Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1. Fire at Korean hospital, at least 41 people died

South Korean police work to extinguish a fire at Sejong Hospital. Photo: DW.

A fire broke out at a hospital in the southeastern city of Miryang on the morning of January 26, killing at least 41 people. The number of victims may rise.

President Moon Jae-in has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and find ways to deal with the aftermath. According to Yonhap news agency, the fire is believed to have broken out in the emergency room of Sejong Hospital - where most of the patients are elderly.

2. Putin inspects Russia's most powerful bomber on test flight

A Tu-160 landing. Photo: Sputnik.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently inspected the test flight of the country's air force's most modern supersonic strategic bomber, the Tu-160M2.RTJanuary 25 news.

After witnessing the performance of the Tu-160M2, Mr. Putin said that with the current economy, Russia can use the civilian passenger version of this supersonic "White Swan" aircraft for commercial purposes.

3.South Korea and the US will resume joint military exercises after the Olympics.

South Korean and US troops conduct joint exercises on August 20, 2017. Photo: Alwaght.

On January 26, the South Korean Ministry of Defense confirmed that military exercises between the country and the US will resume after the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Responding to reporters, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Choi Hyun-soo said the timing and scale of the joint exercises could not be announced yet, but they would be conducted after the Olympics. Mr. Choi Hyun-soo also confirmed that this year's exercises would be similar to last year's. However, another South Korean Defense Ministry official said the scale of the joint exercises had not yet been decided.

4. Chinese special envoy reveals reason for not yet going to North Korea

The Korean Peninsula has seen many positive developments recently. Photo: Reuters

China's special envoy on North Korea said today (January 26) that there are many "complicated" reasons why he has not yet visited the neighboring country.

"The reason why I have not been to North Korea since I was appointed as the Chinese government's special envoy on Korean Peninsula issues is very complicated," Kong told reporters, Reuters reported. "But whether I go to North Korea or not, our firm stance on contributing to maintaining peace and stability and the denuclearization process on the Peninsula has not changed. Our proactive diplomatic mediation work has not stopped for even a minute."

5. Kim Jong Un gives big rewards to athletes with medals

North Korean athletes. Photo: AP

North Korean athletes are reportedly set to be rewarded with a house and a Mercedes if they win medals at the upcoming Winter Olympics in South Korea.

DailyMail quoted a former North Korean athlete as saying that any athlete who wins a medal, regardless of whether it is gold, silver or bronze, will be honored as a Hero of the People and a Hero of Labor. In addition, these people will have the opportunity to find a suitable job after they stop playing sports.

6.Türkiye confirms possibility of expanding 'Olive Branch' operation in Syria

Turkish soldiers and military vehicles prepare to enter the Afrin area, northern Syria1. Source: THX/TTXVN

On January 26, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country plans to expand the "Olive Branch" military operation in the Afrin region to the East, to other cities in northern Syria, to the border area with Iraq to repel Kurdish gunmen in this country.

Speaking in Ankara, Mr. Erdogan said Türkiye would continue operations until it cleared Kurdish fighters from areas along the length of the Syria-Türkiye border.

7. Russia accuses the US of sabotaging the peace process in Syria

Panorama of the Syria peace talks in Vienna, Austria on January 25. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

The Russian Center for Syrian Reconciliation said on January 26 that the Syrian army had discovered that terrorists in Syria possessed radio-electronic equipment manufactured in Western countries.

The Russian Center for Reconciliation for Syria was established by the Russian Defense Ministry to monitor the implementation of agreements between the Syrian Government and opposition groups.
Russia's statement said that after eliminating five terrorists in Syria's al-Tanf area, which is currently illegally controlled by the US, the Syrian army discovered a modern electronic warfare device made in the West.

8.Unpublished photo of Obama causes a stir

Former US President Barack Obama poses with controversial political figure Louis Farrakhan (far right). Photo: Askia Muhammad

After 13 years of keeping it secret, a journalist recently decided to publish a photo that could have affected Barack Obama's political career if it had leaked earlier. The photo shows Obama with a controversial political figure in the US before he became the Democratic presidential candidate.