Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1. North Korea calls on South Korea to stop military exercises with the US

US-South Korean soldiers during a joint exercise. Photo: Reuters

North Korean media on January 11 called on South Korea to stop joint military exercises with the US to avoid escalating tensions.

SheetRodong SinmunThe North Korean Workers' Party's top diplomat commented that if South Korea truly wants to reduce tensions and move toward peace, it should first stop all joint military actions with the United States against its "Northern brother."

According to the newspaper, large-scale military exercises aimed at threatening and attacking North Korea have pushed tensions in the region into an extremely dangerous situation.

2. China establishes super anti-corruption agency

The establishment of a National Supervisory Commission will be a top priority for the CCDI. Photo: SCMP

On January 11, China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) met in Beijing to outline its 2018 agenda, with the main priority expected to be the establishment of a new anti-corruption "super agency."

The anti-corruption campaign launched by Xi Jinping five years ago is considered the most extensive and intense in the history of the People's Republic of China. More than 1.4 million officials, including the highest-ranking officials in the Party and the military, have been disciplined or prosecuted for corruption and disloyalty.

3. Chinese warships approach disputed islands with Japan

Chinese submarine approaches Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, Japan issues emergency alert.

Japan announced on January 11 that it had detected a Chinese destroyer in the waters around the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu Islands by Beijing) in the East China Sea.

This is the first time a Chinese ship has approached the disputed area with Japan in more than a year, according to the Japan Times.

Japan Coast Guard vessels spotted the 4,000-ton Jiangkai II-class destroyer around 11 a.m. around the Tokyo-administered islands.

A Japanese Defense Ministry spokesman said an unidentified submarine was also detected entering the contiguous waters of the disputed islands. "We are monitoring the vessels and sending a message to them that they have entered the contiguous waters near Japanese territory," he added.

4. The US military sent stealth bombers to Guam island.

B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Source: Military.com

Yonhap quoted the US military's announcement on January 11 saying that the country had sent three B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to Guam Island, where B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers are stationed.

The US Pacific Air Forces said on its website that about 200 airmen and B-2 Spirit aircraft had just deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.
The move is part of a routine rotation of US Strategic Command bombers across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the unit said, but did not say how long the bombers would be stationed in Guam.

5. Germany moves closer to formal coalition talks

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Social Democratic Party Chairman Martin Schulz. Photo: EPA.

January 11 is scheduled to be the last day of exploratory talks between German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative coalition, the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

This will also be the most important day of negotiations when the parties will focus on discussing and finding common solutions to sensitive issues that have caused division up to now, and will also be the basis for the parties to decide whether or not they can move forward with official negotiations to form a new government in Germany.

6. North Korean leader's right-hand man promoted

Mr. Choe Ryong Hae (left) was a close military aide to leader Kim Jong-un.

According to Kyodo, on January 11, the South Korean Unification Ministry confirmed that Mr. Choe Ryong Hae, the right-hand man of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been appointed as head of the Organization and Guidance Department of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

7.UK confirms no second referendum on Brexit

British and European Union flags during an anti-Brexit protest march in front of Big Ben in London, England in 2017. (Source: AFP/VNA)

According to Reuters, on January 11, responding to increasing calls for a new referendum on Britain's exit from the European Union (EU - also known as Brexit), a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May affirmed that the prime minister will not hold a second referendum of this type.

Earlier in the day, Brexit campaigner and former UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage said he wanted a second referendum on Brexit, arguing that another vote would show the "Leave" side continuing to win and end the debate.