The hottest world events of the past 24 hours.

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

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

North Korean media on January 11 called on South Korea to halt joint military exercises with the United States to avoid escalating tensions.

The newspaperRodong SinmunA statement from the Workers' Party of North Korea said that if South Korea truly wants to reduce tensions and move towards peace, it should first stop all joint military actions with the U.S. against its "northern brother."

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

2. China establishes a super anti-corruption agency.

Establishing a National Supervisory Commission will be a top priority for the CCDI. Photo: SCMP

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

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

3. Chinese warships approach disputed island with Japan.

Chinese submarine approaches Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands; Japan issues emergency alert.

On January 11, Japan announced the detection of a Chinese destroyer in the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu Islands by Beijing) in the East China Sea.

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

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels spotted the 4,000-ton Jiangkai II-class destroyer at around 11 a.m., around islands administered by Tokyo.

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

4. The US military deploys stealth bombers to Guam.

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

According to a US military announcement on January 11, Yonhap reported that the US has deployed three B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to Guam, the home base of B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers.

The U.S. Pacific Air Force stated on its website that approximately 200 pilots and B-2 Spirit bombers have been deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.
According to the aforementioned unit, this move is part of the regular rotation of bomber aircraft by the U.S. Strategic Command across the Indo-Pacific region. However, they did not disclose how long these bombers will be stationed on Guam.

5. Germany moves closer to formal coalition talks.

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

According to the plan, January 11th will be the final day of exploratory talks between the conservative coalition of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

This will also be the most important day of negotiations, as the parties will focus on discussing and finding common solutions to sensitive issues that have long caused division, and it will also serve as the basis for deciding whether it is possible to move on to formal negotiations to form a new government in Germany.

6. The right-hand man of the North Korean leader has been promoted.

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

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

7.He insists he will not hold a second referendum on Brexit.

The British and European Union flags are displayed during a Brexit protest march near Big Ben in London, England, in 2017. (Source: AFP/VNA)

According to Reuters, on January 11, in response to increasing calls for a new referendum on Britain's departure from the European Union (EU - also known as Brexit), a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Theresa May affirmed that the Prime Minister would not hold a second referendum of this kind.

Earlier that day, Brexit campaigner and former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Nigel Farage, said he wanted a second referendum on Brexit, arguing that another vote would show the "Leave" side winning again and end the controversy.