Palestinian Authority submits resignation; US-North Korea prepare for second summit

Palestinian Authority submits resignation

Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. Photo: AFP/VNA

The Palestinian Authority formally submitted its resignation to President Mahmud Abbas on January 29, but will remain in office until a new government is formed. The announcement was made after a cabinet meeting by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, according to Wafa news agency.

Earlier, Prime Minister Hamdallah mentioned his resignation after the Central Committee of President Abbas' Fatah party proposed forming a new government with the participation of members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

US-North Korea prepare to draft joint statement for second summit

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo receives Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and Head of the United Front Department Kim Yong-chol in Washington DC Photo: Reuters

Speaking before the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee on January 29, Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea Suh Hoon said the US and North Korea are expected to discuss the main contents for the second summit between President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong-un, scheduled to take place in late February.

Mr. Suh Hoon said that in addition to preparing logistics and security for the meeting, the two sides will also begin discussions to draft a joint statement.

School evacuated in Russia after bomb threat

Entire school closed after bomb threat. Photo: TASS

On January 29, the authorities of the city of Perm, the administrative center of Russia's Perm region, were forced to order the closure of all schools after a bomb threat.

The regional security ministry said afternoon classes at all schools in the city had been cancelled. However, kindergartens were operating as normal. There are 134 schools in the city of nearly 1 million people.

Earlier this month, authorities in 12 regions in Russia carried out emergency evacuations after receiving calls and text messages related to bomb threats. However, these threats were later determined to be fake.

Netherlands refuses to accept nearly 50 migrants on rescue ship

Migrants are rescued by the Sea Watch 3 ship at sea off the coast of Libya, January 19, 2019. Source: AFP/VNA

Dutch authorities have rejected an Italian request to take in 47 migrants on board the Dutch-flagged rescue ship Sea Watch 3, which Italian ports had previously refused to let dock. Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice spokesman Lennart Wegewijs said that without a comprehensive solution, The Hague would not take action to take in the migrants on board the Sea Watch 3.

The Dutch government made it clear that this was not the Netherlands' responsibility because the rescue ship was operating "on its own initiative" and the ship's captain was responsible for finding a nearby port to bring the 47 migrants ashore.

Four Thai ministers announce resignation from cabinet

Four ministers announced their resignation from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha's cabinet. Photo: MATICHON

On the morning of January 29, Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana, Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee, and Minister of the Government Office Kobsak Pootrakook entered Government House to bid farewell to Prime Minister Prayut before submitting their resignation letters to the head of government.

The ministers said they decided to withdraw from the cabinet to focus resources on the new party and the election campaign. The four ministers are members and leaders of Palang Pracharat, a party formed in 2018 that supports the military and Prime Minister Prayut.

Last week, the party announced its choice of Mr Prayut as its candidate to run for prime minister in the upcoming civilian government.

Iran says it has no intention of increasing missile range

Illustration photo. Source: BBC

Iran has no intention of increasing the range of its missiles and will continue its work on developing satellite technology despite pressure from the West, Iran's National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani said on January 29, Reuters reported.

State television channel IRIB quoted Mr. Shamkhani, a close aide to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as saying: "Iran has no scientific or operational limits for increasing the range of its military missiles, but based on its defense doctrine, the country is working to increase the accuracy of its missiles and has no intention of increasing their range."

Egypt temporarily reopens border crossing with Gaza Strip

The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on January 7, 2019. Photo: THX/TTXVN

The Gaza Strip's interior ministry, run by the Hamas Islamist movement, announced that Egypt will temporarily reopen the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip for three days, starting January 29.

However, in November 2017, Hamas returned Rafah to the Palestinian Authority following an Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal between Palestinian factions.