Trump names US Secretary of State, EU pledges to 'pump' more money into Ukraine, Philippines accuses China of increasing pressure

North Korea ratifies Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with Russia, Iran builds first "defense bunker" in Tehran, Moldova summons Russian Ambassador over UAV incident, Haiti has new Prime Minister ... are some of the outstanding international events in the past 24 hours.

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state. (Source: Getty Images)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

Asia- Pacific

*China: Car crashes into crowd, killing dozens: Chinese media reported on November 12 that 35 people were killed and 43 others injured after a car crashed into a group of people outside a sports center in Zhuhai city, southern China on the evening of November 11.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country will investigate the accident and address potential risks to ensure social security.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged local authorities and governments to make every effort to ensure people's livelihood and social stability. (Reuters)

*China and Russia pledge to strengthen cooperation amid challenges: At a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Beijing on November 12, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that the two countries need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to protect common interests against external challenges.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mr. Wang Yi affirmed his willingness to promote close exchanges and coordination, as well as strengthen multilateral cooperation with Russia. (Reuters)

*India and Russia sign agreement to cooperate in the production of air defense weapons: On November 11, India officially signed a cooperation agreement with Russia to produce variants of the Pantsir air defense missile-gun system, enhancing the air defense capabilities of the Indian army. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Rosoboronexport, a subsidiary of Russia's Rostec Corporation, within the framework of the fifth meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission Group (IRIGC) in Goa.

The Pantsir air defense system is a multi-purpose platform capable of protecting military facilities and critical infrastructure from airborne threats, while strengthening the defense capabilities of air defense units. (AFP)

*China launches world's most modern anti-submarine helicopter: At the Zhuhai Airshow on November 12, the Chinese military introduced the improved Z-20 helicopter with the armed naval version Z-20J, which experts say could have a major impact on the country's anti-submarine warfare.

According to analysts, the Z-20 - which is similar in design to the US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter - will help overcome weaknesses in the Chinese Navy's anti-submarine self-defense capabilities. The Pentagon report in October 2023 said the Z-20F version will bring significant improvements over the smaller helicopter models currently operated by the Chinese military.

According to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, China has deployed 15 Z-20s for search and rescue missions. (Reuters)

*North Korea ratifies Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with Russia: The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on November 12 that North Korea ratified the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation" by decree of the President of the DPRK on November 11, 2024.

According to KCNA, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the treaty in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024. The treaty will take effect from the date the two sides exchange ratification documents.

North Korea's move comes amid growing concerns about Pyongyang sending troops to Russia. KCNA stressed that the treaty includes a clause pledging that the two countries will provide each other military support in the event of an attack on either side. (Yonhap/KCNA)

*Philippines accuses China of increasing pressure in the East Sea: During a meeting with his Australian counterpart in Canberra on November 12, Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro said China is increasing pressure to force Manila to give up its sovereign rights in the East Sea.

The meeting between the Australian and Philippine defense ministers was the fifth since August 2023, reflecting the increasingly close security relationship between the two countries, which share concerns about China's activities in waters disputed with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.

After establishing a strategic partnership in September 2023, Australia and the Philippines held their first joint maritime and air patrols in the South China Sea. The Philippines also participated in military exercises in Australia for the first time this year. (Reuters)

Europe

*Germany sets date for confidence vote in parliament: A source said on November 12 that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will hold a confidence vote in parliament on December 16. This move will pave the way for early elections, following the collapse of the three-party ruling coalition last week.

Meanwhile, Handelsblatt newspaper, citing opposition sources, said early elections in Germany could take place on February 23, 2025. The decision on the date of the early elections will be made by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. (Reuters/ Sputniknews)

*EU pledges to continue supporting Ukraine: Ms. Kaja Kallas, who was recently elected as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU), affirmed on November 12 that the EU will continue to support Ukraine militarily, financially and humanitarianly "until needed" in the conflict with Russia.

The 47-year-old former Estonian prime minister stressed the need for a "clear roadmap" for Ukraine to join the EU, warning that the current battle was about European security and principles.

According to statistics from the Kiel Institute (Germany), the EU has provided about 125 billion USD in aid to Ukraine since Russia launched a special military campaign in Ukraine in 2022, while the US provided about 90 billion USD. (AFP)

*Moldova summons Russian Ambassador over UAV violation of its territory: On November 12, the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian Ambassador to hand over a diplomatic note of protest against the crash of two Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the country's territory on November 10.

This is not the first time a Russian UAV has strayed into Moldovan airspace while attacking targets in Ukraine. (Reuters)

*Russian destroyer conducts drills in the English Channel: On November 12, the Russian Northern Fleet announced that the destroyer Admiral Golovko had completed its voyage through the English Channel and was currently continuing its mission in the Atlantic Ocean.

During the passage through the English Channel, the crew of the Russian frigate conducted exercises to ensure air defense and anti-submarine defense for a flotilla, as well as several training sessions to conduct rescue operations using deck aircraft - Ka-27 helicopters.

