World 7 days ago - featured news

(Baonghean.vn) - President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; President Putin announced his re-election for a fourth term; TIME magazine announced "Person of the Year"; Wildfires in California, USA;... are the outstanding international news of the past week.

1. The Korean Peninsula continues to heat up

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Yonhap.

After North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile in defiance of the world, the Korean peninsula has once again become a "fire pan". Countries have voiced their protests and demanded tightening of sanctions.

The US and South Korea conducted an unprecedented large-scale military exercise, with the presence of 230 fighter jets and 12,000 soldiers. The "monster" bomber B-B1 Lancer and the super fighter jets F-22. F-16, F-35A were present near the border of North Korea. Meanwhile, Pyongyang asserted that war was inevitable.

2. President Trump recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

(1/1) US President Donald Trump signed a statement witnessed by Vice President Mike Pence (back) recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

On December 6, US President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced plans to move the US embassy there.

“I have determined that the time has come to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” US President Trump declared. “Previous presidents made campaign promises and failed to keep them. Today, I am making it a reality,” he added.

He also directed the US State Department to "begin preparations to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem".

3.The international community reacted strongly to Mr. Trump's statement.

Palestinians protest at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. Photo: Reuters

After US President Donald Trump announced his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, many protests and clashes broke out in many Middle Eastern countries to protest this decision.

France does not support President Trump's unilateral decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry called this an "irresponsible" action by the US. Jordan considered this action to be no different from a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on December 8 about President Trump's decision.

4. President Putin announced his re-election for a fourth term.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters

RT news agency said that President Putin officially confirmed his re-election at a meeting with GAZ factory workers in Nizhny Novgorod on December 6. "I will run for president again. There is probably no better occasion or place to announce this," Mr. Putin said.

Immediately after this announcement by the Kremlin leader, the crowd cheered to express support for President Putin.

"Thank you for your work, for your attitude towards the situation in the country. I believe that everything will be fine for us. Our country is made up of people like you. They are workers, scientists, engineers, designers, teachers, doctors... With the enthusiastic dedication of the people, Russia can overcome any challenge, even the most difficult. Russia will only move forward and no one can stop it," said Mr. Putin.

5. Wildfires in California, USA

The fierce fire caused huge damage to people and property in California.

On the evening of December 4 and the morning of December 5, after strong Santa Ana winds, a wildfire quickly spread over 12,500 hectares in Ventura County, Southern California, forcing thousands of people to evacuate overnight.

Under the impact of winds of more than 110km/h, the fire was discovered at about 6:30 pm on December 4 local time and quickly spread.

On December 5, California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for the entire Ventura County area, advising residents to “be ready to evacuate immediately if requested” because this wildfire is “very dangerous and spreading very quickly.”

According to the latest information, the fires in California have killed 43 people and caused damage up to 3.3 billion USD.

6. TIME magazine announces "Person of the Year"

“Silence Breakers” is Person of the Year 2017. Source: TIME/NBC15.

Accordingly, the "silence breakers", who have spoken out against sexual harassment in the workplace, have become TIME magazine's Person of the Year (US). The results were announced on the morning of December 6 (US time).

In an article published in TIME, editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said that in 2017, "breaking the silence" became a social media hashtag, a movement, an action, but before all, it started with the courageous actions of a few individuals.

On the cover of TIME magazine's "Person of the Year" issue are five women - Ashley Judd, Susan Fowler, Adama Iwu, Taylor Swift and Isabel Pascual - five of the many women, and men, who have publicly told their stories of sexual harassment and created the "blockbuster" of 2017, exposing one of the ugliest truths that has existed in workplaces around the world, whether it's on film sets or in technology companies.

7. Russia declares defeat of IS in Syria

Russian pilots at the Hmeimim base in Syria

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General Valery Gerasimov, said on December 7 that Syria has been completely liberated from terrorists and all groups of gunmen of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) have been destroyed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that a meeting on the political process for the Syrian crisis in Sochi will be a new focus. He also outlined other goals including a new constitution, presidential elections and general elections for the Syrian people.

However, the Russian leader noted that the peace process would be “a long and huge process” and for this to become a reality, the bloodshed in Syria must stop completely.

8. Trump's immigration ban is enforced

President Donald Trump. Photo: Sky News

The US Supreme Court has just agreed to allow full enforcement of President Donald Trump's entry ban on six Muslim-majority countries.

Seven of the court's nine judges accepted a request on December 4 from the Trump administration to lift rulings blocking the entry ban on citizens from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, Sky News reported.

This means that controversial restrictions on entry into the US can be fully enforced, despite ongoing challenges in lower courts.

Peace

(Synthetic)