North Korea disappointed with US; Thousands of Syrians return home
(Baonghean.vn) - The world in the past 24 hours has been filled with many outstanding news such as: North Korea announced its disappointment with the US's negotiating attitude; Syria: Thousands of people were able to return home after a ceasefire agreement; The British government reached a consensus on the plan to leave the EU; 41 people died and 15 people went missing in a shipwreck in Thailand...
North Korea says it is disappointed with the US's negotiating attitude
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| US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang on July 7. Photo: Reuters |
On the evening of July 7, North Korea suddenly spoke out about the results of the dialogues during US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's two-day visit to Pyongyang.
The state news agency KCNA quoted a spokesman for the country's Foreign Ministry criticizing the US for demanding that North Korea unilaterally denuclearize.
The spokesman said North Korea expected the US to bring constructive solutions to build trust, in line with the spirit of the US-North Korea summit on June 12 in Singapore. However, the US side has made “unilateral” and “robbery-like” demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible nuclear disarmament.
The person said the dialogue with Secretary of State Pompeo was “really disappointing,” stressing that Pyongyang wanted a “phased” and “synchronized” approach.
Syria: Thousands return home after ceasefire agreement
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| Syrian people. Source: AFP/VNA |
On July 7, the Middle East media quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) as saying that thousands of Syrians who had previously fled their homes are returning home after rebel forces and the Syrian government reached a ceasefire agreement in the south of the country.
The move comes after two weeks of heavy bombardment of the area by government and allied forces.
So far, more than 20,000 people have set out to return home, heading to areas where ceasefire agreements have been reached.
British government reaches consensus on plan to leave EU
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British Prime Minister Theresa May. Photo: Daily Express |
British Prime Minister Theresa May announced on the evening of July 6 that the Government had reached a consensus on her plan to leave the European Union (Brexit). According to Reuters, after an hours-long meeting at the British Prime Minister's residence, Theresa May appeared to have convinced the leading Brexit campaigners in the Cabinet to support her plan to establish a "free trade area for goods" with the EU and maintain close trade relations with the EU.
This is considered an initial victory for the anti-Brexit faction in the British Government, because with the agreement just reached, the UK will still be closely linked to Europe after Brexit. However, this is only the initial victory of the British Prime Minister. For the plan to become a reality, the British Prime Minister still needs support in Parliament and especially approval from the EU, because this is still only a unilateral proposal of the UK.
Russia ready to strengthen strategic communication with China
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| Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Source: TASS |
Sputnik reported that the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on July 7 that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed Moscow's readiness to strengthen strategic communication and coordination with Beijing.
The statement was made during a meeting between Mr. Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Vienna (Austria) within the framework of a joint meeting to discuss the future of the Iran Nuclear Deal.
41 dead and 15 missing in boat sinking in Thailand
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Tourists were rescued after a boat sank on the evening of July 5 off the coast of Phuket Island. (Photo: CNN). |
On the morning of July 7, Thai rescue forces resumed the search for missing people after the Phoenix boat carrying 105 people, mostly Chinese tourists, sank due to high waves on July 5.
Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong said on July 7 that eight bodies had been found earlier in the day, bringing the total number of victims killed in the accident to 41 and the number of people still missing to 15. Plodthong expressed hope that the remaining missing people would be found today and the ship would be salvaged after all the bodies were found.
So far, 49 people have been rescued, of which 37 are still being treated in hospital.
Iran executes 8 IS militants for terrorist attack in Tehran
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Iranian Revolutionary Guards block a Tehran street after an attack last July. Photo:AFP |
Iran's Mizan news agency confirmed today that the country has executed eight militants from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) group who carried out a terrorist attack in Tehran in July 2017, according toFox News.
However, Iranian media did not specify when the execution took place. Death row inmates in Iran are usually executed by hanging.
These men carried out an attack on the parliament building and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the capital Tehran on July 17, 2017, killing at least 18 people and injuring more than 50. More than 10 other defendants are still on trial in Iranian courts for their participation in the attack.
Gas leak forces Sydney city centre to close
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| Traffic ban in Sydney's central area. Source: abc.net.au |
A major gas leak occurred in the centre of Sydney, Australia on the evening of July 6, forcing local authorities to close the area to vehicles and pedestrians for two days over the weekend, while emergency services were "racing against time" to repair the damaged gas pipeline.
About 50 firefighters were deployed to the scene in the Martin Square area to carry out rescue operations.
Residents in many large areas have been evacuated and roads in and out of the downtown area have been temporarily closed.
Third Philippine official shot dead in a week
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Mr. Alexander Lubigan. Photo:CNN. |
Alexander Lubigan, vice mayor of Trece Martires city south of Manila, was shot dead by gunmen in an SUV while driving on the road on July 7.ReutersAccording to Philippine police.
Police are investigating the assassination but do not yet know the gunmen’s identity or motive, said Edward Carranza, the regional police chief. Lubigan’s driver and bodyguard, who were in the car, were also shot dead.
The incident comes less than a week after two Philippine mayors were assassinated in two days, including one accused by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte of being involved in the illegal drug trade.
