World last 7 days - featured news

1. Tensions on the Korean peninsula cool down

South Korean (left) and North Korean chief negotiators at a meeting at Panmunjom on January 9, 2018.

After more than a year of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, on January 9, the world witnessed a high-level dialogue between North Korea and South Korea. This was the first time in two years that Pyongyang and Seoul had a high-level dialogue at the Peace House in the Joint Security Area (DMZ).

The main theme is North Korea's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.Seoul said it will also propose ways to improve inter-Korean relations.

2.Chinese army launches missiles, conducts massive military exercises

The Chinese military has just launched a series of high-precision missiles.

On January 9, the Chinese military tested a series of high-precision short- and medium-range missiles and conducted unprecedented large-scale military exercises nationwide at 4,000 military bases.

According to observers, the missiles tested were the DF-11 and DF-16, which can fly up to 1,000km. The DF-16 is a much more advanced version of the DF-11 surface-to-air missile. This type of missile has been deployed in the Eastern Military District.

Earlier, the country's armed forces conducted regular drills in response to a call from President Xi Jinping.

3.Chinese warships approach disputed islands, Japan protests

A Chinese Type 054A frigate. Photo: Wikipedia.

On January 11, Japanese naval vessels detected a 4,000-ton Chinese Type 054A frigate (NATO designation Jiangkai II) near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

Japanese Defense Ministry spokesman Go Yamaguchi said there was also an unidentified submarine entering the contiguous waters off the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama immediately summoned Chinese Ambassador to Tokyo Cheng Yonghua to express his concern. Mr. Sugiyama "asked China not to interfere with the flow of improving Japan-China relations".

4. Russian President Putin officially launched his election campaign in Moscow

Russian President Putin. Photo: AP.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the first official rally of his election campaign in Moscow on January 10.

Determined to win re-election in the election scheduled for next March, the Russian leader announced last month that he would run as an independent candidate, not on a party list.

Before meeting with the three campaign co-chairs at the campaign headquarters in Gostiny Dvor, Mr Putin met with young volunteers and wrote a message to the campaign team on a white board placed in one of the meeting rooms.

5.US President calls for law change related to Iran nuclear deal

US President Donald Trump. Photo: New York Times

US President Donald Trump has reluctantly agreed not to reimpose sanctions on Iran, but this will be the last time the US leader makes such a waiver. The move is believed to give the US and its European allies a chance to fix the “terrible mistakes” in the 2015 nuclear deal.

While President Donald Trump has agreed not to reimpose sanctions against Iran, the US Treasury Department has just announced a new sanctions list targeting 14 Iranian entities and individuals./.

6.Massive landslide in California, nearly 20 people dead

The landslide in Southern California, USA has raised the death toll to 17 people. Photo: CNN.

On January 9, heavy rains caused powerful floods that carried large amounts of mud and rocks down the bare hillsides of Southern California, sweeping away many homes. The California landslide caused many casualties because it occurred at night when large floods rushed down the steep mountain slopes.

About 163 people have been taken to hospital. A group of up to 300 people are trapped in Romero Canyon, east of Santa Barbara.

In addition to the 17 people confirmed dead in the incidentlandslideAs of now, 13 other people are still missing, 28 people were injured, while hundreds of households' houses were destroyed.

7.Japanese Prime Minister visits Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: The Telegraph

On January 12, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe began a tour of six European countries, with the first stop in Estonia.

This is the first visit by a Japanese leader to these countries. Speaking to the press before leaving, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that this 6-day trip is to clearly demonstrate Japan's open diplomatic strategy.

Mr. Abe hopes that during the talks with his partners, he will seek cooperation with countries to respond to urgent challenges facing the international community, including the North Korean crisis. In addition, this 6-day visit also aims to strengthen economic relations with Europe.