US and Taliban agree on peace framework; Germany to close all coal power plants

Venezuelan military affirms loyalty to Bolivarian Revolution

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro inspected a military base in the city of Valencia. Source: Reuters

On January 27, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro inspected a military base in the city of Valencia in the northern state of Carabobo. Venezuelan television and AVN news agency broadcast images of President Maduro and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez inspecting the Paramacay Fortress in the city of Valencia.

Here, the leftist leader witnessed a military exercise, a move showing the support of the armed forces for the Venezuelan leader in the context of complicated political developments. Representatives of the military force at the Paramacay Fortress affirmed their loyalty to the Bolivarian Revolution, the Constitution and their commitment to protect the country.

British Parliament will have another chance to vote on Brexit deal

Illustration photo. Source: briefingsforbrexit

According to Reuters, on January 28, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said that she intends to give the British Parliament a second chance to pass the Brexit deal as soon as possible, and affirmed that negotiations are underway to adjust the deal in a way that can win support from MPs.

The official said he could not imagine any circumstances under which Parliament would not be given a second chance to vote on a Brexit deal, and reiterated that Prime Minister May had pledged to leave the European Union (EU) on March 29.

Türkiye wants to set up safe zones in Syria to welcome refugees

Syrian refugees return from rebel-controlled areas through the Abu al-Duhur border crossing in Idlib province, April 4, 2018. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

On January 28, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country aims to establish safe zones in northern Syria so that about 4 million refugees in Türkiye can return home.

Speaking in Istanbul, Mr. Erdogan also said that nearly 300,000 Syrians have returned and he hopes millions of Syrians will return to safe areas.

US and Taliban agree on framework deal to end Afghanistan war

Afghan soldiers (left) and US soldiers coordinated an attack on the Taliban in 2013. Photo: New York Times

On January 28, the US and the Taliban agreed in principle on a peace framework agreement to end the Afghan War. The New York Times reported that according to the framework agreement, the Taliban will ensure that terrorist groups will not use Afghan territory, in return for US troops to withdraw all troops to pave the way for a ceasefire and Taliban negotiations with the Afghan government.

In an interview with the New York Times from Kabul, US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad confirmed that “we have reached a preliminary agreement. The Taliban has committed to do what is necessary to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a springboard for international terrorist groups or elements. The details need to be worked out.”

Germany to close all coal power plants

Niederaussem coal power plant in Germany. Photo: AFP

Germany will shut down all its coal-fired power plants by 2038 to reduce the human impact on climate change. According to Sputnik, the decision was made after more than 20 hours of negotiations at the German Coal Commission (GCC), which included coal-fired power plant owners, scientists and environmental activists.

Coal currently generates more than a third of Germany's electricity and its coal-fired power plants lead Europe in CO2 emissions.

China arrests another Canadian suspected of defrauding $284 million

Image of Mr. Leao's arrest in the South China Morning Post - Screenshot

A man named Leao was recently arrested in Macau, China, on charges of "stealing" $284 million from an entertainment company, according to the South China Morning Post.

According to local media, Mr. Leao was arrested on January 25. The 61-year-old Canadian man was suspected of trying to transfer money out of the entertainment company's bank account, but the incident was exposed.

Leao allegedly used false documents to transfer money from the entertainment company to an account in Hong Kong. The Macau prosecutor's office charged Mr. Leao with forgery and fraud. The case attracted international attention after it was linked to Canada and China.