The hottest events in the world over the past 24 hours.

1. President Macron's visit to China: Prospects for opening an "Asian chapter"

French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: AP

Emmanuel Macron arrived in Xi'an, China on January 8th to begin his first Asian tour as President of France.

This was Macron's first foreign trip of 2018, his first trip to Asia as President of France, and also his first visit to China, Asia's number one economic power and a leading partner of both France and the European Union.

Asia is a region where a young, highly successful foreign policy leader like Macron has yet to announce or implement any specific strategy.

2. Former Malaysian Prime Minister, 92 years old, is running for re-election.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: AFP.

The Malaysian opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan announced on January 7th its decision to nominate Mahathir Mohamad as its candidate for prime minister in the upcoming election to be held before August.

With the most prominent opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, imprisoned, Mahathir is seen as the biggest threat to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is accused of involvement in a corruption scandal. The coalition also chose Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, as their deputy prime minister candidate.

3. South Korea and Japan agree to work together for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Panmunjeom truce village. Source: AFP

On January 8, South Korea's Ministry of Unification announced that both sides had agreed to begin negotiations at 10:00 AM on January 9 (local time) at the truce village of Panmunjeom on the inter-Korean border.

Ministry of Unification spokesperson Baik Tae Hyun stated that the two sides agreed on the aforementioned negotiation time on the afternoon of January 7th. A key topic to be discussed at the talks will be North Korea's participation in the Winter Olympics, which will take place from February 9-25.

4. Iran's Foreign Minister warns neighbors against seeking to destabilize the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Source: Press TV

According to AP, on January 8, the official IRNA news agency quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as warning neighboring countries not to incite instability in the Middle Eastern nation, referring to the anti-government protests that have taken place across Iran over the past two weeks.

Speaking at a security conference in Tehran, Iran, Zarif reiterated the Iranian government's position, accusing countries of stirring up unrest by linking it to protests.

5. Oil tanker on fire off the coast of China is at risk of exploding.

The Sanchi ship caught fire off the coast of China. Photo: AFP.

"The Sanchi oil tanker is at risk of exploding or sinking; there are no signs of survivors after 36 hours of burning."AFPAccording to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Transport on January 8th.

The intense fire continues to engulf the Sanchi, with intense heat and thick black smoke spreading to the surrounding area. The toxic smoke is hindering the search for the crew. Ten Chinese government rescue vessels and numerous fishing boats are searching for the missing, and a South Korean coast guard vessel has also appeared in the collision area.

6. South Korea to announce its stance on comfort women deal.

A statue of a 'comfort woman' stands outside the Japanese Consulate in Busan, South Korea. Source: AFP/VNA.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry announced on January 8th that it will release details regarding the controversial agreement with Japan to resolve the comfort women issue on January 9th.

According to the ministry, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will issue a statement on the afternoon of January 9th. This move comes after a South Korean government task force recently stated that the previous administration of impeached President Park Geun-hye did not make sufficient efforts to listen to the opinions of former comfort women victims before signing the agreement in December 2015.

7.A US helicopter has made another emergency landing in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

American helicopter. (Source: NAVAIR)

According to AFP, on January 8, a US military helicopter made an emergency landing in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, just two days after a similar incident occurred on the southern Japanese island.

A spokesperson for the Okinawa Prefectural Police said there were no reports of casualties or damage after the helicopter made an emergency landing near a hotel in Yomitan village, Okinawa Prefecture.

AFP quoted the official as saying: "We don't know the cause yet because the investigation is ongoing." The US military has not yet commented on the incident.

8. USA: Fire at Trump Tower in New York City.

Smoke rises from Trump Tower. (Source: NBC)

According to NBC and CBS, a fire broke out at Trump Tower in downtown Manhattan, New York City, on January 8th.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press (AP) quoted the New York Fire Department as saying they received a fire alarm at 7 a.m. (local time) and that the fire was on the rooftop. The fire occurred while President Donald Trump was in Washington.