While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 21
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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking to Russian journalists before leaving Vietnam, on June 20.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Putin ‘does not rule out’ sending weapons to North Korea
Vladimir Putin said on June 20 he does not rule out Russia sending arms to isolated North Korea in what Washington called an “incredibly concerning” statement that threatens instability on the divided Korean peninsula.
On a trip to Vietnam, following a state visit to Pyongyang where Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defence pact, President Putin also warned South Korea not to arm Ukraine.
The Russian president said prospects of Moscow providing weapons to North Korea are repercussions for the West arming Kyiv, which is battling against a Russian invasion now in its third year.
South Korea on June 20 called Russia’s treaty with the North a “grave concern”, with a senior official saying Seoul would “reconsider” its policy of not sending arms directly to Ukraine.
US to focus on deepening ties with Vietnam
AFP
The US responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Vietnam on June 20 by saying Washington would stay focused on deepening ties with Hanoi, with which it has sought strong relations to counter rivalry with China.
A day after signing a mutual defence agreement with North Korea, Mr Putin received a 21-gun salute at a military ceremony in Vietnam and said in Hanoi he wanted to build a “reliable security architecture” in the region.
Hours later, Washington announced that its top diplomat for East Asia, Mr Daniel Kritenbrink, would visit Vietnam on June 21 and 22 to stress Washington’s commitment to working with Hanoi to ensure a “free and open” Indo-Pacific region.
Outgoing Dutch PM Mark Rutte seals Nato top job
AFP
Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on June 20 clinched the race to become the next head of Nato at a pivotal time for the alliance, after sole challenger Romanian President Klaus Iohannis pulled out.
The veteran politician, 57, is expected to be formally named by Nato’s 32 nations in the coming days and should take over when current chief Jens Stoltenberg’s term ends on Oct 1.
Mr Rutte will come in at a perilous moment for the Western allies as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drags on and Donald Trump battles to reclaim the presidency in the United States come November.
Dominant Spain outclass Italy to book last-16 spot
REUTERS
Spain outclassed defending champions Italy and booked a place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 win on Thursday that was settled by Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal but could have ended in a much bigger victory for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
La Roja, seeking revenge for their elimination from Euro 2020 by the Italians, put the Azzurri on the back foot from the kickoff, driving forward at every opportunity through irrepressible young wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Pedri’s second-minute header from a Williams cross was tipped over by Gianluigi Donnarumma and eight minutes later Williams flashed a header wide, setting the tone for the match as Spain pinned Italy in their half.
Actor Donald Sutherland dies aged 88
Donald Sutherland, one of Canada’s most versatile and gifted actors, who charmed and enthralled audiences in films such as M*A*S*H, Klute, Ordinary People and the Hunger Games films, has died at the age of 88.
The Canadian actor, whose lengthy career spanned from the 1960s into the 2020s, died on June 20, his son, actor Kiefer Sutherland, said on social media.
The tall actor with a deep voice, piercing blue eyes and mischievous smile managed to switch effortlessly from character roles to romantic leads, opposite the likes of Jane Fonda and Julie Christie. He also played his share of oddballs and villains during a career that began in the 1960s.
