Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1. India test-fires ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads

Agni-I surface-to-surface ballistic missile. Source: thehindu.com

Indian media reported that on February 6, India test-fired the Agni-I surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The test was conducted off the coast of Abdul Kalam Island in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.

The Indian-made ballistic missile was test-fired at 8:30 a.m. local time. Local media reported that the test was conducted by the Indian Army's Strategic Forces Command.
Defence sources confirmed that this is the 18th version of Agni-I missile and it can achieve all the parameters within the stipulated time.

2. Japanese military helicopter crash, 2 pilots killed, missing

Smoke rises from the scene of a helicopter crash in Kanzaki, Saga Prefecture, Japan. Source: Mirror/VNA

On the morning of February 6, Japanese authorities announced that one pilot on an AH-64D military helicopter of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (GSDF) was killed and the other pilot was missing, after the aircraft crashed into a house in a residential area in Kanzaki city, Saga prefecture on the afternoon of February 5.

The dead pilot was Master Sergeant Hiroki Takayama, 26. The missing pilot was Major Kenichi Saito, 43. Both served in the GSDF's anti-tank helicopter unit.

The incident occurred when the AH-64D was reportedly on a test flight after maintenance. The helicopter took off from the Metabaru military base and crashed into a residential area 4km away, burning two houses.

3. Snowstorm in Japan leaves 1,000 cars stranded on the road

Japanese Snow. Photo: TwistedSifter.

Heavy snowfall on February 6 in central Japan caused serious traffic disruption, leaving about 1,000 cars stuck on the road.

Local authorities in Fukui prefecture, 320km west of Tokyo, had to ask the military to help clear snow and regulate traffic.

In many areas, snowfall of more than 1 meter thick caused traffic to almost come to a standstill, with traffic jams of about 10km. Local authorities were forced to close roads to reduce traffic. This heavy snowfall in Fukui is forecast to last until February 7.

4. New powerful figure in North Korean government revealed

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and officials. Photo: Yonhap

YonhapCiting a source from the South Korean parliament, the country's intelligence agency has obtained information about Kim Jong-gak's appointment as head of the General Political Bureau of the North Korean army.

Kim Jong-gak, former vice minister of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, will replace Hwang Pyong-so, head of the Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea and once considered the third most powerful figure in the North Korean government but now "downgraded" to fifth.

Hwang Pyong-so, once considered one of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's closest aides, is said to have been recently dismissed and is undergoing "ideological education" at a high-level school.

5. The US is "calculating" against Türkiye, Iran and Russia in Syria

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Source: neoskosmos.com

Reuters reported that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on February 6 that the United States was acting against the interests of Turkey, Iran and possibly Russia in northern Syria, where Washington is deploying military supplies to an area controlled by Kurdish forces.

Speaking to members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK) in the parliament, the Turkish leader said: "If the US announces that they are sending 5,000 trucks and 2,000 transport planes carrying weapons to support the fight against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization, I do not believe this. This means (the US) has calculations against Türkiye, Iran and possibly Russia."

6. Mr. Putin officially registered to run for President of Russia

President Vladimir Putin. Source: AFP/VNA

The Central Election Commission of Russia (SIK) at its meeting on February 6 approved the decision to register incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin as a candidate for the next Russian presidential election and Mr. Putin to run as an independent candidate.

Mr. Putin is the third candidate to be registered to run in the upcoming presidential election. Previously, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zirinovskiy and the candidate of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Pavel Grudinin were registered without collecting signatures of voters in their support because they were nominated by parties with seats in the parliament.

7. US Vice President travels, increasing pressure on North Korea

US Vice President Mike Pence

News agencyAPVice President Mike Pence began a six-day trip to Alaska, Japan and South Korea on February 5. This is his second visit to Asia as US vice president. White House officials said Pence will lead the US delegation to the upcoming Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The White House sees Pence as traveling to Asia to ensure North Korea does not “back out” of its agreement to play a team with South Korea at the Winter Olympics. Pence is expected to host signature events highlighting Pyongyang’s human rights abuses and nuclear ambitions, White House officials said on condition of anonymity.

8.6.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Taiwan, many dead

The earthquake occurred at 11:50 p.m. (local time) on February 6, at a depth of about 10 km, about 18 km from Hualien city.

On the night of February 6, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook the area off the east coast of Taiwan (China), killing at least two people, injuring hundreds of others, and partially or completely destroying several buildings.

According to the Taiwan Meteorological Administration, the earthquake occurred at 11:50 p.m. (local time) on February 6, at a depth of about 10 km, about 18 km from Hualien city.

Residents and local media said part of the Marshal Hotel in downtown Hualien had collapsed.