10 outstanding international events last week

(Baonghean.vn) -US President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office;Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the UK has chosen a "hard Brexit" scenario;Cuba and the US signed many important agreements;... are notable events in the world last week.

1. US President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office

Donald Trump takes the oath of office as President of the United States, guided by Justice Clarence Thomas. Beside him are Melania (who holds two Bibles while her husband performs the sacred ceremony) and their son Barron. Photo: Reuters

On January 20, the United States officially welcomed the 45th President Donald Trump. This is an event that attracts the attention of not only the people of the United States but also public opinion around the world. With a different mindset, there are opinions that during President D. Trump's term, the United States is expected to witness many turning points, which can cause impacts on a global scale.

Significant changes are expected to come from domestic policy, which was listed in the newly revealed list of tasks to be done in the new president's first 200 days.

Accordingly, the Trump administration will create new trade agreements that put the interests of American companies and workers first. Washington plans to renegotiate or withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), end unfair imports, implement fairness in trade activities and pursue bilateral trade agreements...

Like the inauguration ceremonies of previous presidents, this is the time when the people of the United States have the highest expectations for the new “boss” of the White House. The 4-year journey of “making America great again” of President D. Trump officially begins.

2. Obama holds final press conference before leaving the White House

President Obama expressed optimism and reassured Americans about the future. Photo: CNN.

On January 18, at his final press conference as president, Barack Obama reassured the people about the country's prospects during Donald Trump's term.

Before the day of transferring power to his successor, President Obama said, “I gave Mr. Trump the best advice I could.” “I told the president-elect that this is a huge job that he cannot do alone, he must rely heavily on his team.”

“It’s a very volatile environment. The lessons of the past are that some unilateral steps that touch on core issues and sensitivities on both sides can cause a conversation to explode,” Obama said. But he acknowledged that Trump may not be receptive to his advice, so he said he would still speak out on specific issues if necessary.

Speaking about his plans after leaving the White House, Mr. Obama said: “I want to write and do something quietly. I will spend precious time with my daughters.” When asked about how his daughters Sasha and Malia received Trump’s victory, Mr. Obama said his wife Michelle “taught them about hope.”

3. Prime Minister T. May announced that the UK chose the "hard Brexit" scenario.

Prime Minister T. May announced that Britain has chosen the "hard Brexit" scenario.

Instead of the "soft Brexit" option where Britain will continue to stay in the European common market, Prime Minister Theresa May has just announced a "hard" plan for the UK to separate from the European Union (EU).

Prime Minister T. May’s “hard Brexit” decision can be viewed from two perspectives. First of all, it is pressure from the EU. For the UK, the top priority is still to limit immigration and end Brussels’ influence over the legislative and judicial systems of the Foggy Country. Meanwhile, EU countries have set a condition that if the UK wants to continue to access the European single market with tax incentives as a member, it must accept the freedom of movement of EU citizens.

However, this is something that Mrs. T. May's government firmly opposes because "freedom of movement" makes it difficult for the UK to control immigration and this is also one of the reasons leading to Brexit. Besides, the UK has long had disagreements with the EU's decisions. Those who support leaving the EU argue that over the past decades, the alliance has revealed many shortcomings that have reduced the UK's influence and sovereignty.

4. Cuba and the US signed many important agreements

Photo: Reuters

According to Reuters, on January 19, the signing ceremony of a bilateral agreement between the US and Cuba on maritime border demarcation in the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico took place in Washington, DC, USA.

The treaty demarcates the maritime boundary between the United States and Cuba, which covers the continental shelf area in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, more than 200 nautical miles from each country's coast. The US State Department's statement said the treaty is consistent with the US's long-standing goal of resolving outstanding maritime boundaries, promoting maritime safety, and protecting the marine environment. The treaty must be approved by the Senate before it can take effect.

On the same day, in the capital Havana, Cuban Deputy Minister of Transport Marta Oramas Rivero and US Charge d’Affaires to Cuba Jeffrey DeLaurentis signed a bilateral cooperation agreement on aviation and maritime search and rescue. The agreement will help the two countries respond more quickly and effectively in cases of accidents or emergencies, at a time when trade between the two countries is showing signs of increasing.

5. Iraq: Most of IS commanders in Mosul have been killed

Iraqi army attacks IS in Mosul. Photo: Reuters

Iraqi military officials said on January 19 that most of the commanders of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) have been killed by the Iraqi army in the fighting in the city of Mosul over the past three months. Lieutenant General Abdul Ghani al Assadi, commander of the operation to retake eastern Mosul, announced that as of January 18, almost all of eastern Mosul was under the control of the government army.

