Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1. Russia begins deporting North Korean workers

North Korean workers in Russia. Source: mikrofonnews.com

Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora said authorities in several Russian regions have begun expelling North Korean employees, in line with UN Security Council sanctions resolutions against Pyongyang.

According to the ambassador, North Korean citizens receive up to 15,000 Russian visas annually, 90 percent of which are short-term work visas. A total of 35,000 workers from North Korea have worked in Russia, mainly in housing construction, agriculture, and fishing.

2.Japan pledges to sign peace treaty with Russia

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: AP

On February 7, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to sign a peace treaty with Russia.

Prime Minister Abe stressed that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon resolve the issue related to the peace treaty between the two sides. On this occasion, Mr. Abe also announced plans to visit Moscow (Russia) next May.

In the current relationship between the Russian Federation and Japan, the biggest obstacle is the disagreement over the sovereignty dispute over the Southern Kuril Islands (as Russia calls them) or the Northern Territories (as Japan calls them). This is also the reason why Japan and Russia have not been able to sign a peace treaty since the end of World War II.

3.North Korea sends Kim Jong-un's sister to PyeongChang Olympics

Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of leader Kim Jong-un, will be part of the high-ranking North Korean delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Photo: Yonhap

According to a source from the South Korean Ministry of Unification, Ms. Kim Yo-Jong, the younger sister of leader Kim Jong-un, will be present in the delegation led by Mr. Kim Yong-nam, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (Parliament) of North Korea, to PyeongChang to attend the Winter Olympics.

This will be the first time a member of the North Korean leader's family has visited South Korea. The South Korean government assessed that the North Korean delegation, which includes many party, government and sports officials, is very meaningful, the Unification Ministry said.

4.South Korea passes resolution to curb conflict during Olympics

Source: Dragon Hill Lodge

The South Korean National Assembly on February 7 passed a resolution pledging to successfully host the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea, while calling on factions to avoid political confrontation during the sporting event from February 9-25.

With 160 votes in favor, one against and four abstentions, South Korea's legislature passed the document, which highlights support for the government's efforts to turn the Olympic sporting event into an opportunity to promote lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

5. Turkish army “neutralizes” nearly 1,000 terrorists

Turkish soldiers and military vehicles deployed in the Afrin area, Syria on January 22. Photo: THX/TTXVN

On February 7, the Turkish General Staff said that at least 999 terrorists from the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) have been "neutralized" since the start of the "Olive Branch" operation in Afrin, Syria.

Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralized” in statements to imply that the terrorists in this case have surrendered or been killed or captured.

6.President defies Supreme Court in Maldives crisis

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Photo: maldiveshighcommission.

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is in the international spotlight after refusing to comply with a Supreme Court ruling to release political prisoners and reinstate opposition lawmakers.

He then declared a nationwide state of emergency, sent troops to the Supreme Court and ordered the arrest of his half-brother, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had served as president of the Maldives for 30 years.

Yameen has been accused by some of embezzling millions of dollars during his tenure as chairman of the State Trading Organization (STO) from 1990 to 2005, but he has denied the allegations.

7.Hong Kong court clears prison sentence for Joshua Wong

Joshua Wong outside the final court on February 6. Photo: REUTERS

A Hong Kong high court on February 6 overturned prison sentences for student leader Joshua Wong and two other pro-democracy activists.

Previously in August 2017, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal sentenced Joshua Wong (21 years old), Nathan Law (24 years old) and Alex Chow (27 years old) to 6-8 months in prison, a sentence that was criticized by human rights groups.

The court indictment said the trio incited months of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2014.