The world in the last 7 days - the most prominent news.

(Baonghean.vn) - Tense developments on the Korean Peninsula; Zimbabwean President resigns, new President sworn in; German Chancellor faces the risk of losing power; Bombing and machine gun fire in Egypt kills at least 235;... are some of the prominent international news stories of the past week.

1. Escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Illustration photo: Getty

President Donald Trump announced his decision to add North Korea to the list of state sponsors of terrorism on November 20th. During a meeting at the White House, Trump stated that further sanctions against North Korea would be announced on November 21st.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that adding North Korea to the list of state sponsors of terrorism would help deter third parties from supporting Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, North Korea called the US action a "serious provocation," warning that sanctions would never be able to make Pyongyang abandon its nuclear program.

Condemning Washington for acting as an "international arbiter on terrorism," the North Korean spokesperson added that the US actions "are clearly absurd and a farce against world peace and security."

2. Zimbabwe's President resigns, new President sworn in.

Emmerson Mnangagwa (left) takes office as President. Source: AFP

Four decades of rule by Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe officially ended on November 21, 2017, less than a week after the military took action.

On the evening of November 21, while members of both houses of Zimbabwe's Parliament were still fiercely debating the impeachment process, President Robert Mugabe officially announced his resignation – a move as unexpected as the way his demise had begun a week earlier.

On November 24, Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in as president of Zimbabwe in the presence of the country's Justice Minister, foreign diplomatic representatives, and tens of thousands of supporters. This event marked the end of President Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule.

Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony at the national stadium on the outskirts of the capital Harare, Mr. Mnangagwa pledged allegiance to Zimbabwe and to uphold, preserve, and protect the Constitution and laws of Zimbabwe.Mr. Mnangagwa will serve the remainder of Mr. Mugabe's term until the presidential election, which is expected to be held in 2018.

3. German Chancellor faces risk of losing power.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing a major political crisis.

Angela Merkel's efforts to form a coalition government comprising the three major parties, aimed at securing a fourth term as German Chancellor, have faced a major setback after one of the three parties withdrew from negotiations.

According to Reuters, amid the weakening of Chancellor Merkel's ruling Christian Democratic Party (CDU) after its seat count dwindled following the recent national elections, the German Chancellor was forced to declare that she could not form a coalition government after the Free Democratic Party (FDP) announced its withdrawal.

This means Germany is facing two possible scenarios: either Merkel's party, along with the German Green Party, forms a minority government (making it difficult to pass important policies and potentially leading to its dissolution by Parliament), or the German president calls for a new election due to disagreements among the parties regarding the formation of a government.

4. Bombing and machine gun fire in Egypt kill at least 235 people.

The scene of the bombing. Photo: Twitter

The Jerusalem Post, citing Egyptian officials, reported that the attack took place at the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of the city of Arish, on the Sinai Peninsula.

According to defense officials, the attackers initially bombed the church area and then used machine guns to attack worshippers inside. Witnesses said the gunmen traveled in four off-road vehicles.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the attack killed at least 235 people and injured around 130. The death toll is expected to rise. Images broadcast on Egyptian state television showed victims lying on the ground and covered with blankets inside the mosque.

5. US military plane crashes off the coast of Japan.

A US Navy C-2 Greyhound transport aircraft.

On November 22, a US Navy plane carrying 11 people crashed into the sea southeast of Okinawa, Japan. Eight people were rescued, and three are missing.

The ill-fated aircraft was en route to the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, which was operating in the waters off the Philippines.

The cause of the plane crash is currently unknown. This is the second accident involving the US Navy. Last August, 10 Navy personnel were killed when the aircraft carrier USS John McCain collided with an oil tanker off the coast of Singapore.

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