The most notable events in the world over the past 24 hours.

1. US Vice President inspects missile base on his way to the Olympics.

US Vice President Mike Pence. Photo: AFP.

KTVA 11 NewsCBS News' Alaska branch reported on February 5th that Vice President Mike Pence will visit Fort Greely missile interceptor base in the state before heading to South Korea for the Winter Olympics.

Mr. Pence led the U.S. delegation to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea. The father of student Otto Warmbier, who died in 2017 after being released by North Korea, was also part of the delegation as a guest of the U.S. Vice President.

Fort Greely base in Alaska, equipped with 44 missiles, is the first point of contact for intercepting any ballistic missiles threatening the United States, and is considered a reliable defensive shield against the threat from North Korea.

2.The PyeongChang Olympic Truce Wall monument is inaugurated.

The Olympic Truce Wall at the PyeongChang Olympic Village on February 5. Source: Yonhap/VNA

On February 5th, the Truce Wall monument, symbolizing the spirit of peace, was unveiled at the PyeongChang Olympic Village.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Tomas Bach, PyeongChang Organizing Committee Chairman Lee Hee-beom, and South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan.

The design on this wall was created by South Korean artist Yi Je-seok, inspired by Pope Francis's message of peace that building bridges, not walls, will foster relationships between people around the world.

3. Japan protests against the Olympic flag depicting the disputed islands.

The flag used in the friendly match between the unified Korean women's ice hockey team and the Swedish team. Source: Kyodo

On February 5th, a Japanese government spokesperson stated that Tokyo had sent a diplomatic note to South Korea protesting the use of a flag depicting the disputed islands in the Sea of ​​Japan for the women's ice hockey friendly match between the Korean and Swedish teams the previous day.

Speaking at a press conference, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga stated that Tokyo could not accept the flag based on Japan's position on the sovereignty of the Takeshima islands, which South Korea calls Dokdo, emphasizing that "this is a very regrettable act."

4.Russia warns of retaliatory sanctions against the US.

Illustrative image. Source: kataeb.org

Reuters reported that in an interview with Izvestia on February 5, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow still has retaliatory measures it can take against the US in the tit-for-tat sanctions war between the two countries.

On January 30th, the US Treasury Department announced...Kremlin ReportThis includes a list of individuals who could be subject to Washington's new sanctions.

5.North Korean National Assembly Speaker visits South Korea.

Kim Yong Nam, born in 1928, has been elected chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly – North Korea's highest legislative body – since 1998. Photo: UPI.

South Korean media reported that North Korea has sent Kim Yong Nam, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly (Parliament), to lead a high-level delegation to attend the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea.

On the evening of February 4th, South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing an announcement from the South Korean Ministry of Unification, reported that the North Korean delegation would consist of 22 people, including 3 additional delegates and 18 support staff.

The delegation led by Kim Jong-un will arrive in South Korea on Friday (February 9th), the opening day of the Winter Olympics, and will stay for three days. North Korea had previously agreed to send performing arts troupes and ice hockey teams to the joint Olympics with South Korea.

6. Gas leak at a steel plant in China kills 8 people.

A factory belonging to Shaoguan Iron and Steel Company in Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province, China. Photo: baike.so.com.

A gas leak occurred at 3:00 AM on February 5th at the Songshan plant of Shaoguan Iron and Steel Company, killing at least eight people and injuring 10 others.APThis information was posted on social media by the Shaoguan city government in Guangdong province.

The rescue and cleanup operation is still underway. The cause of the gas leak is currently unknown.

China has made significant progress in improving industrial safety, but every year, accidents at factories, coal mines, and on transportation networks still kill dozens of people.

7.Military helicopter crashes into residential area in Japan.

An AH-64 helicopter of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The incident occurred on February 5th in Kanzaki City, southwestern Japan. The helicopter involved is believed to be an AH-64, based in Kumamoto Prefecture.

"A Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) helicopter crashed into a residential area during landing. A house caught fire," Katsuhide Tanaka, a local government official, told reporters.AFPThe extent of casualties in the accident is currently unknown.

A spokesperson for Japan's Ministry of Defense said there were two people on board the helicopter. Local fire departments have deployed 14 fire trucks and three ambulances to the scene.

8.The Netherlands officially announces the withdrawal of its ambassador from Türkiye.

Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra. Source: hurriyetdailynews.com

On February 5th, the Netherlands officially announced the withdrawal of its ambassador from Türkiye and stated that it would refuse to allow Ankara to send an ambassador to the country, amid a new low in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

In a statement, Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlsra said the two countries have yet to agree on how to normalize relations despite recent negotiations.
Therefore, the Dutch government decided to officially withdraw its ambassador to Ankara, who has not been allowed to enter Türkiye since March 2017.