The world last week in photos

(Baonghean.vn) - Let's review the most outstanding world events of the past 7 days with Baonghean.vn.

1. Four-way talks on a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine.

Key figures at the recent ceasefire talks in Minsk. From left: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko - Photo: Reuters

Efforts to defuse the tense situation in eastern Ukraine have yielded some results after a 17-hour four-way meeting in Minsk, Belarus, between Russia, Germany, France, and Ukraine concluded. The talks resulted in a ceasefire effective from midnight on February 15th, followed by the withdrawal of heavy weapons.

The Ukrainian president ordered a ceasefire for the military starting February 15. (Photo: [Image])AP

According to the ceasefire agreement, today (February 15th) marks the first day it takes effect. Just one day prior, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko personally ordered the Ukrainian government forces to cease fire, in compliance with the Minsk agreement. Military spokesman Vladyslav Selezynov stated that the Ukrainian armed forces immediately complied with President Poroshenko's order, ending shelling in Donetsk and several other areas in the east. Although the situation in Debaltseve, a key transport hub frequently attacked by separatists, remains tense, there is hope that adherence to the ceasefire will lead to an improvement in the situation.

US President Obama had a phone call with Russian President Putin just before their meeting in Minsk. - Photo: Reuters.

Although not participating in the Minsk talks or having any face-to-face meetings between the US and the "Normandy Four" (Russia, France, Germany, and Ukraine), the US did exert some influence on the Minsk agreement. US President Barack Obama held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, despite recent tensions between the two countries. According to the Kremlin, the call focused on "achieving a peaceful solution to the serious crisis in Ukraine."

2. ISIS launched a suicide attack on a military base in Iraq housing American troops.

The image shows 25 ISIS militants during the recent suicide attack. - Photo: USA Today

On February 14th, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) launched another audacious attack on the al-Asad military base in western Iraq, but it was unsuccessful. The base housed American soldiers training local security forces. Reuters, citing the Pentagon, reported that approximately 25 IS militants carried out the attack, including several suicide bombers. Some activated their bomb vests. However, all were killed.

IS gunmen seize Sirte radio station in Libya. - Photo: Reuters.

Also on February 14th, several gunmen claiming to be members of IS attacked and seized the radio station in Sirte, Libya. According to a close source, IS seized the Radio Sirte headquarters on February 14th, then broadcast programs about the Quran and speeches by IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and their spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani. IS activity in Libya is escalating, with the Libyan ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) warning earlier this month that IS militants are growing in Libya "exponentially and committing crimes every day."

3. The US Senate approves the new Secretary of Defense.

Ashton Carter has been confirmed by the US Senate to serve as Secretary of Defense. - Photo: Reuters

Following Chuck Hagel's resignation as Secretary of Defense in November 2014, President Obama nominated Ashton Carter to head the Pentagon. However, it wasn't until February 15, 2015, that the US Senate confirmed Carter for the position. According to Reuters, Carter, 60, was approved by the Senate yesterday as US Secretary of Defense with 93 votes in favor and 5 against. Carter previously served as Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2011 to 2013.

4. The shooting in Denmark

Images of the suspects in the two shootings - photo: BBC

Denmark has been rocked in recent days by two consecutive shootings. One occurred at a cafe in Copenhagen, killing at least one person and injuring three police officers during a debate about Islam and freedom of speech. This was followed by a shooting at a synagogue in the Danish capital, leaving several people injured. The BBC reported that one person was shot in the head, while two police officers sustained injuries to their arms and legs. The attacker escaped. The man who was shot in the head later died from his injuries.

Danish police seal off the scene where they killed the shooting suspect - photo: AP

According to the latest information, Danish police have just killed a man believed to be the suspect in the two recent shootings. Danish police were stationed near a house in the Norrebro district this morning, waiting for the owner to return. When the man appeared, he spotted the officers and immediately drew his gun and opened fire. Police returned fire and killed him shortly afterward. Information about the shooter has not yet been released.

Minh Nhat(Synthetic)