Outstanding international events of the past week

(Baonghean.vn) - US President Barack Obama delivered a moving farewell speech at the White House; UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the Security Council for the first time; unusual floods in Thailand affected hundreds of thousands of households;... these are some of the notable international news stories of the past week.

1. US President Barack Obama delivers his farewell speech at the White House.

US President Barack Obama. Photo: Reuters.

On the morning of January 11th, Vietnam time, US President Barack Obama delivered his farewell address in Chicago, his hometown.

In his final speech as President, Obama once again emphasized the message of "change" that he had conveyed throughout his campaign eight years earlier, while also highlighting the role of the people in shaping America.

"You are the change. Because of you, America is better and stronger than it was when I started this job."

Obama reviewed the achievements of his presidency, including reducing unemployment, increasing health insurance coverage, reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran, and eliminating terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden.

However, he also acknowledged that America still faces threats from both domestic and foreign sources: “Rising inequality, demographic changes, and the specter of terrorism pose challenges not only to our security and prosperity but also to our democracy.”

2. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the Security Council for the first time.

New United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo: Reuters

On January 10, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered his first speech to the Security Council since taking office.

Mr. Guterres officially took over from Mr. Ban Ki-moon on January 1st, pledging to strengthen the United Nations and advance efforts to resolve global crises – from Syria to South Sudan.

The former Portuguese Prime Minister is facing a deeply divided Security Council, unable to take decisive action to end the war in Syria – now in its sixth year.

"The greatest failure of the international community today is its inability to prevent conflict and maintain global security," Guterres wrote in an article published in the American magazine Newsweek on January 9.

"In places where war is raging, we need reconciliation, arbitration, and creative diplomacy supported by all affected nations," he added.

3. The US ends its 'wet foot, dry foot' policy with Cubans.

President Obama visited Cuba in March 2016. Photo: WIKIMEDIA

The Obama administration decided to end the policy that allowed Cuban citizens who had arrived in the US without a visa to remain and reside there.

The "wet foot, dry foot" policy was enacted by President Bill Clinton in 1995. The Cuban government did not support this policy, saying it caused a "brain drain" and encouraged migrants to undertake risky journeys.

This policy shift comes just days before Obama's term ends and is likely to be his last major change, as well as his final mark on improving U.S.-Cuba relations.

According to statistics, in fiscal year 2016, which ended last September, 41,500 Cubans – the highest number in five years – entered the United States through the northern border. Another 7,000 Cubans also arrived in the U.S. in October and November of last year.

4. Mr. Trump appoints his son-in-law as a senior White House advisor.

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump (left) played an extremely active role in politics throughout Donald Trump's election campaign. All three are business-savvy and have no prior political experience.

Just days before his inauguration as US President, Donald Trump officially announced the appointment of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner – husband of his eldest daughter Ivanka – to the position of senior White House advisor, responsible for both foreign and domestic policy.

Kushner, 35, is an extremely active advisor who played a key role throughout Trump's recent presidential campaign. This role continues in the preparation of Trump's transitional administration. Kushner has also sat alongside Trump in numerous political interviews and has been present at Trump's meetings with foreign leaders.

For a long time, rumors have circulated that Trump wants to bring his son-in-law Kushner and his most talented daughter, Ivanka, into the White House. Violations of anti-nepotism laws have also been a hot topic of debate recently regarding this possibility.

However, Trump has clearly demonstrated that he is the type of person who doesn't easily back down once he's made up his mind. The BBC quoted him as saying on January 9th: “Jared is an invaluable asset and a very trusted advisor throughout the campaign and the transition period. I am proud to have him in a key leadership role in my administration.”

5. China arrests 720 people for environmental pollution.

A panoramic view of buildings in Puxi district, seen from Jin Mao Tower during foggy weather in Shanghai, China. Photo: REUTERS.

Xinhua News Agency reported that in 2016, 720 people were arrested for environmental damage. Last year, Beijing also rejected 11 projects worth 97 billion yuan due to concerns about environmental impact, and fined 13,127 environmental violations, with total penalties amounting to $21.8 million.

Additionally, hundreds of flights and highway closures across northern China were canceled during the Lunar New Year holiday as average concentrations of PM2.5 particles soared above 500 micrograms per cubic meter in Beijing and surrounding areas.

6. Unusual floods in Thailand kill 30 people.

The death toll from the recent devastating floods in southern Thailand has risen to 30, affecting the lives of approximately 370,000 households.

Heavy rains that have been lashing southern Thailand for over a week have submerged 12 southern provinces in what is believed to be the worst flooding in 30 years.

Thailand's Ministry of Interior said prolonged heavy rains and flooding have affected the lives of more than 700,000 people and paralyzed road and rail transport systems.

This unusual weather phenomenon has significantly impacted the peak season for tourism, a key economic sector in Thailand. According to the Thai Ministry of Agriculture, more than 1,600 square kilometers of rubber plantations in the southern part of the country have been flooded, causing damage worth 400 million baht, equivalent to approximately 11 million USD.

7. Europe struggles to cope with record-breaking cold snap.

The ship is stranded on the frozen Danube River off Belgrade, Serbia. Photo: EPA.

The record-breaking cold snap has paralyzed many areas of Europe, with refugees, the homeless, the elderly, and children being among the hardest hit.

At least 61 people have died, a third of them Poles, as air temperatures continued to plummet and remained below zero.^oC in many areas.

Serbian authorities have banned boat traffic on the Sava River due to severe weather conditions that have claimed two lives in the south of the country.

Romanian police have sealed off more than 900km of the Danube River as it flows through the country. Croatia and Serbia have also temporarily suspended all activity on the Danube. Local authorities have advised homeless people to seek shelter in local camps and schools to escape the cold.

The city of Saranda in southern Albania experienced its first snowfall in 32 years. In the central town of Bulqizw, temperatures dropped to -22 degrees Celsius.^oC and most rural areas are cut off by heavy snowfall. Many regions are also without electricity and water. Military helicopters have been deployed to deliver relief supplies to isolated areas.

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