The world last week - notable events

(Baonghean.vn) - The US ends its pivot to Asia policy; British Prime Minister rejects the proposal for a second independence referendum for Scotland; Dutch parliamentary election: Prime Minister Rutte's party wins the most seats;... are notable international news of the past week.

1- The US ends its pivot to Asia policy

US Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton. Photo: Chinadailyasia.

Speaking at a press conference on March 14 in Washington, Ms. Susan Thornton affirmed that the Donald Trump administration is still in the process of building its own policy towards the Asia-Pacific region and emphasized that certain changes will be made.

Susan Thornton's statement came as Rex Tillerson is making his first visit to Asia as US Secretary of State, with stops expected to be in Japan, South Korea and China.

2. British Prime Minister rejects proposal for second independence referendum for Scotland

British Prime Minister Theresa May. Photo: AFP.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on March 16 rejected Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's proposal for a second independence referendum, saying "now is not the time for that."

This move comes as the British Government is having to focus all resources on negotiations on the issue of taking the UK out of the European Union (EU).

Prime Minister May stressed that she did not completely rule out a future Scottish independence referendum, but she objected to the timing of the referendum proposed by First Minister Sturgeon.

3. Dutch parliamentary election: Prime Minister Rutte's party wins most seats

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) appears before supporters in The Hague, Netherlands, March 15, 2017. Photo: Reuters.

According to the ANP news agency in the Netherlands, with 55% of the votes counted, Mr. Rutte's VVD party won 32 out of 150 seats in the National Assembly, 13 more than Mr. Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV) which won only 19 seats, equal to the number of seats of the Christian Democratic Appeal party and the Democratic Party 66.

“The VVD looks set to be the largest party in the Netherlands for the third time in a row,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a post-election party in The Hague. Mr Rutte has received congratulatory messages from European leaders and has spoken to some of them by phone.

4. Computer containing sensitive information of US Secret Service was stolen.

US Secret Service guards outside Trump Tower in New York. Photo: Reuters.

On March 17, the Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the US President, confirmed that a laptop was stolen from the home of Secret Service agent Marie Argentieri in Brooklyn, New York. The computer was taken from Marie Argentieri's car.

However, the US Secret Service confirmed that there was no classified information in the laptop and said that the computer was protected by many security measures so it was not easy to get the information inside.

5. Meeting between Mr. Trump and Mrs. Merkel

US President Trump and Chancellor Merkel meet in the Oval Office.

On March 17, the German Chancellor and the US President met at the White House. This was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Mr. Trump's surprise victory in the US presidential election in November. Before the election, Mr. Trump said Ms. Merkel's decision to accept refugees was a "catastrophic mistake" and he accused her of "destroying Germany."

Mr Trump has also suggested that NATO countries pay more for their own defence. But in the Oval Office meeting, political analysts believe Mr Trump may have sought advice from Ms Merkel on how best to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ms Merkel has faced down the controversial Russian leader, while Mr Trump has praised Mr Putin - much to the consternation of both Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the US.

6. Heavy rain causes terrible floods and landslides in Peru

People struggle with floodwaters. It is estimated that more than 115,000 houses and 100 bridges have been destroyed.

At least 67 people have died and thousands have been forced to flee their homes after three days of heavy rains caused severe flooding and landslides in Peru, one of the worst natural disasters to hit the country since 1998.

Peace

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