World last 7 days - featured news

(Baonghean.vn) - Many disasters occurred in some countries; Russia launched an intercontinental missile from a submarine; War developments in Marawi, Philippines; Indian Prime Minister visited the US;... are the outstanding international news of the past week.

1. Many disasters occurred in some countries

- Cruise ship sinks in Colombia

Scene of the tourist boat sinking on Lake El Penol on June 25. AFP/ VNA

The Colombian Air Force said on June 25 that a boat carrying about 150 tourists sank in El Penol Lake in the tourist town of Guatape, northwest of the country, leaving 9 people dead and 28 missing.

The cruise ship involved in the accident was a four-deck vessel called the Almirante. Videos posted on social media showed passengers running to the top deck as the ship sank, while dozens of nearby boats rushed to the rescue.

- Pakistan: Oil tanker catches fire, 148 people killed

Fire scene. Photo: Geo TV.

At least 148 people were killed when an oil tanker suddenly overturned and caught fire in the city of Bahawalpur, Pakistan on June 25.

According to BBC, the oil truck overturned due to speeding. Many people at the scene tried to catch the oil spilling from the vehicle before it burst into flames.

About 40 injured people were taken to Bahawal Victoria Hospital in critical condition. They all suffered burns to at least 70% of their bodies.

75 motorbikes and 4 cars near the scene were also engulfed in flames, killing many drivers on the spot. According to AP, 148 people were killed, 100 were injured and their identities were difficult to determine because the bodies were completely burned.

- Horrific landslide in Sichuan (China)

Rescue work is underway at the scene of the landslide. Photo: Reuters.

The landslide occurred at around 6am on June 24 in a mountainous area in Mao County, Sichuan Province, China near the Min River, known for its ancient stone fortresses, dense forests, streams and valleys. The number of people buried and missing in this horrific landslide reached 141.

2. Russia launches intercontinental missile from submarine

Russia has successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine. Photo: SPUTNIK NEWS

Russia has successfully launched an R-30 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Yuri Dolgoruky nuclear submarine, Sputnik News reported, citing information from the Russian Defense Ministry.

The test took place on June 26 in the Barents Sea, a part of the Arctic Ocean north of Norway and Russia. The missile warheads reached their targets at the Kura test site on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s far west. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the test was conducted underwater, in accordance with combat training plans.

3. Upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Putin

US President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet face to face for the first time.

According to Reuters news agency, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet on the sidelines of the G20 world economic summit in Germany next week.

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state. White House National Security Adviser Herbert McMaster also added that the agenda for the meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin has not yet been drafted.

The meeting took place amid accusations of Russian interference in last year's US presidential election and collusion with Trump's campaign team, allegations that have put Trump under a lot of pressure in his first five months in office.

4. War developments in Marawi, Philippines

Philippine government troops launch an attack in Marawi city (Photo: Reuters)

On June 26, the rebel leadership in the Marawi battlefield "collapsed".

On June 28, the mutilated bodies of 17 civilians were found in Marawi. After more than a month of fighting, 44 civilians, 71 soldiers and police, and 299 rebels have been killed.

On June 29, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he would have to liberate Marawi city from pro-IS rebels in the near future.

5. Korean Peninsula continues to heat up

In recent days, tensions on the Korean peninsula have continued to escalate.

North Korea said on June 25 that its nuclear weapons programs are not a subject for negotiation with South Korea and will continue to develop its defense capabilities.

On June 27, US President Donald Trump spoke out clearly stating that North Korea has continuously caused trouble and that these are issues that need to be resolved immediately.

6. US sanctions Chinese banks

Chinese banks will not have access to the US financial system.

On June 29, the US unexpectedly imposed sanctions on a Chinese bank after accusing the bank of laundering money for North Korean organizations.

According to AFP, the US Treasury Department announced that it would cut off all transactions of the Bank of Dandong with the US financial system. The reason given was "involvement in North Korea's illicit financial activities".

"The Bank of Dandong was identified as a foreign bank involved in money laundering, facilitating transactions for millions of dollars from North Korean companies involved in weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs," the statement said.

7. Indian Prime Minister visits the US

The meeting between Prime Minister N. Modi and President D. Trump is an important foundation for US-India bilateral relations.

On June 26, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States and had an official meeting with President Donald Trump. This was Mr. N. Modi's fifth visit to the United States as Indian Prime Minister, but his first meeting with the new "boss" of the White House.

Mr. N. Modi's visit takes place in the context of the bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries being quite tense. Since his election, Mr. D. Trump has continuously sent out mixed signals about America's priorities, confusing India, typically on the issue of terrorism in Pakistan. In addition, India is a strong supporter of the Paris Agreement on climate change, while the US administration has just withdrawn from this agreement.

Peace

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