International events of the past week

(Baonghean.vn) - Russian President Putin suddenly dismissed 16 high-ranking officials; Europe sought solutions to prevent migrants; the US will add more sanctions against Iran; the US is 'hot' because of the immigration ban;... are notable international events of the past week.

1. Russian President Putin suddenly dismissed 16 senior officials

On February 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin suddenly dismissed 16 senior officials from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Russian National Research Committee.

Among the 16 officials who lost their positions, two generals were dismissed from the military. In addition, President Putin appointed two new leadership positions in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, including Mr. Vladlen Aksionov, Deputy Director of the Fire Prevention Department, and Mr. Pavel Barshev, Director of the National Defense Academy.

Mr Putin also approved Mr Oleg Kamshilov as Prosecutor General of Crimea, replacing Ms Natalia Paklonskaya, who was elected to the Russian State Duma in September last year.

The Kremlin statement did not give details about the reasons for these personnel changes.

This is the latest personnel reshuffle carried out by President Putin. Previously, Mr. Putin had repeatedly fired a series of high-ranking government officials because they failed to fulfill their duties.

2. Europe seeks solutions to stop migrants

On February 3, the European Union (EU) Summit opened in Malta in the context that the region is facing many challenges that threaten the existence of the nearly 60-year-old institution.

This is the latest in a series of emergency conferences convened since Britain decided to leave the EU (Brexit) last June.

Speaking to reporters, European Council President Donald Tusk stressed that the main purpose of the conference is to prevent illegal migration from Libya to Europe. The continent will push for the implementation of additional concrete measures to deal more effectively with human trafficking networks. According to the draft, the EU will prioritize training and equipping the Libyan Coast Guard.

In addition, the EU also proposed aid money for Libya as well as other African countries to seal borders and prevent the flow of migrants trying to find their way to Europe.

3. The US will add more sanctions on Iran

The White House will impose new sanctions on Iranian institutions. This is the information posted on the CNN website today, February 3.

According to CNN, the additional sanctions imposed by the US are to condemn the ballistic missile test that Iran conducted on January 30.

The new sanctions order, expected to be signed by US President Donald Trump today, could target dozens of Iranian individuals, companies and government agencies. The previous administration of President Barack Obama took similar action after the Middle Eastern country tested ballistic missiles.

In a letter to President Donald Trump on February 2, a bipartisan group of lawmakers called for more sanctions on Iran. “Iran’s leaders must reduce their destabilizing activities, from funding terrorist groups to continuing ballistic missile testing. Full enforcement of existing sanctions and additional sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program are necessary,” the letter said.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated since the ballistic missile test on January 30. After Iran's missile test, US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn called it a provocative act, contrary to the United Nations Security Council resolution.

Meanwhile, Iran asserted that the ballistic missile test was a legitimate defense move and warned the US not to strain relations between the two countries.

4. British House of Commons clears way for Prime Minister Theresa May to trigger EU exit process

According to AP, on February 2, with 498 votes in favor and 114 votes against, MPs in the British House of Commons unanimously approved the first phase of a bill, paving the way for Prime Minister Theresa May to activate Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty for the UK to leave the European Union (EU), also known as Brexit.

The bill will then be sent to the House of Lords for debate from February 20 and could be formally approved on March 7. Prime Minister T. May is under pressure to get quick approval from the British Parliament because she has promised European leaders to start the two-year Brexit negotiation process before the end of March.

Previously, London also tried to activate this provision without going through Parliament. However, the British Supreme Court later ruled that Mrs. May's Government must receive Parliament's approval. The UK's negotiations to leave the EU are expected to last about 2 years and are predicted to be one of the most difficult and complicated negotiations in the history of the EU.

5. Mr. Rex Tillerson officially becomes the new US Secretary of State

On February 1, Mr. Rex Tillerson, former leader of the oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil, officially became the new US Secretary of State.

