Russia-West tensions reach a peak; Kim Jong-un surprises the world
(Baonghean.vn) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un makes a surprise visit to China; Diplomatic tensions between Russia and the West; Fire at Russian shopping mall, 64 dead; Story of police officer taking the place of a kidnapping victim makes the whole of France cry;... are the outstanding international news of the past week.
1.North Korean leader Kim Jong-un makes surprise visit to China
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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: Xinhua |
On the morning of March 28, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a surprise visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
During his visit, Kim Jong Un held talks with Xi Jinping, Xinhua added. According to South Korea's KBS, citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the talks between the two leaders took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
This is the first announced foreign trip by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un since he took power in 2011. Analysts say the move is to prepare for upcoming summits with South Korean leaders in late April and with the US in May.
2. Diplomatic tensions between Russia and the West
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| Illustration photo. |
In response to Russia's suspected involvement in the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, a number of Western countries, including 15 EU member states, expelled Russian diplomats. Other countries such as Canada and Australia also made similar moves to support their allies.
US President Donald Trump signed an order to expel 60 Russian diplomats. In response, Russia expelled 60 US diplomats and closed the US Consulate General in St. Petersburg.
3.Fire at Russian shopping mall, 64 people died
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| Thick smoke billowed at the scene of the incident. Photo: CNN |
A fire broke out on March 25 at a shopping mall in the Siberian city of Kemerovo, Russia, killing 64 people, including many children. This is one of the deadliest fires in Russia in recent years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a memorial for the victims of the fire on March 27. Authorities have begun investigating the cause of the fire. The fire is believed to have started on the fourth floor of the building, which houses a cinema and a children's play area.Witnesses said there was no fire alarm when the fire broke out.
4.Police officer takes the place of a kidnapping victim, making the whole of France cry
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| Arnaud Beltrame in a photo taken in 2013. Photo: AP |
A French police officer who bravely took the place of a female hostage during a shooting and kidnapping at a supermarket in the south of the country on March 23 has died from his injuries. His death has shocked and saddened the whole of France.
"Lieutenant Colonel Arnaud Beltrame died in the line of duty. He gave so much to his country. He fell like a hero, sacrificing his life to prevent a terrorist's massacre," French President Emmanuel Macron emotionally declared.
The kidnapper at a supermarket in the city of Trèbes shot Beltrame, after he volunteered to take the place of a female hostage and tried to deal with him.
5.Fire at prison in Venezuela, dozens dead
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| Relatives of prisoners gathered outside the prison area. Photo: Reuters |
A fire broke out in the jail area of a police station in the city of Valencia, Carabobo state, Venezuela, killing at least 68 people.
The fire broke out after prisoners set fire to mattresses in their cells in an attempt to escape on March 28, BBC reported.The situation is now under control and Carabobo state is holding a funeral for the victims, said Jesus Santander, an official in Carabobo state.
Details of the fire have not yet been officially confirmed. A report by the Una Ventana a la Libertad federation, which monitors prison conditions, said a police officer was shot in the leg by an inmate, and that mattresses in the cell were then set alight and the fire spread rapidly.
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