World 24/7: North Korea accuses the US of “betrayal”; Sprinting to rescue Thai soccer team
(Baonghean.vn) - The world last week witnessed many outstanding international events, including the "stormy" visit to North Korea by the US Secretary of State, the efforts to race against the weather and time to rescue the soccer team trapped in a cave in Thailand, the US-China launching the "largest trade war in history",...
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| 1. US Secretary of State visits North Korea: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has completed a two-day visit to North Korea for denuclearization talks. Before flying to Japan, Pompeo said he had “very productive” discussions and spent “a lot of time” discussing a roadmap for North Korea’s denuclearization. “There are many complex issues, but we made progress on most of the core issues,” he said. Photo: Internet |
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| US officials will meet with North Korean officials around July 12 at the inter-Korean border to discuss the repatriation of the remains of US soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War. According to US media, Mr. Pompeo added that working-level talks will be held in the near future on dismantling North Korea's missile engine testing facility. Photo: Internet |
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| However, hours later, North Korea expressed regret over the attitude of US negotiators during the discussions, criticizing the US for seeking unilateral and forced denuclearization from Pyongyang. It rejected the US demand and reiterated Pyongyang's call for a "phased" and "synchronized" approach, asserting that it was the shortest way to realize a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. Photo: AFP |
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| 2. Thai youth soccer team rescue shows positive signs: On July 7, the commander of the rescue operation for the trapped soccer team, Mr. Norongsak Osoththnakorn revealed that rescue teams will try to bring 13 victims out of Tham Luang cave within the next few days before rains threaten to flood the cave system again. Photo: CNN |
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| According to Mr. Osottanakorn, currently and in the next 3 or 4 days, conditions such as weather, water level and the boys' health will reach the most ideal level to bring them out of Tham Luang cave. The rescue team command is holding an urgent meeting to make a clear decision. Photo: CNN |
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| Thai rescuers are trying to rescue the young soccer team trapped in Tham Luang cave for the past 2 weeks. Photo: Getty |
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| 3. US-China trade war: The world's two leading economies officially entered the "largest trade war in history" on July 6 when they imposed new tariffs on tens of billions of dollars worth of imported goods from each side. Illustration: FT |
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| The Trump administration has decided to impose a new 25% tax on $34 billion worth of imported goods from China, including cars, computer hard drives, aircraft components, etc. Photo: Internet |
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| Shortly afterwards, China announced that its countermeasures against US goods would take effect immediately. Calling it the "largest trade war in economic history," Beijing insisted it had not declared war on Washington but was forced to take similar action. Photo: AFP/Getty |
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| So far, there has been no sign that the US and China have found common ground and fears of a real trade war between the world's two largest economies are looming. Photo: Twitter |
| 4. Mexico has a new leader from the left: After 3 elections, Mr. López Obrador, representing the left-wing coalition "Together, we make history" founded in 2014, was elected President of Mexico with 52.9% of the vote, far surpassing the remaining opponents. Photo: Getty |
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| Obrador's overwhelming victory was thanks to his "Mexican people first" stance, pledging to reduce Mexico's economic dependence on major powers, carry out a smooth and orderly transition, step up the fight against corruption and increase investment in social security, maintain security order and rebuild the country. Photo: Getty |
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| The presidential term of the leftist politician and former Mayor of Mexico City will begin on December 1 and last until 2024. Photo: AFP/Getty |
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| 5. Japan: Heavy rains kill dozens: Many areas in southwestern Japan have experienced heavy rains causing widespread flooding and the risk of flash floods and landslides in the past few days, killing dozens of people and forcing more than 2 million people to leave their homes. Photo: dpa |
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| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called the current situation “extremely dangerous” and ordered the government to “make all-out efforts” to rescue victims and evacuate trapped residents. Photo: AP |
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| Japan has mobilized 48,000 soldiers, police and firefighters to carry out rescue efforts. Many key infrastructures, such as railway lines, have been severely damaged. The Meteorological Agency has issued the highest level of warning for western Japan. Photo: dpa |