The next plan is for Iraqi security forces to launch an offensive to the west, moving towards the complete liberation of Mosul from the hands of the IS State Organization. Mr. Assadi said that the upcoming battle will be less difficult than initially feared because most of the IS commanders in Mosul have been destroyed and at this time the remaining IS forces in Mosul are in chaos like "a snake without a head".

On the afternoon of January 19, the Iraqi army announced that it had liberated the last district in the east, while coalition airstrikes destroyed more than 50 IS boats and barges. Earlier, the Iraqi army also destroyed five bridges across the Tigris River - connecting East and West Mosul, blocking IS's escape route and reinforcements.

If the campaign to retake Mosul, backed by the international coalition, is successful, it will be a fatal blow to IS and “mark the end” of the “self-proclaimed caliphate” that IS established in Iraq and Syria. Since October last year, thousands of civilians have been killed and injured in fierce fighting on the Mosul battlefield.

6. Japan officially ratifies TPP Agreement

Illustration photo.

On January 20, Kyodo News Agency reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet approved the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), completing the final domestic procedure needed in the process of approving the agreement involving 12 participating members.

The move comes as the TPP is at risk of not being fully implemented after US President Donald Trump announced that he would withdraw the country from the agreement after taking office. However, Mr. S. Abe affirmed that he still attaches importance to continuing to lobby the US to join the TPP during his trip last week to Asia-Pacific countries, including both TPP countries, Australia and Vietnam.

Immediately after the TPP was approved by the cabinet, Tokyo also informed New Zealand, where the agreement was officially signed in February 2016, that Japan had completed domestic procedures for the agreement.

7. Canadian Prime Minister Under Investigation After Free New Year's Vacation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

On January 16, Canada's Federal Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson said she had opened an investigation into Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding his family's controversial New Year's vacation.

It is the first time a sitting Canadian prime minister has been investigated by an independent parliamentary oversight committee. The probe comes after Trudeau admitted last week that he and his family had enjoyed an all-expenses-paid New Year's holiday in the Bahamas on a private plane and at the home of billionaire philanthropist Aga Khan.

The Aga Khan is the founder and director of a Canadian lobbying organization. Canada’s Conflict of Interest Act prohibits all cabinet members from using private aircraft and receiving free benefits from people with influence or business connections to the government. The maximum fine for each violation is 500 Canadian dollars (equivalent to 375 USD).

8. China claims to be at the forefront of globalization

Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a speech on January 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he would build a new relationship with the United States and described China as a leader in globalization.

Just before Donald Trump's inauguration, Xi Jinping called on countries around the world to resist isolationism.

“Trade protectionism and self-isolation will not benefit anyone. Big countries should treat small countries fairly instead of acting like hegemons and imposing their ideas on others,” Xi told a United Nations conference in Geneva.

The Chinese president also called for world unity on issues ranging from environmental protection to nuclear disarmament, contradicting Mr Trump's claim that the world should be more open to climate change and that the US could win any nuclear arms race.

Regarding human rights, Mr. Xi Jinping affirmed that China always puts people first and does everything to ensure these rights. China has always been criticized by Western countries for not respecting human rights and having expansionist ambitions in the region.

9. 17-story building collapse in Iran kills 30 firefighters

Fire scene.

The 17-story Plasco building in Tehran caught fire around the afternoon of January 19 (local time). The fire started on the top floors where tailors were cooking and using old stoves for heat. Although the cause of the fire is not yet known, officials have visited the building several times and warned tenants about the building's poor condition.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli to investigate the disaster. Rouhani also asked the Interior Ministry to ensure that the injured are properly cared for and to immediately compensate those affected by the accident.

The Plasco Building is an icon of Tehran's skyscrapers. It was one of the first high-rise buildings to rise in the city, with the Damavand Mountains in the background. Opened in 1962,

10. Air strike mistakenly strikes refugee camp in Nigeria, at least 50 people dead

Rann refugee camp was bombed on January 17. Photo: MSF

On January 17, a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet mistakenly bombed a refugee camp in Ran City, northern Bo-no State. The airstrike occurred while humanitarian workers were distributing food to refugees, killing at least 50 people and injuring 120 others.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has called on Nigerian authorities to facilitate the rescue of refugees. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army, Li-rabo, confirmed that the air force received information that Boko Haram terrorists were gathering in Ran, but after conducting airstrikes, the victims were civilians./.

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