US suspects North Korea produced 7 more nuclear weapons; China suddenly canceled a major event in New Zealand
(Baonghean.vn) - Spain begins trial of Catalan separatist leaders; US experts suspect North Korea is producing 7 more nuclear weapons; Russia will try to shut down the internet to prevent cyber attacks from the US; China suddenly cancels a major event in New Zealand... are the world's top news in the past 24 hours.
US experts suspect North Korea is producing 7 more nuclear weapons
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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a weapons facility in March 2017. Photo:KCNA |
According to a report by the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, USA, satellite images show that North Korea continued to produce nuclear bomb fuel in 2018.ReutersSiegfried Hecker, one of the report's authors, said the fuel was produced at a 5-megawatt reactor at North Korea's main nuclear plant in Yongbyon between 2016 and 2018. He added that it appeared to have been reprocessed since May last year, producing between 5 and 8 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium.
With the production of about 150 kg of enriched uranium, North Korea has the capacity to add another 5-7 nuclear weapons. Hecker’s team estimated the size of Pyongyang’s arsenal at 30 weapons in 2017, so the current number could be 37.
Russia will try to shut down the internet to prevent cyber attacks from the US.
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| Russia is concerned about foreign attacks and data theft from its internet connection. Photo: Reuters |
The Russian government is preparing to shut down the entire internet in a defense test to guard against serious cyberattacks from foreign countries such as the United States. This is just part of the measures to prevent the risk of the United States and NATO cutting off Russia's internet connection, according to the New York Post. Through the test, Russian officials will collect information and make further proposals to complete a bill introduced in December 2018, according to the news site RosBiznesKonsalting (RBK).
According to the bill, network operators must be ready to ensure smooth and independent operation of transmission lines in the event of foreign attacks and disruption of Russia's internet.
Syria: US airstrikes cause civilian casualties
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The town of Al-Baghuz, Syria was also hit by US airstrikes. Photo:AFP |
According to Syrian state television, the airstrike took place in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province. The airstrike is believed to have targeted Islamic State militants in the area. It is reported that 28 Islamic State militants were killed, but the airstrike also caused large civilian casualties. A total of 70 civilians were killed in the US-led coalition airstrike in eastern Syria.
Currently, the coalition has not commented on the above information, but has always affirmed that this force has avoided targeting civilians in Syria.
Spain begins trial of Catalan separatist leaders
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The Supreme Court in Madrid begins the trial of 12 Catalan politicians. Photo: theguardian.com |
Nearly 15 months after the separatist crisis in Catalonia broke out in October 2017, on February 12, the Spanish Supreme Court will officially open the trial of politicians leading the separatist movement in this region. In total, 12 Catalan separatist politicians will have to answer before the Court on charges related to crimes such as rebellion, sedition, embezzlement of public funds and civil disobedience. These people are considered key leaders in the event of Catalonia holding an independence referendum on October 1, 2017, which was considered illegal and unconstitutional by the Spanish central government.
The charges against the Catalan separatist politicians will come from three sides: the Spanish Public Prosecutor, the State Prosecutor and from “citizens’ accusations”, because under Spanish law, all citizens and legal entities of this country have the right to sue in cases related to public interest. The trial is expected to last for three months and more than 500 witnesses will be summoned to the Court, including former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
Philippine President wants to change the country's name
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo:Reuters |
"One day, let's change the name of the country. Marcos was right when he wanted to change the name of the country to Maharlika," Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said during a ceremony in Maguindanao province, referring to the late leader Ferdinand Marcos, according toBloomberg.
In the local language, Maharlika means "noble" and President Duterte wants to use this new name to erase the vestiges of the country's colonial era. The Philippines was a Spanish colony for more than 300 years and the country was named after the Spanish King Philip II. Senate President Tito Sotto said Mr. Duterte's idea of changing the country's name would require the Philippines to change its constitution and many other related laws. President Duterte is also pushing to amend the Philippine constitution to change the government model to a federal government.
China suddenly cancels major event in New Zealand
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| New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: Reuters |
According to Reuters news agency, on February 12, China announced the decision to postpone the "China-Zealand Tourism Year" event in Wellington (New Zealand) just a few days before it took place for unknown reasons. On the same day, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her trip to China, which was planned since the end of 2018, was postponed indefinitely.
Under Prime Minister Ardern, relations with Beijing have become more tense as Wellington has openly expressed concerns about China's influence in the South Pacific region, and refused to allow Chinese technology firm Huawei to build its 5G mobile network.