The US Senate has confirmed Mr. Tillerson. He passed the Senate vote with a narrow margin: 56 votes in favor and 43 votes against. The 56 people who voted in favor included all Republican senators and 4 Democrats.

Mr. Tillerson, 64, worked at Exxon Mobil for 40 years. He stepped down as Chairman and CEO of the corporation in 2016.

Mr. Tillerson took office as Secretary of State amid many difficulties when about 1,000 US diplomatic staff signed a petition protesting President Donald Trump's controversial immigration ban.

Republicans and supporters of Mr. Tillerson believe he will do well as US Secretary of State thanks to his extensive experience in running a large corporation operating across continents around the world.

Meanwhile, some other Senators expressed concern about the new Secretary of State's close relationship with Russia as he has a long history of working in the oil and gas sector.

6. America is "hot" because of the immigration ban decree

Less than half a month since taking office, US President Donald Trump has continuously introduced many controversial policies.

Among them, the executive order banning entry to immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Yemen, is becoming the focus. Immediately after being announced, the decision sparked a wave of protests from within the United States and many other countries.

The order suspends all refugees from entering the United States for 120 days, bans Syrian refugees indefinitely, and bans citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days, including those with "green cards," which are long-term resident cards in the country. The White House chief said these are new screening measures to prevent radical Islamic terrorists from entering the United States, and visas will be issued again as soon as "the strictest security policies" are implemented.

However, the decision of the head of state did not receive the approval of many Americans. Thousands of protesters gathered outside the White House carrying banners and chanting slogans against discrimination against immigrants.

In New York City, a symbol of freedom and immigration, thousands of people also gathered in Battery Park to protest the new president's order. Protests also took place in many other cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Seattle.

Despite his own arguments, the decision of the 45th President of the United States is facing many disagreements. In any case, a tense atmosphere at home and abroad is not a favorable sign for a leader in his first days in power.

7. North Korea dismisses key adviser to leader Kim Jong Un

A photo of Mr. Kim Won Hong released by KCNA on June 30, 2016. (Source: Reuters)

According to Reuters/Kyodo, on February 3, South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said North Korea had dismissed its Minister of People's Security, Mr. Kim Won Hong - considered an important advisor to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

According to the above source, Mr. Kim Won Hong was removed from office in mid-January 2017 due to charges of corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations.

On the same day, Yonhap news agency confirmed that Mr. Kim Won Hong had been fired after an investigation and said that, in addition to being fired, Mr. Kim, who was a 4-star General, had been demoted to 2-star General.

The Ministry of People's Security of North Korea is responsible for monitoring civilian activities, counterintelligence, and punishing those who pose a threat to the state.

Mr. Kim emerged as a powerful figure in North Korea after being appointed as head of the agency in 2012, leading to the execution of Jang Song Thaek, uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

8. Mr. Ban Ki-moon announced that he will not run for President of South Korea.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon - considered one of the top candidates for the South Korean presidency - has announced that he will not join the race for the most powerful seat in the Blue House.

At a press conference held at the Parliament building, right after a meeting with Conservative Party leaders, Mr. Ban Ki-moon said he felt very disappointed by the selfishness of some politicians and about the rumors surrounding him and his relatives accepting bribes.

“All these false rumors have ruined my political reform plans and left many negative impacts on my family, myself and the reputation of the United Nations - where I have devoted myself for the past 10 years,” said Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon, 72 years old, returned to Korea on January 12 after 10 years as Secretary General of the United Nations. He was the Foreign Minister of Korea from 2004 to 2006 and made many contributions to implementing policies to improve relations between Korea and North Korea.

Earlier, in a poll released last week, Mr. Ban Ki-moon's approval rating had dropped to 16.5%, ranking second behind the main candidate of the Democratic Party, Moon Jae-in. His decision to withdraw from the presidential race could help boost the chances of candidates from other small parties, such as Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Progressive Party.

Peace

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