UK to deport foreign convicts immediately after sentencing
The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, plans to deport foreign nationals from prisons in England and Wales immediately after sentencing. This builds on new rules that allow deportation after serving 30 percent of a sentence, but the government now aims to start the process right after sentencing, Firstpost reported.
The policy excludes those serving life sentences or convicted of serious crimes like murder or terrorism. Foreign nationals make up about 12 percent of the prison population, with Albanians the largest group. Since July 2024, deportations of foreign offenders have increased by 14 percent.
The move aims to ease overcrowded prisons, cut costs, and reduce reoffending. Starmer’s tougher stance on immigration also responds to pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which advocates even stricter deportation measures, according to Firstpost.
Vietnam to grant visa-free entry to citizens of 12 countries
Vietnam will allow visa-free entry for tourists from 12 European nations, effective August 15, 2025, through August 14, 2028, Xinhua reported. This move aims to boost tourism and applies to all passport types from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
The National Statistics Office noted that Vietnam welcomed 12.23m international visitors in the first seven months of 2025, a 22.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Chlorine factory fire prompts safety alert in southern France
A fire erupted Sunday at a chlorine production plant in Ledenon, southern France, prompting authorities to urge residents within a kilometer to stay indoors and seal windows and doors. Operated by HydraPro, the facility supplies chlorine for swimming pools and is classified as a high-risk “Seveso” site under EU safety rules.
Officials reported a chlorine smell carried north by the wind but said it posed no immediate health risk. Firefighters are tackling the blaze, with a specialized hazardous materials team en route. The site lies about 28 kilometers southwest of Avignon, Reuters reported.
South Korea, Vietnam leaders pledge deeper ties amid trade challenges
South Korea and Vietnam have vowed to deepen economic and strategic cooperation following a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Vietnamese leader To Lam, Lee’s first state guest since taking office in June, Reuters reported.
The leaders agreed to expand trade to $150bn by 2030, encourage greater South Korean investment in Vietnam, and boost collaboration in technology, nuclear and renewable energy, finance, and infrastructure, including high-speed rail. At least 10 memoranda of understanding are set to be signed.
Vietnam, a key hub for South Korean firms such as Samsung, has long attracted investment with low labor costs and broad trade pacts. However, recent US tariffs — 15 percent on South Korean goods and 20 percent on Vietnamese imports — have added uncertainty to future business plans, according to Reuters.
