International events of the past week

(Baonghean.vn) - Russian military plane carrying 92 people crashed into the Black Sea, no one survived; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Obama visited Pearl Harbor; Ceasefire across Syria officially took effect;... are the outstanding international events of the past week.

1. Russian military plane carrying 92 people crashed into the Black Sea, no survivors

Tu-154 aircraft. Photo: Military Wiki

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on December 25 that a Tu-154 military aircraft disappeared from radar after taking off from Adler Airport in Sochi. There were 92 people on board, including 64 members of the Alexandrov military art troupe. Interfax reported that the plane took off at around 5:20 a.m. and went missing at 5:40 a.m.

The plane was later confirmed to have crashed into the Black Sea, killing all on board. The accident occurred as the plane was gaining altitude. The crew did not report any problems at the time. The plane was on its way to a New Year's performance at the Russian Hmeimim airbase in Latakia, Syria.

2. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Obama visit Pearl Harbor

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) will become the first sitting prime minister to visit Pearl Harbor. He will be accompanied by US President Obama. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

This was the first time in history that a Japanese Prime Minister and a sitting US President visited Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor is the most famous historical landmark of the Hawaiian Islands, United States. This deep-water seaport is located west of Honolulu on the island of O'ahu, in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, a group of Japanese fighter planes suddenly bombed the American warships at Pearl Harbor. This was an important turning point in World War II, leading to the US President's decision to officially bring the country into the war./

3. The ceasefire across Syria officially comes into effect.

The devastated scene in Syria during the war. Photo: Associated Press

The agreement was reached between the Syrian government and opposition groups through the mediation of Russia and Türkiye. The ceasefire agreement involves Syrian government forces and seven armed opposition groups with about 60,000 fighters.

International analysts say this could be an important turning point in the nearly six-year Syrian war.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed his readiness to respect the ceasefire agreement and agreed to hold talks on Syria's future in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. President Putin announced the reduction of Russian forces on Syrian territory.

The US called the latest ceasefire agreement “a positive development” and hoped its implementation would lead to negotiations on Syria’s political future. The Syrian National Opposition Coalition said it supported the nationwide ceasefire and urged all parties involved to abide by the agreement.

4. US expels 35 Russian diplomats

A Russian security officer in front of the US embassy building in Moscow.

On December 29, the US decided to expel 35 Russian diplomats and close two Russian facilities in New York and Marilena in response to the intrusion of US diplomats in Moscow and Russia's "interference" in the US presidential election.

President Obama on December 29 issued an executive order sanctioning six individuals and five Russian entities, including intelligence agencies, as a measure that the US Treasury Department said was aimed at addressing activities that facilitate malicious cyber attacks.

This is the first time the names of Russian officials involved in cyber intrusions have been published on a sanctions list.

On the same day, in a separate announcement, President Obama said that two Russian facilities in New York and Marilena would be closed and 35 Russian diplomats at the embassy in Washington and the consulate general in San Francisco were ordered to leave the US. These people and their families have 72 hours to leave the US.

This is considered one of the measures to respond to Russia's intrusion into political research centers and personal email accounts and leaking information to help President-elect Donald Trump and Republican candidates.

5. NATO Secretary General affirms that Russia is not a direct threat.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference in Brussels (Belgium) on December 6. Photo: THX/TTXVN

On December 30, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO does not see any direct threat from Russia to its members or to become an obstacle in the dialogue between NATO and Moscow.

Mr. J. Stoltenberg affirmed that Russia has been and will continue to be a neighboring country of NATO, while striving to strengthen and support dialogue relations with Russia, as well as aiming towards the goal of fighting expansionism.

6. 7.7 magnitude earthquake with tsunami warning in Chile

On December 25, an earthquake with an initial magnitude of 7.7 hit southern Chile.

The Strait Times, citing the US Geological Survey, reported that the quake occurred about 225km southwest of Puerto Montt. Earlier reports said the quake had a magnitude of 7.6. The epicenter was about 15km deep.

The US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also issued a tsunami warning for areas within 1,000km of the earthquake's epicenter.

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