, Switzerland.

Previously, Jo Chol-su was the director general of the Department of International Organizations at the North Korean Foreign Ministry. He will replace Han Tae-song, who was recalled to the country last year.

In recent months, North Korea has appointed new ambassadors to several countries, including Cuba, Vietnam and Singapore, as Pyongyang begins to open its borders in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. (Reuters)

*Japan aims for closer ties with ASEAN: Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on October 10 agreed with his Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partners to strengthen cooperation, while expressing serious concerns about "militarization and coercion" in the East Sea.

At the ASEAN-Japan Summit in Laos, new Prime Minister Ishiba affirmed his stance against actions that violate national sovereignty in the East China Sea, amid growing concerns about Beijing's military assertiveness in the airspace and waters near Japan.

In addition, Mr. Ishiba stated that Japan will continue to "engage closely with China at various levels," as the two East Asian powers aim to build constructive and stable bilateral relations. (Kyodo)

*ASEAN calls for de-escalation of violence in Myanmar: Southeast Asian leaders on October 10 supported efforts to find a peaceful solution to Myanmar's civil war, including greater cooperation with neighboring countries and the United Nations to address the crisis and its broader impacts.

According to a statement on Myanmar issued during the ASEAN summit in Laos, the leaders also called on all parties in Myanmar, “in particular the armed forces and security forces concerned,” to de-escalate violence and stop targeting civilians. (Reuters)

*China seeks to protect citizens and projects in Pakistan: In a statement on October 10, China said it would cooperate with Pakistan to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel as well as its projects and organizations in Pakistan, after two Chinese engineers were murdered by a separatist rebel group on October 6.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said she was unaware of reports that Pakistan was seeking to restrict the movement of Chinese citizens during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting next week, citing security risks from militant groups. (Reuters)

*Japanese-Chinese Prime Ministers hold talks in Laos: The Japanese Foreign Ministry announced that Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang held their first talks on October 10 in Laos.

Japan and China agreed to promote “mutually beneficial relations based on common strategic interests” when Ishiba’s predecessor Kishida Fumio and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in San Francisco in November last year.

Ishiba has said he will build "constructive and stable" relations with China, but has also called on Beijing to act responsibly. The two countries have been at odds over a number of issues, including repeated incursions by Chinese vessels into Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands, which are controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing in the East China Sea. (Kyodo)

Europe

*Ukrainian President visits a series of European countries: On October 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a lightning trip to the UK, France and Italy, where he will meet with European leaders to secure aid for the country ahead of the US presidential election next month.

The Ukrainian leader will seek to secure maximum financial and military support from European countries, as the possible election of Donald Trump as US President makes Washington's support unpredictable.

On the same day, President Zelensky will meet with new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the UK. Mr. Zelensky is expected to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on October 11. (AFP)

*Ukraine passes historic tax hike to cover military costs: On October 10, the Ukrainian parliament passed a second bill related to the law on historic tax hikes. Accordingly, the military tax rate will increase sharply from 1.5% to 5%, with only military personnel remaining at the old rate.

In addition, the law expands the tax on personal income that has been in place since 2014 to cover the needs of the Ukrainian military. The new law also sets the bank profit tax rate at 50% for 2024. The law comes into effect on October 20, but some taxes will be due on October 1. The new law is expected to bring in an additional 58 billion hryvnia (more than $1.4 billion) to the budget in 2024 and 137 billion hryvnia in 2025.

Observers point out that Ukraine's unprecedented tax increase is due to foreign partners failing to adequately finance the country's military needs in the conflict with Russia. (AFP)

*NATO prepares for annual nuclear exercise: On October 10, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte announced that the military alliance will begin its annual nuclear exercise on October 14 and last for about two weeks, in the context of Russian President Vladimir Putin continuously making statements related to nuclear weapons.

Speaking in London after meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, Mr. Rutte emphasized: "In an unstable world, it is very important to test and strengthen defense capabilities, so that opponents know that NATO is always ready and able to respond to any threat."

The exercise will not use live weapons. However, the 2,000 troops taking part in the “North Sea area” will simulate missions, including US nuclear-capable fighter jets. (Reuters)

*Ukraine allows foreigners to join the army: On October 10, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine passed a bill on service in the Ukrainian army for foreigners and stateless people.

The law stipulates that foreigners and stateless persons in Ukraine will be allowed to sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard to join the ranks as privates, sergeants and officers.

Ukraine will soon establish a Foreign Recruitment Center, which will examine candidates for military service under the following conditions: legal presence on the territory; no administrative or criminal liability under Ukrainian law; no involvement in intelligence and subversive activities of foreign states against Ukraine. (AFP)

*Russia publishes evidence of Ukraine's use of chemical weapons: Russia's permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Vladimir Tarabrin announced on October 9 that Moscow had transferred to the OPCW the results of its investigation into Ukraine's use of chemical weapons and requested that this information be considered as seriously as possible.

