US-North Korea summit to take place in Vietnam; EU will not review Brexit deal
(Baonghean.vn) - Suspending the INF, Russia aims to develop missiles in the next two years; the EU will not reconsider the Brexit agreement; Trump announced that Vietnam will be the venue for the second US-North Korea summit; Thailand temporarily closed 600 factories to reduce air pollution... are the world's outstanding news in the past 24 hours.
Trump announces Vietnam as host of second US-North Korea summit
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President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore last year. Photo:Reuters |
US President Donald Trump, when reading the State of the Union Address before Congress today, announced the time and location of the second summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according toAP"If I had not been elected President of the United States, I believe we would right now be in a major war with North Korea with millions of people possibly killed. Much work remains to be done, but my relationship with Kim Jong-un is a very good one. Chairman Kim and I will meet again on February 27-28 in Vietnam," Trump declared.
CNNCiting a source familiar with the planning process for the summit, the source said the city to host the event is still under discussion, but it is likely to be Da Nang or Hanoi.
Suspending INF, Russia aims to develop missiles in the next two years
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| Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu - Photo: TASS |
The Russian Defense Minister has outlined a two-year roadmap for Russia to develop ground-based missiles that are banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with the United States, which both sides have just announced its cancellation. Specifically, in 2019-2020, Russia needs to complete the development of the ground-based Kalibr system equipped with long-range cruise missiles, a version of the sea-based Kalibr system that has proven effective in Syria. In addition, Russia will also develop a ground-based missile launch system with long-range hypersonic missiles.
The Tass news agency quoted Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying that efforts to develop the missiles would begin immediately. The systems should be ready for use by 2021. The Russian defense ministry said developing ground versions of sea-based and air-based missiles would save time and money on creating new missiles.
EU will not review Brexit deal
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| President of the European Council Donald Tusk. Photo: THX/ VNA |
European Council (EC) President Donald Tusk on February 6 expressed hope that British Prime Minister Theresa May will come to Brussels on February 7 with "realistic proposals" to break the deadlock on Britain's exit from the European Union (EU), also known as Brexit, when the EU will not review the Brexit deal. Speaking at a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar after discussions in Brussels, Mr. Tusk reaffirmed the EU's stance that the "backstop" clause on the Irish border in the "divorce" agreement is unchangeable. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Varadkar said that the Brexit deal rejected by the British Parliament is the "most feasible" agreement. Mr. Varadkar said that recent political instability is another proof that a "backstop" clause is needed.
On the same day, speaking before a committee in Parliament, British Business Secretary Greg Clark affirmed that delaying Brexit would only increase, not resolve, the instability that is harming the economy.
Venezuela confiscates weapons shipment from the US
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Weapons confiscated at Valencia airport, Venezuela. Photo:RT. |
Venezuelan authorities announced that they had just confiscated a shipment of weapons originating from the US, including 19 rifles, 118 magazines, large-caliber bullets, 90 walkie-talkies and 6 mobile phones. This shipment was likely sent from Miami, Florida, USA since February 3, according toRT.The weapons were discovered at Arturo Michelena International Airport in the northern city of Valencia. Authorities are investigating the owner of the shipment.
Although the US has never ruled out military intervention in Venezuela to support self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido, Washington has always called for a peaceful transition of power in the Latin American country.
Thailand temporarily closes 600 factories to reduce air pollution
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Air pollution in Bangkok. Photo: CGTN |
Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said that the government is implementing many measures to reduce the current alarming air pollution. Of which, about 100,000 factories across the country have been inspected and a total of 1,700 factories have exceeded the permitted environmental standards. 600 factories must temporarily close until they can fix the amount of polluting emissions. This is one of the measures of the Thai government to reduce the serious air pollution in recent times.
Prayut also called on the public to support the government's measures to reduce air pollution. The current Thai government has implemented short, medium and long-term measures to reduce air pollution. According to Prayut, fine dust particles in the air are mainly caused by traffic emissions, so some types of vehicles that do not meet the standards will have to stop circulating.
The US will be "tough" with China in trade negotiations
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Illustration photo. |
In his State of the Union address, US President Donald Trump affirmed that a trade deal between the US and China would have to address not only the “chronic trade deficit” between the two countries but also create changes in China’s policies to protect American workers and businesses. “I have great respect for President Xi Jinping and we are working to reach a trade deal with China. However, this deal must include real, structural change to end unfair trade practices, reduce our trade deficit and protect American jobs.”
Mr. Trump also pointed to previous US governments as having caused many problems between the two largest economies in the world, while affirming that his tariff strategy is effective.
