Russia neutralizes Ukrainian spy, Malaysia has new king, former Chinese prime minister passes away

Israel neutralizes key Hamas leader, new US House Speaker talks about massive aid package, Pheu Thai has a new chairman… these are some of the notable international news stories of the past 24 hours.

Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has passed away. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)

The World & Vietnam newspaper highlights some of the day's most prominent international news.

* Russia neutralizes spies in southern Ukraine : On October 27, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) emphasized: "Due to a special operation in Zaporizhzhia, the FSB thwarted the activities of three major spy groups coordinated by Ukrainian intelligence." A man suspected of working for Ukrainian intelligence was killed after a shootout, but the FSB provided no further details.

Additionally, the administrators of an online chat room supporting Ukraine and a media outlet in Melitopol, controlled by Russia, have been arrested. They allegedly persuaded people to gather information about “the locations and movements of Russian troops” and promoted “an anti-Russian agenda.” (AFP)

* Russia thwarted 3 attacks on Kursk nuclear power plant : On October 27, the Telegram channel “Shot” reported that drones of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (VSU) attempted to attack the Kursk nuclear power plant in the city of Kurchatov three times on the evening of October 26.

The first one was spotted at 8:20 PM on October 26th, near the control station of the factory's administrative complex. This UAV was fitted with an unidentified explosive device that did not detonate. Experts seized and destroyed the aforementioned UAV.

The second attack, identified by the Russian military, occurred around 9:30 PM on the territory of a nuclear power plant in the dog camp area. This UAV was intercepted by the area's air defense system, forced to land, and did not explode. The third UAV was intercepted around 11:40 PM, crashed near a nuclear waste storage facility, and exploded. As a result, the facade of the storage building was damaged, but no one was injured.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems had destroyed a Ukrainian drone in the Kursk province. On the evening of October 26, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted a Ukrainian drone attack on a facility in the province. (TASS)

* Hungary warns of EU's "failed" strategy on Ukraine: On October 26, speaking on Hungarian state radio, Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that the European Union's (EU) strategy on Ukraine has "failed" and that the EU needs to develop a Plan B because Kyiv will find it difficult to win the conflict.

On the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels, Orban also said that there was a “big battle” over support for Ukraine and that he saw no reason for Hungary to send taxpayers' money to support Ukraine.

Previously, the European Commission had proposed that member states contribute more to the common fund to provide 50 billion euros to Ukraine and an additional 15 billion euros for migration. Another proposal would allocate 20 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine.

In response, Mr. Orban stated: "We found this proposal to be poorly executed and unsuitable as a basis for serious negotiations, and therefore we rejected it."

In December, the EU will decide on revisions to its €1.1 trillion (approximately $1.2 trillion) 2021-2027 budget, which has been strained by emergency spending during the Covid-19 pandemic and since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in early 2022. (Reuters)

* New US House Speaker wants to separate funding for Ukraine and Israel : On October 26, in an interview with Fox News , the new US House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that funding for Ukraine and Israel should be handled separately. He also emphasized that he would not support President Joe Biden's $106 billion aid package for both countries. (Reuters)

* Israel eliminates Hamas leader who orchestrated the October 7 attack : On October 26, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released UAV video of an airstrike on a target in the city of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, incapacitating Shadi Barud. Specifically, Israeli aircraft dropped at least two precision bombs, destroying at least four buildings to eliminate him. It remains unclear how many Palestinian civilians were killed along with Barud in the attack.

The IDF accuses this individual of being directly involved, along with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, in planning the attack on Israel on October 7th, an event that the Jewish state calls Black Saturday.

In related news, Israeli officials believe the weapons used by Hamas in this incident were manufactured in Iran. This accusation came as the Israeli military showed the media weapons recovered from communities in southern Israel attacked by Hamas on October 7th, including landmines, grenade launchers, and several homemade drones.

Among these weapons were mortar rounds manufactured in Iran and grenade launchers made in North Korea. Israeli military officials estimate that about 10% of the seized weapons were made in Iran, 10% in North Korea, and the remainder in Gaza. (Reuters)

* Hamas: Israeli airstrike kills many hostages : On October 26, the Associated Press quoted a statement from the armed wing of the Hamas movement saying that "nearly 50" Israeli hostages were killed in the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip. However, AP has not been able to verify the accuracy of this information.

Earlier, Israel deployed tanks and infantry in a lightning raid on the Gaza Strip on the night of October 25. Several Hamas targets were targeted, while the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prepared for a large-scale infantry offensive in the coming days. Prior to this, the IDF had launched a tank raid into northern Gaza “to prepare for the next phase of operations.” However, the Israeli soldiers quickly withdrew from the area after a short time.

