Top 10 world news today: Taliban 'optimistic' on peace deal, China-Myanmar bonhomie, and more
Top world news
Taiban said on Friday that the insurgent group is "optimistic" of signing a deal with the United States by the end of this month. In another development,Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday doubled down on his support to Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, signing a number of infrastructure and trade deals in his state visit to Myanmar.
Here are the major events on January 18 that you need to know:
1. Taliban says deal with US can be signed before end of this month: Report
Taliban had also agreed to "scale down" military operations in Afghanistan in order to provide a safe environment for withdrawal of foreign forces from the region, Taliban chief spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said. Read more
2.China stands with Myanmar despite Rohingya backlash, inks dozens of deals
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Myanmar army chief, who is accused of overseeing a genocide against Rohingya Muslims. Read more
3.Pakistani businessmen allegedly involved in illicit acquisition of nuclear missile technology
Pakistan is allegedly involved in nuclear smuggling and illicit acquisition of missile technology. Read more
4.Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on Europe to support Turkey's moves in Libya
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has called on Europe to support its work in Libya, where it is providing military support to the internationally-recognized government if it wants to end the conflict there. Read more
5.After bushfires, unprecedented rain floods parts of Australian east coast
Australia is now witnessing the heaviest rainfall in months. Major highways have been shut down in Queensland. In New South Wales, power was cut off. Read more
6.New issue with Boeing 737 Max's computer software discovered: Sources
A new issue with the Boeing's 737 Max has been discovered. After being grounded citing safety issues, Boeing has been running tests and reviews involving the Max. Read more
7.US to screen passengers for new China coronavirus at three airports
The United States will begin screening efforts at three US airports to detect travellers from the central Chinese city of Wuhan who may have symptoms of a new respiratory virus that so far has killed two people and infected 45 more, public health officials said on Friday. Read more
8.SpaceX to destroy rocket in 'mock-failure' before manned missions with NASA
Elon Musk's SpaceX is set to destroy one of its own rockets today in a bid to test an emergency abort system on an unmanned capsule. Read more
9.China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak
Four individuals were diagnosed with pneumonia on Thursday and are in stable condition, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a statement published shortly after midnight. Read more
10.Alphabet: Google's parent company now a $1 trillion enterprise; fourth US company to achieve the feat
They are the fourth American company to break this barrier, after Apple, Microsoft and Amazon. Read more