Ukraine begins presidential campaign; Massive landslide in Indonesia
(Baonghean.vn) - Ukraine begins presidential election campaign; Kim Jong-un says he is ready to meet Trump in his New Year's speech; Serious landslide in Indonesia; Trump orders US troops to withdraw from Syria in 4 months... are the world's top news in the past 24 hours.
Trump orders US troops to withdraw from Syria in 4 months
 |
| US President Donald Trump. Photo:Politico |
The US President said troops would be withdrawn "gradually" from Syria instead of the 30-day deadline he previously announced. "If anyone other than Donald Trump had done what I did in Syria, which was an ISIS mess when I took office, they would be a national hero," US President Donald Trump posted on Twitter.Twitteron December 31, referring to the acronym for the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS). "IS is nearly defeated, and we are gradually returning our soldiers to their families, while continuing to fight the remnants of IS."
The New York Times reported that Trump would give the military about four months to withdraw troops from Syria, despite his earlier 30-day withdrawal order. During a trip to Iraq last week, Trump also told Lieutenant General Paul J. LaCamera, commander of US forces in Syria, that the military would have several months to withdraw.
Ukraine begins presidential campaign
 |
| Ms. Yulia Timoshenko is currently leading with 20.8% of supporters. Photo: Reuters |
The presidential campaign in Ukraine officially began on December 31. By law, the campaign must begin before the election day, which is scheduled for March 31. According to polls conducted by various sociological agencies, 60% of Ukrainian voters have not yet decided which candidate they will vote for. Among the remaining 40%, the choice has been quite stable in recent months.
Among the top five presidential candidates, Yulia Timoshenko, former prime minister and leader of the Batkivsina party, is currently leading with 20.8% of supporters. She is followed by Vladimir Zelenskiy, leader of the Servant of the People party (13.4%); current President Petr Poroshenko and current Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Boiko, who recently founded the Opposition Platform for Life (less than 10%); Anatoliy Grisenko, leader of the Civic Position party (7.8%).
Kim Jong-un says he's ready to meet Trump in New Year's speech
|
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo:AP |
"I am ready to sit down and discuss further with the US President at any time in the future and will make every effort to bring about results that the international community welcomes,"AFPJanuary 1 quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in his New Year's speech on national television.
The North Korean leader also warned that the country may consider changing its approach if the US maintains sanctions. "If the US fails to keep the promise it made to the world and persists in maintaining sanctions and pressure on the DPRK, we may have no choice but to consider a new way to protect our sovereignty and national interests," Kim Jong-un said.
Severe landslide in Indonesia leaves dozens missing
 |
| Rescuers search for missing people after a landslide in Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia on January 1, 2019. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
At least 41 people from a village were missing after a massive landslide rocked Suka Bumi district, West Java province, officials from the Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency said on January 1.
The landslide occurred on the evening of December 31 in Sinaresmi village due to prolonged heavy rains, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the agency. Search and rescue teams found two people dead in the mud and three injured. A total of 61 survivors were taken to a local evacuation center. Rescuers are trying to find 41 people still missing, but heavy equipment cannot reach the landslide due to heavy rains, power outages and difficult roads. Statistics from the Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency show that the landslide buried 34 houses in Sinaresmi village.
King Rama X of Thailand officially reigned from January 4, 2019
|
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn - Rama X. Source: AFP |
The Royal Thai Government announced that King Maha Vajiralongkorn - Rama X has approved the date for the coronation ceremony to be held for 3 days, from May 4-6, 2019. Accordingly, King Rama X will officially reign from January 4, 2019. After the coronation ceremony, the King will appear before the Thai public and the diplomatic corps.
On December 1, 2016, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn accepted the throne at a meeting with National Assembly President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai. The meeting marked the event when Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn became the 10th king of the 234-year-old Chakri dynasty in Thailand.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rules out resignation
 |
| Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on December 2, 2018. Source: AFP/VNA |
According to AFP, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on December 31, 2018 that he would not resign if charged with corruption as police continued to investigate a number of cases related to the Israeli leader ahead of the election in April 2019.
Previously, Reuters and THX reported that on December 2, 2018, Israeli police proposed to prosecute Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for bribery and other crimes.
Thousands march on New Year's Day in Hong Kong
 |
| Protesters clash with security forces. Photo: AFP |
Thousands of people joined a traditional New Year's Day march in Hong Kong calling for greater democracy in the city. Organizers said about 5,800 people joined a January 1 march in Hong Kong calling for a return to democratic reforms, according to Reuters.
Despite tight security around the perimeter, many activists deemed “radical” managed to join the march and waved slogans calling for independence. Some also held banners protesting against Justice Minister Theresa Cheng for failing to adequately explain her decision to drop a corruption investigation into former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who is considered close to the central government.