In related news, speaking to AP in Beirut, Lebanon, Hamas Politburo member Ghazi Hamad stated: “We need more from our allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah is resisting the occupation. We appreciate this effort. But we need more to stop Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. We expect more.” (AP)

* Hamas emphasizes Russia's role in resolving the conflict : On October 26, RIA Novosti (Russia) quoted Hussam Badran, a member of the Politburo of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas, as stating: "Russia can play a larger role in ending the actions against our people in the Gaza Strip and exert international pressure to provide urgent aid to our people in the Gaza Strip."

He also noted that Hamas appreciates Russia's role at the international level, particularly Moscow's use of its veto power in the UN Security Council to respond to proposals from Israel's ally, the United States.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Abu Marzuk, a member of the Hamas Politburo, had arrived in Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin would not meet with the delegation.

For its part, Israel has criticized Russia for inviting Hamas to Moscow. The Israeli Foreign Ministry demanded that Russia expel members of the movement. (RIA Novosti)

* UN expresses concern over “war crimes” in the Israel-Hamas conflict: On October 27, speaking in Geneva, the spokesperson for the United Nations human rights agency, Ravina Shamdasani, expressed concern about “war crimes.” She also expressed concern about the situation of the people in Gaza amidst the current conflict.

Meanwhile, on the same day, at a press conference in Jerusalem, the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, warned that if Israel continues its tight blockade of the Gaza Strip, many Palestinians will die from lack of food, water, and medicine. He urged the Jewish state to allow more convoys carrying emergency aid into Gaza.

Currently, Israel is severely restricting the number of aid vehicles allowed through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Meanwhile, UNWRA staff are in desperate need of fuel to operate generators and other equipment needed for relief efforts. (Reuters)

* Tunisia and the OIF call on Israel to stop shelling the Gaza Strip : On October 26, Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar and the Secretary-General of the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo, held a telephone conversation. A statement from the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “During the call, Mr. Ammar stressed that Tunisia, as a founding member of the OIF… cannot remain silent in the face of such a horrific situation.”

The two officials agreed on the urgent need to uphold the common values ​​recommended by the OIF, including the requirement to respect human life and coexistence. They also discussed the upcoming Ministerial Conference of the French-speaking bloc, scheduled to take place in November in Yaounde, Cameroon, under the chairmanship of the President of Tunisia. (VNA)

* Japanese Foreign Minister plans to visit Israel : On October 26, Jiji Press reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is considering visiting Israel in early November.

Amid escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the diplomat aims to pave the way for de-escalation as soon as possible. She will be the first Japanese cabinet minister to visit Israel since Hamas began its attacks on Israel on October 7th. However, Japan may face difficulties coordinating the visit as Israel prepares for landing operations in the Gaza Strip.

Last week, Japan's Foreign Minister participated in the Cairo Peace Summit in Egypt to ease tensions in Gaza. On the sidelines of the event, she met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and exchanged views on measures to de-escalate tensions and improve the humanitarian situation. (Jiji Press)

* US-China Foreign Ministers hold talks in Washington: October 26: The US State Department announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met in Washington. The statement confirmed: “Secretary Blinken met with the Chinese Foreign Minister in Washington. They discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including resolving disagreements and exploring areas of cooperation.” Blinken also reiterated that the US continues to stand up for its interests and values.

According to the plan, the top US and Chinese diplomats will continue their discussions on October 27.

On this occasion, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also sent condolences to China on the death of former Premier Li Keqiang. (Reuters/Sputnik)

Southeast Asia

* Former Prime Minister Thaksin's youngest daughter elected as Pheu Thai party leader : On October 27, Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected as the new leader of the Pheu Thai (For Thailand) party, the leading party in Thailand's current ruling coalition.

The 37-year-old politician was chosen to replace Cholnan Srikaew, who had resigned earlier, at a meeting of the Pheu Thai Executive Committee and key members at the party's headquarters in Bangkok on the morning of October 27. ( Thai PBS)

* US Donates 12 Mekong River Patrol Boats to Thailand : On October 27, the US handed over 12 patrol boats to the Thai Coast Guard to operate on the Mekong River to combat drug trafficking, smuggling, and cross-border crime. The handover ceremony was held at the headquarters of Coast Guard Division 11 in Muang District, Nong Khai Province, Northeast Thailand, with the attendance of US Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec, local officials, and representatives from the Central Investigation Bureau and the Thai Coast Guard.

Ambassador Godec said the 12 vessels, worth a total of 75.4 million baht (US$2.15 million), were specially designed to operate on rivers with rapids and low water levels during the dry season, such as the Mekong.

In response to Ambassador Godec, Nongkhai Provincial Governor Rachan Soonhua affirmed that the donation of the ships symbolizes the good relationship between the two countries. He emphasized that these new ships will play an important role in the operations of the Thai Coast Guard along the Mekong River, contributing to the suppression of crime and various security threats.

Prior to the handover of the vessel, representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Narcotics Enforcement Division (INL) of the U.S. Department of State helped train 24 Thai coast guard officers on how to operate the patrol boat from October 16-26.

