World last 7 days - featured news

(Baonghean.vn) - The US considers a preemptive strike on North Korea; Mr. Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is opposed by nearly 130 countries; South Korean Coast Guard shoots at Chinese fishing boats; Fire in South Korea; Railway accident in the US... these are the world's outstanding news last week.

1. US considers preemptive strike on North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is determined to develop nuclear weapons despite international pressure and sanctions. Photo: Reuters/KCNA

“The Pentagon is trying to find options that would allow them to hit North Korea directly, force it to pay attention and demonstrate that we are serious,” a former US security official told the Telegraph.

Options 'on the table' include bombing a missile launch site before the next test, and destroying a weapons storage facility. The aim is to show North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that Washington is "serious" about stopping his weapons programme.

In addition, the US affirmed that it will continue military exercises with South Korea and Japan. Washington showed its seriousness about stopping North Korea's nuclear program. Meanwhile, North Korea declared that war is only a matter of time and denied Washington's accusations that it possesses and develops civilian weapons.

2. Mr. Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was opposed by nearly 130 countries.

The results of the vote on the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel are displayed on a screen at the United Nations General Assembly on December 21. Photo: AFP.

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution opposing Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel with 128 member countries voting in favor.

The resolution opposing US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was passed on December 21 at the United Nations General Assembly, consisting of 193 members, with a ratio of 128 in favor, 9 against, and 35 abstentions, AFP reported.

The vote came shortly after President Trump threatened to cut off aid to countries that supported the UN resolution. Twenty-one countries, including Ukraine, which had supported the resolution at the Security Council, abstained, suggesting some were swayed by the threat from the White House chief.

The nine countries that objected were Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo and the United States.

3. Pro-independence faction wins Catalonia election

Mr. Carles Puigdemont (center) celebrates after the victory of the separatists. Photo: AFP.

Catalonia's separatist supporters won 70 of 135 seats in parliamentary elections on December 21, more than the minimum majority of 68 seats needed. The victory could leave Catalonia's future in further uncertainty, AFP reported. Catalonia held a referendum in October on independence from Spain, creating the worst political crisis in decades in the country.

With a record turnout and 99.6% of votes counted, the election results showed support for Catalonia’s deposed former leaders, who are in prison or exile abroad. The separatists will take power if they form a three-party coalition after the election.

However, looking at individual results, the anti-separatist Ciudadanos party won the most votes, with 37 seats.

4. Catastrophic accidents in the world

- Train derails over bridge, falls onto highway in US

Photo: Twitter

The accident occurred at 7:40 a.m. on December 18, when an Amtrak passenger train derailed on a bridge and plunged onto the I-5 interstate below in Pierce County, between Tacoma and Olympia, Washington.

There were 77 passengers and seven crew members on board the train at the time of the accident, according to authorities. At least six people were killed and about 100 were hospitalized, including more than 10 in critical condition. No driver was killed. All southbound lanes of I-5 were closed.

Reacting on Twitter to the train derailment, President Donald Trump said the accident demonstrated the need for quick action on infrastructure and offered condolences to the families of the victims in the accident.

- Fitness center fire in South Korea, 29 people died

This is the most serious fire in Korea since 2008. Photo: Reuters

At least 29 people died and 26 were injured in a fire that broke out at a fitness center in the southern city of Jecheon on December 21. Firefighters said the fire started in a car in the basement before spreading throughout the building, Yonhap reported.

The victims were trapped in the sauna on the second floor. The Jecheon city government deployed 20 fire trucks and 50 firefighters to control the blaze. Some witnesses said the plume of smoke could be seen from 160 kilometers away.

The building was completely destroyed in the fire, and the vehicles in the basement were also burned down.

- Ferry carrying more than 250 people sinks in the Philippines

Rescue work after the accident in the Philippines. Photo: EPA

At around 11 a.m. on December 21, the Mercraft 3 ferry carrying 251 passengers sank in the waters off Quezon City, Luzon Island, 70 km east of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

According to Reuters, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said he had received reports from local radio that four people had died and 140 had been rescued. However, on December 22, Philippine officials said they had rescued 252 passengers while five people had died.

Boat accidents are common in the Philippines, mainly due to typhoons. Every year, about 20 major and minor typhoons hit the Philippines or rage in its waters.

5. South Korea fired 249 warning shots at Chinese fishing boats.

South Korean coast guard ship during a drill. Photo: SCMP.

Korea Coast Guardsaid they fired 249 warning shots when a group of Chinese fishing boats"surrounded" one of its patrol boats in South Korean waters. Beijing has called for restraint, according toReuters.

According to a statement from the South Korean Coast Guard, a group of 44 Chinese fishing boats equipped with iron bars and steel nets chased the patrol boat on December 19. The South Korean forces issued warnings to stay away and fired 249 warning shots until the Chinese boats retreated.

"Chinese fishing boats tried to surround and collide with our patrol boat, ignoring warnings," the statement said. China, which has repeatedly sent diplomatic notes protesting the use of force by the South Korean coast guard, expressed "deep concern" over the information.

6. The US government announced the new National Security Strategy

US President Donald Trump announced his new national security strategy earlier this week. Photo: Getty.

On December 18, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced the National Security Strategy, the first since Mr. Trump took office.

The new strategy identifies Russia and China as political rivals that seek to challenge American power, security, and prosperity. The US views Russia as a negative actor on the international stage and Washington views Moscow as a rival, despite Trump’s personal desire to have a warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On December 22, the Russian president criticized the new US security strategy as "aggressive" and added that Moscow would consider Washington's stance. Meanwhile, Beijing asserted that President Trump had "ignored the facts" and "exaggerated" when he said that China challenged US national security in the new strategy.

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