The world last week - featured news

(Baonghean.vn) - German Chancellor meets Russian President; Trump's first 100 days in office; Protests across Europe on International Labor Day; British Parliament officially dissolved before general election;... are notable international news of the past week.

1. German Chancellor meets Russian President

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters

This is German Chancellor Angela Merkel's first visit to Russia since 2015, according to AFP.

Ms Merkel's visit to Russia comes after Mr Putin called for the two countries to "fully normalise" relations. The Russian president made the offer after meeting German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in March.

In 2015, Merkel met Putin in Moscow, but like most Western leaders, she was in Russia to attend a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The meeting discussed the G20 summit in Germany in July, as well as Ukraine and Syria.

2. Trump's first 100 days in office

On April 29, Mr. Trump completed 100 days in office as President of the United States. In recent days, the American media has reported extensively on President Trump. Mr. Trump is the 45th President of the United States, coming from the business world with the famous campaign slogan "Make America Great Again".

US President Donald Trump said he was satisfied with what he had accomplished in his first 100 days as White House owner, although he admitted that this was a much more difficult job than he had ever imagined.

Speaking to the press on April 28, President Trump said: "I have to tell you, I don't think anyone can do what we (the new administration in the US) have done in the last 100 days, and so we are very pleased."

3. Protests across Europe on International Workers' Day

Violent scenes have taken place in France, Türkiye, Germany and Spain. (Source: Getty)

Several marches or protests leading to violence occurred in many places in Europe on International Workers' Day 1-5. A protest leading to violence occurred in the capital Paris (France) in the context of only about a week to the second round of the presidential election. The protesters inciting violence are said to come from extremist groups that have participated in many previous anti-government protests.

Meanwhile in Türkiye, police in Istanbul arrested 165 people during May Day celebrations in the city. Most of those arrested were planning to march in Taksim Square, despite a ban by the authorities.

In Poland, several labor unions and left-wing activists have organized solidarity marches to protest the current conservative government. In Spain, two major unions, CC.OO and UGT, have called for marches in 70 cities, calling on the government to raise wages and halt labor reforms that have made it easier to fire workers.

4. British Parliament officially dissolved ahead of general election

On May 3, the British Parliament was officially dissolved to pave the way for the general election scheduled to take place on June 8. According to the law, Parliament must be dissolved at least 25 days before the election begins. All activities of this body will be suspended until the election is completed.

On the day of the dissolution of Parliament, British Prime Minister Theresa May will go to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II to formally approve this. Previously, on April 18, Mrs. May unexpectedly called for an early election to form a strong government to participate in the negotiations to leave the European Union.

5. Russian President Putin continues to fire a series of generals

On May 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin suddenly signed a decree dismissing a series of generals working at the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Russian Federal Investigative Committee and the Russian Federal Penal Service (FSIN).

According to President Putin's decree published on Russia's official legal website, Lieutenant General Vladimir Artamonov was dismissed from his post as Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations and Major General Sergei Vorontsov was removed from his position as Deputy Director of the Emergency Situations Management Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. In addition, President Putin also dismissed a number of leaders of the regional departments of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation and the FSIN.

6. North Korea resumes activities at Punggye-ri nuclear test site

Photo of North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site on April 12. Photo: AFP

On May 3, according to AFP, US satellite images recorded at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site showed that North Korea is likely preparing for an upcoming nuclear test. Many workers are said to be pumping water out of the tunnel where the nuclear test is expected to take place.

In response to Pyongyang's moves, the US is calling on the United Nations Security Council to increase pressure on North Korea. US diplomats said they have discussed with China the possibility of imposing additional sanctions.

7. The US and South Korea are at odds over the cost of deploying the THAAD system.

The first THAAD devices have been delivered to South Korea.

US President Donald Trump wants South Korea to pay for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system deployed in the country while the South Korean Defense Ministry announced that it will not change its stance on this issue.

President D. Trump said he had informed the Seoul government that it was "reasonable" for the country to pay for the $1 billion defense system. The head of the White House questioned why the US should bear the cost of a defense system located in South Korea to protect the Asian country from the threat of attack from North Korea.

Responding to Mr. D. Trump's statement, the South Korean Ministry of Defense cited the commitments in the US-South Korea Stationing Agreement (SOFA), according to which the South Korean Government provides locations and support facilities, while the US bears the costs of deploying, operating and maintaining THAAD.

8. South Korean voters begin to vote for President

South Korean voters cast their ballots for the President at a polling station in Seoul. Photo: Reuters

On May 4, more than 3,500 polling stations across South Korea began opening to serve voters in the country to cast early votes in the presidential election.

According to the National Election Commission (NEC), the early voting took place over two days and ended at 6 p.m. on May 5. This was the first time such a vote had been conducted since the format was adopted in 2014 and all voters were entitled to early voting.

Up to now, according to the latest opinion poll results announced by Realmeter on May 3, Mr. Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party continues to lead his opponents and is the leading candidate in the race to the Blue House.

Meanwhile, on the same day, May 4, People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo announced that if he wins, he will accept his two opponents, Yoo Seong-min of the Bareun Party and Sim Sang-jeung of the Justice Party, to join the "coalition reform government" in the future.

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