World last 7 days - featured news

(Baonghean.vn) - The opening of the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China, South Korea's announcement of an early breakthrough in North Korea's frontline defense line, President Donald Trump's announcement of his schedule to visit Vietnam... are the highlights of the past 7 days.

1. Opening of the National Congress of the Communist Party of China

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China opened on the morning of October 18 in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

On the morning of October 18, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China officially opened in Beijing. The congress will elect the leadership apparatus that will steer China's destiny for the next 5 years.

The congress was attended by 2,280 delegates, representing about 89 million party members across China. Compared to the number of delegates previously announced by the media, the actual number was 7 fewer, meaning 7 delegates were eliminated at the last minute.

The closed-door meetings took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing from October 18-24 to make important decisions on China's fate over the next five years.

2. Putin admits biggest mistake

President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Valdai Dialogue Club in Sochi, Russia, October 19. Photo: Reuters

During a policy talk at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on October 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed what he considered Russia's biggest mistake over the past 15 years: placing Moscow's trust in the West.

The Kremlin chief believes that relations between Russia and the US should be based on mutual respect and treating each other as equal partners.

3. US President Donald Trump will officially visit Vietnam next November.

US President Donald Trump will visit Vietnam this November. Photo: Reuters

A press release issued by the White House on October 16 listed the detailed schedule of US President Donald Trump during his trip to Asia, including activities in Vietnam.

Accordingly, President Donald Trump's trip to Asia will last from November 3 to 14.

During his visit to Vietnam, on November 10, President Donald Trump will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Da Nang.

4. South Korea declares to quickly penetrate North Korea's defense line

South Korea's Hyunmoo-II ballistic missile. Photo: Yonhap

South Korea's military said on October 19 that it would swiftly and completely destroy North Korea's frontline artillery systems in the event of a war on the peninsula. In a report to the National Assembly, the military proposed a three-layer missile attack in the early stages of an armed conflict.

The first weapon to be deployed will be a strategic surface-to-surface missile called KTSSM, also known as the artillery killer. "The KTSSM-I will attack enemy tunnels with its 170mm self-propelled gun and 240mm multiple rocket launcher system," the South Korean military said in a report on the operation involving 490,000 troops.

5. Austria has the world's youngest new Prime Minister

The 31-year-old politician also expressed his determination to prevent terrorism and improve the country's position in Europe. Photo: RT

31-year-old politician Sebastian Kurz has made history by becoming the youngest prime minister in the history of Austria and the EU.

Reuters news agency cited the preliminary vote count results announced by the Austrian Ministry of the Interior on the morning of October 16, the right-wing People's Party (OVP) led by Sebastian Kurz won the new general election in Austria with 31.4% of the votes, second was the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) with 27.4% and the left-wing Social Democratic Party (SPO) of outgoing Chancellor Christian Kern came in third (26.7%).

Sebastian Kurz was born and raised in Vienna, the capital of Austria. In 2013, he took up the position of Foreign Minister, making his name in the history of Europe's youngest foreign minister.

6. Russian President unexpectedly 'strongly' signs sanctions against North Korea

A North Korean missile launch.

On October 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree imposing restrictive measures on North Korea to force Pyongyang to comply with the United Nations Security Council's sanctions resolution.

RT said that Russia's restrictive decree on North Korea is related to the sanctions resolution that the United Nations Security Council issued in November 2016.

Russia's move to sanction North Korea came after a North Korean delegation arrived in St. Petersburg to attend the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-137).

7. IS bombs mosque in Afghanistan, 72 people dead

Bombing scene.

At least 72 people, including children, were killed in two suicide bombings in Kabul and Ghor province on October 20, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. The attackers targeted Shiite mosques, Reuters reported.

Witness Mahmood Shah Husaini said a bomber entered the Imam Zaman mosque in western Kabul during prayers and blew himself up, killing 39 people. A similar attack occurred at a mosque in central Ghor province, killing at least 33 people.

Peace

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