France and Italy in heated argument; UK pushes for sanctions on Russia

Trump-Kim's chances of winning the Nobel Peace Prize remain remote

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their summit at the Capella Hotel, Singapore, on June 12. Photo:AP

During the June 12 summit at the Capella Hotel in Singapore, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed an agreement reaffirming Pyongyang's commitment to "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

Some critics and politicians have suggested the two leaders receive the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts. But experts say the prestigious award remains elusive for Trump and Kim, at least for now. They say time and character are factors that prevent the two leaders from receiving the award, according toAFP.

Trump shocked international diplomacy by withdrawing the US from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, while Kim Jong-un has been accused of human rights abuses. Moreover, the effectiveness of the nuclear disarmament process is also an issue. It is a risky, complicated, and time-consuming process.

British Prime Minister announces push for increased sanctions against Russia

British Prime Minister Theresa May. Source: AFP/VNA

According to Reuters, on June 13, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that she will push for increased sanctions against Russia at a summit of European Union (EU) leaders scheduled to take place later this month.

Speaking in parliament, Mrs May said: "I will press to ensure that we maintain sanctions against Russia. Indeed, I think there are a number of areas where we need to strengthen the sanctions regime."

Earlier this year, relations between London and Moscow hit a post-Cold War low following the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the British city of Salisbury, which London blamed on Moscow.

Syria deploys Pantsir-S1 missiles close to Israeli border

A Syrian Pantsir-S1 complex. Photo:Alamasdar News.

The Syrian army is strengthening its air defense capabilities in the border area near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. "Air defense systems will continue to be deployed to this area in the coming days. The deployment of the Russian-made Pantsir-S1 system is aimed at improving air defense capabilities to counter Israel,"ReutersJune 12 quoted a commander of the regional coalition forces supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The information comes as the Syrian army is trying to expand its fight against rebels to the southwestern region bordering Israel and Jordan, where Russia and the US agreed to establish de-escalation zones in 2017.

France and Italy clash over abandoning migrant ship

Migrants rescued by the Aquarius ship. Photo: SOS MEDITERRANEE

France and Italy have traded sharp criticism over the new Italian government's refusal to accept more than 600 refugees adrift in the Mediterranean Sea.

French President Emmanuel Macron has accused the Italian government of being "cruel and irresponsible" for refusing to allow the Aquarius ship carrying 629 migrants rescued off the coast of Libya to dock.

In response, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said France's stance was hypocritical. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio was more sarcastic: "I am glad that France knows what is called responsibility. If they want, go and help those people. Let them open the ports and we will transfer migrants from Italy to France."

Norway wants to double the number of US troops stationed to counter Russia

US Marines arrive in Norway for training in Stjordal in January 2017. Photo: Reuters

RT reported that the Norwegian government announced that it will ask the US to double the number of Marines currently stationed in the country.

Accordingly, Oslo wants Washington to deploy a total of 700 soldiers of this force to Norway in 2019, compared to the current 330 soldiers. The new soldiers will be stationed in the Inner Troms region near Russian territory. The rotation will also last up to 5 years instead of 6 months.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said the proposal had strong support in parliament, while making it clear that this was not about the US establishing a permanent base in Norway.

Saudi Arabia-led military forces in Yemen launched an attack on Hudaydah port on June 13, a vital port in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya news agency reported that the operation to liberate Hudaydah began with a large-scale attack both in the air and at sea. Several loud explosions were heard on the outskirts of Hudaydah port.

The attack came after the Houthi rebels ignored a deadline set by Yemen's exiled government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, to withdraw from the port by midnight on June 12 (local time), or 4 a.m. on June 13 (Vietnam time).

Macedonia to change name to Republic of North Macedonia

Macedonian Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (left) shakes hands with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at a summit in Sofia, Bulgaria. Photo: Reuters

According to Reuters news agency, on June 12, Macedonia and Greece reached a historic agreement to resolve the conflict over the same name, which has been a persistent conflict between the two countries for decades.

Under the agreement, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said his country will officially be called the Republic of Northern Macedonia. Currently, at the UN, Macedonia's temporary official name is "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".

Mr. Zaev believes that the new agreement just reached between Macedonia and Greece will pave the way for this small Balkan country to eventually have the opportunity to become a member of the European Union (EU) and a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Japanese students. Illustration photo. Source: csmonitor.com

On June 13, the Japanese National Assembly enacted a law to amend the Civil Code, thereby lowering the age of adulthood from 20 to 18 years old.

Under the revised Civil Code, which will take effect in April 2022, people aged 18 and over will be allowed to marry without parental consent. Current law stipulates that people under 20 can only marry with parental consent, with the minimum age being 18 for men and 16 for women.

The revised Civil Code requires women to have a minimum age of 18 for marriage, instead of the current 16-year-old age for marriage with parental consent. However, those under 20 will still be banned from drinking alcohol, smoking, and gambling.

Huu Quan