World last 7 days - featured news

(Baonghean.vn)- Tensions on the Korean Peninsula; President Putin's annual press conference; Russia withdrawing troops from Syria; Terrorism in New York... are the international news highlights of the past week.

1. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Mr. Kim and close advisers visit Mount Paektu after the ICBM launch.

The North Korean leader visited the sacred Mount Paektu to celebrate the country's latest successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile on November 29. North Korea declared a nuclear state on the Korean peninsula. It is only a matter of "when" and not "if".

Meanwhile, the US and South Korea have the largest joint exercise ever in history with 230 aircraft and 12,000 US and South Korean soldiers mobilized for the Vigilant Ace joint exercise. This is the largest joint exercise between the two countries in history, while tensions are escalating on the Korean peninsula.

2. President Putin holds annual press conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

On December 14, Russian President Putin held his annual press conference. The press conference was to assess important events in Russia and international issues during the past year.

At the beginning of the press conference, Russian President Putin announced that he would run for election as an independent candidate and called for support from political parties as well as Russian voters. Regarding the economy, Mr. Putin affirmed that the Russian economy is showing signs of sustainable growth, exports have increased significantly, and Russia is the leader in grain exports.

Regarding the possibility of the United States withdrawing from the Treaty on the Limitation and Destruction of Shorter- and Intermediate-Range Missiles, Mr. Putin said that it would lead to complications in the field of world security and declared that Russia would allocate its defense budget within the allowable budget framework, just enough to maintain Russia's defense potential.

After nearly 3 hours, President Putin answered many questions related to anti-corruption issues, improving people's lives, caring for the younger generation, and privatizing state-owned companies.

3. Russia withdraws troops from Syria

President Putin suddenly ordered the withdrawal of troops in Syria. Photo: Kremlin.ru

During a surprise visit to Khmeimim airbase in Latakia province, Syria this morning (December 11), Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of Russian troops from this Middle Eastern country.

The Russian president met with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, and Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu at the base, which houses Russian forces supporting Syria in the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization, RT news agency reported.

The Russian leader affirmed that in two years the Russian and Syrian armies "defeated the most stubborn terrorist group in the world" and "it is time for you to return home to your loved ones".

4. Terror in New York

New York police at the scene. Photo: NY Post.

An explosion of unknown origin, "terrorism-related", occurred in Manhattan, New York, on December 11, injuring four people.

According to BBC, the explosion occurred at Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT), a federal bus station, near Times Square. The cause may have been a pipe bomb that exploded below the station.

Police have arrested a man suspected of involvement in the blast. The suspect, a 27-year-old man, was found with explosives strapped to his body. He suffered burns to his hands and abdomen but his life is not in danger. The suspect appears to be from Bangladesh and may have acted on behalf of the Islamic State (IS).

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called the explosion an "attempted terrorist attack". "Thank God the attacker did not achieve his goal," he said.

5. Türkiye plans to open embassy in East Jerusalem

The OIC considers East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Turkey will open an embassy in East Jerusalem after members of the Council of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) declared the city the capital of Palestine, the country's foreign minister said.

Daily Sabah quoted Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying: “The recognition of the Palestinian state is in line with the decision of the United Nations. We will fight for the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.” Cavusoglu also added that all efforts will be made until the US withdraws its decision to consider Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Türkiye's opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has also asked the government to open an embassy in East Jerusalem.

6. Putin, Trump talk on the phone about North Korea

US President Donald Trump (left) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters.

The two Russian and US leaders discussed "the situation in a number of crisis areas, focusing on resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula" in a phone call on December 14, AFP reported, citing a statement from the Kremlin.

The statement said the two leaders agreed to maintain contact but did not elaborate. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders confirmed the call.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula are high over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said earlier this week that Washington was determined to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal but was also willing to "negotiate without preconditions". However, the White House has insisted that there will be no negotiations unless North Korea improves its behavior.

7. North Korea reappointed 'key' positions of weapons program

Mr. Thae Jong-su (left) and Mr. No Kwang-chol (right), two officials recently appointed to key positions in the North Korean arms industry. Photo: Yonhap

The most powerful figure on the list is Thae Jong-su, who was appointed Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in October. On the first day of the conference, Thae was introduced as the person responsible for reporting on the defense industry to Kim Jong-un.

Mr Thae is believed to have been appointed to replace Mr Ri as vice chairman of the party's defense production department. Mr Thae was previously the director of a weapons factory in Chagang province.

Besides,YonhapCiting a source from the South Korean intelligence agency, North Korea also appointed Mr. No Kwang-chol as the head of the Second Economic Committee, an agency tasked with financing and providing funding for activities related to the North Korean arms industry. Mr. No used to hold the position of Vice Minister of Defense of North Korea.

According toYonhapThe conference also noted the rapid advancement of Jang Chang-ha and Jon Il-ho. These two officials were responsible for commanding North Korea's missile test launch on November 29, which, according to North Korea, completed Pyongyang's nuclear force.

Peace

(Synthetic)