Revealing Cuba's successor, Russia accuses US of sanctions

1. Afghanistan's capital shaken by series of new explosions

Afghan security forces have been deployed to the scene after a series of explosions near the Marsahal Fahim military academy. Photo: Gufl Times.

On the morning of January 29, a series of explosions were heard in the area near the Marsahal Fahim military academy in the Afghan capital Kabul. According to witnesses, the explosions began at 5:00 a.m. (local time). Kabul police also confirmed that a group of armed men attacked the army unit guarding the academy, injuring at least 3 soldiers.

The explosions come on the heels of a terrorist bombing in Kabul that killed more than 100 people and injured hundreds more. The government announced today that the entire capital, Kabul, will be closed to facilitate support for the injured and families affected by the attack. Prayers will be held at the Presidential Palace and mosques across the country on January 30 for the victims.

2. Japan denies returning to negotiations with the US on TPP

Japan denies returning to negotiations with the US on TPP

During the meeting held on the afternoon of January 29 in Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also emphasized that Japan welcomed the US's mention of returning to TPP negotiations, but TPP had agreed to only have 11 countries and without the US's participation.

The agreement is not like decorative crystal, so it is impossible to change. Moreover, there has been no specific mention from the US side, so Japan wants to hear it directly.

3. Revealing the successor of Cuban President Raul Castro

First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez

This year, Cuban President Raul Castro will hand over power to his successor. All signs point to First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez taking over as President of Cuba, becoming the country's first leader born after the legendary Cuban Revolution.

According to Sputnik, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, First Vice President and former university professor, could become the new President of Cuba in the next few months. On April 19, Raul Castro will end his second term and pass a law to limit the maximum time the President can hold office to two terms, each lasting five years.

4. Chinese military plane crashes during training flight

A Chinese aircraft. Photo: Illustration

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force announced on its Sina Weibo account that one of its aircraft crashed during a training flight on the afternoon of January 29. Authorities are making every effort to search and rescue, according toAP.

Beijing NewsThe plane crashed in Suiyang County, Guizhou Province, southwest China. Videos on social media showed the scene with burning debris. Other videos showed a low-flying plane with orange lights on its engines and a large plume of smoke.

The PLA Air Force did not specify the type of aircraft or information about casualties.

5. Russia accuses the US of influencing the election with sanctions

Moscow residents walk past a Putin election campaign poster. Photo: REUTERS

The Kremlin said on January 29 that the new US sanctions list expected to be announced early this week is an attempt to influence the Russian election next March.

"We believe that this is a direct and clear action launched at the time (Russia) is about to hold an election to influence this event," Reuters quoted Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying at an online press conference.

While it is unclear whether the upcoming report will definitely lead to new sanctions from the US, Mr. Peskov said that Russia viewed this as an unfriendly move to influence the election in March.

6. South Korea warns North Korea will be "wiped out" if it uses nuclear weapons

South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo speaks at the Fullerton Security Forum in Singapore on January 29. Photo: AFP.

"North Korea will be wiped off the map if it uses the nuclear weapons it develops against South Korea or the United States,"Yonhapquoted a speech by South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo at a security forum, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), in Singapore today.

Mr. Song said that leader Kim Jong-un's mention of a nuclear attack was just a "propaganda" strategy, not something that would happen. "The idea that North Korea would use nuclear weapons to unify (the two Koreas) is an outdated idea," Mr. Song said in response to a question received after his speech.

7. Türkiye declares to "clean" the entire border with Syria

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: AFP.

Türkiye's president says the country will "clean" its entire border with Syria, hinting that Ankara's military campaign could expand.

"Step by step, we will clear the entire border,"Reutersquoted Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on January 28.

President Erdogan said last week that Türkiye could expand its military operation in Syria eastward, to the border with Iraq, to ​​eliminate the YPG. Syrian Kurdish officials have vowed to “respond appropriately” if that happens.

8.Kim Jong-nam met an American citizen before he was murdered

Mr. Kim Jong-nam. Source: huffingtonpost

According to Reuters, a police officer revealed at a court hearing on January 29 that the man believed to be Kim Jong-nam, the elder brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, met an American citizen at a Malaysian hotel before he was murdered in late February 2017.

In court, investigator Wan Azirul Nizam said Kim Jong-nam arrived in Malaysia on February 6 before traveling to Langkawi Island, a popular tourist destination off the west coast of the Southeast Asian country.

However, the police officer could not confirm many details and could not remember the name of the hotel where Kim Jong-nam stayed, nor the name of the American man Kim Jong-nam met on February 9.