US-China 'fiercely debated'; Medvedev declared that Ukraine could restore relations with Russia
(Baonghean.vn) - The US and China had a heated exchange at the Shangri-la Dialogue; Prime Minister Medvedev announced that Ukraine could restore relations with Russia; Venezuelan opposition leader continued to call for large protests to overthrow Maduro... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
US-China "fiercely argued" at Shangri-La Dialogue
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Acting US Secretary of Defense Shanahan (left) and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe in Singapore on June 1. Photo: Reuters |
The "chatty" press conference was held on the afternoon of June 1, right after the speech of Acting US Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan at the Shangri-La Security Forum taking place in Singapore. Lieutenant General Thieu Nguyen Minh - Deputy Chief of Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Staff Department, emphasized that the statements of the US delegation, and Mr. Shanahan in particular, threatened peace and stability in the region. China also reacted strongly to the US Navy's freedom of navigation operations in the region. US warships often approach artificial entities illegally occupied by China, an action that Beijing calls "provocative".
Less than an hour after the Chinese delegation's press conference, three US congressmen Angus King, Tammy Duckworth and Marsha Blackburn of the US House Armed Services Committee also held a press conference in Washington, emphasizing the US's commitment to maintaining regional stability. Congressman Duckworth stressed that Beijing should abide by international law and that the US would "stand up to those who are lying".
Kim Jong-un visits intercontinental ballistic missile factory
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Kim Jong-un inspects a precision machinery factory. Photo:KCNA |
North Korea's state news agency KCNA released images of leader Kim Jong-un inspecting a series of machinery factories on June 1, but did not say when the trip took place. Experts say these are all facilities that are part of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. "This is the heart of North Korea's defense industry. Similar inspections took place in 2016 and 2017 when Pyongyang was preparing to test an ICBM," said Jeffrey Lewis, an expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in the US.
The information was released in the context of the deadlock in denuclearization negotiations between the US and North Korea. Experts said this move shows that Kim Jong-un is considering resuming nuclear and long-range missile tests and returning to a drastic strategy to increase pressure and force US President Donald Trump to make concessions during negotiations.
Prime Minister Medvedev says Ukraine can restore relations with Russia
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| Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
According to Sputniknews, on June 1, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev stated that Ukraine could restore relations with Russia if it wanted to do so, but stressed that Kiev had not taken any concrete steps so far. In an interview with Rossiya 1 TV channel, Mr. Medvedev stated: "Everything is in the hands of the new President (Zelenskiy), as well as the new Ukrainian government. If they want to take some steps, they will do it... We are not the ones who put an end to everything, but the Ukrainian authorities. If they want to restore relations, they are fully capable of doing so."
Prime Minister Medvedev stressed that Kiev can use any channel to maintain contact with Moscow. "Based on general practice, each side always needs to maintain several communication channels, and Kiev's cutting off any of them would be short-sighted," he stressed.
12 people died in a horrific shooting in the US
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Police stand guard at the scene of a shooting in Virginia Beach on May 31. Photo:AFP |
Speaking at a press conference, Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera said at least 12 people were killed and 6 others were injured in a shooting in the city center. The shooter also died, but it is not clear whether he was shot by police or committed suicide.
Police Chief James Cervera said the shooting began at 4 p.m. local time on May 31 at Building 2 in the Government Building area. The shooter was a long-time employee of the city government who showed signs of “discontent.”
Venezuelan opposition leader continues to call for mass protests to overthrow Maduro
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Venezuela's self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido speaks at a forum in the capital Caracas on February 15. Photo:AFP |
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on May 31 called for a mass rally against President Nicolas Maduro's government, citing fuel shortages and prolonged power outages in the country. "It is clear that the real solution is for Maduro to immediately leave power and let us live in peace," Guaido told a group of supporters in the small town of Sabaneta, the hometown of the late President Hugo Chavez.
Guaido's call came after talks aimed at resolving the long-running conflict between the Venezuelan government and opposition in the Norwegian capital Oslo earlier this week failed to produce results.
Mexico tightens immigration controls after Trump threatens tariffs
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Mexican police arrest illegal migrants from Central America. Photo:AP |
"To avoid a large influx of migrants from Central America to the United States, I think we need to improve the existing mechanisms and better enforce the existing regulations," Mexico's deputy foreign minister for North American affairs Jesus Seade said on May 31, a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the country over immigration. Seade declined to provide further details on what Mexico could do to control the flow of migrants, citing the sensitive nature of upcoming talks in Washington.
The statement was made by Mr. Seade ahead of a meeting scheduled to take place on June 5 in Washington between the US and Mexico to find a solution to the disagreements related to President Trump's announcement of imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico.
