7 'hot' events of the world in the past 24 hours

(Baonghean.vn) - North Korea will continue to strengthen its nuclear capabilities next year; Shooting and hostage taking in Moscow; President Putin personally submits his candidacy;... are the outstanding international news of the past 24 hours.

1. North Korea will continue to strengthen its nuclear capabilities next year.

North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site. Photo: VNA

Independent analysts and South Korean government experts said on December 27 that North Korea will continue to enhance its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile capabilities next year to use as leverage to force Washington to make concessions, such as easing sanctions.

The South Korean Unification Ministry said North Korea will continue to strengthen its nuclear and missile capabilities in 2018, despite Pyongyang claiming it had completed its "state nuclear capability" after successfully testing its new Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in late November.

According to analysts, North Korea will conduct at least one more missile test to master the technology of re-entering the atmosphere with a nuclear warhead for its ICBM program.

2. Shooting and hostage taking in Moscow

Police are cordoning off the scene and attempting to negotiate with the attacker.

Sputnik quoted a representative of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs as saying that a conflict between two business rivals occurred at 9:13 a.m. on December 27 at the Menshevik confectionery factory on Ilovaiskaya Street. One person opened fire on the other, killing the victim.

The gunman is believed to be the factory's former owner, who was at odds with the current boss, Interfax news agency reported.

A lawmaker told RIA Novosti that the attacker is still at large and that he is holding several people hostage. Police have cordoned off the area and are trying to contact the attacker for negotiations.

3. Cambodian Prime Minister declares to stay in power for another 10 years

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Photo: AFP.

"I will continue to be the elected prime minister for two more terms, which is no less than 10 years," Reuters quoted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as saying to thousands of garment workers at a pagoda on the outskirts of the capital Phnom Penh on December 27.

Prime Minister Hun Sen called on voters to vote for the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). "I hope you, your parents, grandparents, and families will continue to vote and support the CPP on July 29, 2018," Mr. Hun Sen said.

Hun Sen has been prime minister of Cambodia since 1985 and is one of the world's longest-serving leaders. He has helped Cambodia's economy recover from the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge regime.

4. Argentina commemorates sailors of missing submarine ARA San Juan

ARA San Juan submarine. Photo: Reuters

The search for the submarine is still underway, with several countries involved. Earlier this week, the Argentine Navy said bad weather had hampered the search efforts.

During the launching ceremony of the icebreaker ARA Almirante Irizar, Argentine government officials on December 27 held a memorial service for the crew members of the submarine ARA San Juan after more than a month of disappearance.

Argentina's defense and foreign ministers, who attended the ceremony, called the disappearance of the ARA San Juan submarine a "disaster" and expressed their condolences for the loss of 44 crew members.

5. President Putin personally submitted his candidacy documents

Putin submits re-election application in Moscow. Photo: AFP.

On December 27, the Russian Central Election Commission accepted President Vladimir Putin's candidacy for next year's Russian presidential election.

Reuters TV (UK) showed images of Mr. Putin personally submitting his candidacy documents. According to regulations, in the next few days, the Central Election Commission will announce its decision on whether to accept Mr. Putin's candidacy or not.

On December 18, the Russian presidential election campaign officially began. Previously, the Federation Council (Upper House) of Russia approved the presidential election date of March 18, 2018. A total of 23 candidates have announced their intention to run, including President Putin.

6. US sanctions 2 of Kim Jong-un's most trusted people

Ri Pyong-chol (left) and Kim Jong-sik (right) are Kim Jong Un's most trusted aides. Photo: Reuters

The United States has imposed sanctions on two North Korean officials who Washington says are leading Pyongyang's nuclear missile development program.

The BBC reported that the US Treasury Department named the two men as Kim Jong-sik and Ri Pyong-chol, stating that both were "key leaders" of North Korea's ballistic missile program.

According to the BBC, the new sanctions of President Donald Trump's administration will disable all transactions of the two above-mentioned figures in the US, freezing all assets they may have on US soil.

7.South Korea has made concessions to Japan on the comfort women issue.

Statue of 'comfort women' in front of the Japanese Consulate in Busan. Source: AAP

On December 27, a group of South Korean officials and experts were tasked with reviewing the agreement between the country and Japan on comfort women.reached in late 2015 claimed the then government of former President Park Geun-hye concealed parts of the agreement to avoid criticism of secret concessions to Japan.

After months of reviewing the unpopular document, the group also claimed that the Park administration had not made adequate efforts to listen to victims before signing the agreement.

They also called on the current government to take a more long-term approach to solving the historic problem, arguing that “give and take” negotiations or political compromises cannot be the final solution.

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