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

(Baonghean.vn) - Legendary female pilot "MiG lady" passed away at the age of 86; New President of Zimbabwe announced a 22-member cabinet; Korea and the US are not considering military measures against North Korea; Japanese Emperor sets date for abdication;... are the outstanding international news of the past 24 hours.

1. Legendary female pilot "MiG lady" passed away at the age of 86

Photo of legendary Soviet female test pilot Marina Popovich in 1972. Photo: TASS.

“Legendary pilot Marina Popovich, also known as the ‘MiG lady’, has died at the age of 86. “Marina Popovich set 102 world aviation records, including 10 with the Antonov An-22 Antei heavy aircraft.

Ms. Marina Popovich is also the first female pilot in the world to break the sound barrier on a MiG-21 fighter jet at a speed of 2,320 km/h.

Mrs. Popovich is a Soviet sports grandmaster, doctor of technical sciences, professor, member of the Russian Writers' Union. She has been awarded many orders and medals for her achievements.

2. Chemical plant explosion in Japan injures 10 people

Scene of the explosion. Photo: Channel NewsAsia

According to the local Fire Department, the explosion occurred at around 8:30 a.m. on December 1 (local time) at Arakawa Chemical Company, which specializes in producing and trading chemicals for paper, plastic, printing ink, glue, etc.

At least 14 people were injured in the explosion, as firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze, as plumes of black smoke continued to billow into the air and blanket the area.

Immediately after the explosion, local authorities issued an announcement and advised people living near the factory to evacuate to ensure safety.

3. New Zimbabwean President announces 22-member cabinet

New Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Source: AFP/VNA

New Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on December 1 announced 22 cabinet members, most of whom are from the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Among the 22 cabinet members are former Chief of Staff of the Zimbabwe National Army Sibusiso Moyo, who was appointed as Foreign Minister; the head of the country's Air Force, Perence Shiri, was appointed as Minister of Lands and Culture; Patrick Chinamasa as Minister of Finance; Obert Mpofu remains as Minister of Home Affairs; former Minister of State Security Kembo Mohadi as Minister of Defense and Ziyambi Ziyambi as Minister of Justice....

4. South Korea and the US are not considering military measures against North Korea.

US President Donald Trump (right) and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-In at a meeting in New York, US. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Yonhap news agency quoted an official from the South Korean presidential office as saying on December 1 that the country and the US are not currently considering any military options, including a naval blockade, against North Korea.

The statement came just hours after South Korean President Moon and his US counterpart Trump held their second phone call in just two days to discuss ways to curb North Korea's rapidly advancing missile technology.

The White House statement stated that the US and South Korean leaders affirmed that North Korea's latest missile launch not only poses a potential threat to the two countries but also to the world.

5. Celebration of the 42nd Anniversary of Lao National Day

General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith spoke at the ceremony.

On the morning of December 1, in Vientiane, the solemn celebration of the 42nd National Day of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (December 2, 1975 - December 2, 2017) took place.

The ceremony was attended by leaders of the Lao Party, State, Government, Ambassadors, and diplomatic representatives of more than 40 countries and international organizations in Laos. Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung and his wife attended the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith expressed his sincere thanks to the Ambassadors, their spouses, diplomatic representatives of countries and international organizations who attended and sent his best wishes to the Party, State and people of Laos on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of Laos National Day.

6. Emperor sets date for abdication

Emperor Akihito makes an announcement at the chrysanthemum throne in November this year. Photo: EPA

Emperor Akihito is expected to abdicate on April 30, 2019, after the Imperial Household Council made the decision at a meeting on December 1, with the presence of the Imperial Council, politicians, judicial officials and members of the Imperial family.

Next, the Emperor's eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 57 years old, will hold a coronation ceremony to sit on the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019.

The Emperor expressed his wish in 2016, when he felt he was too old and no longer healthy. However, the cabinet did not officially approve the decision until December 8, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

7. Shooting at Pakistani university, nearly 30 casualties

The victims were taken to the emergency room. Photo: Reuters

At least 13 people were killed and 15 others injured when Taliban militants attacked an Agriculture training institute in Peshawar, northern Pakistan.

According to Independent, masked gunmen stormed the Agricultural Training Institute in Peshawar (Northern Pakistan) early in the morning of December 1, attacked a security guard, then stormed into the school and threatened students.

“We were sleeping when we heard gunshots,” said Ahteshan ul-Haq, a wounded student. “I woke up and saw people running away. People were shouting that the school had been attacked by the Taliban.”

According to Ahteshan, the school’s dormitory is home to about 400 students. But in recent days, most of the students have gone home for the holidays, so only about 120 people remain.

8. Russia announced that it will "ban" American journalists from the State Duma.

A meeting of the Russian State Duma. (Source: Washington Times)

On December 1, Chairwoman of the State Duma (Lower House) Regulation and Supervision Committee, Ms. Olaga Savastyanova, announced that she would ban journalists from American media from entering the Lower House.

The draft resolution is currently under consideration by the committee and will be submitted to the State Duma on December 2. Local legislatures are also recommended to adopt similar measures. According to Ms. Savastyanova, the decision will come into force immediately after its adoption, which is expected next week.

Speaking to reporters, Ms. Savastyanova emphasized that similar measures would be in response to the revocation of the operating licenses of journalists of the Russia Today (RT) television channel in the US Congress.

Peace

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