Briefly

IRAN

Rouhani calls visit of Iraqi PM a turning point

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called a visit on Tuesday by the new prime minister of Iraq, where the US military has a presence, "a turning point" in the countries' relations and vowed to continue supporting the neighboring Arab nation. Mustafa al-Kadhimi arrived in Teheran on his first official visit abroad since taking office more than two months ago, Iranian media reported. Kadhimi said his government will not allow any threat to Iran coming from its territory. He faces a tough balancing act between Teheran and Washington, which have come close to open conflict in the region, particularly on Iraqi soil, over the past year.

SOUTH KOREA

Esper says no orders given on troops cut

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said on Tuesday that he had not issued orders to withdraw US troops from South Korea, but added the Pentagon would continue to conduct adjustments at every theater command. "I've issued no orders to withdraw forces from the Korean Peninsula," Esper responded to a question on a potential restructuring of US forces in South Korea. His remarks, at a think tank event, came as Washington is weighing the possibility of reducing its troops on the Korean Peninsula. US media reported recently that the Pentagon had given the White House options for the possible reduction of the US troop presence in South Korea, amid a battle with Seoul in which Washington is demanding significantly more cash to keep US forces there.

UKRAINE

Standoff ends with hostages unharmed

An "unstable" armed man who seized more than a dozen hostages on a long-distance bus in Ukraine's western city of Lutsk was detained late on Tuesday after a standoff that lasted for over 12 hours and all hostages were freed unharmed, officials said. The assailant agreed to release the hostages following a 15-minute phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky's deputy chief of staff Kyrylo Tymoshenko told reporters. Shortly after the call, Zelensky posted a brief video message on his Facebook page to urge Ukrainians to watch Earthlings, a 2005 documentary exposing humanity's cruel exploitation of animals－as the hostage-taker had wanted. Minutes later, the assailant walked out of the bus and surrendered to the police. Authorities said all 13 hostages he held were freed.

RUSSIA

Putin approves development goals

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Tuesday instructing the government to implement a set of national development goals by 2030. The decree published by the Kremlin said the country aims to achieve breakthrough developments, increase its population and raise living standards. Other goals include ensuring the growth rate of its gross domestic product is above the world average and that increases in incomes and pensions exceed the inflation rate.

Agencies - Xinhua