Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1. Is the US preparing a preemptive strike on North Korean nuclear facilities?

If the US launches a nuclear attack on North Korea, the consequences could last for generations. Photo of B-2 bomber: Sputnik

According to Sputnik, it now appears that the Pentagon is preparing forces for a nuclear strike against North Korea.

Currently, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and the B-52 strategic bomber, two aircraft in the US nuclear triad, have been deployed to the Korean peninsula. Moreover, Business Insider said that the “sky ghost” B-2 may soon be equipped with B-61 nuclear bombs.

2. Rare message from North Korea

On January 25, North Korea issued a rare statement, addressed to "all North Koreans at home and abroad."

In the statement, Pyongyang called on people to make a breakthrough in unification without the help of other countries.

All Koreans should promote contact, travel and cooperation between North Korea and South Korea, the North's media quoted the statement as saying, adding that Pyongyang would crush challenges against the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.

The statement also called on North Koreans to launch a decisive attack to defuse military tensions and create a peaceful atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula, Reuters reported.

3. Former Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister fined for insulting the King

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia Lu Lai Sreng.

On the morning of January 25, the Phnom Penh Court of First Instance sentenced former Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Lu Lai Sreng to $127,000 for insulting the King and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Mr. Lu Lai Sreng is a member of the Royalist Party, served as Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia in the early years of liberation from Pol Pot's yoke, and is now retired.

Around September 2017, on his personal website, Mr. Lu Lai Sreng insulted King Siha Muni, saying the King was weak and slandering Prime Minister Hun Sen for bribing members of the Royalist Party in dealing with the National Rescue Party.

4.6 ASEAN countries strengthen cooperation in information exchange against terrorism

Indonesian special police patrol in Kuta near Denpasar on Bali island. Source: AFP/TTXVN

On January 25, six member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Brunei, agreed to coordinate and cooperate in exchanging information on combating terrorism and extremism in the region.

The launching ceremony of the collaborative project called "Our Eye" took place in Nusa Dua on the island of Bali, Indonesia.
Speaking at the ceremony, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu emphasized that each country has its own way to deal with threats, so countries need to join forces and coordinate to protect strategic information.

5. Russian fishing boat with 21 fishermen missing in the Sea of ​​Japan

The ship's position before it disappeared. Source: maritimebulletin.net

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations announced on January 25 that a Russian fishing vessel named Vostok and 21 fishermen on board had gone missing while operating in the Sea of ​​Japan.

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said that authorities detected an emergency signal from a Russian fishing vessel about 200km off the coast of Primorsk in the Sea of ​​Japan.

According to initial information, onfishing boat just missingThere are 21 people on board. So far, all attempts to contact the Vostok have been unsuccessful.

6.More than 100 people were injured in a train accident near Milan.

Rescuers search for victims at the scene of the accident. Source: Reuters/TTXVN

At least two people were killed and more than 100 injured, including 10 seriously, in a serious train accident on January 25 near Milan, northern Italy.

According to Milan's emergency rescue team, the accident occurred when the train derailed. The cause of the accident has not been determined.

7.Former German Chancellor remarries for the fifth time with a young Korean wife

Age-gap couple Gerhard Schroeder and Kim So Yeon at a press conference in Seoul. Photo: AFP

According to AFP news agency, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder announced his remarriage on January 25 and the wedding will be held this year. The bride is Kim So Yeon, a Korean interpreter. The two have been together since 2017.

Mr. Schroeder served as German Chancellor from 1998 to 2005. His "rich" personal life and many marriages earned him the nickname "Audi man" - a comparison with the four-ring logo of the German car company.

8.Türkiye warns US of risk of military confrontation in Syria

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

In an interview with A Haber on January 25, Deputy Prime Minister Bozdag said Ankara has stepped up its attacks on Kurdish militants in Syria, implying that those who support this terrorist organization (referring to Kurdish forces in Afrin province, northern Syria) will become targets in the war there.

Deputy Prime Minister Bozdag also said that "the US needs to review its forces and not support terrorists on the ground to avoid confrontation with Türkiye."