Thai officials said that 12 coast guard posts along the Mekong River, under Coast Guard Divisions 10, 11, and 12, will each be equipped with one vessel. (Bangkok Post)

* Malaysia elects Sultan Ibrahim as its 17th monarch : On October 27, the Malaysian state news agency Bernama reported that the Malaysian Royal Council had elected the Emir of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, as the 17th monarch. He will be officially enthroned on January 31, 2024, succeeding his predecessor Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. (Xinhua)

Northeast Asia

* Former Chinese Premier Passes Away : On October 27, Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for the 17th, 18th, and 19th terms, passed away in Shanghai at the age of 68. He suffered a sudden heart attack on October 26. After unsuccessful attempts at resuscitation, he died at 00:10 on October 27 (23:10 on October 26, Hanoi time). (Xinhua News Agency)

* IAEA concludes assessment of Fukushima wastewater discharge : On October 27, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded its safety assessment of Japan's discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea.

Specifically, seven IAEA officials and experts from nine of the eleven member states of the task force, including China and Russia, participated in the delegation. The delegation conducted on-site inspections of water treatment processes and wastewater discharge facilities at the nuclear complex devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

During their time in Japan, members of the delegation also exchanged views with Japanese government officials, the plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO), and the nuclear regulatory authority regarding the plant's emissions and environmental monitoring procedures.

Since August 2023, TEPCO has discharged approximately 15,600 tons of treated water using a liquid treatment system to remove most radioactive particles, except for tritium. The tritium has now been diluted with seawater to a concentration of 1/40th the permissible level according to Japanese safety standards before being released into the sea. (Kyodo)

* Sweden deports man who burned Quran : On October 26, Swedish television channel TV4 reported that the Swedish migration agency had decided to deport Salwan Momika, the Iraqi man who burned copies of the Quran at protest marches in Stockholm recently.

However, according to Swedish television, despite the decision, the Swedish Migration Agency still granted the individual a temporary residence permit until April 2024 due to "some complexities in the implementation of the decision."

The Swedish immigration authorities have not yet issued an official comment. On the same day, in an interview with SVT , Mr. Momika asserted: “I will not leave Sweden. I will live and die here. The immigration authorities have made a serious mistake. I suspect there is political motive behind this decision. I will appeal.” (VNA)

* Hungary links immigration issues to terrorist attacks: On October 26, Prime Minister Viktor Orban made this statement as he prepared to travel to Brussels, Belgium, to attend an EU conference on reforming asylum regulations.

According to him, the country is opposing the EU's plan to share responsibility across the bloc for receiving asylum seekers or contributing to the costs of such activities. The Hungarian leader emphasized: “I hope that more and more people in Brussels will realize there is a very clear link between terrorism and migration. Those who support migration also support terrorism. We oppose terrorism. Therefore, we do not support migration.”

Previously, the two perpetrators behind the recent bloody attacks in France and Belgium were both extremists who had previously been denied asylum. (VNA)

* Large explosion in Egyptian Red Sea town : On October 27, two Egyptian security sources reported that a flying object had crashed in the Red Sea resort town of Nuweiba. The object fell into the desert area of ​​the region. A witness said they heard a loud explosion and saw clouds of dust in the distance. Local authorities are currently gathering more information about the incident.

Meanwhile, the IDF stated that the object that fell in Egypt was related to a “threat in the Red Sea airspace,” but provided no further details. (Reuters)

* US attacks Iran-linked facilities in Syria : On October 26, the Pentagon press office issued a statement confirming: “Today (October 26), at the direction of President Joe Biden, US military forces conducted self-defense strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria. These are used by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups.” (TASS)

* Preliminary results of the local elections in Mozambique: On October 26, the National Electoral Commission (CNE) of Mozambique released the final results for the local government elections held on October 11.

According to these results, the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) party won in 64 out of the country's 65 centrally administered cities/towns. The Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), the third-largest party, only won in Beira. The Mozambique Resistance Movement (RENAMO), the second-largest party, did not win in any localities.

According to Mozambican electoral law, the voting results will still have to be confirmed and announced by the Constitutional Council (CC), the country's highest judicial electoral body. Previously, this Council, Mozambique's highest body on constitutional and electoral law matters, rejected three appeals by RENAMO regarding the preliminary results.

The October 11th election was the sixth local government election in Mozambique. The event took place in 65 cities across the country, including 12 cities that voted for the first time. Opposition parties, particularly RENAMO, launched numerous nationwide protests against the election results, alleging "gross fraud" in the ballots. On October 25th, leaders of RENAMO and MDM met and pledged to cooperate "to restore electoral truth." (VNA)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-2710-nga-vo-hieu-hoa-diep-vien-ukraine-malaysia-co-quoc-vuong-moi-cuu-thu-tuong-trung-quoc-tu-tran-247743.html