Kuala Lumpur Comprehensive News,On June 18th, MalaysiaPrime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told the media after attending the Haji Festival celebration at the foot of Mount Tai in Penang that Malaysia has expressed its intention to join the BRICS countries to Brazilian President Lula and will apply according to the procedures. AnhuaexpressThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs began studying how to apply to join the BRICS countries two months ago.Previously,Adjacent toThailand and Indonesia in Malaysia are also interested in joining this emerging international organization with significant influence from China. Thailand has submitted an official application. Indonesia was originally rumored to have applied to join last year, but President Joko Widodo later said that Indonesia would decide whether to join later.

It is understood that,The earliest BRICS countries were Brazil, Russia, India, and ChinaThe cooperation mechanism established in 2009 was joined by South Africa in April 2011, and Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined on January 1st of this year. These 10 member countries are all representative emerging markets and developing countries.

Bloomberg reported that on June 18th, the four month long strike by South Korean doctors escalated. Under the call of the largest local medical group, the Korean Medical Association, about 10000 doctors participated in a strike rally held in Seoul to protest against government healthcare reform plans such as expanding enrollment at medical schools.

South Korean Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu hong said that South KoreaAbout 4% of 36000 private medical institutions have declared closure to the government. In order to reduce the negative impact of medical vacancies, the government has issued "work orders" for these institutions and plans to sue doctors for unilateral refusal of treatment and other behaviors. In response, South Korean President Yoon Seok yeol stated that the government must crack down severely on this illegal behavior of neglecting patients, but if doctors return to work, the government is willing to work with them to solve the problem. The Korean Medical Association has warned that if the government does not accept the doctors' demands, they plan to strike indefinitely from the 27th.

military

01More than 20 North Korean soldiers cross the military demarcation line between South and North Korea again

According to Yonhap News Agency, on June 18th, the South Korean Joint Staff Headquarters stated that more than 20 North Korean soldiers crossed the military demarcation line between South and North Korea in the demilitarized zone last week and were warned by South Korean gunfire. Around 8:30 am on the 18th, another 20 to 30 North Korean soldiers working in the demilitarized zone crossed the military demarcation line between South and North Korea. After South Korea fired their guns and broadcasted warnings, these North Korean soldiers immediately turned back north.

Yonhap News Agency pointed out that North Korean soldiers frequently cross the military demarcation line, which seems to be related to North Korea's recent construction in the demilitarized zone. In recent days, several North Korean soldiers working in the demilitarized zone have been injured or killed due to landmine explosions. Although the construction of wasteland and the laying of landmines in the frontline areas have resulted in multiple mine explosions and casualties, the North Korean military still seems to be working in an unreasonable manner.

It is reported that after North Korea announced the abolition of the "9.19 South Korea Military Agreement" on November 23 last year, it has gradually resumed frontline outposts, laid landmines near the inter Korean connecting road, and dismantled the railway tracks and streetlights connecting the two countries since January this year. Meanwhile, since April this year, North Korea has deployed a large number of troops in various frontline areas, including the Northern Limit Line, and has continued to carry out various tasks, including opening up wasteland to enhance surrounding capabilities, laying landmines, strengthening tactical roads, and installing unclear structures that appear to be anti tank obstacles.

According to Xinhua News Agency,On June 18th, the Israeli military stated in a statement that in response to the tense situation along the Israel Lebanon border, the commander of the Israeli Defense Forces Northern Command, Goldin, and the director of the Operations Bureau, Basiuk, approved the plan to conduct military operations in Lebanon and conducted a situation assessment at the Northern Command. The Israeli military will continue to improve the combat readiness of frontline troops. The statement did not mention specific details of the combat plan.

Since a new round on October 7th last yearConflict with HaSince the outbreak, Hezbollah in Lebanon has launched attacks on northern Israel from time to time, with Israeli military airstrikes and shelling of targets in southern Lebanon in retaliation. The conflict between the two sides on the Lebanon Israel border has continued to this day, and the situation between Israel and Lebanon has continued to escalate in recent days. The northern region has been repeatedly attacked by rockets from Lebanon. A large number of residents in the southern and northern border areas of Lebanon have been evacuated.

01Vietnam's chili exports reach 16 million US dollars

According to preliminary statistics from the Vietnam Pepper Association, the export volume of Vietnamese chili peppers reached 6511 tons in the first five months of this year, with an export value of over 16 million US dollars. The quantity and amount increased by 10.1% and 36.5% respectively year-on-year. Among them, Vietnam's chili exports reached 1435 tons in May this year, with an export value of 3.3 million US dollars, a decrease of 25.8% compared to the previous month. China is the largest export market for Vietnamese chili peppers, with an export volume of 1273 tons, accounting for 88.7% of Vietnam's total chili pepper exports.

It is reported that the Jiulong River Plain is the capital of pepper cultivation in Vietnam, mainly distributed in Tongta, Anjiang, Qianjiang, Shuozhuang, Yonglong, and Charong, with a total planting area of7000 hectares, with an annual output of 100000 tons. Vietnam has been allowed to export fresh chili peppers to China since March 2022. Fresh Vietnamese chili peppers must meet the quarantine standards of Vietnamese functional departments and their authorized units, and relevant parameters must be indicated on the plant quarantine certification. The rich variety and high spiciness of Vietnamese chili peppers are the main reasons why China is increasing its imports of chili peppers from Vietnam.