Thế giới toàn cảnh 27/12: Cựu Thủ tướng Malaysia bị kết tội rửa tiền | VTV24

Key Concepts

• 1MDB Scandal: A major financial scandal involving the Malaysian state investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Fund.
• MH370: The missing Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared in 2014.
• Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Ongoing conflict with renewed diplomatic efforts for a potential peace agreement.
• Telecom Fraud in Myanmar: Large-scale telecom fraud operations targeting China, with coordinated crackdowns.
• Lake Biwa Pearl Industry: The historical and current state of the pearl industry in Japan’s Lake Biwa, facing environmental challenges.
• Bun Cha (Vietnamese Noodle Dish) Adaptation: Adjusting the traditional Vietnamese dish bun cha to meet Halal dietary requirements in the UAE.
• Indonesia Flooding & Landslides: Recent devastating floods and landslides in Sumatra, Indonesia, linked to deforestation and mining.
• South Korean Adoption Policies: Changes to South Korea’s international adoption program and addressing past injustices.
• AI Industry in China: Rapid growth and scale of the Artificial Intelligence industry in China.
• Pula Arena Restoration: The transformation of a 2000-year-old Roman arena in Croatia into an ice rink.

Malaysia's Najib Razak Conviction & Political Developments

Tòa án tối cao qualampur (The Kuala Lumpur High Court) has convicted former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak of abuse of power and money laundering related to the 1MDB scandal. The court found Najib, 72, guilty of four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering, involving the misappropriation of approximately 2.2 billion Ringgit (approximately $480 million USD) from the 1MDB fund. Prosecutors argued that Najib abused his positions as Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the 1MDB Advisory Board to divert funds for personal gain. Najib apologized for the scandal occurring during his tenure but maintained his innocence regarding the illegal fund transfers. This new conviction will add to his existing six-year prison sentence from a previous 1MDB-related case.

Regional Security & Diplomacy

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed hope for a ceasefire with Cambodia during a planned meeting between the two countries’ defense ministers. The Thai National Security Council has agreed to send its Defense Minister to meet with his Cambodian counterpart. This is the fourth day of negotiations regarding border issues aimed at ending the ongoing clashes. If the defense ministers reach an agreement, a pact consistent with a previous US-mediated treaty (following clashes in October) will be signed. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on these developments.

Search for MH370 Resumes

Ocean Infinity, an American research company, has resumed the search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared in 2014. With support from the Malaysian government, the company is redeploying its specialized vessel, Amanda 8605, to the west coast of Australia, with active search operations expected to begin on December 30th. All official updates will be released by the Malaysian government due to the sensitivity of the operation.

Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

Russia and the United States have re-established administrative-level contact following Moscow’s receipt of proposals from Washington regarding a potential peace agreement for Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that after a US visit by presidential envoy Kirill Klimov, the gathered information was reported to the President and internally analyzed. Based on President Putin’s instructions, Russian and American representatives held a phone call and agreed to continue dialogue. The Kremlin stated that Dmitry Peskov brought back written proposals from the US side, which are currently under review.

Crackdown on Telecom Fraud

Over 950 suspects involved in telecom fraud targeting China have been extradited from Myanmar. This follows a coordinated operation between China, Thailand, and Myanmar to suppress cross-border gambling and telecom fraud. Since October, Myanmar has conducted operations in the Meyawadi province and surrounding areas, focusing on arresting suspects and dismantling illegal gambling and fraud operations. Through this trilateral cooperation, China has repatriated over 7,600 citizens linked to online gambling and telecom fraud in Myanmar this year.

Japan Factory Attack

A man was arrested after attacking people with a knife spraying an unknown liquid at a factory in central Japan, injuring 14 people. Police responded to a call from the rubber factory in Mishima around 4:30 PM. The attacker also used a spray-like substance. The 38-year-old suspect, wearing a gas mask, had a connection to the rubber factory and is being investigated.

South Korea Adoption Reforms

South Korea aims to gradually phase out and ultimately end international adoptions within five years, while strengthening welfare policies for children in need of care. This move comes in response to criticism from UN investigators regarding the lack of truth and adequate compensation mechanisms for victims of a decades-long large-scale adoption program.

China's AI Industry Growth

China’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry is projected to reach over 1 trillion yuan (approximately $142 billion USD) this year. The country has developed over 600,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the technology and innovation sectors, with over 500,000 high-tech enterprises. The total added value of large industrial enterprises is forecast to increase by 5.9% compared to the same period last year.

Croatia's Pula Arena Transformation

A 2,000-year-old Roman arena in Pula, Croatia, has been transformed into a dazzling ice rink. The Pula Arena, once the site of gladiatorial combats, now hosts an outdoor ice-skating rink illuminated with lights. The unique historical space is attracting locals and tourists during the holiday season. A group of former professional figure skaters, reunited after 15 years, are enjoying the rink, showcasing their skills and fostering community spirit.

Indonesia Disaster Response & Accountability

The Indonesian government is taking decisive action to identify those responsible for recent severe floods and landslides that have claimed 1,059 lives and left 192 missing on Sumatra Island. Investigations have revealed a direct link between the operations of numerous companies and the natural disaster. The Institute of Technology Bandung’s research indicates that large-scale land conversion and deforestation in upstream areas have diminished the land’s water retention capacity, exacerbating the impact of heavy rainfall. Environmental activists argue that deforestation and rampant resource extraction, alongside extreme weather events, are the primary causes of the devastating floods. Sumatra has lost 4.4 million hectares of forest in the past 24 years, leaving only 25% forest cover. President Prabowo Subianto has vowed to prosecute those responsible, regardless of their position, for decades of mismanagement of forests and natural resources.

Japan's Lake Biwa Pearl Industry Struggles

Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake, was once renowned for its pearl production. However, water pollution from rapid economic development and over-extraction of natural oysters have reduced pearl yields to less than 1% of their former levels. Saiki-san, a third-generation pearl farmer, continues the tradition of keshi pearl cultivation – pearls formed around a tissue implant without a nucleus, resulting in unique shapes and colors. While Lake Biwa pearls thrived in the 1980s, pollution and competition from foreign pearls led to a significant decline. Today, businesses are focusing on high-quality pearls and exclusive brand exports. The number of pearl farmers has dwindled to around six families, facing challenges from climate change, rising water temperatures, and invasive species.

Vietnamese Bun Cha in the UAE

Vietnamese Snack Food Cafe in Dubai is adapting the traditional Vietnamese dish bun cha to meet Halal dietary requirements by substituting pork with chicken. Chef Toan emphasizes the difficulty in selecting chicken that maintains the texture of pork. The adapted bun cha has been well-received by local customers, including Ibrahim, a long-time patron of the restaurant, who praised the dish’s unique flavors and digestibility. The restaurant plans to expand the bun cha offering to its five locations across Dubai, alongside other Vietnamese specialties like pho and spring rolls. They are calling this version “Bun Cha Dubai.”

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