Outstanding international events of the past week

(Baonghean.vn) - Russian Ambassador to Türkiye was assassinated; Terrorist attack in Berlin, at least 12 people died, 48 people were injured; Explosion at Mexican fireworks market;... are notable events in the world last week.

1. Russian Ambassador to Türkiye Assassinated

Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov is speaking at the exhibition.

Russian Ambassador to Türkiye Andrey Karlov was shot in the back with a gun by an armed man on December 19 while he was about to finish his speech at the photo exhibition "Russia in the Eyes of Türkiye" in the capital Ankara.

The mayor of the Turkish capital Ankara, İbrahim Melih Gökçek, confirmed that the person who carried out the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Türkiye Andrey Karlov was a member of the Turkish police force. The attacker had previously presented a police ID card to carry a weapon into the exhibition. He is said to have stood right behind Ambassador Karlov before opening fire. Turkish officials said he was not on official duty when he visited the exhibition.

The assassin, Mevlut Mert Altintas (22 years old), used to serve in the Turkish police force. The Jabhat Fateh al-Sham group (formerly known as al-Nusra Front) on December 21, through a letter posted online, claimed responsibility for the murder of Russian Ambassador to Türkiye Andrey Karlov.

2.Terrorist attack in Berlin, at least 12 people dead, 48 injured

Scene of the attack at a Christmas market in Berlin, Germany on the evening of December 19 (Photo: EPA)

During rush hour on the evening of December 19 (local time), at a crowded Christmas market outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Breitscheidplatz Square, near Kurfuerstendamm Avenue, west of Berlin, Germany, a terrorist attack by truck occurred, killing 12 people and injuring 48 others.

The suspect was later identified asAnis Amri (24 years old) is a Tunisian immigrant with links to radical Islamists and had his asylum application rejected in June 2016. The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for the truck attack, declaring the attacker a "soldier" of the militant group.

The Tunisian suspect in the Christmas market attack in Berlin, Germany was later shot dead in a shootout in Milan, Italy on December 23.

3. Explosion at Mexican fireworks market, 29 people dead

Video footage of the explosion shows a large column of smoke with colorful fireworks erupting.

A total of 29 people were killed and 70 injured. Luis Felipe Puente, head of Mexico's national emergency agency, said the death toll could rise. The army was called in to help emergency workers transport the injured to hospitals.

San Pablito is the most famous fireworks market in Mexico. Fireworks making is also the main occupation of the people of Tultepec city.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto sent his condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

4. Donald Trump officially re-elected President of the United States

US President-elect Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters.

Donald Trump won at least 270 electoral votes in the December 19 vote, meaning the 70-year-old billionaire will become the next president of the United States.

36 of the state's 38 electors voted for Mr. Trump as promised, while two others "disloyalized." One voted for Ohio Governor John Kasich, the other supported former Texas Republican congressman Ron Paul.

Meanwhile, in Washington state, four electors voted for another candidate instead of Hillary Clinton. Three of them voted for former Secretary of State Colin Powell, while the other voted for an environmental activist. This is the first time since 1872 that more than one “faithless elector” has voted for a US president.

5. Libyan plane carrying more than 100 people was hijacked

Maltese military near the hijacked plane. Photo: Reuters

An Afriqiyah Airways flight carrying 118 people was diverted to Malta on the morning of December 23, en route from Sebha to Tripoli, Libya, when a man who claimed to be carrying a hand grenade threatened to blow up the plane. It landed at Malta International Airport at noon, prompting armed forces to surround the runway. Of the 118 people on board, seven were crew members, 109 were passengers, and two hijackers.

The hijackers said they "supported the late leader Muammar Gaddafi" and were willing to release all passengers if their demands were met. One of the hijackers, who claimed to be the leader of the pro-Gaddafi Al-Fateh Al-Jadid party, sought asylum in Europe. Libyan leader Gaddafi was shot dead during the 2011 uprising and Libya has been plagued by sectarian violence ever since.

The Maltese Armed Forces led the telephone negotiations with the hijackers. Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat updated on Twitter, confirming the release of groups of 25 passengers and crew members.

After the passengers disembarked, a hijacker appeared at the door with a green flag similar to that of Gaddafi's regime. The two hijackers surrendered and were captured after a standoff that lasted more than four hours.

6. Japan approves record high defense budget

Japan Self-Defense Force destroyer Kurama. Photo: Reuters.

On December 21, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet approved a budget package worth 5.13 trillion yen (about 43.66 billion USD) for the 2017 defense spending plan. This figure is up 1.4% compared to 2016 and marks the highest level in history.

If approved by the Diet, this would be the fifth consecutive year of increases in Japan's defense budget. The Diet, controlled by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is likely to approve the proposal.

Japan's Defense Ministry plans to spend about $1 billion to upgrade its PAC-3 missile defense system to deal with North Korea's recent series of missile launches.

In addition, the 2017 defense budget is also earmarked for the production of the Block IIA version of the Standard Missile-3 missile system jointly developed by the US and Japan to enhance ship-based missile defense capabilities.

The country's Defense Ministry also ordered more F-35 stealth fighters made by Lockheed Martin to boost Tokyo's air power in the event of a crisis.

Peace

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