Hot world events in the past 24 hours
(Baonghean.vn) - Russia retaliates against rebel forces in Syria's Idlib; Türkiye's deadliest day in northern Syria; China and Russia call the US nuclear report "provocative"; Pyongyang criticizes the US for hindering reconciliation between the two Koreas;... are the outstanding international news of the past 24 hours.
1.Russia retaliates against rebel forces in Syria's Idlib
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Debris of the shot down Su-25. Source: BBC |
On February 3, Sputnik news agency reported that more than 30 rebel fighters were killed in a high-precision weapon attack carried out by Russian forces in Syria's Idlib province.
This is an area controlled by the Jabhat al-Nusra group, which on the same day used a shoulder-fired missile to shoot down a Russian Air Force Su-25 fighter jet.
“Russian forces delivered a 'lightning and precise' strike on the area controlled by the Jabhat al Nusra group in Idlib province, where the Russian Su-25 fighter jet was shot down,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
2. Türkiye's deadliest day in northern Syria
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| A Turkish armored vehicle convoy arrives at a border village near the town of Hassa, Hatay province. Photo: Reuters |
The Turkish military has endured its bloodiest day yet in its campaign against Kurdish militias in northern Syria, with seven soldiers killed.
Five of the soldiers died when their tank was attacked in the Afrin area, the BBC reported. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim vowed to make the Kurdish rebels “pay double”, and warplanes later bombed Kurdish targets north-east of Afrin city.
3. China, Russia call US nuclear report "provocative"
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| In the US nuclear report, China is listed as a potential nuclear rival. Photo: TASS |
China's Defense Ministry stressed on February 4 that China's military activities are defensive and its nuclear forces are only at the "minimum" level to ensure national security.Beijing called on the United States to abandon its Cold War mentality and take the lead in nuclear disarmament.
Meanwhile, on February 3, Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Duma (Lower House) - Mr. Leonid Slutsky declared that the NPR is "very dangerous" and could lead to a new phase of the arms race in the world, when other countries are likely to start adjusting their principles.
4. Train accident in the US, more than 70 people injured and dead
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| Rescue workers at the scene of the accident. Photo: Reuters |
Early on February 4 (local time), an Amtrak passenger train crashed into a freight train in the eastern US state of South Carolina, killing at least two people and injuring 70 others.
In a statement, Amtrak said the passenger train operating between New York and Miami collided with a CSX freight train and derailed at 2:35 a.m. (2:35 p.m. February 4, Vietnam time) in the Cayce area, near the capital of Columbia, South Carolina. At the time of the accident, the train was carrying 139 passengers and eight crew members.
5. Pyongyang criticizes the US for hindering reconciliation between the two Koreas.
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| US and South Korean soldiers participate in a joint military exercise on Baekryeong Island, South Korea on November 3, 2017. Source: Yonhap/VNA |
On February 4, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted a spokesman for the country's Foreign Ministry as criticizing President Donald Trump, saying that the US leader's statement in last week's State of the Union Address about his determination to increase maximum pressure on Pyongyang would hinder reconciliation efforts between the two Koreas.
KCNA said President Trump's determination to exert maximum pressure on North Korea "is simply a stubborn attempt to obstruct progress in inter-Korean relations."
6.Current South African President Jacob Zuma asked to resign
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| South African President Jacob Zuma. Source: AFP/TTXVN |
Local media reported that six top leaders of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party are expected to meet with incumbent South African President Jacob Zuma on February 4 to ask him to resign.
Local press said that President Zuma will likely agree to this proposal and will accept to resign early on the condition that he is allowed to complete his New Year's State of the Nation Address on February 8 as approved by the country's parliament.7.Australian Prime Minister criticizes loss of cabinet documents
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| Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has condemned the loss of confidential government documents as a disgrace. Photo: ABC |
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on February 4 called on civil servants to be held accountable for letting confidential government documents leak out.
The ABC this week released a trove of Australian Cabinet documents after finding a locked filing cabinet at a furniture auction. The files have since been returned to the Department of Government through lawyers.
The head of the Prime Minister's Office, Martin Parkinson, said on February 4 that the agency was responsible for the leaked documents, and affirmed that this was the most serious incident for the entire public service system.
8.Kim Jong-un and his wife test ride an electric bus at midnight
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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un tests an electric bus in Pyongyang. Photo: KCNA. |
North Korean state news agency KCNA reported on February 4 that leader Kim Jong-un and his wife were very pleased to test ride an electric bus around Pyongyang at midnight. This type of bus runs on electricity transmitted from overhead cables.
Mr. Kim said he felt very comfortable traveling in this vehicle and was proud that it was produced by North Korean workers. Accompanying Mr. Kim and his wife on the test ride were two officials of the Workers' Party of Korea O Su-yong and Jo Yong-won.