The Admiral Golovko's long-distance voyage began on November 2, departing from the Northern Fleet's main base in Severomorsk. (Sputniknews)

*EU prepares to spend billions of dollars on military: The Financial Times reported that the European Union (EU) is preparing to disburse billions of euros from its budget - which is intended to reduce economic inequality - to spend on defense and security.

According to the newspaper, 392 billion euros ($418 billion) have been allocated to reducing economic inequality in the current EU budget plan for 2021-2027, of which less than 5% has been spent in the past nearly four years.

Before being appointed as European Commissioner for Defence and Space in September, EU lawmaker Andrius Kubilius said the EU should develop its own defence industry due to the fact that the US will focus on confronting China in the coming decades. (Sputniknews)

Middle East – Africa

*Russia, Turkey, Iran to hold new round of talks on Syria: Russia, Iran and Turkey issued a joint statement on November 12 after talks saying the three countries have agreed to hold the next round of Astana talks on Syria in the first half of 2025.

“We agreed to hold the 23rd International Conference on Syria in Astana in the first half of 2025,” the joint statement said. (Sputniknews)

*Iran builds first "defense tunnel" in capital Tehran: Semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on November 12 that Iran is building a "defense tunnel" in the capital Tehran.

The tunnel, located near the city center, will connect a Tehran metro station to Imam Khomeini Hospital, providing direct underground access to the medical facility. It is the first tunnel project built for defense purposes in Iran.

The move follows Israeli air strikes on military facilities near Tehran and western Iran last month, in response to Iran's October 1 attack on Israel. (Reuters)

*France protests Israel's encroachment on land in Jerusalem: The French Foreign Ministry on November 12 summoned the Israeli envoy after the country's security forces illegally entered French-administered land in Jerusalem on November 7.

The incident occurred when two French security officers with diplomatic status were detained in the area of ​​the Pater Noster Church on the Mount of Olives - one of four French-administered sites in Jerusalem.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot affirmed that he would not tolerate illegal incursions by Israeli armed forces into these areas in the future.

Franco-Israeli relations have deteriorated after French President Emmanuel Macron called for a halt to the supply of offensive weapons used in the Gaza Strip to Israel. France also recently banned Israeli companies from exhibiting at a defense exhibition in Paris. (Reuters)

*Iran considers the possibility of direct negotiations with the US: Iranian government spokesman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on November 12 that the country will pursue "whatever ensures national interests", when asked about the possibility of direct negotiations with the administration of US President Donald Trump in the future.

Ms Mohajerani stressed that Mr Trump’s previous campaign of “maximum pressure” had failed, despite causing great harm to the Iranian people. The former US president unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018.

Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran on reviving the nuclear deal under President Joe Biden are currently at an impasse. (Reuters)

*New Israeli Defense Minister declares to continue all-out attack on Hezbollah: On November 12, new Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed on social media that the country will not accept a ceasefire in Lebanon and will continue to launch all-out attack on the Hezbollah Islamic movement.

The statement was made after Mr. Katz's meeting with Israeli military officials. (Al Jazeera)

*Russia-Iran establish financial "bridge": Iran and Russia officially connected the interbank network between the two countries on November 11, allowing Iranians to use bank cards at ATMs in Russia.

This step marks an important milestone in economic cooperation between the two countries, aiming to simplify financial transactions for tourists from both countries in the context of both Iran and Russia being under international sanctions.

The second phase of the project is expected to be launched by the end of this year, allowing Russian tourists to use the cards at ATMs in Iran. The final phase will expand the service, allowing Iranian tourists to pay for purchases in Russia using Shetab cards. (Al Jazeera)

America - Latin America

*Mr. Trump chooses Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security: CNN quoted two sources on November 12 saying that US President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Ms. Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota, as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Previously, according to the New York Times on the evening of November 11, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in the new US administration.

In the past, Mr. Rubio has made a name for himself in foreign policy as a strong critic of Cuba and its leftist allies in Latin America, especially Venezuela.

After a landslide victory over Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the January 5 election, Donald Trump began forming his cabinet with the position of White House Chief of Staff. (Reuters/AFP)

*Haiti has a new Prime Minister: Haiti's Transitional Council (CPT) officially ousted Prime Minister Garry Conille on November 10, after only five months in power. Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, a former Senate candidate with the support of the Verite political party, was appointed as the new Prime Minister. His inauguration will take place on November 11 (local time) and the new government will be formed shortly thereafter.

Haiti is currently without a legislature, having not held elections since 2016. Gang violence in the capital Port-au-Prince is worsening, with criminal gangs controlling about 80% of the city. Since October 17, more than 4,200 people have fled their homes, with many taking refuge in schools, churches and health centres. The violence has displaced about 700,000 people and left more than 5 million facing hunger. (AFP)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-1211-ong-trump-diem-ten-chuc-ngoai-truong-my-eu-cam-ket-bom-tiep-tien-cho-ukraine-philippines-to-trung-quoc-tang-suc-ep-293525.html