According to the OPCW database, Russia transferred documents on Ukraine's use of chemical weapons to member states on October 3.

Then, on October 7, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov - Commander of the Russian Army's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces - announced that the Russian military had revealed the truth about Ukraine's secret use of chemical weapons under the guise of smoke grenades in the Kursk region in August. (Sputniknews)

Middle East-Africa

*Iran declares readiness for all scenarios in Middle East conflict: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi declared on October 10 that the Tehran government is ready for all scenarios in the context of the uncertain future of the conflict in the Middle East and Israel's imminent response.

In an interview with Al Jazeera , Mr. Aragchi emphasized: "We are ready for all scenarios, but we are not looking for war or escalation. The Israelis can test Iran's determination."

According to Iran's Foreign Minister, Israel is seeking to expand the scope of the conflict in the region and is trying to draw Tehran into an open confrontation. (Al Jazeera)

*Israeli army opens fire on 3 UNIFL positions in southern Lebanon: A source from the United Nations (UN) on October 10 revealed to Reuters news agency that the Israeli army opened fire on 3 positions where the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNIFL) is stationed in southern Lebanon.

According to the source, one of the locations hit was the main UNIFL base in the city of Naqoura. The base's watchtower was hit by tank fire, injuring two UN staff members but not seriously.

According to the same source, two other UNIFL positions were also hit by bullets but not seriously and there were no casualties. (Al Jazeera)

*Israel's budget deficit rises to 8.5% of GDP: According to figures released by the Israeli Ministry of Finance on October 10, the country's budget deficit increased to 8.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to 2.3 billion USD, in September in the context of the Israeli Government continuing to pour billions of Shekels (Israeli domestic currency) into the war against Hamas and Hezbollah.

Israel's budget deficit widened from 7.6% of GDP in June, to 8.1% in July and 8.3% in August, amid rising military and civilian spending on ongoing wars. In September, Israeli government spending hit $13.5bn, bringing total spending since the beginning of the year to around $120bn, up 31% from the same period in 2023. War spending since the start of the Gaza war last October has soared to $27bn. (Al Jazeera)

*Russia transfers S-400 air defense missile system to Iran: Global Eye News website on October 10 quoted sources saying that Russia has transferred modern S-400 air defense missile system to Iran.

The move is causing concern among Western countries, which see it as an act to strengthen Iran's defense capabilities amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The S-400 air defense missile system is one of the most advanced systems in the world, capable of effectively attacking air targets at long ranges.

Providing such a system could significantly change the balance of power in the region. Tehran, facing the threat of military attack from Israel and the United States, could use the S-400 to protect its vital assets, including military and industrial facilities, as well as nuclear facilities. (Global Eye News)

America - Latin America

*US denies talks with Iran on ceasefire in the Middle East: The Times of Israel on October 9 quoted US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on October 9 denying information that Washington and Arab countries have conducted secret negotiations with Iran on a comprehensive ceasefire to simultaneously ease all conflicts in the Middle East.

“No one has contacted the United States about such a proposal, and we are not in talks with any country about it,” Mr. Miller said. However, the State Department spokesman also affirmed that Washington welcomes an end to conflict across the region. (Al Jazeera)

*Colombia negotiates to join China's Belt and Road Initiative: Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo arrived in Beijing on October 9 to launch negotiations for the South American country to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The move follows Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visit to China in October 2023, when the two countries agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and signed dozens of agreements on trade and economic, scientific and educational cooperation.

Colombia is awarding major infrastructure projects in transportation and mining to Chinese companies. Among the investments from the world's second-largest economy in Colombia, the most prominent is the Bogotá metro project. Many famous Chinese companies such as telecommunications giant Huawei, carmaker BYD and fashion house Shein have a presence in Colombia. (AFP)

*US Election 2024: Mr. D. Trump continues to refuse to debate a second time with Ms. K. Harris: On October 9, former US President Donald Trump refused the invitation to participate in the debate with Vice President Kamala Harris scheduled by Fox News on October 24 or October 27.

On the social network Truth Social , Mr. Trump said that it was "too late" to hold a debate because voters had already gone to the polls early. He affirmed that he would not participate in the second debate with Ms. Harris because "there is nothing to debate". Former President Trump also explained that he had previously accepted Fox News ' invitation to debate on September 4, but Ms. Harris declined.

The US presidential election is entering a fierce phase, with less than a month to go until the official vote on November 5. Vice President Harris and Republican opponent, former President Trump, are in a tight race. (Reuters)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-1010-nga-giao-s-400-cho-iran-israel-no-sung-vao-luc-luong-lhq-ukraine-cho-nguoi-nuoc-ngoai-tham-gia-quan-doi-289604.html