US raids Venezuelan embassy in Washington; Violent clashes in Sri Lanka
(Baonghean.vn) - The US raided the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington; US Secretary of State Pompeo arrived in Sochi, starting a visit to Russia; The British Prime Minister will not sign a permanent customs agreement with the EU; Violent clashes in Sri Lanka, at least 1 person died... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
US raids Venezuelan embassy in Washington
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| US special forces at the entrance to the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington. Photo: Reuters |
US law enforcement forces are believed to have carried out a raid on the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC to force social activists supporting President Nicolas Maduro to leave after more than a month of "entrenchment" there.
According to Sputnik, US police were apparently tasked with resolving tensions at the Venezuelan Embassy in the US. They declared pro-Maduro activists who were staying in the building illegally and had to leave, and then prepared for a raid.
Before the raid, US law enforcement cut the chains and broke the lock on the main door of the diplomatic facility on May 13. The US posted a notice on the embassy’s door, saying that the diplomatic facility was under the control of Mr. Guaido’s faction, which Washington has recognized. Meanwhile, representatives of the opposition have warned that those who persist in staying at the facility could be arrested and put on trial.
North Korea demands US “immediately” return seized cargo ship
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North Korea's Wise Honest large cargo ship. Photo: AFP |
North Korea on May 14 criticized the US's seizure of one of its cargo ships last week as an "illegal act" and demanded the US return the ship "immediately." This is the first time the US has seized a North Korean ship since the second summit between the two countries in late February.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted a statement from the North Korean Foreign Ministry, saying that the seizure was contrary to the spirit of the joint statement signed by Chairman Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump at their first summit in Singapore in June 2018. The US had taken an illegal action by seizing the North Korean cargo ship under the UN Security Council resolution on sanctions. According to the statement, the US should be aware of the consequences of this action and return the ship immediately.
Violent clashes in Sri Lanka, at least 1 person killed
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| Security forces stand guard outside a mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka on April 26, 2019. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On May 14, Sri Lankan police said that at least one person was killed in clashes that broke out in the country's northwestern region and Gampaha district on the outskirts of the capital Colombo.
Police said clashes broke out in the Kurunegala district of Sri Lanka’s northwestern province on the morning of May 13 when mobs vandalized mosques, shops and homes. Security has been tightened across the island and a curfew has been imposed in the northwestern province to prevent further violence. Police said they have so far arrested 13 people in connection with the clashes and are continuing to hunt for suspects.
UK PM will not sign permanent customs deal with EU
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British Prime Minister Theresa May. Photo: Sky News |
Thirteen former members of Prime Minister Theresa May's government, along with Chairman of the 1922 Committee Graham Brady, recently wrote to Prime Minister Theresa May asking her not to accept the Labour Party's request to keep Britain in a customs union with the European Union after leaving the bloc. These figures warned that such a move could cause Prime Minister Theresa May to lose the trust of the Conservative Party, cause internal division within the party and possibly not achieve the expected results.
According to BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg, with the current pressure, negotiations between the Government and the opposition Labour Party will become increasingly difficult. Because Theresa May will certainly not sign an agreement on a permanent customs union with the European Union, but will seek a temporary or step-by-step compromise. Last week, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that Prime Minister Theresa May had not made any significant proposals, nor had she moved her “red line”.
Thailand announces list of 250 approved senators
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On May 14, the Thai Royal Family published the Royal Gazette on the list of 250 senators approved by the King. Photo: The Nation |
On May 14, the Royal Thai Government published the Royal Gazette on the list of 250 senators approved by the King, including 66 military generals. The Royal Gazette was issued on May 11, but was not published until May 14. Among the 250 approved senators, many have served in the military government and the National Legislative Assembly.
According to the Thai Constitution, the Senate consists of 250 non-elected members appointed for a five-year term, with 50 members chosen from candidates from various social organizations, five from the armed forces, one from the national police chief, and 194 others chosen by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). The Senate’s first duty is to join the House of Representatives in voting to select the Prime Minister.
US Secretary of State Pompeo arrives in Sochi, beginning visit to Russia
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| US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Russia. Photo: Tass |
On May 14, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the resort city of Sochi, beginning a visit to Russia and is expected to hold a series of discussions with the host country's officials. Secretary Pompeo is expected to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and meet with President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on May 14. This is the highest-level official meeting between the US and Russia in the past 10 months, and is also Mr. Pompeo's first visit to Russia as US Secretary of State.
Sputnik news agency said that the agenda of US Secretary of State Pompeo's meetings with Russian officials will likely include arms control, the situation in Iran, Syria and other issues of mutual concern.
