Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1. America: False missile attack alarm, Hawaii residents panic

A corner of Hawaii. Source: chicagotribune.com

On the night of January 13 and early morning of January 14 (Vietnam time), the missile alarm system in the state of Hawaii sounded an alarm about a ballistic missile attack, causing panic on the island before authorities there announced that this was a false alarm.

The Hawaii State Emergency Management Agency said the false alarm occurred at 8 p.m. local time during a shift change and technical practice, leading to "the wrong button being pressed."
The error triggered the island's automated telephone system with a warning urging residents to seek shelter immediately.

2. Hundreds of people protested against Mr. Trump in the Swiss capital

Protest in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo: AFP.

About 500 anti-globalization protesters held banners such as "Kill Trump" and "No Future for Capitalism" as they marched through the capital Zurich, according toReuters.

Protesters are protesting not only US President Donald Trump's visit to Davos, but also the World Economic Forum in general. The annual summit is known for being a gathering place for the world's wealthy elite.

Some 5,000 troops are expected to be deployed to protect Davos during the forum and a no-fly zone will be established over the town.

3. Serious accidents occur around the world

-Fire and stampede in Portugal: at least 8 people killed

Portuguese firefighters

The incident occurred on the evening of January 13 at a two-story entertainment complex in the town of Vila Nova da Rainha, about 260 km northeast of the capital Lisbon.

More than 60 people were in the playground at the time of the fire. Firefighters at the scene said the fire may have been caused by a water heater or heater exploding.

-A series of accidents between 6 vehicles in Brazil, at least 13 people died

Accident scene. Source: correio24horas.com.br

At least 13 people were killed and 39 others injured in a multi-vehicle crash in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Local officials said the accident occurred on the BR-251 highway, near the town of Gran Mogol, in the northern state of Minas Gerais, between at least six vehicles, including two minibuses.

A preliminary police report said the cause of the collision was a truck that veered into a lane and slammed into a minibus, setting off a chain reaction that also involved the other minibus, an SUV and two other vehicles.

-Speedboat explosion carrying tourists in Thailand, 17 people injured and dead

Flames and smoke billowed from the ship as it crashed. Photo: Bangkokpost

A speedboat carrying Chinese tourists and several Thai crew members exploded in the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand near the Phi Phi Islands.

Thai media reported that at least one Thai person was killed and 16 others were injured. The speedboat was en route to the Phi Phi Islands when it caught fire near Viking Cave at sea at around 1 p.m. local time.

-Plane carrying 162 passengers skids off runway hanging over cliff

Accident scene. Photo: AFP.

A rare incident just happened at Trabzon airport, Türkiye, when a Pegasus plane carrying 162 passengers slid off the runway, hanging over a cliff by the sea.

Footage shows smoke billowing from the cabin. Fortunately, all 162 passengers and crew members on board were evacuated in time.

-Ship sinks in the East Sea, 2 people missing, 11 people rescued

Photo for illustration purposes only. Source: Reuters

A ship sank in the South China Sea on January 12, with 11 of the 13 crew members rescued and two sailors still missing, the Singapore Port Authority (MPA) was quoted by local media as saying.

MPA said it received information from the crew of three cargo ships that they rescued 11 people when their ship sank.
According to the MPA website, the accident took place within Singapore's maritime search and rescue area.

4. French President wants UNESCO to protect the baguette

French President holding a baguette. Photo: Reuters.

President Macron has backed a call by bakers to have French baguettes listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage item.

"The baguette is coveted all over the world," President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with French radio on January 5.Europe 1. "We need to preserve its greatness and the secret of making it. That's why it needs to be considered heritage."

5. Pakistan threatens to launch nuclear war with India

Illustration photo. Source: AFP.

A day after Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned about Pakistan's nuclear issue, Islamabad's top military and civilian leaders threatened to stir up a "nuclear confrontation" with India, Zee News reported on January 14.

On Twitter on January 13, Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif wrote: "The irresponsible statements of the Indian Army Chief are essentially inviting a nuclear confrontation. If that is what they want, they are welcome to test our resolve."

6. Iraqi Prime Minister to continue running in upcoming election

Current Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Photo: middleeastpress.

On the morning of January 14, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that he will run for election on May 12 this year.

Mr. Abadi, a Shiite Muslim who has led Iraq in a four-year war against the extremist group Islamic State (IS), announced that he would form a multi-ethnic, sectarian political bloc called the “Victory Alliance” to contest parliamentary elections next May.

7. Egyptian Parliament approves cabinet reshuffle, appoints 4 new ministers

Photo: A session of the Egyptian Parliament. Source: Reuters

Egypt's parliament has approved a cabinet reshuffle with the appointment of four new ministers just two months before the presidential election, government sources said on January 14.

The reshuffle includes the appointment of Abu Bakr al-Gendi as Minister of Local Development and Rania al-Mashat as Minister of Tourism. The posts of Culture and State Enterprises will be held by Enas Abdeldayem and Khaled Badawy, respectively.