'Hot' world events in the past 24 hours

(Baonghean.vn) - Double bombings in Afghanistan killed at least 40 people; North Korea was unexpectedly exonerated; Turkish police arrested 38 suspects linked to IS;... are the international news highlights of the past 24 hours.

1. Double bombing in Afghanistan kills at least 40 people

Afghan security forces at the scene of one of the two bombings. Photo: Reuters

A double bombing occurred on December 28 in the capital Kabul of Afghanistan, killing at least 40 people and injuring 30 others.

The first bombing took place near a mosque while the other took place at a cultural center. In the second incident, the bomb was planted in the wall of the cultural center, the Afghan Health Ministry said.

However, Afghan officials said the main target of the terrorists' attack was the nearby office of the Voice of Afghanistan news agency.CWitnesses said the number of injured could rise rapidly as so many were seriously injured, most of them students taking part in a discussion with researchers at the mosque.

2. North Korea was unexpectedly exonerated

Kaesong Industrial Complex

There is no evidence that North Korea diverted wages from workers at the now-closed Kaesong industrial complex to its weapons-making program, a panel of experts appointed by South Korea's Unification Ministry said on December 28.

The investigation by the panel reversed the South Korean government's previous contention that most of the money paid by South Korean companies to North Korean workers at the inter-Korean industrial park was diverted to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

3. Turkish police arrest 38 suspects linked to IS

Turkish police hunt down terrorists. Source: hurriyetdailynews

On December 28, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Turkish police arrested 38 people, including Syrian citizens, on suspicion of having links with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization, in an operation in the northwestern province of Bursa.

According to Anadolu, anti-terror police conducted simultaneous raids on several apartments in a series of districts in Bursa province.

IS militants have carried out numerous gun and bomb attacks in Türkiye. Many foreign fighters have passed through Turkey in recent years to join IS in Iraq and Syria.

4. Zimbabwe mutiny commander takes office as vice president

Constantino Chiwenga speaks on November 20, when he was commander of the Zimbabwean armed forces, in Harare. Photo: AFP.

General Constantino Chiwenga, 61, was sworn in as Zimbabwe's vice president on December 28 at the presidential office in the capital Harare. He vowed to "abide by, preserve and protect the constitution" of Zimbabwe, AFP reported.

Mr Chiwenga retired from the army last week, nearly a month after the army took control of Zimbabwe on November 15, leading to Robert Mugabe's resignation as president six days later. Zimbabwe's current president is Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Veteran politician Kembo Mohadi, who served as long-time national security minister, was also sworn in today, becoming Zimbabwe's second vice president.

5. South Korea conducts defense drills on disputed islands with Japan

Dokdo/Takeshima Island. Photo: AP.

South Korea on December 28 began a two-day exercise to defend the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima islands in the Sea of ​​Japan. The two-day exercise, which involves the navy, marines, coast guard, air force and police, is held every two years.

Japan is expected to react angrily as it has in the past. Japan also claims sovereignty over Dokdo, calling the island Takeshima.

The exercise comes a day after a South Korean government panel concluded that a 2015 agreement reached with Japan on the issue of wartime "comfort women" was flawed. A South Korean military official said the exercise was planned a month ago, denying that the timing was influenced by political factors.

6. Bomb explodes in Russian supermarket, 10 people injured

Photo: Reuters

A bomb exploded at a supermarket in the Russian city of St Petersburg on the night of December 27, injuring at least 10 people. According to Reuters news agency, quoting investigators, the explosion was caused by a homemade bomb containing about 200 grams of TNT and metal fragments. No one was killed in the explosion and the motive behind it is currently unknown.

Russian media reported that the bomb was hidden in a locker where shoppers placed their belongings before entering the supermarket. Alexander Klaus, head of the St Petersburg investigative committee, said: “So far 10 people have been hospitalized for treatment of their injuries. Their lives are not in danger.”

7. Israel plans to build a train station named after Trump in Jerusalem

President Donald Trump places his hand on the Western Wall in Jerusalem in May. Photo: Reuters

According to Reuters, Israeli Transport Minister Yisrael Katz announced on December 27 a plan to build a subway station near the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City.

“I have decided to name the Western Wall station after US President Donald Trump because of his brave and historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people and of the state of Israel,” said Minister Katz.

However, a spokesman for the Israeli Transport Ministry said the plan to extend the high-speed metro network between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem was still in draft form and required approval from other ministries. The “Trump” station is expected to be part of a project to dig a 3km-deep tunnel under the center of Jerusalem.

This move by Israel immediately met with criticism from Palestinian leaders.

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