World last 7 days - featured news

(Baonghean.vn) - The 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China; Thailand held the funeral of the late King Bhumilbol Adulyahdej; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was re-elected as Prime Minister of Japan; Catalan government was dissolved immediately after declaring independence;... are the outstanding international news of the past week.

1. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China

The Standing Committee of the 19th Politburo of the Communist Party of China, from left to right: Han Zheng, Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Zhao Leji. Photo: Reuters

On the morning of October 18, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China officially opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Attending the opening ceremony were senior leaders of the Chinese Party and State, more than 2,300 delegates representing more than 89 million Party members and 4.5 million grassroots Party organizations.

In his opening speech at the Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping called on all Party members and Chinese people to firmly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strive to complete the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

The congress concluded on October 24, electing a new Central Committee with 204 official members, one fewer than the 18th Central Committee, and 172 alternate members. The congress also elected a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) with 133 members.

2. Thailand holds funeral for late King Bhumilbol Adulyahdej

King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej

On the morning of October 25, Thailand officially began the funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej - Rama IX.

King Bhumibol - who passed away on October 13, 2016, at the age of 88 - was the world's longest-reigning monarch, and was deeply loved and respected by the Thai people. More than 12 million people, more than 1/5 of Thailand's population, came to bid farewell to King Bhumibol over the past year.

The Buddhist funeral will last five days, starting on the morning of October 25. The cremation ceremony is scheduled for October 26. King Maha Vajiralongkorn - Rama X, will preside over the funeral.

Thailand has spent 3 billion baht ($90 million) on the funeral. October 26 has been declared a public holiday to give people the opportunity to bid farewell to their king.

3. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe re-elected Prime Minister of Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

On October 23, the ruling coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Komeito Party of Japan won 312/465 seats, or 2/3 of the seats in the House of Representatives. This was a great victory for Mr. Abe. And it can also be said that it was a victory without many surprises. Thus, Mr. Abe continued to become Prime Minister of Japan for another term.

The victory will give the LDP and Prime Minister Abe a head start in pushing for constitutional revision. Speaking on television after securing victory, Prime Minister Abe said he wanted to gain support from lawmakers from other parties in his bid to revise the constitution. He also pledged to raise the consumption tax from 8 to 10 percent from October 2019 to boost social welfare and allow nuclear power plants that meet safety standards to resume operations.

4. Catalan government dissolved immediately after declaration of independence

Fireworks outside the Catalan government headquarters after the region's parliament approved a decision to declare independence from Spain. Photo: REUTERS

On October 27, Spain's Catalan regional parliament declared independence and proclaimed a republic, in a controversial vote that was rejected as illegal by Spain's constitutional court.

The Catalan parliament president said the independence motion passed with 70 votes in favour, 10 against and two abstentions, out of a total of 135 seats. Deputies from the Socialist Party, the ruling Popular Party (PP) and Ciudadanos expressed their opposition by walking out before the vote.

ButSpanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy then dissolved the country's government and parliament and announced that on December 21, new elections would be held to choose a replacement.

Accordingly, Mr. Rajoy announced the dismissal of President Carles Puigdemont, the regional police chief as well as Catalonia's diplomatic envoys in Madrid and Brussels, and said that central government ministries would take over Catalonia.

5.Russia test-fired 4 ballistic missiles in a row

Russian military's Topol missile. Photo: Daily Mail

On October 26, the Russian armed forces test-fired four ballistic missiles during military exercises involving long-range bombers.

The launch of four ballistic missiles was carried out as part of a large-scale military exercise involving Russia's strategic forces. One of Russia's most sophisticated weapons, the Topol-class ballistic missile, was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia and hit a mock target at the Kura missile test site.

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that two submarines from the Northern Fleet and the Pacific Fleet launched three missiles in a row to demonstrate their skills. Long-range bombers Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 also showed off their power during the exercise by launching cruise missiles at simulated targets at two test airfields in Russia and Kazakhstan. All the shots hit and destroyed the targets as planned.

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