7 'hot' events of the world in the past 24 hours

(Baonghean.vn) - Nearly 130 countries oppose Trump's decision on Jerusalem; Russia announces response to the latest US sanctions; Pro-independence faction wins Catalonia election;... are outstanding international news in the past 24 hours

1. Nearly 130 countries oppose Trump's decision on Jerusalem

The results of the vote on the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel are displayed on a screen at the United Nations General Assembly on December 21. Photo: AFP.

The resolution opposing US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was passed on December 21 at the United Nations General Assembly, consisting of 193 members, with a ratio of 128 in favor, 9 against, and 35 abstentions, AFP reported.

The vote came shortly after President Trump threatened to cut off aid to countries that supported the UN resolution. Twenty-one countries, including Ukraine, which had supported the resolution at the Security Council, abstained, suggesting some were swayed by the threat from the White House chief.

The nine countries that objected were Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo and the United States.

2. Pro-independence faction wins Catalonia election

Mr. Carles Puigdemont (center) celebrates after the victory of the separatists. Photo: AFP.

Catalonia's separatist supporters won 70 of 135 seats in parliamentary elections on December 21, more than the minimum majority of 68 seats needed. The victory could leave Catalonia's future in further uncertainty, AFP reported. Catalonia held a referendum in October on independence from Spain, creating the worst political crisis in decades in the country.

With a record turnout and 99.6% of votes counted, the election results showed support for Catalonia’s deposed former leaders, who are in prison or exile abroad. The separatists will take power if they form a three-party coalition after the election.

However, looking at individual results, the anti-separatist Ciudadanos party won the most votes, with 37 seats.

3. Russia declares response to latest US sanctions

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. Photo: Tass.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on December 22 that the latest US sanctions against Russian and Chechen individuals were ridiculous and baseless, and affirmed that they would respond accordingly, Reuters reported.

The US Treasury Department on December 20 imposed new sanctions on three Russian and two Chechen citizens, including Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, over allegations of human rights abuses.

Sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans under the Magnitsky Act passed by the US Congress in 2012.

The latest move comes as US President Donald Trump has just announced a new security strategy, calling Russia and China "revisionist forces" that want to erode US interests and values. Moscow, meanwhile, has called Washington's new strategy "imperial in nature".

4. US Vice President makes surprise visit to Afghanistan

US Vice President Mike Pence was present at Bagram military base.

On the evening of December 21, US Vice President Mike Pence visited Bagram military base - the largest US base in Afghanistan, then left for the capital Kabul to meet with host country President Ashraf Ghani and senior Afghan executive official Abdullah Abdullah.

Mr. Mike Pence's visit comes four months after US President Donald Trump visited Afghanistan to reaffirm the US commitment to stepping up military operations against Taliban insurgents.

At a meeting with Afghan leaders, the US Vice President expressed hope that his presence in the country would be clear evidence that the US wants progress in the fight against the Taliban.

For his part, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appreciated the support of the US Government and emphasized that the partnership between the two countries has been strengthened with the contributions of soldiers.

5. US considers preemptive strike on North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is determined to develop nuclear weapons despite international pressure and sanctions. (Photo: Reuters/KCNA)

The US is considering a preemptive strike on North Korea to force the country to halt its nuclear weapons program.

Three sources told British newspaper The Telegraph that the White House was drawing up military options because diplomacy had failed to rein in Pyongyang.

“The Pentagon is trying to find options that would allow them to hit North Korea directly, force it to pay attention and demonstrate that we are serious,” a former US security official told the Telegraph.

Options 'on the table' include bombing a missile launch site before the next test, and destroying a weapons storage facility. The aim is to show North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Washington is "serious" about stopping his weapons programme.

6. Australia announces early end to airstrikes against IS in Iraq

Australian fighter jets on a mission to fight IS. Photo: Getty.

On December 22, Australia announced that it would end airstrikes against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq.

In a statement, Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne said Royal Australian Air Force fighter jets would be sent home after a "tough and determined" campaign against the Islamic State terrorist group.

According to Ms. Payne, Australia's air campaign has made significant contributions to the fight against the Islamic State group.

The announcement came after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over IS. There are currently about 800 Australian military personnel participating in the military campaign in Iraq./.

7. US Congress begins investigation of Obama

Former US President Barack Obama.

US lawmakers are conducting an investigation into Obama's efforts to block a US investigation into the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

According to a report by Politico, the Obama administration attempted to block a decade-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), called Project Cassandra, that was aimed at exposing Hezbollah’s lucrative Latin American drug trafficking network.

Project Cassandra leaders say their campaign launched investigations and demanded massive prosecutions, arrests and financial penalties, but Obama-era Justice and Treasury officials delayed, obstructed or rejected their requests, Politico reported.

The Obama administration feared the DEA investigation would upset the Iranians, which could jeopardize the nuclear deal.

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