Malaysia to soon join BRICS, Armenia to buy French CAESAR self-propelled artillery, heatwave warnings issued in several countries.

World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some noteworthy world news this morning, June 19th.

Asia

GUANCHA. Malaysia will soon begin the process to officially join BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Egypt), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Anwar said Malaysia is working closely with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on expanding BRICS membership and is awaiting the final outcome and response from the South African government . (Source: Reuters)

CNA. Singapore topped the 2024 Global Competitiveness Index by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), based in Switzerland, followed by Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, and Hong Kong (China).

BANGKOK POST. The Constitutional Court of Thailand will consider the case against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on July 10, pending written comments from relevant individuals and organizations.

AKP. Cambodia arrested a gang of nine suspected drug manufacturers and traffickers , including eight foreigners and one Cambodian, and seized over 60 kg of drugs.

JAPAN TIMES. The Japanese government has decided to urge social media operators to strengthen ad screening amid a growing number of fraudulent investment ads impersonating celebrities.

KYODO. Heavy rains in many areas of Japan have disrupted bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka, and the Japan Meteorological Agency has advised residents to be prepared for the risk of landslides and flooding.

Xinhua News Agency. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for mobilizing all efforts to combat floods and droughts , ensuring effective disaster relief to protect people's lives and property and maintain social stability.

SCMP. The Hong Kong (China) government has announced a hydrogen energy development strategy, promoting innovation and legalizing the widespread use of hydrogen fuel by 2025 with the goal of reducing carbon emissions.

KOREA TIMES. South Korean retail investors are choosing to invest in overseas stock markets for higher returns – a phenomenon known as “ stock market migration .”

IRIB. At least nine patients were killed in a fire at a hospital in the city of Rasht, Gilan province, Iran.

Europe

AFP. French President Emmanuel Macron and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in ground defense.

The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss the nomination of personnel for top EU positions following the recent European Parliament elections. (Source: Reuters)

FRANCE 24. France is selling CAESAR self-propelled artillery to Armenia. Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu revealed that the contract was signed during a meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Suren Papikyan.

TASS. The Russian Pacific Fleet has begun deploying forces as part of joint exercises in the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of ​​Japan, and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, mobilizing dozens of ships, aircraft, and helicopters.

REUTERS. A court in Estonia sentenced Russian citizen Viacheslav Morozov, a former professor of political theory at the University of Tartu, to six years and three months in prison for espionage.

AFP. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa called on Western countries to abandon double standards amid the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

"We need to view these conflicts more comprehensively, avoiding double standards in the field of international law." (President de Sousa speaking at an event of the Portuguese American Development Fund in Lisbon)

DW. Tensions are rising at German seaports as workers stage a mass strike to put pressure on employers during ongoing wage negotiations.

ARAB NEWS. Two boat sinkings off the coast of Italy have killed at least 11 migrants , while 66 others remain missing. The Italian coast guard is conducting search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

LOCAL ITALY. Italy could face a scorching summer for the third consecutive year, with heatwaves already appearing early in the season, beginning in June.

THE TIMES. Greece has been struggling with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius since the beginning of June, a time when foreign tourists begin flocking to many destinations.

REUTERS. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared he would strengthen trade and security ties with North Korea, and support the country against the United States, during his first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years.

America

LOS ANGELES TIMES. Education officials in Los Angeles, California, are considering banning students from using smartphones in school.

The proposal comes after a call by American Surgeon General Vivek Murthy for warning labels on social media platforms, similar to those on cigarette packs, arguing that this represents a mental health emergency. (Source: Los Angeles Times)

CNBC. The US National Weather Service (NWC) has issued a prolonged extreme heat warning for the East Coast and Midwest, affecting nearly 72 million people.

BLOOMBERG. The U.S. government has banned imports of avocados from Mexico after two U.S. agricultural inspectors were assaulted while carrying out their duties in the avocado-growing region of Michoacan state.

INM. Between January and May 2024, the Mexican Institute of Migration (INM) recorded more than 1.4 million migrants transiting through Mexico on their way to immigrate to the United States.

Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has suspended its visa-free agreement for tourists from China, citing a surge in migration from China that could lead to security problems.

RIO NEWS. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for increased flexibility and intensified efforts to combat criminal organizations destroying the Amazon rainforest .

CBC. Two people were killed in a shooting in Toronto, Canada's largest city, believed to have stemmed from a personal dispute; the shooter, a male, also died.

Africa

AFP. France announced that more than $1 billion will be pledged to boost vaccine production in Africa, as part of the "Global Forum on Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation" held in Paris on June 20.

The aim of this mechanism is to enhance the ability of African manufacturers to produce vaccines domestically, making the continent more self-reliant in addressing the health crises it faces. (Source: Reuters)

AFRICA NEWS. More than 100 militants were killed in a nighttime counter-terrorism operation conducted by the Nigerian Air Force in Katsina State, Nigeria.

KENYA NEWS AGENCY. Kenya celebrated World Day Against Desertification and Drought with achievements exceeding 10% forest cover, while highlighting its roadmap to combat the problem.

Xinhua News Agency. The African Union (AU) condemned the “massacres” in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that killed 150 people this month.

Oceania

ABC. Australia will send seven ministers and a police chief to Papua New Guinea to hold talks on security and trade amid concerns about China's growing influence.

ANC. The Chinese and Australian governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding on restarting strategic economic dialogue with a focus on advanced economic issues.

REUTERS. New Zealand will increase its contribution to monitoring sanctions against North Korea, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said.

International organization

The UN reported that conflicts around the world in 2023 resulted in three times the number of children killed and twice the number of women killed compared to the previous year, while the total number of civilians killed increased by 72%.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/diem-tin-the-gioi-sang-196-malaysia-se-som-gia-nhap-brics-armenia-mua-phao-tu-hanh-caesar-cua-phap-canh-bao-nang-nong-o-nhieu-nuoc-275458.html