Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1. North Korea declares it is ready to launch a nuclear attack on the US

North Korean troops conduct drills on the coast. Photo: KCNA

According to the radioNHK(Japan), Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the Workers' Party of Korea, on February 23 published an article affirming that the country's military is stepping up the deployment of nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles.

According toRodong Sinmun,North Korea now possesses intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and hydrogen bombs. The North Korean newspaper asserted that the country is fully prepared for a possible nuclear attack on the United States.

2. Deng Xiaoping's grandson-in-law was prosecuted.

Ngo Tieu Huy

On the morning of February 23, the website of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission reported that Wu Xiaohui, former Chairman and General Director of Anbang Insurance Group Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as Anbang Group) was prosecuted according to the law due to signs of economic crimes.

Because Anbang Group's illegal actions are likely to seriously damage the company's compensation capacity and in order to ensure Anbang's normal operation and protect the legitimate rights and interests of insurance customers, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission has decided to take over Anbang Group for a period of one year, starting from February 23, 2018.

3. Egypt launches presidential campaign

Incumbent President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi (left) and head of the Ghad (Tomorrow) party Moussa Mustafa Moussa (right).

On February 24, the Egyptian National Elections Committee (NEC) officially announced the names of the candidates that will be printed on the ballots in the presidential election on March 26 and 28, 2018.

The presidential campaign officially begins on February 24. The Egyptian National Elections Commission allows 11 days for candidates to campaign abroad and 28 days to campaign at home. Candidates can also withdraw from the race until March 1.

4. Two more senior White House advisers may leave President Trump

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (right) and US President Donald Trump. Photo: Japan Times.

The ongoing tension between US President Donald Trump and his two top aides, the National Security Advisor and the Chief of Staff, has reached a point where one or both of them may resign.

Both McMaster and Chief of Staff John Kelly have military backgrounds and are considered by US political observers to be influential with the current US President. They have also convinced Mr. Trump of the importance of international alliances, especially NATO, which Mr. Trump has criticized for not sharing the burden equally with the US.

5. Australian Deputy Prime Minister resigns due to sex scandal

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce resigns over sex scandal. Photo: BBC.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce announced on February 23 that he would resign as leader of the National Party in the ruling coalition, a move that came after public opinion demanded his resignation following an affair scandal with a former staff member.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Barnaby Joyce said that although he resigned from the Cabinet, he would still keep his seat in the National Assembly to protect the ruling coalition's position in the National Assembly. Currently, in the National Assembly, the ruling coalition only has one more seat than the opposition.

6. South Korean lawmakers demand execution of North Korean Olympic delegate

Liberty Korea Party members protest in front of the Presidential Palace. Photo: Yonhap.

About 70 lawmakers from the conservative Liberty Korea Party protested outside the Blue House on February 23, urging President Moon Jae-in to cancel Kim's visit.

Mr Kim is accused of being behind a series of attacks on South Korea, including the sinking of the warship Cheonan that killed 46 people and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010. North Korea has always denied sinking the South Korean warship.

Baek Tae-hyun, a spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry, said the government was aware of concerns about Mr Kim's visit to South Korea, but saw it as "an opportunity to improve inter-Korean relations and a possible peace settlement".

7.Philippines summons US ambassador to protest report on President Duterte

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: Sputnik.

On February 23, the Philippine government summoned US Ambassador Sung Kim to meet with Salvador Medialdea, a top adviser to President Rodrigo Duterte, to protest the content of the "Global Threat Assessment" report released by the US last week.AFPreport

Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Manila strongly criticized Washington for the report calling Duterte's war on drugs a "regional threat."

"President Duterte is not a dictator or a dictator. He has always been law-abiding and loyal to the Philippine Constitution," Mr. Roque declared.