US accuses Russia and North Korea of ​​planning big things, China reassures India about giant dam, Trump's grievance

The World and Vietnam Newspaper reviews some international events of the day.

The Bogibeel Bridge over the Brahmaputra/Yarlung Tsangpo River. This is the river where China plans to build the world's largest dam, worth about $137 billion. (Source: Istock Photo)

Europe

* Russia intends to share advanced space and satellite technology with North Korea in exchange for Pyongyang supplying weapons and other equipment to Moscow, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused on January 6.

Russia may be about to reverse decades of policy by accepting North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the diplomat said. (Yonhap)

* Ukraine has suggested to US President-elect Donald Trump that he buy weapons from Washington using $300 billion of frozen Russian assets, noting that Kiev "does not need any gifts" from the world's number one power. Ukraine considers this one of its military guarantees. (Ukrinform)

* German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has denied plans to visit Russia and meet with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow anytime soon . According to the German leader, such a meeting was never even considered, noting that he would only hold another phone call with President Putin if it was "productive". (Anadolu)

* A large explosion occurred near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) on January 5, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

The organization recorded several loud explosions near the ZNPP, coinciding with reports of “an alleged drone attack on the ZNPP training center, just outside the plant area,” he said. (Ukrinform)

* Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere is concerned about American billionaire Elon Musk - a man with huge access to social media and huge economic resources - directly interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.

Mr. Stoere called on the country's politicians to take a stand against this concern if it becomes a reality. (Politico)

Asia-Pacific

* China has insisted that its plan to build the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River (known in Beijing as the Yarlung Tsangpo River) in Tibet, near the border with India, will not have a negative impact on the environment, geology or water resources of downstream countries such as India and Bangladesh.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the project will help improve disaster prevention and mitigate the impact of climate change in downstream areas.

The remarks came as India expressed concerns over the impact of the dam during talks with visiting US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in New Delhi. (PTI)

* India is in the process of finalizing major defense deals with France, including the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets and three Scorpene-class submarines, worth more than $10 billion.

These agreements are expected to be signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris, scheduled for February 2025. (Oneindia)

* Bangladesh issues second arrest warrant for exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. International Criminal Court (ICT) chief prosecutor Tajul Islam said on January 6 that the ICT has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 11 others, including her military adviser, military personnel and other law enforcement officials. (Times of India)

* Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has ruled out forming a “grand coalition” with major opposition parties for now, saying he will first focus on securing their support to pass bills and the budget.

The leader hopes to have a discussion with US President-elect Donald Trump "at the most appropriate time and in an appropriate format", while admitting that no specific date has been set. (Kyodo)

* North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea. According to South Korea, the weapon was a medium-range supersonic ballistic missile with a range of 1,100km. Japan said the missile fell outside its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and caused no damage. US, Japanese and South Korean envoys protested the launch. (Yonhap)

Middle East-Africa

* The US wants a ceasefire in Gaza to be signed and the hostages released within the next two weeks, before the end of President Joe Biden's term, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

According to him, the US administration is making new efforts to push Israel and the Hamas Islamist movement to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and return hostages before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. (Anadolu)

* Hamas has said it is ready to release 34 Israeli hostages as part of a possible “first phase” of a prisoner swap with Israel, including all women, children, the elderly and the infirm currently held in Gaza. However, Israel said it has not yet received a list of the 34 hostages. (Times of Israel)

* Syrian interim government Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani made his first official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 6. On social network X, Mr. Shaibani posted a photo of himself getting off the plane and expressed his desire to "build relations with the UAE". (SANA)

* A shooting near the town of Kedumim, in the northern West Bank , on January 6 left three Israelis dead and several others injured. The Israeli army has sealed off all villages in the area to search for the suspects. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to bring the perpetrators and their accomplices to justice. (Times of Israel)

America

* Mr. Trump was not happy that the US flag was flown at half-staff on the day he was sworn in as President on January 20. This was a decision made by President Joe Biden to commemorate the late President Jimmy Carter who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100. The flag will be flown at half-staff until January 28 and Mr. Trump cannot interfere.

In a post on the social network Truth Social over the weekend, Mr. Trump commented: “The Democrats are all ‘cheering’ about flying the flag at half-staff during my inauguration. No one wants to see me inaugurated at half-staff, no American is happy about that. Wait and see. Make America Great Again!”

Asked about Mr. Trump's post at a press conference, White House press spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre affirmed that President Biden is not considering changing or reevaluating the plan to fly flags at half-staff.

* The US Secretary of State visited South Korea on January 6 and met with Acting President Choi Sang-mok and his counterpart Cho Tae-yul of the host country Seoul. Both sides expressed their opposition to North Korea's missile test.

Regarding the political turmoil in South Korea, Mr. Blinken reaffirmed that Washington has "full confidence" in the country's ability to restore democracy. (Yonhap)

* The Venezuelan government is ready for the inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro for a third term. Government supporters have organized a large parade in the capital Caracas to show their support for President Maduro. (TASS)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-61-my-to-nga-trieu-tien-tinh-lam-chuyen-lon-trung-quoc-tran-an-an-do-ve-con-dap-khung-noi-bat-binh-cua-ong-trump-299926.html